Plan Your USA & Canada Ski Trip
A ski trip to North America needs a little more planning than a week in the Alps. The skiing can be superb, the lifts are often fast, the service is usually excellent and the scale of the mountains can be extraordinary. But the costs, distances and travel arrangements are different, and it pays to know what you are getting into before you book.
Use the sections below to jump to the parts of the guide that matter most when planning a USA or Canada ski holiday.
Money & Costs
North America can be a shock to the wallet if you are used to skiing in Europe. The USA uses US dollars and Canada uses Canadian dollars, but the currency is only part of the story. Sales tax is usually added at the till, tips are expected in restaurants and bars, and lift tickets, ski hire, parking and mountain lunches can all add up quickly.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere in the major ski resorts, but it is still worth carrying a little local currency for tips, shuttle drivers and small purchases. Before travelling, check what your bank charges for card payments and cash withdrawals abroad. It is also sensible to take more than one payment card, just in case one is blocked, declined or misplaced.
Useful links: check the Bank of England exchange rates for the broad sterling picture, the Visa exchange rate calculator or Mastercard currency converter for indicative card rates, and GOV.UK advice on managing money abroad before you travel.
Where To Ski
Choosing where to ski in the USA and Canada is not simply a case of picking the biggest name. North America is vast, and the right resort depends on your group, your budget, your ability level and what sort of ski holiday you actually want.
The USA is strong for slick resort operations, fast lifts, big-name ski towns and high-quality grooming. Colorado and Utah are the classic choices for many UK skiers, with resorts such as Vail, Breckenridge, Aspen Snowmass, Park City, Alta and Snowbird offering a huge range of terrain. Wyoming, Montana, California and the East Coast all bring something different, from the advanced terrain of Jackson Hole to the lake views of Tahoe and the old-school ski character of Vermont.
Canada has a slightly different pull. Whistler Blackcomb is the giant, but British Columbia and Alberta offer much more besides, from the powder reputation of Revelstoke, Fernie and Kicking Horse to the family-friendly appeal of Big White and Sun Peaks, and the scenery of Banff and Lake Louise.
Before choosing a resort, check lift pass options carefully. Many major resorts are linked to the Epic Pass, Ikon Pass or, for smaller independent areas, the Indy Pass. The right pass can make a major difference to the final cost of a North American ski holiday, particularly if you book early.
Travel & Entry
The distances in North America are often the first surprise. Resorts that look close on a map can still be several hours apart once winter roads, mountain passes, traffic and weather are taken into account. A North American ski road trip can be brilliant, but it needs more planning than moving between valleys in the Alps.
Some resorts are relatively straightforward. Whistler is usually reached from Vancouver. Banff and Lake Louise are normally reached from Calgary. Park City is close to Salt Lake City by North American standards. Many Colorado resorts are accessed from Denver, though winter traffic on mountain roads can make the transfer longer than expected.
Car hire can be useful if you are visiting several resorts or staying outside the main village, but it is not always essential. Some major resorts have good shuttle links, and parking can be expensive. If you do drive, check winter tyre rules, snow chain requirements, parking costs and what your insurance actually covers.
UK travellers should also check entry requirements before booking. For the USA, most holidaymakers will need an approved ESTA before travelling. For Canada, many visitors flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport need an eTA. GOV.UK also publishes travel advice for both the USA and Canada, which is worth checking before departure.
It is also worth checking airline ski carriage rules, baggage allowances, connection times and whether your travel insurance properly covers winter sports. North America can be a superb place to ski, but it rewards people who do the boring, practical bits properly before they go.