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The Best Ski Trips in CANADA (Why Whistler Sucks)

Rise & Alpine

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Everyone knows Whistler, but the real Canadian skiing dream is linking up multiple resorts on one epic road trip. In this video I break down the top ski trip itineraries across Canada from BC’s Powder Highway to the Rockies and beyond. Track your ski journey across Canada with Stickrbottle https://www.stickrbottle.com/

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00:00 - Top Canadian Ski Trips
01:52 - Whistler Blackcomb
03:44 - Why Whistler Sucks (sometimes)
06:56 - Interior Loop
09:03 - Banff & Lake Louise
11:39 - Powder Highway
16:11 - Lower Mainland Gems
17:36 - Surf & Ski
18:31 - Northern BC
19:23 - DIY Dream Trip

20 Comments

@Yooouser584 1 year ago (edited)

I promise you this is true. I was having a really bad day, and I was complaining about how Rise and Alpine hadn't posted in a while, and all of a sudden, this popped up. Thanks again, James!

@stevevitale2596 1 year ago

Did the powder highway last year. This year starts in December at Big White then Revy, SliverStar, Sun Peaks, Apex, Baldy, Red , Whitewater and Fernie for the next 77 days.. Then back to the states for 12 days in Montana and 6 in Wyoming. It’s nice to be retired.

Your video have been a big help planning this year. Keep it up.

@rohanthoms8283 1 year ago (edited)

From Australia, doing Mt Norquay, Sunshine, Lake Louise and Kicking horse this winter. Absolutely stoked!!!

@SnowboardingExplained 1 year ago

I’ve been in Whistler 8 years, and this man is spitting facts.
Very hard place to plan a short trip, and getting the good snow is ridiculously competitive.

Still my favourite place, but has a lot of variables to consider.

@sendingpeaks 1 year ago

James says never go to Whistler but I literally saw him there 2 days ago 😂

@nsnv 8 months ago

I used to go to Whistler when I was a student at UBC from 2015-2018 and it was relatively affordable and fun at the time. Haven't been since 2019 and honestly don't know if I will again, seems too expensive and crowded and I heard the snow is terrible lately.

@randyvaughn4046 10 months ago

In 2003-4 my bro and I pulled a 18 ft prowler with my van from Red Lodge MT to whistler and lived in the 8 car parks around the mountain. Bought a season pass, a HP of BC Bud, ate at Quiznos in the village almost everyday, cleaned multi million dollar log cabins on weekends. Ended up sorting potatoes in Pemberton bc just a ways away for gas money to return to Montana 6 months later.
Thanks for bringing back some great memories. BC BEAUTIFUL

@MrEd6066 9 months ago

I lived in Whistler for 3 years and Squamish for 25ish. Grouse was a great mountain, underappreaciated because Whistler is so awesome.
I enjoyed Whistler, (probably in the best years that resort could offer) - it's too busy for me and too expensive.
Now enjoying Silverstar - another great mountain! Not too busy, super nice people!

@dantoddruns 1 year ago

I’ve gone to Canada for the last two years to ski - Big 3 and Revy. I love skiing in Canada. Great terrain. Sweet vibe. Great service. Delicious food. Ready for another trip soon.

@steveschlick995 1 year ago (edited)

Thanks for everything. Looking to the weather forecasts for the next season. Stoke is high. Very high. Can’t wait to see your first tracks this October!!!

@kellymaher1053 1 year ago

Last season, epic, epic Canda road trip. Started at Fernie, Kimberly, Panorama, Fairmont Hot Springs, Mt Norquay, Nakiska, Winsport, Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Missed Kicking Horse(broken Gondie) Revelstoke, Big White, Silver 5 Stars😊, Sun Peaks. Whistler Blackcomb(every chair 1 day both sides, Ole to James) Cypress Mtn, and Sasquatch Mtn. And coming back this year for more.

@capitanocorelli1781 7 months ago

Lived in Nelson back in the day. The steps are amazing to ski. Like the man said, phenomenal tree skiing. They get so much snow it's sick. Even to this day I never shovel. I just drive over it because you haven't seen snow till you do Whitewater. After a pow day you go back to an empty lot. That's because you're walking above your car. Not quite but don't leave your car up at the hill on the weekend.

Stayed at the YMCA hotel, worked at Leo's Pizza and taught the kids to pay the bills. Everyday I got schooled by that mountain. The guys that grew up there weren't skiers, they were snorkel powder astronauts.

@BillPiasta 8 months ago

From Alberta …. Have skied every resort in western Canada … many many times and we all have our favourite … for me it’s Sunshine and Lk Louise because it’s in my backyard.
Love Fernie .. Revelstoke .. Golden also.
Also Heli Skied out of Naskup … a couple of times.
Whitefish is a great ski trip also … and so is Aspen Co USA.
Keep on skiing and don’t stop.

@PaulSimon-b4b 1 year ago (edited)

I have skied Whistler for over 40 years. It has always had massive crowds on powder days and horrible weather on a lot of days. But a sunny day, a few days after fresh snow, makes it all worth while. I am still finding new hidden runs through the trees.
I did the power highway last year and was waiting in line when the Gondola fell off at Kicking horse. They opened the lower lifts the next day and there were only about 20 people sking on one of the old slow chairs, so we had powder runs all day.

@Lloydski 1 year ago

Did Silver Star and Sun Peaks a few years back and it nuked at both resorts the whole time we were there. One of the best Canadian and luckiest trips in the memory banks to date. Hooked up with locals at both resorts and shredded untouched pow for a week solid.. Both resorts were so chill and so scenic. Waking up early every morning to fresh pow out on the balcony sipping coffee thinking wow glad I drug the pow skis along.. Not a lot to do besides ski but that's what we were there for on that trip. Left all the non skiers home on that one which turned out to be a good call. Ate and went to bed..

@SechristShreds 1 year ago

So I’ve been watching all of your videos lately…I had a dream I was skiing the other night… I don’t even ski I snowboard 😂

Love your videos and attitude man!

@austinwestbrook3091 1 year ago

As an American that has travelled to most Canadian resorts by now I can firmly say that trips to whistler blackcomb are time and time again our absolute favorites. And that includes the entire us as well haha. Whistler is the king in our eyes for so many reasons