Some snow regions pack a serious punch with views that crawl under your chest and make you stop mid-ski-run to take it all in.
British Columbia serves up epic vistas from 13 ski resorts, with so many heart tugs from so many runs, i’s hard to choose a favourite.
Prepare to lift your jaw from the snow floor on any of these ski and snowboard runs and don’t forget your camera.
RED Mountain Resort – Link’s Line
RED Mountain Resort is full of hidden spots with magical views, and you’re unlikely to find any crowds to get in the way of your Instagram photos. The local scoop is to head to Link’s Line, which hosts one of the best views to be found from a black diamond run. Head to the top of Granite Mountain via the Motherlode Chair and enjoy – on a clear day, you can see the Columbia River all the way from the top.
Panorama Mountain Resort – View of 1000 Peaks
The name really says it all with this run at Panorama Mountain Resort. It’s a beautiful black diamond trail that offers smooth corduroy right from the summit, making for some steep, fun and high-speed groomer turns. But before you head down the mountain, pause to capture a photo of Mt. Nelson and then cast your gaze to a 360-degree panorama of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains. With nothing but a sea of mountains in sight, you’ll feel truly humbled, and in the best possible way.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort – Snow Rodeo
Although there are some serious contenders for the best view to be found at Revelstoke Mountain Resort – it does, after all, have the most vertical of any resort in North America – our vote goes straight to Snow Rodeo. From the top of this blue run you’ll find yourself looking west across the Columbia River at Mt Begbie, which is the best possible sunset backdrop. As a bonus, you’ll also get views of Mt Cartier to the south, and the town of Revelstoke upstream to the North.
Fernie Alpine Resort – Polar Peak
Head straight up to the Polar Peak chair, Fernie Alpine Resort‘s highest chairlift. It’ll take you up to the peaks of the famous Lizard Range with a view boasting the magnificent surrounding mountain ranges. Take a moment then take your choice of run down – opt for an adrenaline pumping double black down Papa Bear or Mama Bear, or a blue cruiser down Polar Coaster (all the better to see those views, really).
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort – My Blue Heaven
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is not for the faint hearted, but skiers and snowboarders who give it a go will be rewarded with some of the most incredible views to be found anywhere in British Columbia – along with some of the best powder stashes imaginable. Locals recommend taking the Stairway to Heaven lift up to My Blue Heaven to take in everything there is to see from the top before launching yourself into the steep glades and technical lines.
Sun Peaks Resort – Chief Run
Short, sweet and oh-so-much-fun, the Chief at Sun Peaks Resort is a favourite run among those who like to get their heart pumping while capturing some of the best views to be found at the Canada’s second-largest ski resort. It’s a black diamond run that can be found from the top of the Burfield Quad Chair, and cuts a fast lap from the top of the resort back to the Crystal Chair. When you’ve seen the best of the Chief, head on over to Chief Shoulder and Nose of the Chief to catch some other perspectives and equally fun black diamond times.
Big White Ski Resort – Exhibition
Big White Ski Resort is known for its inversion days, where a carpet of fluffy clouds trap cool air at the base of the mountain leaving nothing but warm sunny skies above. Take the Snow Ghost or the Ridge Rocket chair lifts to get above the clouds and take a few laps down Exhibition, a blue run that’s steep enough to get the legs moving while also offering up full opportunity to feel like you’re on top of the entire world. It’s the perfect way to start or end the ski day and take in everything there is to see across the resort.
SilverStar Mountain Resort – Ridgeback
Outback, Fastback, Soreback, Busback; there’s a set of very fun black diamond runs located in the Attridge section of SilverStar Mountain Resort, and our favourite of all is the Ridgeback run. Take the Alpine Meadows chair right from the Village and on a clear day, enjoy views straight from the glades over to Okanagan lake and the surrounding town of Vernon.
Whistler Blackcomb – Burnt Stew Trail
As North America’s largest ski resort, there are over 200 runs to choose from at Whistler Blackcomb. And each of them offers up some pretty spectacular views over this coastal resort and its surrounding mountains. But a solid favourite is to head over to Whistler Mountain, find the Harmony 6 Express chair, and head on into the Burnt Stew Trail. Get your GoPro ready for sweeping views as you carve up some of the resort’s best powder stashes along the way to the ski area boundary that divvies up Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
Whitewater – Yankee Girl
Whitewater Ski Resort is known for big powder, big lines, big fun and big backcountry. With easy access to the ‘slack country side country’ you can get some untouched powder turns from the chairlift. Head up the Silver King Chair and make some turns above the Yankee Girl run for big views back across Summit face and across to the majestic Ymir Peak.
Kimberley Alpine Resort – Main Run
It’s not all about the black diamonds on this list, or the runs at the very top of the mountain. At Kimberley Alpine Resort, even beginners can lap up the very best views just by heading up the North Star Express chair and heading down the ‘Main’ green run. This run even opens up for night skiing, so you can take in the scenery by day and then come back at night to do it all over again under the stars.
Apex – The Ridge
The Okanagan resort of Apex Mountain Resort has some of the coolest groomed steeps around plus 5000 hectares of accessible backcountry terrain. To get the true lay of the land head down The Ridge and marvel at all before you. Access the run from the Quickdraw Chair.
Mount Washington – Upper Whiskey Jack
With over 11 metres of snowfall every season, Mount Washington for open powder bowls and gladed tree skiing with views of Vancouver Island Ranges. Ski and ride amongst the famed snow ghosts on the wide groomed run called Upper Whiskey Jack accessed by the Eagle Express chair.
