It’s a huge country, and every winter almost every square inch of it is packed with snow. That makes Canada a top destination for winter adventure, whether you like to ski, fish, snowshoe, snowmobile, or simply curl up next to fire in a luxurious lodge.
Here is our list of Canada’s best winter resorts, moving from west to east across the nation.
Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort, British Columbia
Located in the gorgeous Kootenay region, this resort centres on the therapeutic waters of a hot spring pool and natural cave. Guests have been coming here since the 1930s, but the Ktunaxa First Nations peoples have been enjoying the waters for centuries.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta
This is the grand lady of them all, situated amidst the majestic peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park. For over 100 years, its been welcoming guests who come to enjoy world class skiing, hiking, ice climbing and dog sledding.
Elkhorn Resort, Manitoba
This resort has a main lodge with a full spa facility and several chalets nestled in Manitoba’s boreal forest. On site there’s ice-skating and tobogganing, with access to off-site skiing, ice fishing and wildlife viewing tours.
Cedar Grove Lodge, Ontario
Ontario is full of ski hills, but if you’re looking for a quieter pace, this resort in Muskoka offers you winter serenity in a lakeside log cabin.
Accommodations include in-cabin stone fireplaces, three meals a day, and all the snowshoeing and cross-country skiing your heart desires.
Mont Tremblant Ski Resort, Quebec
Mont Tremblant is the largest ski centre in the Laurentian Mountains and provides the widest range of accommodations and activities. Just to the north of Montreal, you’ll find luxurious suites, slope-side cottages and dozens of bars, restaurants and cafes.
Tremblant even has its own microbrewery, casino and breathtaking gondola. You’ll always find this popular destination listed among Canada’s best winter resorts.
Trout Point Lodge, Nova Scotia
A romantic hideaway and member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with fireplaces, hot tubs and saunas in an eco-lodge surrounded by pine, spruce and birch trees. The furniture was all made from the trees taken from the site when the lodge was built, which is itself a spectacular log structure.
Marble Mountain Resort, Newfoundland
The finest skiing on the East Coast, with a zipline facility and aerial obstacle course onsite. Worth the trip just for the views from the lift.
Renting a vehicle is absolutely the most economical (and at times only) way to get to Canada’s best winter resorts. You’ll need snow tires, however, and possibly chains.
Snow tires are mandatory in Quebec and will be automatically provided with your vehicle, but be sure to let us know of your intended destination when you book.