The most effective way to get through the winter is to embrace it. Sure, you could lament the cold—or you could layer up and immerse yourself in it.

The magic of winter is found in its quiet majesty: snow crunching underfoot on a snowshoe adventure; Champagne powder filling the air on a particularly perfect ski day; sundogs that dot the skyline during a backcountry snowmobile excursion.

When it comes to winter activities, Canada has so many incredible mountain resorts that offer a diverse array of programming, from skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing and dogsledding (and, of course, restaurants and bars for apres). Here are some of our country’s best. They don’t call us the Great White North for nothing, after all.

For the Wild Expanse: Whistler Blackcomb (British Columbia)

Easily Canada’s most famous ski hill, Whistler lives up to its world-class reputation. With two mountains of explorable terrain—Whistler and Blackcomb, plus the Peak 2 Peak Gondola that takes adventurers between the two—the resort, located just two hours from Vancouver, is a true winter paradise. With 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and 37 lifts, here it’s all about epic proportions. When it comes time to refuel, consider the Umbrella Bar at the top or Lorette Brasserie down in the village. And don’t miss the Whistler Sliding Centre, which offers programming for bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton.

For the Iconic Landscape: Lake Louise Ski Resort (Alberta)

Just in time for the 2026 ski season, Lake Louise Ski Resort is set to launch a new section of terrain called Richardson’s Ridge that features five new beginner and intermediate runs. If that’s not reason enough to visit, consider that this hill is found just 10 minutes from its namesake lake—which, though frozen over in the winter, is still one of the Rocky Mountains’ most picturesque locations. After an invigorating day on the slopes, head to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (which offers guest shuttles to and from the hill) to relax in the brand-new Basin Glacial Waters spa and indulge in top-quality Alberta beef at the Lakeview Lounge.

For the Excellent Grooming: Sun Peaks Resort(British Columbia)

While it still has plenty to offer the experienced crowd, those who are newer to skiing will find Sun Peaks particularly appealing. All of the runs are groomed each morning, providing easily navigable terrain that is more smooth and less icy. This resort, located in the BC interior about an hour from Kamloops, is charmingly quiet: the lines are never long, and the runs are always ready for the taking. Head to Bolacco Café for the village’s best coffee, and consider booking a snowmobile tour to head into the stunning backcountry.

For the European Feel: Tremblant (Québec)

Tucked away in Québec’s Laurentian Mountains, Tremblant is a great option for skiers of all levels. With over 100 runs and more than 750 acres—plus a sweetly European-style walking village complete with colourfully-roofed buildings—this hill is a true family-friendly affair. Not into skiing? Consider snowshoeing or even fat-tire biking.

For the Hidden Gem: Red Mountain Resort (British Columbia)

Found in the depths of southwest BC’s Kootenays, Red Mountain Resort makes its home in the tiny locale of Rossland. The town itself, with a population hovering around 4,000 people, punches above its weight with good coffee (Seven Summits, Alpine Grind) and food (The Flying Steam Shovel, which also has beautifully decked-out hotel rooms). The ski hill, just a short drive away, features close to 3,000 feet of vertical drop, 300 inches of annual snowfall, and five explorable peaks.

For the Culinary Mastery: Whitewater Ski Resort (British Columbia)

Come to Whitewater for the powder, but stay for the food. This modest ski resort located in the Selkirk Mountains just outside of Nelson, BC has become so famous for its food offerings that it has a series of cookbooks that continuously top the provincial bestseller list. Whitewater proudly boasts that it has no cell service or WiFi, so head here expecting to be delightfully off-grid.

For the Extended Season: Banff Sunshine(Alberta)

Banff Sunshine is an Albertan go-to found within the majestic Rockies of Banff National Park. Thanks to its high elevation, this hill features up to nine metres of annual snowfall, resulting in an elongated ski season and plenty of natural powder. It’s also just 20 minutes from the historic Fairmont Banff Springs, which makes it easy to experience both extreme adventure and extreme leisure.

For the Thrilling Glades: Mont Sutton (Québec)

Experienced skiers looking for something a little different can find it at Mont Sutton, which is known for its glade runs that make up 45 per cent of its skiable terrain. Those who love swishing between the trees will certainly find plenty of trails to explore at this resort, located in the Eastern Townships region of Québec. Mont Sutton is also only about an hour and a half’s drive from Montreal, which is very much worth a stopover—particularly if there is availability at downtown’s swish Four Seasons.

For the Cool Town: Revelstoke Mountain Resort (British Columbia)

Fresh tracks abound at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, which gets an average annual snowfall of over 34 feet. Post-bluebird day, the nearby city centre of Revelstoke is an up-and-coming hot spot. With retro-inspired wholesome fun at Cantina del Centro bowling alley, excellent cocktails at Monashee Spirits craft distillery, great coffee and brunch at Dose Cafe, and vegan delights at Flourish Bakery, there is plenty to keep stomachs (and hearts) happy and full.

Feature image by Reuben Krabbe courtesy of Tourism Sun Peaks and Sun Peaks Resort LLP.