British Columbia Resort Facilities

Ski resorts in British Columbia generally have a wide range of good facilities including easy transport links and quality dining and après ski options. Some of the smaller resorts, hidden high in the Canadian Rockies, may be more difficult to get to with a smaller choice of bars and restaurants but none are lacking in the superb snow and spectacular scenery of Canada’s westernmost province.

 

Ski schools are located in most resorts across British Columbia with some of the best terrain available as well as top-class skiing instructors. Major resorts such as Whistler-Blackcomb, Silver Star and Big White provide a wide range of children’s, group or private lessons for ski and snowboard at all levels. Several of these also offer excellent Telemark and racing programmes while in Whistler-Blackcomb and Kicking Horse, among others, women can join all-female lessons or weekend camps.

 

British Columbia is home to several family oriented ski resorts such as Fernie, Harper Mountain and Mt. Baldy Family Ski Area. These resorts typically provide good day care facilities and evening activities geared towards children as well as well groomed, sloping runs. Big White resort offers an extensive range of children and teen skiing and boarding programme at their Kid’s Centre.  

 

Transport in British Columbia ski resorts is generally very accessible with most visitors getting around either by bus or by car. Most resorts offer free bus transport to and from the slopes included in the lift pass price. Big White is hailed as Canada’s largest ski-in ski-out resort.

 

Dining in British Columbia ski resorts offers a wide range of restaurants, cafes and fast food establishments to suit all tastes and budgets. To name just a few of the many culinary highlights, try a superb fondue dinner along with traditional European alpine fare at Bavaria Restaurant in Whistler, authentic Japanese cuisine at Yamagoya, Fernie or take a true gastronomic tour at Chef Bernard’s Inn and Restaurant, Kimberley.  

 

There is no shortage of ski and snowboard equipment and rental stores in the various ski resorts in British Columbia which are often well established and run by local skiers and boarders. If you’re looking for retail therapy away from the slopes, malls in and around British Columbia ski resorts include The Whistler Marketplace and the Tamarack Centre.

 

Emergency services: 9-1-1

HEALTHlink British Columbia (non-emergency telephone health advice): 8-1-1

HEALTHlink online (online health advice): http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/