Located in interior British Columbia, Panorama is renowned as a family friendly ski resort where nearly all the accommodation has ski-in or slope-side convenience. The pedestrian friendly resort sits below a ski area that is an intermediates paradise offering long tree lined runs back into the village.
Located deep in interior British Columbia in the Powder Highway region, the resort is still relatively undiscovered which means the slopes are quiet and the lift lines are practically non existent. With 2,900 acres, 133 runs and 4,000 vertical feet (some of the longest in North America) there’s plenty of snow to enjoy at Panorama.
This resort packs a serious punch. Once you ski here, you’ll need a new bucket list. Here are five ‘must do’ signature experiences while you’re in the resort.
1. Ski on ‘Top of the World’
Panorama was aptly named as the summit peaks offer 360 degree vistas of the mountains. Ride the Mile 1 Express out of the upper village, then the Champagne Express Quad then ski across to the Summit Quad on the Upper Canadian trail.
At the summit you can stop for a quick snack at the Summit Hut and take in some of the best views of the Purcell, Rockies and Bugaboo mountains that you’ll find anywhere in Canada. On a bluebird day the views are truly spectacular. Don’t forget to take your camera with you.
2. Snowmobiling
Book yourself on to a half day snow mobile tour for a full morning of adventure. The snow mobile tours start right outside the resort and lets you stop to get plenty of pictures of the breathtaking scenery.
Discover an old silver mine, push the sleds hard in a deep powder bowl, climb to 8,000ft and refuel on snacks and hot chocolate in a secluded alpine hut. The Paradise Bowl tour is a great way to enjoy the mountains when you want to give your ski legs a rest.
3. In-bounds Cat Skiing
Panorama has launched the ‘Monster X’ snow cat this season. The snow cat offers skiers and boarders a single day in-bounds excursion to access the recently opened expert/advanced terrain in Taynton Bowl. The 10 minute cat ride takes 12 skiers/riders to 128 acres of advanced terrain that offer 1,300 vertical metres of fantastic skiing in an area that was previously only available to heli-skiers.
The snow cat operates from the Never, Never Land entrance on Outback Ridge to the Monster Plateau opening up five advanced runs called Spectre, Get Out, Ridgeback, Jeckyll and Hyde and the Monster. The in-bounds cat ski operation runs every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 3pm and costs around CAD $50 for four runs or CAD $15 for a single ride.
The skiing in Taynton Bowl is only suitable for advanced skiers and riders and is ideal terrain to hone your skills on before trying out a day of heli-skiing at Panorama.
4. Heli Skiing
Ever wanted to try heli-skiing? Only a few heli-ski operators offer a one day taster that is aimed at strong intermediate skiers to give you a chance of enjoying the thrills of making fresh powder turns in the backcountry.
With 49 years of experience, one of the best heli-ski operators in the industry is based in Panorama. The heli picks you up in the resort and whisks you into a vast backcountry area that offers nearly 930 square miles of pristine powder.
The taster days cater specifically for first time heli-skiers and you can choose from a 3 run powder adventure or a 5 run powder adventure.
In our book, Panorama is one of the best resorts in Canada to try heli-skiing for the first time.
5. Relax in Canada’s largest slope-side hot springs
One of the signature experiences in Panorama’s upper village is to relax and enjoy the slope-side hot springs. Located in the base area at the Panorama Springs Lodge, guests staying in the resort can access the pool, slides and hot tubs.
The soothing waters at Panorama are free, they’re hot and they are Canada’s largest. What better way to relax after a day on the slopes.
Panorama is one of our favourite ski resorts. Located in the famed Powder Highway region of British Columbia the resort has enjoyed over 4metres of snow so far this season and have announced that they will be extending their season right the way through to April 21st this year.
To find out more about Panorama, check out our resort run down and to keep up to date with the latest snow conditions in the resort Like us on Facebook and Follow us Twitter.