Money’s tight — but that doesn’t have to mean cancelling ski plans and staying inside all winter
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It feels like expenses have gone up for everybody these days; money’s tight.
That doesn’t have to mean cancelling ski plans and staying inside all winter.
While skiing and snowboarding aren’t inexpensive activities and the price of single-day lift tickets seems to go up year after year, there are ways to bring down the cost at resorts across Western Canada.
The best value, as always, comes from season passes. While they can require a substantial upfront investment, most adult passes pay off in less than 10 visits. For skiers and riders who plan on getting out to a specific mountain over and over again this winter, you can’t beat the value of a season pass.
They aren’t the only options, though.
“At Sunshine, it really is a part of our core ethos to continue to make skiing affordable. It’s a Canada pastime and we want all Canadians to be able to get out and afford the thrill of winter,” said Kendra Scurfield, vice-president of marketing, brand and communications at Sunshine Village.
“We have our Costco tickets that are back … and we also have our Sunshine Super Card back. The season’s pass is obviously your best deal because it (pays) off in eight visits, and right now, as we are getting ready to open more terrain and have limited terrain, we have discounted early-season tickets.”
Multi-resort passes like the Epic Pass, Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective have grown more popular in recent years. They allow skiers and riders to explore as many mountains as possible in a season, both locally and internationally. They’re a great option for anyone who wants to mix in a trip to the U.S. and Europe but get lots of days on the mountain in Alberta and B.C., too.
And these days it seems like every resort has a loyalty card. Lake Louise has its Plus+ Card, Norquay has the Big Drop Card, Castle Mountain has the WOW Card and the four Resorts of the Canadian Rockies mountains — Fernie, Kicking Horse, Kimberley and Nakiska — have the RCR Rockies Card.
For skiers and riders who might not be able to get full value out of a season’s pass but expect to get out a reasonable amount this winter, the loyalty cards are an affordable way to use one resort as a home base.
Many of those cards are only on sale until Christmas time, however.
“You can just plan a little bit more ahead right now because the savings and deals, a lot of them are front-end loaded, so you can be thoughtful about how you can plan your ski trips,” said Matt Mosteller, vice-president of marketing and resort experience at RCR.
“If you’re looking for value opportunities, booking now and buying promotions … from the resort operators right now, which could be a card or lift-ticket savings, those are all going to be at their best before Christmas.”
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at what’s going on at the ski and snowboard areas across Alberta and British Columbia this winter.
*All opening dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the weather.
ALBERTA
CANADA OLYMPIC PARK
Adult lift ticket: $82
Opening date: Nov. 29
Focus on learning: Winsport has always had a goal to get beginners mountain-ready. The terrain is friendly and inviting, and whether you’re an adult looking to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time or a kid wanting to learn how to take their skills to the next level in the terrain park, Winsport has lessons and camps for burgeoning alpine enthusiasts of all levels.
Keep it in mind: Winsport broke ground on its spectacular new day lodge this summer and it is going to make skiing or riding at the Calgary hill even better once it’s opened. It’s expected to take 18 months, though, and while there is still a small area of the lodge that’s open, guests should plan on having to make some adjustments when they visit.
Best of the best: Details are still a little vague, but Winsport will be hosting the 2025 FIS Free Ski Snow Rodeo from Feb. 14-16 next year, bringing the world’s best halfpipe skiers to Calgary again.
CASTLE MOUNTAIN
Adult lift ticket: $111.95 online, $139.95 in-person
Opening date: Dec. 6
Take the cat: There aren’t many resort-based cat operations like Castle’s Powder Stagecoach in North America. The long-running cat skiing outfit only takes 12 guests per day up the mountain and provides access to more than 900 acres of terrain and some of the best powder you’ll find anywhere.
WOW Card: With Castle’s WOW Card, you start saving money on your second visit to the mountain. It goes for $109.95 and gets you 50% off lift tickets every time you ski or ride at the Southern Alberta resort near Pincher Creek. Castle is also part of the Indy Pass, a multi-mountain pass which provides access to more than 200 independent resorts across Canada, the U.S., Europe and even Japan.
On X: @SkiCastle
NAKISKA
Adult lift ticket: $105.40, $151.05 (holiday) ** Prices for online purchases**
Opening date: Nov. 29
Never without snow: It’s been a great start to the winter in the mountains, with consistent snowfall providing a deep base. Even on days where there isn’t much powder, though, Nakiska has heavily invested in their snowmaking fleet.
Go tubing: Nakiska is a famously family-friendly resort, but if one or two of your little ones isn’t interested in skiing or boarding, the Kananaskis resort’s Wanidu Tube Park is perfect for the young and the young-at-heart. It’s located at the base next to the Beginners Area and will keep kids entertained for hours.
Save with cards: You have a couple of options for multi-mountain cards that can save you money. First, there’s the RCR Rockies Card, which gets you your first, fourth and seventh days free at Nakiska, Kimberley, Kicking Horse and Fernie. It goes for $139 until Dec. 24 and is a great way of exploring the different options available in the region. Those same resorts are also part of the EPIC Pass, which gets you seven free days at RCR mountains, as well as 50% off lift tickets once those days have been used.
NORQUAY
Adult lift ticket: $134 or $119 pre-purchase
Opening date: Nov. 9
Get in the car: Norquay’s Cool2Carpool Days are a fun, eco-friendly and affordable way to get on the mountain. You can split the cost of a $124 lift ticket with all the legally-seated occupants of your vehicle. If there are seven people in a minivan, that’s how many people get on the mountain for the $124. Jan. 10 marks the first Cool2Carpool day of the season, so circle it on your calendar.
The card: The Big Drop Card provides great value, plain and simple. For only $79, you save 40% off lift tickets all season long. You can also save with a SkiBig3 Pass, which gets you access to Lake Louise and Sunshine, as well, and Norquay is part of both the Mountain Collective and the IKON Pass.
Tubing: Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, tubing still provides a reason to visit Mount Norquay this winter. They advertise themselves as having Alberta’s largest tube lanes and Norquay’s got a unique system for pulling you right back up to the top of the hill. It’s a perfect way to get outside and enjoy the winter.
SUNSHINE VILLAGE
Adult lift ticket: $174
Opening date: Nov. 8
New additions: Sunshine Village got a major upgrade this season with the new Super Angel LX. The high-speed, six-seater lift has 74 heated chairs that come with bubble covers and it will replace the Angel Express, which got skiers and riders up the mountain for 35 years but will now be used at Castle Mountain. Construction on the new lift was completed in late October and will be getting guests up the mountain quickly and warmly all winter long.
The cards: Sunshine Village is part of both the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective Pass, but also offers a couple of other options, as well. The Sunshine Super Card goes for $129 until Dec. 25 and gets you your first, fourth and seventh days on the mountain for free. It can also be redeemed at Revelstoke and Marmot Basin. Adult season passes go for $1,760, while family passes are $3,690.
Stay close to home: You don’t have to go far from home for a world-class ski vacation. Sunshine Village was named one of North America’s top three ski resorts this fall, so why not take advantage of the amazing ski-in, ski-out accommodations at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. It’s a perfect weekend getaway.
LAKE LOUISE
Adult lift ticket: Between $149 and $169, depending on date
Opening date: Nov. 5
What’s new: If you haven’t been to Lake Louise in a few years, the resort has transformed itself with the addition of new lifts. This season, skiers and snowboarders will be thrilled to ride the new Pipestone Express Chair, a six-seater with the capacity to transport 2,000 people every hour, providing faster access to the West Bowl. It’s heated, too, so you can stay comfortable getting as many runs in as possible on cold days.
Get the card: If you’re planning on getting out to Lake Louise a bunch this season but maybe not enough that it makes sense to doll out $1,659 on a season pass, you’ve got options. Midweek passes go for $859, while a Lake Louise Plus Card goes for $149 until Dec. 25 and gets you three free days on the mountain. Lake Louise is also a part of both the IKON Pass and Mountain Collective.
MARMOT BASIN
Adult lift ticket: $149
Opening date: Nov. 14
Open for business: Jasper suffered a tragic summer, with forest fires devastating the area. Fortunately, Marmot Basin managed to avoid any significant damage and will be welcoming skiers and snowboarders back this winter. They’re excited to welcome guests back to their community and their beautiful mountain.
Bigger than you think: The addition of the Knob Quad Chair last year provided easy access to some incredible high-alpine terrain, as this writer learned when he visited in February. While Marmot is still very much a family-friendly resort, don’t let that fool you. They’ve invested in their infrastructure in recent years and there’s lots of expert terrain that will challenge even the best skier or rider.
The card: Marmot Basin is part of the Mountain Collective and the resort’s Escape Card is also one of the best deals you’re going to find anywhere in the Rockies. For only $99, the Escape Card gets you half-priced lift tickets all season. There are no blackouts, either, and that half-price deal is good for adult, senior, student and youth lift tickets.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
KICKING HORSE
Adult lift ticket: $126.65 weekday, $148.75 weekend, $179.55 peak-season
Opening date: Dec. 6
As good as it gets: The Freeride World Tour’s annual stop at Kicking Horse has become one of the can’t-miss events of the winter in the mountains. This year, it goes from Feb. 7-13 and will again see the world’s best big-mountain skiers and riders hurl themselves down the Ozone face, with all its chutes, cliffs and technical lines.
Back to school: Kicking Horse’s Mountain Sports School has some incredible programs for everyone from newcomers to experts who are still looking to improve. This year, they’ve added Mogul Mondays for those of us looking to improve on bumps and jumps, and a Trees and Skis program that is packed with history and ecology.
Ride the rails: Last year, Kicking Horse saw the development of a new rail park, located on the lower mountain at Golden. That makes it easily accessible for everyone, and this year the crew is cooking up some creative plans for the coming season.
REVELSTOKE
Adult lift ticket: $179
Opening date: Nov. 30
As good as it gets: The Yeti Natural Selection Tour’s stop in Revelstoke might be the coolest event in the Rockies. This season’s competition goes down March 10-15, 2025, bringing 24 of the world’s top snowboarders to Revelstoke for head-to-head competition in the backcountry that rewards creative expression and deep knowledge of all-mountain conditions. The event is broadcast internationally and is a true celebration of snowboarding in its highest form.
Pass it up: Year after year, Revelstoke seems to get more snow than any other resort in the region. That’s the type of thing that brings skiers and snowboarders back again and again. If you’re chasing powder this winter, it’s worth buying a Vertical Card, which comes pre-loaded with three days, five days or 10 days. Revelstoke is also part of both the Mountain Collective and the Ikon Pass.
PANORAMA
Adult lift ticket: $169 regular, $185 holidays
Opening date: Dec. 6
It’s a monster: Panorama’s Monster terrain is no joke. It boasts nine double-black diamond runs, with steeps, open faces and endless glades. It’s not for beginners, that’s for sure. The Invermere, B.C., resort services the area with two passenger cats that act as a shuttle to the big mountain terrain and runs from Thursdays to Sundays, with a few holiday Mondays added in. A single ride costs only $28, with a four-pack going for $79.
Stay for the night: Panorama has a lot of options when it comes to lodging but we would suggest staying at The Approach Hotel. Re-opened less than two years ago after a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the hillside hotel is seconds from the resort’s main lift and has hot tubs, bars and restaurants mere steps from your room.
You’ve got options: Panorama is part of the Mountain Collective, the Ikon Pass and is included with the Lake Louise Plus+ Card, too. It’s also worth considering the resort’s very own Anytime Snow Card, which includes three or five days of skiing and riding all season long. A three-day adult card goes for $350, while a five-day card sells for $485.
FERNIE
Adult lift ticket: $126.65 weekday, $148.75 weekend, $179.55 peak-season
Opening date: Nov. 29
Makeover: There have been a few big changes at Fernie over the summer. First, the ever-popular Griz Bar has been renovated to provide more space and a better flow, which is perfect for a little après fun. Major earthwork has also been done across the resort to improve and enhance the skiing experience, and the addition of two new Prinoth Stage V Emission Standard cats is going to have Fernie’s groomed runs in tip-top shape all season. With 150 cm of snow as of Nov. 18, it’s already shaping up to be an incredible winter.
The card to get: The RCR Rockies Card is an amazing deal for anyone who might not want to invest in a season’s pass but wants to get out into the mountains and explore a few resorts this winter. The card currently goes for $139 and gets you your first, fourth and seventh days on the mountain for free, plus discounts on your other visits. But it’s not just at Fernie. The card can be used at Kicking Horse, Kimberley and Nakiska, too. Fernie is included in the Epic Pass, as well.
KIMBERLEY
Adult lift ticket: $124 weekday, $134 weekend, $144 holidays
Opening date: Dec. 13
More snow: Located on the Powder Highway, Kimberley has been blessed with a tonne of natural snow this winter. The resort has still invested heavily in its manmade snowmaking fleet over the last couple of years. They added another one this summer, bringing the total of new snow guns in the last three years to five. Kimberley got a new cat, too, so you know the groomed runs are going to be pristine.
Into the night: Kimberley has a massive night-skiing area, which is perfect for getting your legs under you on Night 1 if you arrive mid-day … or if you’re just not ready to go to the hot tub when the sun goes down. The Stemwinder Bar & Grill is also famous for keeping the party going after the lifts shut down and is expanding its live music lineup this winter with a variety of local talents and touring artists.
Passes: Along with Fernie, Kicking Horse and Nakiska, Kimberley is part of the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies family, which means you can use an RCR Rockies Card at the B.C. resort. It’s also part of the Epic Pass.
BIG WHITE
Adult lift ticket: $119 online, $149 at window
Opening date: Nov. 22
Keeping track: Big White has a lot of deals on offer for out-of-town visitors. If you’re flying into Kelowna from Calgary, you can get there pretty early and, if you book a three-night ski vacation at Big White, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the day you arrive completely free. That includes night skiing, which goes until 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday.
Lots to do: If you’ve got family members who don’t ski or snowboard, there’s still so much for them to do at Big White and in the surrounding area. There’s a massive tubing area and the new Twinkling Trail is a stunning illuminated path where no special equipment is required to walk through stunning light displays in a serene alpine environment.
SILVER STAR
Adult lift ticket: $143.65 peak season, $108 weekday, $124 weekend
Opening date: Nov. 29
What’s new: If you’re planning on spending more than a couple of days at Vernon’s Silver Star — and why wouldn’t you? — a 4Pack Pass might be the way to go. The pass comes pre-loaded with four days on the mountain and offers significant savings at only $465. You also get access to Silver Star’s expansive tubing, skating, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing for every day you use the 4Pack Pass.
Try it out: If you’re a season pass holder at another resort, you might be able to get a discount at Silver Star. The Vernon, B.C. resort offers 25% off full-price lift tickets for season pass holders from 13 Western Canadian resorts, including Winsport, Norquay, Marmot Basin and Lake Louise in Alberta, as well as Panorama. It’s a great way to expand your horizons and check out different terrain even if you intend on spending most of your winter locally.
SUN PEAKS
Adult lift ticket: $179 at window, between $106.99 and $179 when purchased online
Opening date: Nov. 23
More for the kids: The West Bowl T-Bar was charming in its own way, but had been out of commission since the 2020-21 season. Now, it’s been replaced by the West Bowl Express, a new high-speed quad that opens up a new 169 acres of terrain. Sun Peaks is already huge, so it’s making a great resort even better. The new lift is 800 metres long and takes skiers and riders to an area that mainly features intermediate terrain.
Save with a card: Sun Peaks’ Alpine Peaks Card is available until Dec. 15 and the savings are pretty straightforward. Pre-load the card with three days of skiing and you get 25% off the price of lift tickets. Pre-load it with five days, and you get 35%. The resort, just outside of Kamloops, is also part of both the Mountain Collective and Ikon Pass families.
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
Adult lift ticket: $295 online, $329 same day, in-person
Opening date: Nov. 22
Upgrades: After upgrading the Fitzsimmons Express last season, Whistler Blackcomb added a new high-speed, six-person lift this year, the Jersey Cream Express. The new lift will improve uploading capacity in a major way and get guests to the Glacier Creek Zone of Blackcomb Mountain significantly faster.
A big deal: Whistler Blackcomb will be hosting the Invictus Games Feb. 8-16, bringing together over 500 athletes from 20 countries to compete in adaptive sports. It’s the first-ever Invictus Games held in winter.
Buy fast: We’ve talked about the EPIC Pass a few times already, but it is an awesome deal if you’re an Albertan looking to travel this winter and check out not only Whistler Blackcomb but many of the world’s top mountains. The pass is only available until Dec. 2, so you do have to act quickly, but the EPIC Pass gets you unlimited ski days at international destinations like Whistler, Vail, Park City, Andermatt and Crans-Montana in Switzerland.
WHITEWATER
Adult lift ticket: $144
Opening date: Dec. 6
More terrain: Whitewater is one of those resorts that always seems to be working to improve, even though it’s already considered one of the best resorts on the continent by those in the know, and the nearby town of Nelson is worth a visit on its own. This season, they’ve added 60 new acres of inbound terrain which enhances its blend of challenging steeps and glade runs.
RED MOUNTAIN
Adult lift ticket: $139
Opening date: Dec. 14
Take a cat: Red Mountain is famous for its deep snow and gnarly terrain, but for skiers and riders who want to push even harder, the Mount Kirkup Cat Ski takes you to the best the Rossland resort has to offer. A single ride on the cat costs $20, while a six-pack goes for only $90.