In anticipation of this year’s highly anticipated ski season, Destination BC and its ski resort partners recently visited Toronto to showcase new and exciting offerings on the slopes.

Whistler Blackcomb: Guided Backcountry Touring Skiing & Yurt 

Nestled in the backcountry of the Coast Mountain range outside of Pemberton, BC lies this new, remote accommodation option for Sea to Sky explorers. Accessible by helicopter from Whistler Heliport, a short flight will transport skiers, boarders, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to their remote home for the evening. From the same operator that brought heli-biking to the Whistler Valley this summer, AlpX Expeditions (AlpX) looks to expand its backcountry offerings to adventure seekers with the new AlpX Yurt. AlpX is the adventure tourism branch of Blackcomb Helicopters.

Sun Peaks: Newly Added ‘Bears Lair Kid Zone’

The popular run of “Three Bears” has been improved to include the addition of ‘The Bears Lair Kid Zone.’ The new Bears Lair includes skiable zones that follow a simple storybook arc – beginning, middle and end. After you hop off the Sundance chair, kids will follow the ‘bear’ markers guiding them to the entrance archway. Once they enter through the archway, they will be greeted by a variety of different bear characters, ending with a nice ‘photo op bear sign’ so they can capture their memories. 

Big White: Spa at Stonebridge Lodge

This winter, Big White Ski Resort is excited to announce the grand opening of a new, luxurious and relaxing Spa at Stonebridge Lodge, where guests can relax and rejuvenate after an exhilarating day on the slopes. This amenity will ultimately enhance the overall vacation experience for guests and attract more visitors seeking a well-rounded winter getaway.

SilverSar: Festivals for Visitors to Enjoy

Silverstar presents the Wellness Festival in early December featuring yoga, mindfulness, sports and cross training with past local Olympians, as well as art therapy and cultural offerings. The Winter Carnival will take place February 2-11, 2024 and is the largest winter carnival in Western Canada, showcasing the winter playground of Vernon. The events will also celebrate local Indigenous storytellers, filmmakers, artisans and musicians.

Apex Mountain: Skate Loop Through the Forest

Apex Mountain Resort has a beautiful 3/4 km skate loop through a forest. It is the highest adventure skate loop in all of Canada. The resort is also home to an ice hockey rink at the highest elevation in Canada. When it comes to snow quality, Apex Mountain has some of the lightest, driest champagne powder snow in the country. This makes for absolutely beautiful conditions all season long.

Kicking Horse: The Freeride World Tour

This season, the resort continues hosting one of the largest ski events in the world, the Freeride World Tour from Feb. 14-20. The Freeride World Tour at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a breathtaking showcase of extreme skiing and snowboarding that annually captivates thrill-seekers and mountain enthusiasts. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, known for its rugged terrain and deep powder, provides the perfect stage for the world’s best freeriders to showcase their skills.

Revelstoke: New Beginner and Intermediate Zones

In recent years, Revelstoke has focused its efforts on improving the ski/snowboard experience for beginner and intermediate riders. With many terrain improvements in the Ripper Zone already in place, Revelstoke Mountain Resort will continue expanding by adding a new learning area and surface carpet to the Stellar Chair zone. In addition to the learning zone, the resort is also adding a new Mountain Sport School facility. Both additions are located at the top of the Revelation Gondola, creating one centralized location for learning a progression on the mountain.

Panorama: New Access to International Airport

This winter, Panorama is providing an enhanced service for guests travelling through Calgary International Airport. A new fleet of shuttle buses offers daily return transfers to the resort with pick-up and drop-off in Banff so guests can add this iconic mountain town to their trip.

Red Mountain: Snow Cat Skiing Experience

The pay-per-run Mt. Kirkup Cat is back for the 2023/24 winter season. From the summit of Grey Mountain, guests can hitch a ride in a snowcat to the top of adjacent Mount Kirkup. Guests will savour powder skiing with an incredible 2,054-foot vertical drop (626 meters) on runs back to the Grey Chairlift. Red Mountain Resort is the only ski resort in Canada offering this type of cat skiing experience – no avalanche gear required or guide needed.

Source: Travelweek