Skiing British Columbia

British Columbia is a skier's paradise, and if this is your sport, you should take your next holiday there. It has world class resorts, and gorgeous scenery, making it a perfect vacation destination. Just north of the United States, BC is the place to ski. The season generally lasts from November until April, and may even go into May at higher elevations. BC tourism is based greatly on their ski resorts, and a visit will show you why.

The best resort in BC is considered by most to be Whistler Blackcomb. Located only two hours north of cosmopolitan Vancouver, these two mountains offer not only fabulous skiing, but a great town to play in as well. Whistler village, nestled at the base of the ski trails is filled with great shops, many wonderful restaurants, bars, and fun filled nightlife. You can also see a number of homes valued at over a million dollars. If you aren't a skier, you can still have a great time at Whistler.

If you do go there to ski, be prepared for deep powder and great numbers of ski and snowboard runs for all levels of expertise. The entire area is 3,036 hectares and has more than 200 runs. There are 33 lifts available, many of which are high speed. You can stay for a week, stand in fast moving lift lines and not even ski the same runs twice. For a total ski resort experience, be sure to spend some time at Whistler Blackcomb.

Another great BC ski resort to consider is Big White. Located about an hour outside Kelowna, Big White is perfect for family holidays. It has a village with bars and restaurants, and excellent accommodations. You can find everything from value rooms to chalets, complete with hot tub, big enough for the whole family. The ski hill has 15 lifts and more than 118 runs. You can also enjoy cross-country skiing on a number of designated trails. Maybe you'd rather ice skate on a pond or make use of the tubing area. You can also night ski at Big White and receive a discount on your lift ticket as well.

There are other great BC ski resorts for you to visit. Silver Star is in Vernon, Sun Peaks is in Kamloops, Apex is located in Penticton, and there are smaller hills within 20 minutes of Vancouver. If you're looking for steep hills with deep powder, then Fernie is the place for you. British Columbia is a perfect place to take your winter vacation. Often the resorts offer packages that combine with airlines, to give you a great deal. You can usually grab a shuttle at the major airports and be driven straight to your resort of choice.