Without a doubt, Canada is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. However, with a great range of peaks to choose from, it can be difficult to find a resort that offers the right balance for a family of varying skill levels. To save you (and yours) precious time, we’ve found the best ski resorts for kids and families in Canada.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
- Location: 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC VON 1B4, Canada
- Months of Operation: November to April
Given that it is frequently voted as one of the best ski resorts in the world, it’s no wonder that the most experienced and passionate instructors flock here for the season. Not only does Whistler have great facilities for families, including ski schools and adventure camps, you can be assured that your children are in safe hands learning straight from the pros.
Mont Tremblant, Quebec
- Location: 1000 Chemin des Voyageurs, Mont-Tremblant, QC J8E 1T1, Canada
- Months of Operation: November to mid-April
The fact that Mont Tremblant is both a ski resort and an entire village makes the family-friendly possibilities even greater. Here, you can enroll your kids in a ski lesson while you zoom down one of the 96 trails. Later in the day, you can enjoy plenty of family-friendly moments off the slopes at the cafes or nearby restaurants and activity centres. For an alternative family adventure, you can go tubing snowmobiling or even give dog sledding a try – a big hit for all ages.
We are true Tremblant aficionados. My family has been eight times in three years — both summer and winter — and our ninth trip is already planned. We enjoy the feeling of European luxury set amidst an environment that’s casual enough even for the most bustling crowd. There’s no shortage of fantastic restaurants and despite the number of times we’ve been, we still haven’t tried every activity available.
First-timers who are already avid skiers should definitely put their kids in Ski School so they can take the gondola to the summit and find an Info Ski Guide, who will (for free!) take them all over the mountain, introducing them to the various lifts and runs. I suggest families try La Savoie for traditional French raclette—the perfect après warmer—and get an event guide from one of the welcome booths to find out what’s happening in the pedestrian village. Don’t leave without doing a horse-drawn sleigh ride where you’ll sing French folk songs and learn about the legend of Mont-Tremblant. – Andrea, Mommy Gearest
Big White, British Columbia
- Location: 5315 Big White Rd, Kelowna, BC V1P 1P3, Canada
- Months of Operation: November to April
One of the common struggles with any ski vacation is making your way from your accommodation up to the slopes. Big White makes this easier with ski-in and ski-out accommodation – meaning once you grab your skis or snowboard from your locker, you’re off! Featuring a Tot Town Daycare, lessons available for all ages available plus 18 restaurants, your family vacation will be hassle-free.
Sun Peaks, British Columbia
- Location: 1280 Alpine Road, Sun Peaks, BC, Canada V0E 5N0
- Months of Operation: November to April
This highly attractive, family-friendly village is the second largest ski resort in British Colombia and offers more than a few drawcards for families. The Sundance Kids Centre takes care of the non-skiing children from 18 months to five years old, while the nursery slopes in the village centre cater to the Sun Tots. There’s also plenty of green runs for children up to 12 years old thanks to the Sun Kids program. You’re pretty much covered from toddler to tween and above.
Panorama, British Columbia
- Location: 2000 Panorama Dr., Panorama B.C., Canada, V0A 1T0
- Months of Operation: Early November to April
Split across two levels and linked together by a free gondola, this village resort is a hit with families. The upper village has plenty of accommodation with direct access to the snow, as well as an ice rink, an outdoor pool complex with water slides, saunas, swimming pools and hot tubs – perfect for both children and adults. What’s more, they’re all free to use if you stay at one of the six residences in the Upper Village Condos. Of course, the skiing isn’t bad either, with terrain to suit all levels.
Lake Louise, Alberta
- Location: 1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0, Canada
- Months of Operation: Early November to May
The jaw-dropping backdrop is enough of a reason to visit Lake Louise, but as luck would have it, there are heaps of family-friendly features. Located in Banff National Park, Lake Louise has a range of slopes for various levels and many options for lessons.
To make a vacation here truly unforgettable, consider the off-mountain activities to keep everyone happy. From the sightseeing gondola to the Sunny Tube Park and cross-country skiing, there is something for all ages. With Lake Louise just outside of Banff itself, take a short drive to explore the town and check out some of the family-friendly restaurants.
We decided to get an early start, so arriving to a near empty car park, we made our way into the cafe at the Fairmont and had a cup of tea by the window looking out onto the lake. It was really nice to have that peaceful time before the big buses of tourists arrived.
I’d recommend having an early night and getting up early to beat the crowds – if you have a car and are driving yourselves, aim to get there by 8am. There are a few short, easy walks you can take around the area with children, and it’s a great idea (for adults and kids alike) to take a notebook and pens; sit by the lake and draw it instead of taking lots of photos – I did that, and focusing on the little details I drew really embedded it into my memory so much more clearly than the places I just took photos of! – Jess, Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Dreamer
Horseshoe Resort, Ontario
- Location: 1101 Horseshoe Valley Road, Barrie, Ontario, Canada L4M 4Y8
- Months of Operation: December to March
At Horseshoe Resort, in Barrie, whole families can participate in ski lessons together, and the smaller scale of the resort means that quality time on the slopes is abundant. If you still want to spend a day on the advanced slopes or perhaps pampering yourself at the Shizen Spa, you can book the kids into full-day lessons with daycare included while you and yours kick back and relax.
Mont Sainte-Anne, Quebec
- Location: 2000 Boulevard du Beau Pré, Beaupré, QC G0A 1E0, Canada
- Months of Operation: December to April
The perks of a larger resort are evident at Mont Sainte-Anne in Quebec, with its comprehensive childcare and ski-lesson options. Children up to the age of six can attend Star Camp, and for the older years, children can arrange lessons through the Kidz’ Clinic, where each instructor takes a small group according to ability. Or, if quality time is at the top of your priority list, two-hour lessons as a family can be arranged. There are eight restaurants on the mountain and a range of accommodation for every budget.
Blue Mountain, Ontario
- Location: 108 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 3Z2, Canada
- Months of Operation: December to April
Blue Mountain is ideal for city-dwellers as you can easily drive from Toronto and surrounding areas for a day trip, or opt to get away for the weekend. With a vertical of 219 metres, Blue Mountain isn’t that high, especially compared to the likes of slopes found in British Columbia. However, it is great for beginners and the village has countless restaurants, accommodations and fun extras like mountain sledding and ropes courses. There are two beginner areas to explore if you are nervous about the crowds, as well as day care and private lessons if you’re looking for some extra help.
