Top 5 Ski Resorts in BC to train for your heliski trip

There’s all sorts of way to get ready for a heli ski trip, from over-priced home workout devices to cult-driven cross fit classes. But at the end of the day, the only thing that really gets you fit for a ski trip is, well, skiing. To that end we’ve rounded up the top 5 ski resorts in BC to prep your legs before your next heliski trip.

1. Whistler Blackcomb

Consistently voted the number one ski resort in North America, Whistler Blackcomb has the terrain, the vertical, the snowfall and the convenience of a two-hour airport transfer from Vancouver. Its long list of positive traits also means big crowds, so avoid the weekends and holidays if you can to spend more time skiing and less time in lift lines.

2. Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Revelstoke actually surpasses Whistler’s vertical after a base development a few years ago, now holding the title of most vertical in North America. It also has the legendary powder of B.C.’s Selkirk Mountains with some of the best fall line skiing in the province. Powder days can be busy, but boot packing into zones such as North Bowl will give you a workout and access to fresh lines all day.

3. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Situated On the other eastern side of Rogers Pass near Golden, Kicking Horse is an obvious stop for skiers travelling from Calgary or Edmonton on their way to B.C.’s Powder Highway. Plenty of steeps can be found along CPR Ridge and Terminator Peak, with easily accessible backcountry lines into the adjacent Super Bowl.

4. Red Mountain Resort

A small hill with big terrain, Red Mountain is blessed with some of the best snow in B.C. known affectionately as “Kootenay Cold Smoke.” Lifts are still of the old school fixed grip variety, but small crowds of Rossland locals means plenty of laps.

5. Shames Mountain

Representing northern B.C., the community co-op ski hill Shames Mountain is situated 35km west of Terrace. The ski area may only have one chairlift and a T-Bar, but surrounding the resort you’ll find some of the best lift-accessed backcountry terrain in the province. The powder at Shames is legendary, so make sure to bring your fat skis.