| Make this year's winter ski vacation one to | | | | Where is it?Above the town of Golden in the |
| remember by getting away to a hidden gem of | | | | Canadian Rockies, 3.5 hours west of Calgary |
| Western Canada. While the crowds flock to | | | | (a scenic drive through Banff and Yoho |
| big-brand resorts, you'll be waist-deep in | | | | national Parks). |
| North America's best powder with no lines to | | | | |
| get in your way of making fresh tracks. | | | | Why you should go: Kicking Horse Mountain |
| | | | Resort is the Rockies' newest alpine resort |
| Canada ski vacations have it all: snowy | | | | and already gaining notoriety as offering |
| landscapes of mountains, valleys, and glacial | | | | "the champagne of powders," the lightest and |
| lakes; deepest and most consistent snow; | | | | driest snow" , as well as the second longest |
| internationally known parties and | | | | ski-out in Canada. It features a vertical |
| resorts… and the crowds who love them. | | | | drop of 4133 ft/1260 m, 2600 acres of skiing |
| | | | terrain over 78 trails, with 275 inches of |
| So, for a line-free ski vacation this winter, | | | | snowfall a year. |
| consider one of Western Canada's lesser known | | | | |
| gems. They may not have Whistler's glitz and | | | | Red Mountain |
| glamour, but locals in the know find the best | | | | |
| powder here. | | | | Where is it? In southern BC just outside of |
| | | | Rossland, 2.5 hours from Spokane, Washington, |
| Fernie | | | | or 7.5 hours from Vancouver or Calgary. |
| | | | |
| Where is it? In the Canadian Rockies, a 3.5 | | | | Why you should go:Known for its powder and |
| hour drive from Calgary International Airport | | | | terrain over two mountains - Red and Granite |
| and an hour and 15 minutes from Cranbrook, BC | | | | - Red Mountain Resort appeals to skiers and |
| (served by Time Air and Air BC). The town of | | | | boarders alike, and particularly those |
| Fernie is five minutes away. | | | | looking for a thrill. It features a vertical |
| | | | drop of 2909 ft/887 m, 1686 acres of terrain |
| Why you should go: This world-class ski area | | | | on over 87 runs, and 300 inches of snowfall a |
| is known among locals as the powder capital | | | | year. |
| of the Rockies - the snow is excellent. In | | | | |
| addition, the ski area has recently been | | | | Panorama Mountain Village Resort |
| redeveloped to offer more accommodation | | | | |
| (including ski-in/ski-out) and vast new | | | | Where is it? Located on the western slopes of |
| terrain. It features a vertical drop of 2811 | | | | the Canadian Rockies, Panorama is a 3.5 hour |
| ft/857 m, 2500 acres of skiiable terrain on | | | | drive from Calgary International Airport and |
| 106 trails, and 348 inches of snow a year. | | | | 2 hours south-west of Banff. |
| | | | |
| Sun Peaks | | | | Why you should go: Panorama has its |
| | | | relatively remote location in the Purcell |
| Where is it? In BC's interior, 4.5 hours from | | | | Mountains to thank for the lack of crowds |
| Vancouver along the scenic Coquihalla | | | | plaguing other resorts in the Rockies. It |
| Highway, and 45 minutes from Kamloops. | | | | features a vertical drop of 4000 ft/1220 m |
| | | | (the highest in the Canadian Rockies), 119 |
| Why you should go: Sun Peaks is friendly and | | | | trails and 187 inches of snow a year. |
| fun, with great snow, blue skies, and lots of | | | | |
| trails. It features a vertical drop of 2891 | | | | Whether you're taking to the slopes for the |
| ft/881 m, 3678 acres of skiing terrain on 117 | | | | first time, or looking for an expert thrill, |
| runs, with 220 inches of snow a year. | | | | these mountains have it all. Fewer crowds |
| | | | mean more time on the mountains, so get |
| Kicking Horse | | | | outside this winter with these unknown gems. |
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