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Best Ski Resorts in Canada for Families: A Complete Guide

03 June 2025 | Latest News

Best Ski Resorts in Canada for Families: A Complete Guide

Canada is famous for its vast, cold, and snowy landscapes, especially in the northern regions. These natural conditions have made it an ideal destination for winter and outdoor activities. Canadian authorities and investors have made full use of its natural landscape by developing world-class ski resorts that attract millions of tourists annually.

Resorts like Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia and Mont-Tremblant in Quebec offer top-tier skiing, snowboarding, and alpine experiences. These family-friendly places, among others, are the answer to the question, “Why Canada is a top destination for family ski holidays?” These top-tier places offer dedicated family zones, ski schools, childcare facilities, and many other services that ensure every family can enjoy a great time there. If you are planning your Canada holidays anytime soon, we recommend you visit one of the numerous ski resorts in the country. Most of them also offer luxury rooms, lodges and budget-friendly staying options for families.

With Virikson Holidays, you can make your trip a wholesome and memorable affair. We offer a wide range of Canada holiday packages for our fellow Britons to make their family vacation smooth and stress-free.

Let’s explore the best family-friendly ski resorts in Canada!

Top Family Ski Resorts in Canada

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia has the honour of being the largest ski resort in Canada. With over 8,100 acres of skiable terrain across two mountains, the resort caters to all types of skiers. Whether you are a 6-year old, a beginner or a pro, the resort has got you covered. There are special Family Zones where kids can learn and practise skiing. The Whistler Kids Snow School is a fun place for children to take lessons with friendly instructors.

To ensure that families have a great time during their Canada luxury holidays, the resort offers plenty of options. Kids can play in the Magic Castle and Tree Fort, go snow tubing at the Coca-Cola® Tube Park, or hang out in Nintendo gaming lounges. In Whistler Village, families can skate on the outdoor rink, watch the Fire & Ice Show, or take part in activities like snowman building and mini hockey.

As far as the lodging options are concerned, the resort offers cosy condos with kitchens. There are plenty of restaurants that have kid-friendly food that even picky eaters will love. With so many fun and entertainment options, Whistler Blackcomb’s name is always there in the list of top resorts.

Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta

Three different ski resorts are located at Banff and Lake Louise, namely Banff Sunshine (Sunshine Village), Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay.

The Banff Sunshine is located around 15 minutes’ drive from the town of Banff and is open from November to May. The Lake Louise Ski Resort is near the hamlet of Lake Louise and offers terrain for all skill levels and ages. It has 145 ski runs, and most of them are great for beginners. It has gentle slopes and moving carpets to help young kids learn. The third, Mt Norquay, is also quite near to Banff. For kids three and older, there is a snow tubing area as well. The best part about this resort is that it offers a daycare for babies, allowing parents to ski without worrying about the little ones. Around the three parks, there are lots of places to stay that are great for families.

Big White Ski Resort, British Columbia

British Columbia is home to around 87 ski resorts, and most of them are family-friendly. Out of these, Big White Ski Resort is often referred to as the best family destination for skiers in Canada. The resort offers 119 designated trails, and 21 of them are dedicated to beginners of all ages. A notable feature of this ski resort is the green run, which is accessible from every lift, ensuring that even the novice skiers can access the mountain with ease.

For parents with little kids, there’s Tot Town Daycare, which takes care of babies. Older kids can take ski or snowboard lessons at the Kids Centre, and parents can even track their child’s location using a GPS system. Other than skiing, there are plenty of more things to do. Families can try snow tubing, ice skating on Canada’s highest outdoor rink, snowshoeing, and even kid-sized snowmobile rides.

There are many ski-in/ski-out hotels in the resort, allowing you to access the slopes right away. Restaurants like The BullWheel offer food that kids love. At night, families can enjoy Carnival Nights, games, face painting, and a visit from Loose Moose, the resort mascot.

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

If you are planning Canada holidays in Quebec, don’t forget to visit Mont Tremblant. This place offers an engaging winter experience for tourists of all ages. With a total of 102 trails across four mountain faces, including 22 easy and 34 intermediate runs, this is an ideal place for families to enjoy skiing together.

If you are travelling with children between 6 and 12, Tremblant Snow School offers instructions to help them learn skiing. For little ones aged 1 to 6, the Kidz Club Daycare offers full-day facilities so parents can have their fair share of fun and enjoyment.

If your kids don’t like skiing, don’t worry; the resort has got you covered with various options like the Tam-Tam Trail and special forest runs. Families can also go snow tubing, ice skating, or swim indoors at the temperature-controlled Aquaclub La Source. Just like the other resorts, there are plenty of restaurants that offer kid-friendly meals.

Sun Peaks Resort, British Columbia

Sun Peaks is another top-of-the-line skiing resort in British Columbia. With 4,270 acres of skiable terrain and 10% dedicated to beginners, this is the second largest resort in Canada. If you have little kids, the Sundance Kids Centre offers daycare for children aged 3 to 5. For older children, there are group lessons in the form of the Sun Tots programme, where young kids can get fun private ski or snowboard lessons.

When you are not out skiing or want a different experience, there are various other activities for families beyond skiing, such as snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing and horse-drawn sleigh rides. The village in which the resort is located is super easy and fun to explore, and there are plenty of places to stay at highly affordable prices.

Key Features to Look for in a Family-Friendly Ski Resort

If you have try skiing during your Canada holidays, then make sure you select the resort carefully. At Virikson Holidays, it is our goal to make your family trips more convenient and hassle-free. Here are some tips from our experts that you can consider before booking a family-friendly ski resort in Canada.

  • Beginner-Friendly Slopes: Look for a resort that offers gentle hills made for beginners. These areas often have magic carpet lifts or small tows that are great for kids and new skiers.
  • Ski Schools for Kids: A great resort will have ski schools that offer lessons especially for children. The instructions are given by friendly and trained people who know how to help kids learn while having fun.
  • Childcare Services: If you are travelling with little ones who can’t ski yet, look for resorts that offer daycare services. It allows parents to leave their kids in safe hands and try their luck at skiing.
  • Family-Friendly Accommodations & Dining Options: Select a resort that offers lodging specifically for families. Book rooms that come with kitchens, open areas, and entrances close to the slopes so you don’t have to walk too much with the gear. Moreover, don’t forget to check out the restaurants’ menus to ensure they offer kid-friendly meals.
  • Fun Activities off the Slopes: A good resort will also offer various non-skiing things to do and adventures like snowshoeing, tobogganing, and ice skating along with indoor activities like swimming & movie nights and winter adventures like dog sledding or snowmobiling.

How to Make the Most of Your Family Ski Holiday in Canada?

When it comes to going skiing with children, planning properly is very important. We have made the planning part easy for our readers with the help of the following sections. Go through them and learn how to execute your skiing holidays smoothly.

How to Plan a Ski Trip with Children?

There is no denying the fact that planning a skiing trip with kids takes a little extra work. The planning process begins around 2-3 months before the departure date so the little ones get accustomed to skiing and don’t panic when they arrive at the resort. Start by discussing skiing with your children and show them videos so they can understand how fun the overall experience can be. Make them wear ski boots and clothes at home so they feel more comfortable in them.

Don’t forget to pack lots of warm clothes, like jackets, hats, gloves, and extra socks. Kids can get cold fast, so it’s good to have dry clothes handy.

When you are on the slope, don’t push things. Instead, let kids explore at their own pace and take breaks often so they don’t get too tired. It is a good idea to include some off-slope things to do as well, like sledding or building a snowman.

Time-Saving Tips for Navigating Ski Resorts with Kids

With the following time-saving tips and tricks, you can make it easy to navigate the challenges of a ski holiday with the little ones.

  • Check all the gear, clothes, snacks, and tickets on the night before you intend to go skiing.
  • Use a sturdy stroller waggon to transport heavy gear and tired kids. This will not drain you physically. Most of the family-friendly resorts offer such services.
  • Reserve tickets and ski lessons in advance to save time. Advance booking is often cheaper than last-minute purchases.
  • Last but not least, always follow the instructions given at the resort. They help you save time and streamline the entire process.

Wrap-Up: The Best Ski Adventure Awaits You

Simply put, Canadian holidays are not complete without a ski adventure. It is one of the things that this country is famous for. Once you are in the country and done with skiing, don’t forget to take your family to top places like Stanley Park, CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Ripley’s Aquarium, Toronto, Granville Island, and Jasper National Park. If you want to make your trip hassle-free, we are right here with our top-of-the-line Canada holiday packages designed especially for UK families. Book them now and enjoy great early bird discounts.

About the Author

Juli Wagner, a veteran travel writer and advisor, is highly known for her quest to explore the spectacular locales of the globe. Being in the travel industry for years, she has inspired many people with her articles and stories. Her writings not only offer actionable advice but also ignite the spark of adventure in her readers.

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