Canada’s famed ski resorts have introduced several exciting updates and enhancements ahead of the 2024-25 season with the North American ski season just months away.
Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Village, Vancouver Coast & Mountains, BC
- Jersey Cream Chairlift upgrade – The current high-speed quad Jersey Cream Chair on Blackcomb Mountain is being replaced with a new high-speed six-pack. The upgrade is expected to increase uphill capacity by 29 per cent, reduce lift-line wait times, and improve circulation in Blackcomb’s high-traffic mid-mountain area.
- Luge Canada 2025 World Championships (6 to 8 February 2025) – Luge Canada will reunite the world in Whistler as the International Luge Federation (FIL) has awarded Whistler with the 53rd FIL Luge World Championships.
- Invictus Games comes to Whistler (8 to 16 February 2025) – Invictus Games will feature winter adaptive sports when it comes to Whistler and Vancouver, which includes Alpine Skiing, Alpine Snowboarding, Biathlon, Nordic Skiing, Skeleton, and Wheelchair Curling.
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
Sun Peaks Resort
Kamloops, Thompson Okanagan, BC
- New West Bowl Express – The brand-new, high-speed, detachable quad chairlift opens in the alpine for the 2024-25 Winter season.
- Powder Ventures Ski & Snowboard Cross Course – Sun Peaks Resort has built a permanent ski and snowboard cross course on Sundance Mountain, opening winter 2024-25.
- Mountain Man Adventures New Sustainable Snowmobile Fleet & Tour – Mountain Man Adventures (MMA) has replaced its entire snowmobile fleet with both new, fuel-efficient gas and electric snowmobiles. With best-in-class EV technology, Taiga’s fully electric snowmobile help preserve the purity of the great outdoors.
Downhill skiing at Sun Peaks Resort.
Big White Ski Resort
Kelowna, Thompson Okanagan, BC
- Bullet Chair upgrade – The Bullet Chair, a major uplift point from the village, has undergone a $1.6 million electrical lift modernisation upgrade over summer.
- Complete redesign of the world’s famous Big White Kids’ Centre – A place for children to learn, play, and relax, Big White Kids’ Centre has relocated to a more central location. The redesign mixes pastel colours with soft aesthetics to deliver a cozy and calming space for kids to rest, play, and learn.
Downhill skiing at Big White Ski Resort.
Silver Star Mountain Resort
Vernon, Thompson Okanagan, BC
- New flights into Kelowna by Alaska Air & Westjet – For the upcoming winter, Alaska Air has added direct flights connecting Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA) to Kelowna (YLW), supporting Australian and New Zealand travellers entering Canada via the USA. Kelowna airport serves both Silver Star and Big White Ski resort as entry points.
Chairlift at Silver Star Mountain Resort.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Golden, Kootenay Rockies, BC
- Freeride World Tour – The Freeride World Tour is one of the most exciting worldwide winter competitions to be formed in recent years. Kicking Horse will once again be the only North American stop on the 2025 tour. Organisers announce the dates of the tour close to the season opener.
- Ski Like a Pro (and with one) – Kicking Horse is debuting new programs and experiences for adult skiers and snowboarders with their Winter Sports School including First tracks, Tree and Skis Eco Tours, Mogul Monday clinics, and Training Thursday’s clinics.
A trio of skiers enjoying lunch and coffee at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Revelstoke, Kootenay Rockies, BC
- On-Mountain Guided Tours – The resort has introduced a dedicated program that helps visitors familiarise themselves with the mountain before heading out on their own. Tours are complimentary and offered daily at 1pm.
- Mountain Sports School – In addition to the learning zone, the Resort also added a new Mountain Sports School facility. Both additions are located at the top of the Revelation Gondola creating one centralised location for learning a progression on the mountain.
- New Basecamp Suites downtown Revelstoke – Welcoming winter visitors for the first time this season is the brand-new Base Camp Suites in the heart of downtown, offering modern one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes. The resort shuttle picks up daily from downtown making it a convenient location to stay.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
Fernie Alpine Resort
Fernie, Kootenay Rockies, BC
- Polar Peak upgrades – Serving up all Expert Terrain Polar Peak goes double black every day. A grooming cat has been placed mountain top to help skiers deal with a large amount of snowfall which in the past has made it tough, or not even possible to open Polar Peak chairlift.
A couple having Apres Ski drinks at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Panorama Mountain Village
Panorama, Kootenay Rockies, BC
- Hosting new events – Panorama is expanding its events and apres programming. Guests can expect more amazing culinary and social soirees, along with plenty of outdoor and adventure-based events that include the Freeride Frenzy in January, Panorama Pride & Ski Festival in March, and Red Bull Slopesoakers in April.
Apres ski drinks at Panorama Mountain Resort.
Red Mountain Resort
Rossland, Kootenay Rockies, BC
- The Crescent: Modern Alpine Flats – The Crescent is RED’s newest development situated right at the base of the resort with 102 residences in total. Ranging from super space-efficient studio suites, spacious top-floor lofts that sleep up to six with soaring ceiling heights and an upper-floor sleeping area, and the classic one-bedroom corner suites, all steps from the chairlift. Guests have access to personal ski lockers next to each unit, a rooftop bar/lounge, workout room, laundry access, and the swanky Alice Lounge.
Skiers walking up to huts at RED Mountain Resort.
Whitewater
Nelson, Kootenay Rockies, BC
- New Terrain: Goat’s Slide joins inbound offerings – Whitewater is thrilled to announce the addition of 60 acres of inbounds terrain, adding four new runs to the resort’s trail map as it expands for the first time into the iconic Ymir Bowl, Accessible from the new Raven Chairlift that opened last winter.
Skier at Whitewater Ski Resort.
Mountain Washington Alpine Resort
Comox Vancouver Island, BC
- Adaptive Experiences – Aligning with The Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports (VISAS), a non-profit charitable society focused on providing nationally certified snowsports instruction to people with physical or learning disabilities, Mount Washington is now offering people with adaptive needs an opportunity to participate and enjoy alpine (skiing or snowboarding) or Nordic (cross-country) snowsports in a fun and encouraging environment.
Mountain Washington Alpine Resort.
Kimberley Alpine Resort
Kimberley, Kootenay Rockies, BC
- New Grooming Fleet additions – a new snowcat will be added to Kimberley’s fleet, designed to meet the European “Stage V” emission standards, with the addition of two new fan snow guns.
Apex Mountain Resort
Penticton, Thompson Okanagan, BC
- T-Bar upgrade to environmentally friendly electric engine – Apex Mountain Resort’s iconic T-Bar that services the freestyle mogul area, race training area, two terrain parks and night skiing area has been upgraded to an electric engine. With the T-Bar’s location in the heart of the resort village, the diesel engine sounds, and its exhaust emitted into the area will be a welcome absence with a quiet, environmentally friendly electric engine as its replacement.
Banff National Park
Canadian Rockies (SkiBig3), Alberta
- Banff Sunshine Ski Area new super angel chairlift – Banff Sunshine is set to unveil the Super Angel Chairlift, a 6-person, high-speed chairlift that features plush heated bucket seats, comfy footrests, and a weather protection bubble cover. Developed in partnership with Leitner-Poma, the Super Angel is equipped with the latest EVO premium technology, eliminating the traditional gearbox and providing the smoothest, fastest, and quietest ride on the slopes.
- Lake Louise Ski Area new Pipestone Express heated chairlift – In collaboration with Doppelmayr, Lake Louise Ski Resort introduces a new heated chairlift comfortably transporting six passengers with a speedy ride time of 6.6 minutes to the base of the Summit Chair. It also features footrests and a sleek blue bubble, keeping guests warm as they ascend to the front side of the resort.
- Mt. Norquay increases glading – Mt. Norquay in Banff’s backyard have thinned their tree runs over summer, enhancing glading across the mountain to provide more powder stashes, adventure, and excitement down tree runs.
- New Moxy Banff Hotel by Marriott – Moxy Banff debuts its first winter, welcoming international skiers and boarders. Located on Banff Avenue the new hotel is part of Marriott’s Bonvoy portfolio, boasting 109 rooms with retro ski vibes. The hotel also features daily fresh produce from a restored 1966 VW Kombi food truck and the signature Moxy Bar will operate daily.
- New Hotel Canoe & Suites Banff – The new Hotel Canoe & Suites features hotel rooms, suites and condos with an outdoorsy edge. Welcome winter visitors for the first time this coming season, the hotel is based on Banff Avenue stunning views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. The new restaurant, Sudden Sally, located in the hotel is open for breakfast, lunch dinner or drinks.
The Moxy Banff.
Marmot Basin
Jasper National Park, Alberta
- Upgraded snowmaking system – Following last season’s installation of the new Knob Quad Chair that lifts skiers and snowboarders to the highest alpine bowls on the mountain, Marmot Basin has now upgraded its snowmaking system on the lower slopes for the 2024-25 season ensuring a quality snowpack top to bottom right through to early May.
Marmot Basin Jasper.