8 Best Ski Resorts for Christmas Holidays in Canada (Family Fun)

by Robert Stanley | Updated: October 27th, 2022 |  Best Ski Resorts

As a child, I used to dream of waking up on Christmas morning to a blanket of white snow.   Like many others who had the same dream and who are now adult, Christmas seems the perfect time to go skiing.  

For a Christmas to remember we recommend skiing at Lake Louise, Whistler Blackcomb, Sunshine Village, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Silver Star Mountain Resort, Mont Tremblant, Sun Peaks Resort, and Big White.

These incredible Canadian ski resorts offer amazing scenery, skiing and winter activities for everyone.  Whether you are skiing with your family or friends, or maybe on a solo trip, one of these amazing resorts is bound to be the perfect spot this holiday season. Let’s look at what sets these resorts apart and what each one has to offer. 

8. Big White Ski Resort

Nestled in British Columbia, this is by far Canada’s favorite family-friendly resort. In addition to boasting a ton of awards, Big White is also Canada’s largest ski-in ski-out resort, which is a total plus for those who want the convenience of easy access to the slopes.

 This family-friendly resort is home to over 118  alpine trails and over 15 miles of Nordic trails that are designed to excite all levels of skiers.  

Fun for Kids

Kids three and older can start on their super shredder journey by taking kids’ lessons or signing them up with ski school of Mum/Dad & Me. For peace of mind parents can use the FLAIK Real-Time Tracking system to keep track of their little shredder.

This makes it easy to monitor your child’s location, while also being able to see what runs they went down that day. That’s pretty cool! A babysitting service is also available for those not quite old enough to ski.

Family Skiing

Big White takes pride in affordable skiing, so with the purchase of a Biggie Card, families can save serious money. For example, an adult can save $40 on their first day and up to $55 on the following days if they reload online. That’s a savings of $150 for a family of four!

Want even more perks?  The Biggie Card also allows you to skip the ticket line and head straight to the lifts! Who wouldn’t want to skip the line? Skiing at Christmas is a memorable experience for most individuals and families but narrowing down the best resort can be challenging. 

Off the Slopes

When you finish skiing for the day or just need a break, head into Happy Valley, where you can experience the ice-climbing tower, or have fun at the ice-skating rink and tube park. For the animal lovers in the group, you can experience a horse-drawn sleigh ride or sign up to go dog sledding! 

Big Powder and Big Skiing

Not only do vacationers flock to Big White for its family-friendly atmosphere, but they also visit for the abundance of awesome powder skiing.  With a reputation for tons of powder, this makes Big White a prime ski destination.

In addition to the powder, this epic resort is also home to the largest night skiing area in Western Canada! So, strap on your skis and let the moonlight guide you down the mountain.   

An hour’s drive from the Kelowna airport, this resort has something for everyone.  Accommodation ranges from economical and cozy suites to luxurious suites and large private chalets.

Big White Stats

7. Sun Peaks Resort

Looking to get away and ski over the holidays but don’t want to miss Santa?  Then Sun Peaks Resort has just what you need. Located in the heart of British Columbia, Sun Peaks is only an hour by plane from Vancouver and Calgary. A shuttle service will whisk you to and from the resort to make the journey as easy as possible. 

Sun Peaks celebrates the magic of Christmas with special holiday menus and annual events, such as

holiday kick-off and skiing or sledding with Santa himself!  What could be more memorable than fun in the snow with Mr. Claus?

Fun for Kids

Take the family to the Sundance Kids Centre, where you can bounce on the bungee trampoline, sip on free hot chocolate, or ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. If you are planning to enjoy the slopes this Christmas, then start packing your bags and prepare to experience a real Canadian Christmas.

Off the Slopes

When you need a change of scene, you can take a thrilling dog sled ride, learn to ice fish with a local guide, or enjoy ice skating with your friends and family.

As the second largest ski area in Canada, Sun Peaks is home to over 4,270 acres with three incredible peaks that are perfect for skiing. Each mountain can be easily accessed from the village, so you have the option of skiing all three in one day or just sticking to your favorite.

The interior of British Columbia is known for having dry, powdery snow, and you can definitely expect to find it at Sun Peaks as it typically receives 19 feet of snow annually.  

Deep within the vast terrain of the resort, you can explore deep steeps, long cruisers, glades,  awesome powder stashes,  and of course, corduroy groomers. Lift lines shouldn't be a problem either since there are 13 lifts and 138 trails with 19 gladed areas!  This is a skier’s dream!

Is Sun Peaks One Mountain? 

One of the best features of this resort is that it has not one but THREE mountains. The three mountains of Sun Peaks Resort combine to overlook a European-inspired ski village.

Enjoy the cute local shops, cafes, and restaurants as you make your way through this charming ski village which is car-free. 

Sun Peaks Resort Stats

Wanna Get Away?

6. Mont Tremblant Ski Resort

Have you ever dreamed of skiing in Europe at Christmas, until you see the price of the airfare the airfare?  Transatlantic travel can be pricey, but luckily, Mont Tremblant provides an excellent alternative.

Known as the best ski resort in Eastern Canada and just 90 minutes from Montreal, Mont Tremblant attracts visitors to its quaint and cozy French Alpine resort by the droves. 

Family Skiing

This luxurious ski resort boasts over 102 trails, with more than half classed as expert. Known for being family-friendly, Mont Tremblant offers an exceptional ski school and play areas for the kids. For those who like snow but not skiing, the resort offers snowshoeing, fat biking, and cross-country skiing.

Mont Tremblant offers suitable terrain for all levels of skiers with plenty to keep beginners satisfied! But if you want more of a challenge there are long moguls and challenging runs for the more advanced.

Off the Slopes

You can enjoy a traditional sleigh ride and ice skating and finish the evening in one of the incredible restaurants, where you can sample delicious Canadian and French cuisine.  Enjoy home cooking?  Stop by the local markets and pick up supplies for a Christmas feast to remember. 

The European-style village at Mont Tremblant really goes all out of its way to offer something for everyone. With a wide variety of luxury hotels, shopping, and dining to choose from, everyone on the trip is sure to be pleased.  

Mont Tremblant Resort Stats

5. Silverstar Mountain Resort

If you are looking for a resort with Christmas spirit this ski season, look no further. This mountain resort really knows how to celebrate Christmas! Silverstar totally takes it up a notch during the holidays.

Take a walk through the streets lined with twinkling trees and lights and you can't help feel the festive cheer.  On Christmas Eve, the whole family can enjoy the magic of the Torchlight Parade that ends with fireworks and gifts from Santa! 

As the resort prepares for the Holiday Season, it kicks off with the annual Christmas Light Up. During the Light Up, the entire mountain village comes to life with hundreds of lights and spectacular fireworks. 

Family Skiing

Perfect for skiers of all levels, Silverstar boasts some of the best beginner runs, as well as backcountry terrain and alpine runs. It even offers family ski lessons for those who want to make their trip a family affair. 

For those who can't get enough of the slopes during the day, you can sign up to experience night-themed Christmas skiing under the stars.  Dress as Santa and score a discounted ticket! You know you want to!

Silverstar averages 22 feet of snow each year and is the home of British Columbia’s third largest skiable area with over 3,219 acres.  No doubt about it, Silverstar Mountain Resort is a strong contender for a Christmas time family ski vacation. 

Want to Celebrate Christmas Longer?

Is Christmas Day not long enough?  You’re in luck!  Celebrate The Twelve Days of Christmas at Revelstoke from December 21^st to January 1^st.  For these twelve days, Santa’s elves will be busy around town delivering prizes, gifts, and holiday cheer to the resort guests. Follow along on social media and you might get the daily clue to win!

Those who are visiting for skiing are in for a treat.  With four incredible mountains to choose from, unbelievable ski runs, and ski in and ski out availability, Silverstar really defines fun and accessibility.

Silverstar Mountain Resort Stats

4. Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Make plans to visit this amazing resort this Christmas! Located in beautiful British Columbia, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, knows how to bring Christmas cheer to the mountain with stellar skiing, great accommodation and fun outdoor activities.

Family Skiing

Revelstoke hosts a variety of festive winter and holiday activities, such as Christmas crafts, listening to classic  Christmas carols, a tour of the Christmas lights, a community Christmas dinner, AND if you are feeling brave, try your luck with a Gingerbread House competition.

Santa has even been known to drop by and hit the slopes on Christmas Eve between 10 am and 1 pm. No one is too old to ski with the man from the North Pole?

Home to the biggest vertical drop in North America, intermediate and advanced skiers flock to Revelstoke to experience the thrill. A cool fact is that it has hosted the Freeskiing World Tour, which for the skiing enthusiast is a big deal.

What Makes Skiing Revelstoke Unique?

All skiers are welcome at Revelstoke, but it is geared more for intermediate and advanced levels due to a limited amount of beginner terrain. 

An additional perk to this is that it often makes the mountain less crowded, so you can have plenty of space as you make your curves down the slopes. And it gets a ton of snow! What skier doesn’t want that?!

For the advanced skier who wants an extra adrenaline rush, cat-skiing and hell-skiing are available from the same base.

During the holiday season, you can reserve a place with First Tracks.  This cool incentive allows you onto to the mountain 45 minutes before the general public. Most skiers who take advantage of this get two to three runs in before the crowds descend. How awesome is that?

Be one of the first to hit the lifts and glide down untouched powder snow in the quiet of the mountain.  Just don’t forget to make reservations at the Snow School by 3:00 pm the day before. 

Off the Slopes

 Most visitors to Revelstoke choose to lodge in town, since it is only a few minutes drive from the resort.  While there, you can enjoy the old-time ski-town feel with a great variety of dining options.  So, kick back and enjoy a local brew or cocktail by the fire, as you mull over the day's events.

Revelstoke Resort Stats

3. Sunshine Village

Looking for something that will please the kids and the child in you? Indulge your inner childhood Christmas fantasies as you dress up as Santa, Mrs.Clause, or Rudolph and ski for free on Christmas Day! Sounds too good to be true, but this is exactly what Sunshine Village Resort offers.

Family Skiing

 If dressing up isn’t your thing, then plan to stop by the daycare and Strawberry Chair area on the weekends of December 14^th – 15^th and December 21^st – 22^nd and let your little one take a photo with their favorite jolly old man. He might even throw in a candy cane. Score.

Want more? Dress up as Santa on Christmas Day and enjoy FREE skiing or snowboarding.  That’s a total win.

Off the Slopes

When it comes to lodging and accessibility to the slopes, then look no further than Sunshine Mountain Lodge at Sunshine Village. This ski-in/ski-out establishment is just one of the many reasons people flock to Sunshine Village. 

When you need a break from the slopes, there are plenty of options to choose from in Sunshine Village such as snowshoeing, nighttime snow tubing, or just enjoying the fire and a hot chocolate at the lodge at Ten Peaks.  The lodge even offers a delicious turkey dinner on Christmas Day!

An hour and a half drive from the Calgary airport, Sunshine Village is known for having some of the best powder snow due to its elevation.  Like the other resorts in the area, Sunshine Village has slopes suitable for all levels of skiers. 

Spend your nights exploring the magical snowy village and feel like you have been transported into a wintery Christmas fairytale. Don’t miss out on the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade where you can witness specially trained torch bearers effortlessly gliding their way down the slopes while beautifully illuminating the night sky. 

Sunshine Village Resort Stats

2. Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb is known for being the largest ski resort in North America with a ski village to brag about! When you aren’t swishing down the slopes, you will feel like you are in a Christmas movie, enjoying ice skating and sledding in the majestic snow-covered world of Whistler Blackcomb.

Family Skiing

For the avid skier, this amazing resort offers over 200 runs with 37 lifts to service its 8,712 acres. The terrain is perfect for beginners right up to the thrill-seekers. Whistler also boasts 12 alpine bowls and one vertical mile of descent.

There are five terrain parks to choose from along with backcountry, glaciers, bowls, and tree trails. The range of slopes at Whistler are exceptional offering choice to the most adventurous ski enthusiasts.

Whistler regularly attracts six feet of snowfall. Christmas is the ideal time to visit Whistler Blackcomb and fall in love with the ski resort that regulars return to every year. The resort is even open on Christmas Day.

Off the Slopes

 If skiing is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other activities to choose from in Banff Village, which is where many vacationers stay.  Enjoy the indoor family fun zone, where you can enjoy miniature golf, ping-pong, bouncy castles, crafts, and games.

The best part is it is all FREE for 15 days over Christmas and New Year. You can’t beat that.

If you’re searching for more traditional winter activities, there's ice skating at the outdoor ice rink, or you can experience the Fire and Ice Show.  This dazzling spectacle is full of high-energy music, fireworks, and fire spinners. 

Be amazed as some of Whistler's best skiers and boarders flip through a blazing ring of fire.  Great with a beer or mulled wine.

Whistler Blackcomb Resort Stats

1. Lake Louise

Lake Louise is the largest ski resort in Banff. Located in western Alberta, Canada, and just two hours from Calgary, this incredible ski destination sits among Canada’s soaring Rocky Mountains.

 In addition to exceptional skiing, the resort also offers access to pristine wilderness. The outdoor activities celebrate the festive season, with sleigh rides, Christmas markets, Santa parades, and plenty more.

Family Skiing

This family-friendly resort is the largest of Banff’s three resorts and boasts unrivalled views.  The well-groomed trails and slopes are designed for every ability, whether you are an advanced skier or just starting out. 

Located approximately 45 minutes outside of Banff, many skiers prefer to rent a car during their stay so t hat they have the flexibility to visit the other mountains and resorts that are close by. An additional perk to vacationing here is that your Lake Louise lift pass enables you to ski the other two resorts as the pass is interchangeable.

Lake Louise is on the more expensive side, but it does have a six-month season, which is one of the longest in North America.  So, if you are looking for a luxurious and memorable ski adventure this holiday season, Lake Louise could just be for you.

Lake Louise Stats

Final Thoughts

With so many quality resorts to choose from throughout Canada, making a choice can feel overwhelming. However, if you make a list of the important factors you need for your vacation you can then match these against each resort to find which one is most suitable. By doing your research ahead of time about the amenities, activities, types of terrain, lodging, and location, you are much more sure to find the perfect Christmas time Canadian ski resort for you or your family. 

So, put on your Santa hat and get ready to have a Christmas to remember.

About Us

Hello, I'm Simon & I love skiing. I started skiing in 2007 and I founded this website to help new skiers learn everything there is to know about skiing. NewToSki.com has grown to be a trusted resource for over a million skiers to plan their ski trips each year and learn more about every aspect of skiing. Be sure to join my email list for the best tips and handpicked deals each week.