Accessing BC ski resorts has never been easier.

Direct flights from Australia to Canada and fast transfers to any of the 13 BC resorts takes the hassle out of heading on your next ski trip.

Here are some useful tips to help you plan your dream BC ski trip!

Whistler Blackcomb is consistently rated at the number 1 resort in North America. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Whistler Blackcomb

Accessing Whistler Blackcomb is easy and now much faster from Australia. Air Canada’s direct flights out of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Vancouver is key if you are wanting a fast entry into Canada from Australia. With loads of air capacity flying into the USA from Australia, picking up a cheaper flight with a US flight connection to Canada is also an option.

Once you land in Vancouver Airport, the range of transport options to Whistler is diverse. The most popular is catching a direct shuttle to Whistler that takes around 2.5 hours. You really don’t need a car in Whistler as the village is pedestrian friendly and most accommodation is located close to the slopes.

Picking up a hire car gives you flexibility to stop along the way to view the stunning Sea-to-Sky Highway at your own pace.

Powder day at Whistler Blackcomb. (top) Whistler is a pedestrian friendly village. Skating on Green Lake in Whistler. (bottom)

Accessing Interior BC Resorts – Big White, SilverStar and Sun Peaks.

Accessing interior British Columbia’s popular family-friendly resorts in the interior is easy.  The main air access point is Kelowna International Airport with regular connecting flights from Vancouver (55 minute flight time) and other US gateway points. This makes arriving at your chosen interior resort straight forward.

Big White is perfect for families. (top) Après at Sun Peaks. SilverStar Mountain Resort at night. (bottom)

Big White

Big White Ski Resort is around 1 hour away from Kelowna International Airport via shuttle or rental car. Big White is Canada’s largest ski-in/ski-out village, so taking the shuttle is the most popular option. You just need to book the shuttle 72 hours in advance.

SilverStar Mountain Resort

SilverStar Mountain Resort is located 1 hour north east of Kelowna at Vernon. Shuttle Services or hire cars will have you on the slopes quickly. Reservation need to be made in advance for shuttle buses.

New at SilverStar for 2018/19 is the new 8 person gondola. Check out the aerial film of SilverStar Mountain Resort for inspiration.

Sun Peaks

Sun Peaks has two options for flights. You can fly directly to Kamloops, situated 50 minutes away, or fly to Kelowna and take the 2 hours and 45 minute shuttle directly to your accommodation.

Sun Peaks new 4 million dollar East Village lift opening in December 2018 will provide even better ski-in/ski-out access for more properties.

Sun Peaks is the perfect family resort.  For Australian families with expert skiers and boarders make sure you check out Gil’s terrain short film, so you know there is great terrain here for you as well.

Powder Highway

BC’s Powder Highway consists of 8 resorts and more than 20 heli- and cat-skiing operators. The snow quality along the powder highway is exceptional.

Powder Highway resorts include; Revelstoke, Fernie, Panorama, Kicking Horse, Kimberley, RED Mountain, Whitewater and Fairmont Hot Springs. Wondering how to access the character filled resorts?

For most Australians, the main gateway airport to the Powder Highway resorts will be flying to Calgary International Airport from Vancouver. The flight time is 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Carving Fernie Alpine Resort. (Top) Revelstoke après. Relax at Panorama Resort. (bottom)

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort with 2,800 acres of skiable terrain, is located 3.5 hours from Calgary. You can catch a shuttle twice weekly that departs on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Or collect a hire car and enjoy the scenic Rocky Mountains and include plenty of stops to enjoy the scenery.

Panorama is most commonly accessed from Calgary International Airport. The trip is around 4 hours, but once you arrive at Panorama you can relax.  The shuttle runs twice daily upon request. You can also fly into Canadian Rockies International Airport at Cranbrook, rent a car, and drive 2 hours. Panorama is a big mountain, with 1,300 vertical metres of elevation, 129 trails and 2975 acres patrolled.

Fernie Alpine Resort – Can be accessed from Calgary International Airport by way of a 3.5 hours drive and hour drive or from Canadian Rockies International Airport at Cranbrook in just a 1.25 hour drive. Shuttles are available from both locations with advanced bookings. Hire cars also are available. Fernie is famous for its powder bowls, the most of any BC resorts.

RED Mountain Resort and Whitewater Resort are best accessed with flights via Spokane, Washington, USA. Daily shuttles are available that take 3 and 4 hours respectively. RED Mountain offers an authentic experience and Whitewater dry powder.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort  has North America’s greatest vertical at 1,713m and is a great destination for experienced skiers. You can access a daily shuttle service from Kelowna International Airport that takes around 3 hours or take a 5 to 6-hour shuttle from Calgary. Pacific Coast Airlines also runs a winter direct flight from Vancouver direct to Revelstoke that takes only one hour.

Dropping in at Revelstoke (top).  Eagle’s Eye Restaurant at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Skiers exploring the bowls at Fernie Alpine Resort.

Before booking your flight to Canada, make sure you have completed the eTA – electronic travel authorisation. It takes a few minutes to complete. Click here for the official eTA website.