Tis’ the season for skiing and snowboarding trips! If you’re feeling like you need a refresher in how to carve down a hill—or if you’re a newcomer to skiing and snowboarding—consider taking a class. Many beautiful destinations—in Canada, and elsewhere—offer lessons and longer-term camp experiences for skiers and snowboarders of all ages.
These are our top five picks for exciting, active, and educational winter sport destinations.
Whistler Blackcomb Snow School, British Columbia
Photo courtesy of whistlerbllackcomb.com
Regarded as one of the best ski and snowboard schools in North America, Whistler Blackcomb Snow School offers all-ages ski and snowboard lessons for all levels, languages, and styles. They have handy ability charts to help you determine which course is best for you. You can also ski or ride with an Olympian, and if you’re considering a career change (or perhaps a post-retirement adventure) they also offer excellent instructor training programs.
Momentum Camps, British Columbia
Momentum offers year round ski and snowboard lessons and clinics at the beautiful Blackcomb Lodge and Spa—making it an extra-special treat. Looking for a summer adventure? Momentum’s nine-day adult-only session runs from June 10th-18th, and if you happen to have a teen or young adult in your life, their Exposure: Film and Photo Camp looks super cool.
Pratte Ski Camps, multiple locations
Photo courtesy of pratteski.com
Pratte Ski Camps offers individualized skiing instruction for all levels at beautiful destinations including Whistler, BC (always a favourite), Zermatt, Switzerland, Copper Mountain, Colorado, Sun Peaks, BC, and Mount Tremblant, Quebec. Their learning philosophy? “If you have passion and drive, and are willing to put in the work, we can help achieve your goal.”
Lake Louise Ski Camps, Alberta
Lake Louise is an utterly beautiful destination, with the added bonus of being very close to the more tourist-targeted and shopping heavy city of Banff. Lake Louise Ski camps offer private and group lessons for all skill levels, and also an intermediate multi-week men and women’s freeride program for intermediate skiers. These lessons are structured in a way that allows you to become a stronger and more savvy skier, preparing you to ride through the natural beauty (ie. bumps, trees, and big mountain) of Lake Louise.
Blue Mountain, Ontario
Photo courtesy of skibluemt.com
If you happen to be located in Ontario, Collingwood is a quick trip that feels like you’re miles away from home (especially for those in Toronto). Blue Mountain’s Snow School offers daily and 9-week ski and snowboard lessons for all levels and ages, along with performance training and racing programs geared at the more experienced adult. Need to give your body a break after hitting the slopes? Check out the beautiful Scandinave Spa while you’re in the area.
Also on RNR:
