Everyone loves a white Christmas, but we’ll let you in on a little secret – over at the most popular ski resorts in Canada, Easter is the new Christmas.
There’s just so much to love about this time of the year over in British Columbia and Alberta. Easter is an especially great period for skiers and boarders looking for great weather, minimal lift lines and a sneaky deal or two.
Easter 2023 will be in early April, so now’s the time to take a look at your ski resort bucket list and match it up with the calendar to plan your next perfect trip.
Here are the six reasons why you – and the entire family – will love it, and exactly where to go once you’ve decided to make the trip.
1. There’s still plenty of snowfall
Here’s a fun fact that not many people are aware of – most Canadian ski resorts don’t close because they run out of snow.
They close because people get seduced by the longer, sunnier days and start doing their spring activities of biking, hiking, boating and paddle-boarding instead.
But with many resorts open in April, and some open all the way into May or June, there’s still plenty of snow to be found on the mountains. You might even get to enjoy a powder day or two.
2. The days are longer and sunnier
It can be challenging going from the summer days of the Southern Hemisphere into the minus temperatures of the Northern Hemisphere, especially if you have little ones in tow.
The milder temperatures of the spring mean you don’t have to pack or wear so many layers on the slopes for skiing. It may be a simple factor but it makes life a bit easier for everyone.
All the locals are in a good mood thanks to all that Vitamin D. Another bonus – it’s the dream weather for après beers on a deck somewhere when you’re done with your ski day.
3. It’s low season for accommodation
Skiing on a budget? April is considered a “low season” for many resorts and destinations, which means you’re more likely to be able to access lower ticket prices and better deals on accommodation packages.
Simply get in touch with us! We can quote up a package for you, combining the savings to be found with Easter and springtime specials.
4. You can take advantage of the school holidays
Less time off school for the kids, but you’ll still be able to reap the rewards of no lift lines. There are also plenty of dinner reservations available and accommodation options that cater for the entire family during Easter.
5. Many of the resorts have Easter events
Think: Easter egg hunts to find treasures in the snow, hidden away by the Easter Bunny himself. You can also take lots of photos with the Easter Bunny.
Some resorts, such as Banff Sunshine Village, even have a Christian non-denominational Easter Church Service on the slopes.
And then there’s the food. There are plenty of Easter brunches and dinners offered at many local restaurants, in every cuisine you could imagine.
6. You can tack on a springtime activity to your ski resort visit
Love golf? Mountain biking? Hiking? You’re in luck. While skiing might still be in full swing at the higher elevations of the mountains, down in the ski towns, it’s a completely different story.
Depending on your destination of choice, you may be able to ski in the morning and get in a round of golf at a world-class course in the afternoon.
Or tack on a wine-tasting tour, enjoy a lakeside bike ride, lap up a hot spring visit or take a zip-lining tour. In these areas of Canada, there are plenty of adventures to be discovered.
Where to go for your Canadian Easter holiday
So, we’ve convinced you. The only question left is, where to go?
The great thing about Canada is that you have plenty of options. And with many of the resorts having different closing dates for the season, you can even choose multiple destinations for your trip, experiencing more terrain – all for less cost and smaller lift lines.
Banff and Lake Louise are both favourite destinations for Easter time. With the resorts open through until May, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at three resorts all on the one ‘Big Three’ lift pass – Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, with a total of 274 runs between them and 8000 acres to explore.
The bonus is that you get to discover an incredible off-mountain dining scene and shopping in Banff or relax by the stunning shore of Lake Louise and take in the springtime serenity.
Whistler Blackcomb is another top pick. As North America’s largest ski resort, it’s another one that doesn’t close until mid-May. Its glacier skiing generally stays open until mid-July.
With over 200 runs spread out over two mountains, all connected by the Peak2Peak gondola, it’s the perfect place to ski your heart out. Afterwards, you can wander through the picture-perfect mountain village and find a restaurant for your Easter lunch.
And then there are the slightly smaller, yet equally incredible, resorts that are all set to be open until mid-April 2023, including Fernie, Sun Peaks, Revelstoke and Panorama in British Columbia.
Fernie is the perfect all-rounder, suitable for the entire family and sees plenty of powder snowfall per season.
Sun Peaks is the top pick for those who love ski-in, ski-out. The place boasts a European-style village that sits at the base of the mountain.
Revelstoke is for the adrenaline seekers, hunting the thrill of the more difficult terrain even at the tail end of the season.
Panorama is especially loved by families, but there’s also heli-skiing and incredible hot springs to be found nearby.
Speaking of families, there are two family-favourite resorts in the Okanagan that have their last days of the season scheduled for Easter Sunday.
Big White and SilverStar are where you can enjoy the last tracks before settling into your condo. Then enjoy a delicious Easter dinner or head out on the town to enjoy end-of-season drinks with all the locals
Ready to find out more about travelling for Easter? Click here to book a chat with us.
