Are you looking for the Best Family Ski Resorts in BC to plan your 2024 family ski vacation? If you’re looking for a winter getaway with the family, British Columbia is the place to be! With world-class ski resorts and plenty of activities for everyone, BC has something to offer every member of the family. If you’re visiting with littles who need to hang out on the bunny hills, seasoned skiers who are seeking double blacks, or a grandma who wants to observe from the snowshoe trail, BC Ski Hills offer a lot of variety and there’s a guaranteed fit for your family.
In this blog post, we will take a look at 16 of the best family ski resorts in BC, most of which I have been to and experienced firsthand with my kids. From day trips to the local mountains on Vancouver’s North Shore to hitting up BC’s Powder Highway, we have you covered.
Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links from which I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a booking. Money goes to help fund Adventure Awaits and keep more informational and educational articles coming your way!
Map of Ski Resorts In BC
Here’s a high-level overview of a map of ski resorts in BC that we will cover in this article. We are showcasing the Best Family Ski Resorts in BC and highlighting properties that offer a variety of amenities for adventure seekers. From steep slopes to powdery bowls to the picture-perfect bunny hill, these resorts have something for everyone who loves to ski or snowboard. So grab your gear and get ready to hit the slopes!
How to Choose the Best Ski Resort For Your Family Vacation
- At what level of skiing/riding is your family? Some mountains are perfect for beginners while others are great for those looking to play in the powder. Be sure to choose a mountain that suits your family’s ability level!
- What type of accommodations do you require? Do you want to be able to ski in and ski out, or do you mind a 20-minute ride to the hill?
- How important are other activities to you? Do you want to ski for a few days and take a few days off for skating, tubing, and other mountain-type activities?
- What is your timeline for your skiing adventure? What type of travel are you willing and able to do?
Here’s our List of the Best Ski Resorts in British Columbia
Best BC Ski Resorts for Beginners
If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, the best place for your family ski vacation is one of BC’s many beginner-friendly resorts. These resorts offer gentle slopes and plenty of instruction for those just starting out. Here are a few of our favourites:
Big White
Big White has been voted the best family ski resort in BC and consistently is rated one of the top ski resorts in the world! With an average of 24 feet of snow every year, 118 runs to play on, 5 powder bowls, and plenty of sunshine, this hill is perfect for all members of the family. If you’re looking to get your little ones out on the hill for the first time, their learn-to-ski school is truly unique. Centrally located in the village, the school looks and feels like a real school, except with the only subject on the schedule being skiing! Children can enjoy half-day or full-day lessons and adults can enjoy their time on the hill and easily swing by lessons to check on their little rippers!
Recommended Trip: Multi-day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: A variety of restaurants are available or you can bring your own.
Other Activities: Tube park, ice skating, dog sleds, snowmobile, horse-drawn tours, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing
How many runs: 118
Closest City: Kelowna
Favourite Memory: One of our all-time favourite family ski vacations was to Big White, and our kids still talk about the trip fondly, 7 years later. The champagne snow was incredible but we also loved being able to take “No ski days” where we would take part in the other mountain adventures including snowshoeing, skating, tubing, dog sled tours, sleigh rides and more!
Book your stay at Stoneridge Lodge at Big White here!
Sun Peaks Resort
Known for being Canada’s second largest ski area, Sun Peaks is a great place to explore with the family… that is of course if you’re looking to drown yourself in powder. Home to deep steeps, long cruisers, an enormous terrain park and incredible tree skiing, this resort offers runs to suit everyone in the family. With a variety of accommodation options, restaurants and other wintertime activities, we just had to include Sun Peaks in our list of the best family ski resorts in BC!
Recommended Trip: Multi-day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Large variety of restaurants, cafes and bistros (mostly within the hotels and lodges)
Other Activities: Snowshoeing, Cat Trax groomer rides, dog sled tours, guided ice fishing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, snow-biking, snowmobiling, tube park, and winter Segway tours
How many runs: 137 (4,270 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Kamloops
Mom Tip: I love the small town vibe of Sun Peaks, be sure to schedule time after your ski runs to head into the little shops and restaurants to indulge in some après. Also, if you can book a hotel that has a hot tub, the essential for a great family ski trip in BC!
Book your stay at Nancy Green’s Cahilty Hotel & Suites at Sun Peaks here!
Silverstar Mountain Resort
Silverstar is home to British Columbia’s 3rd largest ski area. It’s easy to see why this mountain was voted the Best Ski Resort in the Okanagan for 4 years in a row. With green novice runs for beginners all the way to double black diamond runs to test even the advanced skiers, Silverstar really is a mountain for all abilities. With a mid-mountain village, it truly offers ski-in and ski-out accommodation. Add in all their other winter activities, this resort is a beautiful family adventure location.
Recommended Trip: Multi-day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Lots of restaurant options, as well as a full-service grocery store if you want to pack your own food.
Other Activities: Snowshoeing, tube park, ice skating, heli-skiing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and fat biking
How many runs: 132 (3,282 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Vernon
Mom Tip: This mountain has some great snowshoe trails, tubing, ice skating, dinner tours on a snow cat, fat biking, snowmobile tours and many other on-mountain activities to explore, so if you want some downtime in between your days, know you can be sure to find great things to do.
Book your stay at the Lodge at Snowbird at Silverstar here!
Sasquatch Mountain Resort at Hemlock Valley
Sasquatch Mountain Resort (formally Hemlock Resort) is one of the best-kept secrets of the local Greater Vancouver area. It’s just over a 2-hour drive from Downtown Vancouver, making it an easy day trip and one of the best family ski resorts in BC! Or book yourself into one of their Chalets to extend your stay. Their newly expanded tube park, complete with a carpet lift, makes for a fun-filled addition to your family adventure day. Lessons start at age 2, making it an excellent family ski hill. Whatever your experience level, Sasquatch Mountain Resort has something for everyone in the family.
Recommended Trip: Day Trip
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Cafeteria and Pub
Other Activities: Tubing and snowshoeing
How many runs: 36
Closest City: Mission
Traveler Tip: On Monday’s they offer a half off deal, making this a great resort to head out to on a Monday night (I remember the days when they used to invite you to bring a car load up for $40!). But with lots of wide open terrain, and fewer skiers I love this hill as it gives you great value for your time on the mountain. Learn more about what makes Sasquatch Mountain family-friendly here.
Safety tip: The roads to the resort are windy, uphill, and partially gravel. Be sure to have proper tires and research road conditions before you go.
Book your stay at Rowena’s Inn, a 15-minute drive from Sasquatch Mountain Resort here!
Whistler Blackcomb
Everyone either knows about Whistler or has been there, but with it being in our backyard we often take it for granted and don’t book a trip up there! This world-renowned resort is worth exploring as it is truly the ultimate family adventure destination. With tons of accommodation options, a wide variety of restaurants, a vast array of wintertime activities, and world-class skiing/snowboarding, families are guaranteed a good time! The mountain offers runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as lessons for kids or adults just starting out. Have some extra adventurous family members? Why not try some zip-lining through snow-covered trees and rivers, a quick slide down a bobsled track or even a fast snowmobile ride? In Whistler, there really is something for everyone!
Recommended Trip: Multi-day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Variety of restaurants, pubs and cafes, both in the village and on the mountain
Other Activities: Heli-skiing, tube park, zip lining, sightseeing gondola, fire and ice show, snowmobiling, bobsledding and skeleton, dog sledding, snowcat tours, horse-drawn sleigh rides and helicopter sightseeing tours
How many runs: 200+ (8,171 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Whistler (121 km from Downtown Vancouver)
Mom Tip: I think I fell in love with Whistler upon our first visit but sadly have only snowboarded there once in 25 years! (Albeit it was one of my best days of the riding of my life). Whistler is a great family friendly destination for skiing as you can experience some of the world’s best ski conditions, take part in a variety of other snow adventures (skating in the middle of the village, snowmobiling, ziplining, snowshoeing, and more!).
Book your Whistler hotels and adventures here!
Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Mount Washington is a 3-hour drive north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. This family-friendly destination offers lessons (starting at age 2), runs suitable for all experience levels, a tube park and slopeside accommodations. They also have childcare options for when parents want to get some runs in sans kids. If you are visiting the island this holiday season, make sure you check out their Winter Wonderland special activities (tree lighting, visits with Santa, live entertainment and fireworks).
Recommended Trip: Multi-day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Cafes, bistro, cafeteria and a Bar and Grill
Other Activities: tubing and snowshoeing
How many runs: 81 (1,700 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Courtenay
Safety Tip: Be sure to have proper tires and check the road conditions when heading up to the mountain. On our visit a storm had rolled in and we didn’t have proper tires and weren’t able to head up to the mountain for the day.
Manning Park Resort
If you’ve ever taken the Hope/Princeton (Highway #3) to the Okanagan, then you’ve passed through Manning Park. A 3-hour drive from Vancouver, Manning Park Resort has a variety of lessons, ski/snowboard runs and other activities suitable for the whole family, making it one of the best family ski resorts in BC! Want to get a few runs in without the kids? Manning Park has a childcare facility as well as a Kinderski program for kids aged 2-6. Extend your stay by booking one of their stay-and-play packages and have a true rustic mountain experience.
Recommended Trip: Multi-Day / Day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Restaurant, cafeteria, pub and a basic grocery store.
Other Activities: tube park, tobogganing, ice skating and snowshoeing
How many runs: 34 (140 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Hope
Mom Tip: Another family fav, this is the perfect destination for those looking for a ski getaway from Vancouver but don’t want to trek up into the interior. With an accessible mountain with lots of terrain and beautiful cabins for you to stay in overnight, Manning Park Resort is a family-forward experience that is worth checking out. If you have a bigger group they have family cabins that can accommodate 11, 14, and more. Check out our experience here!
Book your stay at Manning Park Resort here!
Best Family Ski Resorts Near Vancouver
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is one of the best family ski resorts in BC for families who want to hit the snow but don’t want to invest in snow tires. Grouse’s famous Sky Tram allows guests to park in the parking lot and take their gear up the hill without driving to the top. Some people love the tram, while others hate being packed in like sardines. Personally, we love the tram and being able to rise up over the city is always one of the best parts of our journey to the top.
We love taking lessons at Grouse. Their ski school offers children their own facilities, complete with child-friendly hooks for gear, and washrooms for breaks. During their lessons, children are spoiled by passionate instructors who have a variety of fun equipment and gear for the kids to learn and play with (including big foam blocks to knock over). The terrain is long and provides a variety of slopes, making the bunny hill the perfect spot for beginners.
Recommended Trip: Day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: A variety of restaurants are available or you can bring your own.
Other Activities: ice skating, snowshoeing, theatre in the sky, ziplining, the eye of the wind, shopping, sledding and wildlife refuge.
How many runs: 26
Closest City: Vancouver
Traveler Tip: Grouse is really popular with visitors and locals alike, for good reason. With a gondola ride, guests don’t typically have to traverse snowy terrain to get up the mountain. Once up top you’ll find scenic views out over the city of Vancouver and Grouse is one of my favourite places to do night skiing and riding in Vancouver.
Book your stay at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier, a 15-minute drive from Grouse Mountain here!
Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour is another great option for the family; although you need snow tires to get to the parking lot at the top. The ski school has its own little magic carpet for the kiddos and lots of props to play with. As they progress, the instructors quickly get them onto the longer magic carpet where they can gain the confidence they need on the longer runs. Seymour is the smallest and least expensive of the local mountains and a great spot to get the kids started without breaking the bank. In September, their season’s pass is on special; a family of four can ski for $800! It pays for itself in four trips… great value.
Recommended Trip: Day Trip
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Cafes, Family Restaurant, Cafeteria and a seating area to enjoy the food you bring from home.
Other Activities: snowshoeing, tubing and tobogganing
How many runs: 40 (200 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Vancouver
Traveler Tip: If you’re a beginner this is the place to learn. Their slogan for years was literally, “Where Vancouver learns to ski.” As a beginner mountain my kids love ripping around and finding their friends on the slopes. For more advanced skiers and riders there is terrain available for those looking for a more technical run.
Cypress Mountain Resort
Cypress Mountain is the largest of Vancouver’s local mountains and hosted many alpine events during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. With its upgraded infrastructure, it boasts four quad chairs and the most terrain and runs varieties of the North Shore mountains. A post-work/school evening shred is a super viable option thanks to their very well-lit night operations. They have an established ski school for kids starting as early as the age of three with well-designed programs and equipment. With a wide variety of beginner runs; with varying distances and different chairlift experiences, Cypress allows your kids to improve their stamina and confidence. Lift ticket deals can be found on their website which are lower than the cost of kiosk prices.
Recommended Trip: Day Trip
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Variety of cafes (in both downhill and nordic areas) and a bar and grill.
Other Activities: snowshoeing, tube park and tobogganing
How many runs: 53
Closest City: Vancouver
Traveler Tip: With unparalleled views out over Howe Sound, Cypress Mountain resort is another local Vancouver mountain that is great for families looking for a ski trip. As with the other local mountains, there are no accommodations slope side so you’ll need to stay in the city and then traverse to the mountain for your ski day. This gives you a great chance to check out other things to do in Vancouver during your stay.
Book your stay at the Seaside Hotel North Vancouver, a 30-minute drive from Cypress Mountain here!
Best Ski Resorts In British Columbia For Advanced Riders
There are plenty of advanced ski resorts in British Columbia to choose from. If you’re an experienced skier or snowboarder you’ll want to check out some of the most challenging slopes and terrain parks in the province. Here are our recommendations for families looking for a resort that offers an experience for every level of rider in your group:
Red Mountain Resort
Red Mountain is the first stop on the famous “Powder Highway” where skiers can enjoy 4,200 acres of pristine skiing! Red is a great destination for families looking to take their riding to the next level, with over 2,919 feet of vertical, a wide variety of runs, in-bounds cat-skiing (for only $10 per ride), wide-open groomers, and some of the best tree runs in North America! Red has a small town village where families can enjoy ski-in / ski-out accessibility, as well as take part in some of the other on-mountain experiences. If you’re not interested in staying on the hill, Rossland is only 5 minutes away and offers very affordable hotels, a great small town to cruise around, and lots of local restaurants to fuel you up for the next day.
Recommended Trip: Multi-day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Cafeteria and Restaurants
Other Activities: Cat & Heli skiing, snowshoeing, fat bike tours, and horseback riding
How many runs: 110 (4,200 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Rossland
Book your stay at The Josie Hotel at Red Mountain Resort here!
Kicking Horse Mountain
Kicking Horse Mountain offers families an incredible skiing vacation in the Selkirk mountains. This hill has terrain for skiers at all ability levels but really caters to intermediate and advanced riders looking for a challenge. “At its most extreme, the terrain is steep and complex – requiring a more technical response to the force of gravity.” – Kicking Horse Mountain. Kicking Horse offers guests incredible views over the mountains, and from the top, you get a 360-degree view where you can see two different mountain ranges on either side of you! Skiers can stay on the hill in one of the condos or townhouses or can head into town and bunk in at one of the local hotels. There’s one thing for sure, a trip to Kicking Horse is one you’ll never forget!
Recommended Trip: Multi Day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: On-hill restaurants
Other Activities: Tube Park, Skating Rink
How many runs: 120+
Closest City: Golden
Book your stay at the Glacier Mountaineer Lodge at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort here!
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
The past few years have been big for Mount Revelstoke, winning 2020’s “Best Canadian Ski Resort” at the World Ski Awards and having been nominated by USA Today for “Best Ski Resort” in 2022. It’s no wonder that they were given this prestigious award, with over 3,121 acres of fall line skiing, the most vertical in North America, and 30 – 45 feet of powder annually, this resort is truly a skier’s paradise! Families looking to head to Revelstoke should know that while this mountain has beginner runs, it truly is a better fit for families who are really comfortable on the hill. If you’re looking to take your skiing or riding to the next level you can access their cat or heli-ski from the village base!
Recommended Trip: Multi Day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food:
Other Activities: Cat skiing, heli-skiing, snowmobile tours, dog sledding, paragliding, tube park, snowshoeing, and more.
How many runs: 75 (3,121 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Revelstoke
Book your stay at The Sutton Place Hotel at Revelstoke Mountain Resort here!
Apex Mountain Resort
Located about 30 minutes from Penticton, BC, Apex is a full-service resort known for amazing snow, incredible terrain, and friendly people. The winding and bumpy mountain road requires a car that is happy in the snow. Apex is a family-friendly mountain that has a wide variety of terrain for everyone. In addition to the amazing natural terrain, Apex has 4 Terrain Parks, a World Cup mogul course, an Aerial Site and a world-class training venue for Slalom and GS racing. When you’re not skiing, the small quaint village has some great little restaurants and pubs as well as ski-in/ski-out accommodations. For a little extra family fun, there is a tube park and great snowshoeing available!
Recommended Trip: Multi-day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Ski-in/ski-out coffee shop, cafeteria and pub.
Other Activities: tube park, ice skating, and snowshoeing
How many runs: 79 (1,112 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Penticton
Book your stay at Penticton Lakeside Resort, a 45-minute drive from Apex Mountain Resort here!
Whitewater Ski Resort
Whitewater Ski Resort is located a short 20-minute drive outside beautiful Nelson, BC. It is known for its amazing small-town atmosphere, where everyone on the hill is out to enjoy snow and chase after fresh tracks. When asking locals what they thought about the hill they said, “It’s horrible!” and that’s because they don’t want to share their little slice of heaven… Whitewater is truly a special place! The mountain is never busy so there’s no waiting in line, always more than enough fresh snow, and lots of fun trails to be riding on. Whitewater is more of an intermediate to an advanced hill, so better suited for families who are ready to take their riding to the next level.
Recommended Trip: Multi-day
Lessons: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Food: Cafe and Pub
Other Activities: Cat and Heli Skiing, snowshoeing, snow biking, and skate skiing
How many runs: 82 (2,367 acres of terrain)
Closest City: Nelson
Book your stay at the Hume Hotel & Spa, a 20-minute drive from Whitewater Ski Resort here!
Best Family Ski Resorts in BC FAQs
How much does an average Family Ski Vacation in BC Cost?
There are a lot of things to think about when planning a family ski vacation, from finding the right ski resort to budgeting for everything that will be needed while away. A big part of the cost equation is usually the airfare, but there are other expenses to consider as well. Here’s our breakdown of what costs to consider when planning your ski vacation:
- Airfare
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Lift Tickets
- Rentals
- Other Activities (Snowmobiling, Tubing, Dogsledding, Snowshoeing,
- Experiences (Such as Vallea Lumina in Whistler)
- Food and Beverages
Ways To Save Money On Your Ski Vacation
Transportation is often one of the biggest costs when travelling, especially with a family. Most resorts in BC are location-dependent, meaning that once you’re there, you really have no need for a car. So instead of booking a rental vehicle see if you can work with your accommodations or local mountain to get a shuttle from the airport and that way you don’t have to pay for parking, or worse yet, a car rental that you don’t use once you’re on-site! I’ve even taken a bus from home to the resort just to have less stress, be more environmentally friendly, and save money.
Ask for deals! Many resorts in British Columbia have packaged deals that can save hundreds or thousands of dollars. The trick is to bundle them together and try to get your lift tickets, lodging, transportation, and even meals included in one price. It’ll help with budgeting and save you money once you’re on vacation.
Planning Your Next Vacation at The Best Ski Resorts in British Columbia
Planning a winter getaway can be daunting, but we hope that by providing you with this list of 16 family ski resorts in British Columbia, we have made the process a little bit easier. Each of these resorts offers something unique and exciting for visitors, so no matter what your needs or interests are, you are sure to find a resort that is perfect for your family. Start planning your next vacation now and enjoy some of the best skiing Canada has to offer!
Wherever you choose for your family vacation (or local day trip), be sure to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. You’re in the serious business of making memories with your family, so have fun!
Still stuck on gift ideas this holiday season? Perhaps consider ski lessons or lift tickets, or if you need some more ideas, read our Experience Gift Guide.
Check out these Articles for More Winter Inspirational:
Is this a sponsored post?: No, we just wanted to share the best family ski resorts in BC with our followers. We hope it inspires you to get out on the slopes!
I’ve been looking for some kids-friendly resorts near me and your list is very helpful.
The restaurants are abundant at Sun Peaks Resort. Everyone enjoys the freshly-made pizza from Mountain High Pizza. We’ve additionally enjoyed food at the Voyageur Bistro, Oya Restaurant, and Cahilty Creek Bar & Grill.
Went to Whistler 5 years ago and they had the “pineapple express”, going to try it again this winter and hopefully some of your recommendations. Thanks to the list.