Best of Canada
Best Ski Resorts in Canada 2026/27: Largest, Highest & for Beginners
By Book & Ski · Sources checked
The short answer
By mapped runs, the biggest ski areas in Canada are Whistler Blackcomb (299 km), Sun Peaks Resort (156 km) and Silver Star Mountain Resort (111 km). The highest is Banff Sunshine Village, with runs from 2,691 m (8,829 ft); the biggest vertical is at Revelstoke Mountain Resort (1,813 m); and Le Valinouet has the largest share of easy terrain (50%).
| Resort | Top elevation | Vertical | Mapped runs | Easy terrain | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistler Blackcomb | 2,279 m | 1,630 m | 299 km | 26% | source |
| Sun Peaks Resort | 2,106 m | 910 m | 156 km | 25% | source |
| Silver Star Mountain Resort | 1,886 m | 741 m | 111 km | 29% | source |
| Big White Ski Resort | 2,272 m | 761 m | 96 km | 31% | source |
| Revelstoke Mountain Resort | 2,327 m | 1,813 m | 84 km | 35% | source |
| Fernie Alpine Resort | 2,097 m | 1,038 m | 82 km | 23% | source |
| Lake Louise Ski Area | 2,644 m | 997 m | 80 km | 37% | source |
| Mont Tremblant Resort | 873 m | 617 m | 78 km | 30% | source |
| Banff Sunshine Village | 2,691 m | 1,034 m | 77 km | 31% | source |
| Panorama Mountain Resort | 2,369 m | 1,218 m | 74 km | 12% | source |
Highest ski resorts in Canada
Higher resorts generally hold snow longer into spring. These have the highest mapped runs in Canada.
Banff Sunshine Village: 2,691 m (8,829 ft) →Lake Louise Ski Area: 2,644 m (8,675 ft) →Marmot Basin: 2,601 m (8,533 ft) →Kicking Horse Resort: 2,424 m (7,953 ft) →Panorama Mountain Resort: 2,369 m (7,772 ft) →Biggest vertical drop
Vertical is the height difference between the highest and lowest mapped runs: a guide to how long the longest descents can be.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort: 1,813 m vertical →Whistler Blackcomb: 1,630 m vertical →Panorama Mountain Resort: 1,218 m vertical →Kicking Horse Resort: 1,162 m vertical →Fernie Alpine Resort: 1,038 m vertical →Best for beginners (most easy terrain)
Ranked by the share of mapped run length graded novice or easy. A big share of gentle runs gives beginners more room to progress; also check where the ski school meets.
Le Valinouet: 50% easy (22 km total) →Mont Orford: 44% easy (25 km total) →Mt Norquay: 44% easy (25 km total) →Bromont Montagne d'Expérience: 42% easy (46 km total) →Castle Mountain Resort: 39% easy (55 km total) →How we chose
“Best” here means measurable: size (km of mapped downhill runs), top elevation, vertical drop and the share of easy terrain, across the 32 ski areas with at least 20 km of runs and five lifts in Canada. Figures come from OpenStreetMap via OpenSkiMap, retrieved 2026-10-01, and can differ from resorts’ own published numbers.
All ski resorts in Canada →Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest ski resort in Canada?
By mapped runs, Whistler Blackcomb, with about 299 km and 37 lifts.
What is the highest ski resort in Canada?
Banff Sunshine Village, with mapped runs starting at about 2,691 m (8,829 ft).
Which Canada ski resort is best for beginners?
By share of easy terrain, Le Valinouet (50% of runs graded novice or easy). Also consider ski school locations and lift access.
Official sources
Checked on . Prices and timetables change; confirm with the operator before you pay. How we research.