It’s winter in Canada, and it’s time to start thinking of ski vacations right here at home. Some of the best family ski resorts are right here in Canada. From amazing family facilities to terrain that is great for all ski levels, and the option of a ski-in-ski-out accommodation, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best family ski resorts in Canada.
Best Family Ski Resorts in Canada
Ski Big White
Location: Kelowna, BC – 1 hour from airport
Airport Shuttle Available: Yes
Kids Ski School: Yes
Ski In and Out: Yes
Village with Restaurants and General Store: Yes
Family-friendly features:
- Options for ski-in ski-out lodgings
- Lessons for kids and adults
- Daycare services and kids centre
- Small town village feel with additional activities like tubing, ice wall climbing and skating rink.
Big White has to be one of the best ski resorts in western Canada for families. Not only is it less than 1 hour from the airport in Kelowna, it has a variety of ski school programs and options for kids as well as daycare! From the Ski Big White’s website: “Whether the mini-me loves the slopes, ice-skating or even ice climbing, Big White Ski Resort has an activity to suit every taste. Group ski lessons at the Big White Kids Centre occur daily for children aged 3-12, catering to all ability levels. Parents can rest assured their little ones are under constant supervision. Children enrolled in lessons are equipped with the Flaik GPS system, which not only tracks kids all over the mountain, but also allows children to share stats with their parents, including where they went, how much vertical they skied or boarded and their average speed.”
We love this hill and would rank it as a top resort for families as the vibe and people is really laid back. There is always something happening for kids in the village and the fact that the hill has a partnership with the family channel (a kids TV network) makes it truly a family friendly resort. The temperatures at Ski Big White stay on the warmer side (if winter has a warmer side) and that’s a very added bonus.
Whistler Blackcomb
Location: Whistler, BC
Airport Shuttle Available: Yes (2-3 hours from Vancouver Airport)
Kids Ski School: Yes
Ski In and Out: Yes
Village with Restaurants and General Store: Yes
Family-friendly features:
- Options for ski-in ski-out lodgings
- Lessons for kids and adults
- Daycare services
- Vibrant village that feels like a city all on its own, lots for everyone to do!
Whistler Blackcomb is certainly made for families, and like Ski Big White the west coast of Canada is usually less chilly than the east. You’ll often find rain at the bottom of this hill, and fresh snow flakes at the top.
There is a lot to do in the village of the mountain for families like their free daily Family Apre Ski activities from 3-6pm, as well as their fire and ice show which takes place every Sunday at 8pm. They also have the most variety of lodging available in and around the village. The Tub park is always a hit and a kid favoutire! Ski school starts from ages 3+ which boasts mountain exploration, Hot lunch and snacks, as well as a fun learning environment with kids that are similar in age and ability levels.
One thing we must warn is that Whistler is not cheap. It’s probably one of the most expensive ski hills in Canada, but if you’re looking for an excellent vacation, it’s worth every penny!
Tremblant
Location: Mont Tremblant, QC
Airport Shuttle Available: Yes. 90 min from Montreal Airport
Kids Ski School: Yes
Ski In and Out: Yes
Village with Restaurants and General Store: Yes
Family-friendly features:
- Options for ski-in ski-out lodgings
- Lessons for kids and adults
- Daycare services
- Vibrant village with indoor activities like mini-put and an indoor water park.
Located close to Montreal, Quebec, Tremblant is a great option for a family ski vacation in the eastern side of Quebec. Yes it will take you a bit longer to get to Tremblant as a flight from Vancouver to Montreal is around 6 hours. Eastern Canada gets cooler than western Canada, so you must brace yourself for some serious cold if planning a trip in January or February (we’re talking around -30C on some days). I’d say March is the sweet spot for visitors.
Like the other mountains they offer sky school and family activities and their village has everything include chocolate shops and build-a-bear shops. We love Tremblant because of it’s vibe and that fact that it’s based in Quebec. Don’t be surprised if you here people speak French and English which makes the destination a bit more exotic than the rest of Canada. Oh la la!
If you’re up for the trip to eastern Canada, then this resort is a perfect option for your family!
Mont-Sainte-Anne
Location: Beaupré, QC
Airport Shuttle Available: 30 minutes from Quebec City
Kids Ski School: Yes
Ski In and Out: Yes
Village with Restaurants and General Store: Small village area. A few restaurants.
Family-friendly features:
- Options for ski-in ski-out lodgings
- Lessons for kids and adults
- Fun activities like a sugar shack on the hill and a skating rink.
Located about 30 minutes east of Québec city, Mont-Sainte-Anne is the is a great option for a family ski trip. The snow conditions are great and the ski hill has a nice variety of terrain for every level of skier. Bonus, you have some breathtaking view of the St-Lawrence river as you head down the slopes.
Sun Peaks
Location: Sun Peaks, BC
Airport Shuttle Available: 60 minutes from Kamploops, BC Airport
Kids Ski School: Yes
Ski In and Out: Yes
Village with Restaurants and General Store: Yes
Family-friendly features:
- Options for ski-in ski-out lodgings
- Lessons for kids and adults
- Children’s centre
- Village with over 20 restaurants
Heading back over to interior BC, Sun Peaks is a real hidden gem with a lot to offer. With an abundance of activities and events for both on and off the slopes, leaving you wishing only for more time at Canada’s second largest ski area. From the village to the family friendly activities and services, Sun Peaks is a great ski resort for your next family ski vacation.
From the Sun Peaks website: “Sun Peaks’ 4,270 acres is spread across three skiable peaks, each with a personality all their own. Each mountain is easily accessible from the village, so ski all three in the same day or stick to the area that you love the most. Sun Peaks receives 6 metres of snow annually, and the mountains become covered with light, dry powder that is famous to the interior of BC”
That is our roundup of the best family ski resorts in Canada. Let us know if you’re favourite made the list!
The Snowboard Mom 