A season just isn’t complete until that first warm spring skiing day. Luckily for skiers and snowboarders in North America, spring typically comes by early March, and can often make for a nice, long spring skiing season. Canada is no exception, with great spring skiing conditions, and some resorts that stay open nearly until summer. So we’ve picked a few of the best ski resorts in Canada for spring skiing. For our broader list of the best resorts for spring skiing across North America, head to this article.
Great ski resorts in Canada for spring skiing
Tremblant, Quebec
Combine Tremblant’s northern altitude with an extensive snowmaking system and you can anticipate good snow to play on until Tremblant closes in mid-April. Spring at Tremblant means free live music, lodging and lift ticket specials, and great après-ski opportunities, including Le p’tit Caribou, which we call one of the best après-ski spots in Canada. Bonus: The drive to Tremblant from Montreal is just 69 miles, while Ottawa is 79 miles away.
Mont St. Sauveur, Quebec
Look no further than Mont St. Sauveur, an hour north of Montreal, for one of the longest ski seasons in Quebec. Mont St. Sauveur typically stays open well into May. The skiing here is well suited for families with plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain, and some tame black diamond runs. Reward yourself with some of the best steaks and seafood at Gibby’s, which is regarded as one of the best steak restaurants in the region.
Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec
Mont-Sainte-Anne celebrates the changing of the season with its Spring Madness event. From March 30 to April 21, guests are encouraged to wear their wackiest ski gear and shred slush bumps under the sun. The Quebec ski area also hosts a classic pond skim, live music, ziplining, and more. This resort sits about 40 kilometers northeast of Quebec City and is known for its sweeping views of St. Lawrence. Mont-Sainte-Anne has a wide range of beginner to advanced terrain spread across 550 acres.
Bromont, Quebec
Located 45 minutes east of Montreal, Bromont is a good choice because of its convenience to Montreal. Bromont is ideal for a family spring break since good beginners can maneuver around most of the mountain. Plus, there are a lot of great lodging deals come spring. There’s no reason to stop when the sun goes down either, as Bromont has the most night skiing terrain in Canada. Once it’s time for après-ski, head to the patio of Hotel Chateau Bromont, located less than a mile from the ski slopes. Bromont typically closes for the season in early April.
SkiBig3: Sunshine, Mount Norquay, and Lake Louise, Alberta
Alberta’s SkiBig3 ski resorts in Banff are all sure bets for spring skiing high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Norquay, closest to town, typically closes around mid-April, while you can ski and ride at both Sunshine and Lake Louise until late in May. For a unique event, check out the famous Banff Sunshine Slush Cup, in May, as skiers and riders, usually in costume, fly across a slushy pond at Sunshine. After enjoying après-ski on the ski resort patios, head into Banff, which has great restaurants and bars for après, including Magpie & Stump, which is known for its great Mexican food and more than 60 tequilas.
Marmot Basin, Alberta
While Marmot Basin, located in Jasper National Park, has a cold winter ski season due to its 8,700-foot elevation, spring makes for a sunny, fun spring ski season. After a morning of enjoying soft spring snow, head to the lower mountain for après-ski on the Kokanee Glacier Deck at Caribou Chalet. The Jasper-Marmot Ski Bus transports guests between Jasper and the ski resort for a nominal fee. When you want a break from skiing, spend the day exploring Jasper National Park.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb is one of Canada’s most famous ski resorts for spring skiing. The spring ski season here typically goes well into May. Enjoy smooth groomers under blue skies during the day, and then eat and drink your way around Whistler Village at night. Among the après-ski favorites is the Longhorn Saloon in Mountain Square. Gaper Day, happening on the last day of the season, is a fun event to close out the season. Dress up in retro gear and ski with the locals.
Revelstoke, British Columbia
Revelstoke gets an incredible amount of snow in winter, making for a great season of spring skiing that typically goes until mid-April. If you’re lucky, you may even get a powder day. Strong skiers will want to head to the Black Diamond Hot Sauce run atop the Stoke lift for a late-season spring skiing challenge. End your ski day at the Old School Eatery, which is located in a former elementary school building in Revelstoke.
Fernie Alpine, British Columbia
For a more low-key and beginner/intermediate-friendly skiing experience in British Columbia, there’s Fernie Alpine Resort. Located just outside the town of Fernie, about 40 miles from Alberta, this ski mountain has tons of local flair. It averages about 445 inches of snow a year, a lot of which remains through the spring skiing season. The 3,550 feet of vertical rise and more than 2,000 acres of skiing gives skiers and riders a vast amount of terrain to be explored. The après experience is complete with natural hot springs, small-town pubs, and tons of events like live music, movie nights, and festivals that last through March. Fernie usually remains open until mid- to late-April.
April 04, 2024
