Canada’s Most Magical Winter Resorts
Updated: Oct. 30, 2024
These great Canadian getaways make winter something to look forward to.
Winter Resorts Worth Adding to Your Bucket List
Considering a staycation this winter? Chances are, you’ve got world-class winter resorts within driving distance. Whether you’re looking for a luxe hotel or a rustic lodge, these great escapes offer scenic vistas, tasty bites and snow-drenched adventures.
Club Med Québec Charlevoix
Charlevoix, Quebec
Club Med’s first four-season mountain resort in North America, the Québec Charlevoix at Le Massif ski resort is a luxe destination with activities to entertain every member of your family. The ski-in/ski-out accommodations overlook the St. Lawrence River, promising scenic views whether you’re carving up the mountain, floating in the 23-metre heated pool or resting in the spa’s sauna (which has floor-to-ceiling windows) between treatments. Other highlights include three restaurants and a bar that celebrate local cuisine, plus circus school for the kiddos with juggling, fixed trapeze and trampolining.
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The Josie Hotel
Rossland, British Columbia
Located at B.C.’s RED Mountain Resort on Canada’s famous Powder Highway, The Josie is a ski-in/ski-out boutique hotel with adventure in its DNA. If you thrive on a full itinerary, let the concierge plan your alpine skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking in the nearly eight metres of annual snowfall. If rest and relaxation are more your speed, cozy up in the cedar-barrel saunas with views of the mountain, book a chakra-balancing massage on a heated sand table or sip a cocktail at The Velvet Restaurant and Lounge.
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Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Lake Louise, Alberta
No cross-Canada bucket list would be complete without mention of the legendary Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Surrounded by tree-covered peaks, the expansive hotel overlooks the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, which turns into one of the world’s most scenic skating rinks as soon as the surface freezes. Wake to views of the winter wonderland each morning, then head out for a day of skiing Lake Louise’s West Bowl—460 acres of new terrain that opened in winter 2020—or book a horse-drawn sleigh ride, snowshoeing tour or Johnston Canyon ice walk. Also be sure to try each of the Chateau’s restaurants including Walliser Stube, which is famous for its traditional cheese fondue.
Wander The Resort
Bloomfield, Ontario
Weary Torontonians have been beating a retreat to Prince Edward County for ages, and in winter, there’s no escape more elegant than Wander The Resort. The resort’s 10 super-chic lakeside cabins were made for nesting, boasting cozy fireplaces and heated floors. After you’ve got your fill of downtime, lace up the skates for a spin on the frozen lake, head to the clubhouse for movie night or make s’mores at the communal fire pit. The towns of Wellington and Picton are also nearby for lunch and dinner reservations (try the Drake Devonshire) and many wineries in the region stay open through the winter months.
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White Point Beach Resort
White Point, Nova Scotia
Just under two hours from Halifax by car, White Point Beach Resort is a romantic spot for couples looking to spend a cozy weekend (or week!) away. The all-season lakeside glomes (short for “glamping domes”) are a short walk from the main resort and are tailor-made for reconnecting with your partner, whether you choose to watch the sunrise together, cuddle by the propane fireplace or take a dip in your private hot tub. The resort also has a spa (try a soothing body wrap or healing reiki), free yoga classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, beach marshmallow roasts and a restaurant and lounge on site.
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Sunshine Mountain Lodge
Banff, Alberta
Sunshine Mountain Lodge, the only ski-in/ski-out hotel in Banff National Park, makes the perfect base camp for exploring the wonders of Banff Sunshine Village. Wake up to views of Lookout Mountain and Mount Standish before hitting the slopes (and Canada’s only heated chairlift, the Teepee Town LX). You can even stand on the border between Alberta and British Columbia by taking the Great Divide Express Quad to the top of Lookout Mountain, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the 3,618-metre-high Mount Assiniboine. After dark, head for dinner at the lodge’s Eagle’s Nest, where bison ribeye, pan-seared B.C. salmon and AAA Alberta steaks are menu highlights, then take in Nightrise, an immersive evening light show at the Banff Gondola.
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Flying Moose Chalet
Revelstoke, British Columbia
Feeling the urge to splurge? Few winter resorts are as luxurious as B.C.’s Flying Moose Chalet, an 8,500-square-foot group-stay home with eight suites (each with its own bathroom) and room for up to 18 guests. The palatial residence has a private helipad so the adventurers in your gang can easily enjoy heli-skiing at nearby Revelstoke Mountain Resort, as well as an outdoor pool, eight-person hot tub, 22-foot climbing wall, gym and games room. It even comes with its own staff, including a private butler and driver, plus housekeeping and culinary teams. Who knows—if you pool your resources with 17 of your nearest and dearest (not to mention, wealthiest), this dreamy winter getaway could be within reach!
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Mont Tremblant Ski Resort
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
Winter resorts don’t get more family-friendly than Mont Tremblant. Boasting an impressive array of indoor and outdoor winter activities for all ages, the Quebec ski destination makes an ideal multigenerational family vacation. Hone your skiing skills with professional instruction, or try something new in the form of dogsledding, dune buggy tours or ice fishing. If the temperatures drop too low for your liking, play laser tag at Mission Laser, break out of an escape room at Mission Liberté or leave the littles in the capable hands of Kidz Club Daycare while you hit the black diamonds, spa or casino.
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Panorama Mountain Resort
Panorama, British Columbia
For more than six decades, the Powder Highway’s Panorama Mountain Resort has been a dream destination for families and expert skiers alike. There are plenty of lodges and townhomes available for short-term rental, but the real draws are the winter resort’s one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences, from heli-skiing directly from Panorama Village to snowmobile tours through old-growth forest. You can even book a traditional raclette dinner at a cabin that’s only accessible by skis or snowcat.
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Falcon Trails Resort
Falcon Beach, Manitoba
The rustic cabins at Falcon Trails Resort in Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park are the perfect place to go off the grid. From private hot tubs and campfire pits to full kitchens and wood-burning fireplaces, the ample amenities in each cabin allow you to nest in complete comfort as the snow piles up outside. And if you (or the kids) need a bit more entertainment, the Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes are just next door with alpine skiing (of the prairie variety), tubing and cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.
While you’re enjoying the great outdoors at these winter resorts, don’t forget to look up: these are the best places for stargazing across Canada.
