5 Of The Best Small Ski Resorts in BC (2026)

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With 87 ski resorts in British Columbia, it can be difficult to decide where to go. Particularly if you’re looking for somewhere a little different. Below, I’ve put together a list of five of the best small ski resorts in BC. These are some of my favourite places to go when I want an affordable day of skiing without the crowds that you find at some of the bigger resorts.

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– Important Note –

This list has been put together with the intermediate to advanced skier and rider in mind. While I have tried to cover off some information on beginner runs for each resort, (aside from Silverstar) these probably wouldn’t be my top picks for those just starting out.

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Here’s what made the cut: 

Top 5 small ski resorts in BC

1. Apex Mountain Resort 

Fast Facts

• Ski Lifts: 4
• Terrain: 1,112 Acres, 85 Runs
• 1 Day lift ticket: C$128
• Budget: $$
• Best Place to Stay: Penticton or Kelowna
• Best for: Steep Trees and untouched Groomers

Small but mighty, Apex is my number one pick for an off-the-beaten-path ski trip. Around 40 minutes southwest of Penticton is Apex Mountain Resort. With just 2 chairlifts, a T-bar, and a magic carpet, you could be forgiven for overlooking it. However, if you give it a chance, you’ll discover perfectly groomed runs, untracked powder (even days after the last snowfall), and terrain for every rider. 

If you like steep trees like me, you’ll want to take Grandfather’s trail from the top of the Quickdraw chair. From here, you can drop into countless black and double black runs. This entire area is full of trees; you could ride here all morning and never ski the same line twice. If bowls are more your style, head the opposite direction from Quickdraw, where you’ll find Toilet Bowl and Sunbowl. For some easy riding instead, there are lots of blues and greens to keep you happy; the grooming team here must be some of the best, as the grooming is always superb.

For lunch or dinner, you can’t go past the Gunbarrel Saloon. A cross between a charming alpine bar and a classic country saloon, it’s been voted #1 Après ski bar in Canada 10 times. You’ll find classic Canadian food in a cosy lodge-style bar, complete with all the wood accents you’d expect from a place calling itself a Saloon. They also throw a great event, with a pretty packed events calendar each season, so check it out if you’re headed up there. 

The little village has the basic necessities for a ski trip, such as your retail and rental stores, a small general store, and a cafe, don’t expect too much though. There are also a few off-slope activities, with a tube park and ice skating trail. If you’ve got the time, the skating trail is pretty magical as it loops through the snow-covered pine trees, giving the feeling of being out in the wilderness. Tickets are around C$15 plus an extra C$15 if you need to rent skates as well. 

2. Red Mountain Resort

 

Fast Facts

• Ski Lifts: 8
• Terrain: 3,850 Acres, 119 Runs
• 1 Day Lift pass: Starting at C$179 in shoulder season (Buy in advance online and save C$20)
• Budget: $$$
• Best Place to Stay: On-mountain, Rossland or Nelson
• Best for: Powder, Glades, and those after something a little different

With almost 4,000 acres of terrain, Red Mountain is small in feel only. Located just six minutes from the charming little ski town of Rossland in the Kootenays, Red Mountain gives off small resort vibes. When you pull into the car park, you’ll see the Base Lodge and a couple of accommodation options; this makes up the extent of the Red Mountain Village. Things are all up from here… literally. The resort is made up of four peaks: Red Mountain, Granite Mountain, Grey Mountain, and Mount Kirkup. 

Aside from the extensive terrain, one of the things I love most about Red Mountain is the Kirkup Trip Wagon. On certain weekends throughout the season, Red Mountain runs an inbound cat skiing service to the peak of Mt Kirkup. While it’s inbound, the peak is accessible only by cat (known as the Trip Wagon), a ride up to the peak is around C$20, and it fits 12 people. This means fresh tracks for longer, plus where else can you get a cat skiing experience for only C$20.

Once you’re done on the slopes, Rafters Bar is the go-to après spot at Red Mountain. Like Gunbarrel Saloon at Apex, Rafters has also won après awards, being voted both the best après spot in the world and #1 ski bar in North America. Located at the top of the Base lodge, sit amongst the old timber rafters while you enjoy a signature Caesar and some live music. If there’s a better way to finish a long day on the slopes, I haven’t found it yet.

3. Whitewater Mountain Resort 

Fast Facts

• Ski Lifts: 5
• Terrain: 1,367 Acres, 113 Runs
• 1 Day Lift pass: Starting at C$99.33 when purchased online
• Budget: $$
• Best Place to Stay: Nelson
• Best for: Serious skiers looking for big mountain riding

Also in the Kootenays is Whitewater Mountain Resort. Located around 25 minutes from Nelson, it’s a favourite for locals and those chasing serious powder. The resort is targeted more at intermediate to advanced skiers, with only a few green runs scattered across the hill. At the base of the mountain, you’ll find the day lodge and the guest services building, which have all the necessities for a day on the slopes – rentals, ski school, and a nice warm cafeteria and bar for lunch (or to defrost on an icy day). If you’re looking for on-mountain accommodation, there is a 2-bedroom suite located along the Nordic trails. Alternatively, for a no-frills option, there are a few serviced and unserviced RV sites where you can camp out. Personally, I’ve always stayed in Nelson as it’s a great base for both Whitewater and Red Mountain.

With several heli skiing and cat skiing operators in the area, lots of people will spend a few days here before heading out of bounds. Others will use Whitewater as a starting point for a backcountry expedition, with a few backcountry access gates at the top of the Summit and Glory chairs, and single-trip lift tickets available for this purpose. If you’re looking to stay in bounds but are up for a challenge, head out to the glades skier’s left of the Summit chair. You’ll find steep trees and maybe even a few pillow lines if you’re lucky. Be cautious, though, as the runs here are steep and there are a lot of cliffs, rocks, and trees at Whitewater, so only venture off the groomed runs if you’re an advanced skier/rider, you’re with someone who knows the area well, or you’re in a well-signed area. 

For those not looking to push themselves too hard, there are plenty of blue runs and a handful of greens. However, Whitewater wouldn’t be my first choice of resort for beginners. If you’re looking for something a bit more beginner-friendly in the area, head to Red Mountain instead. 

4. SilverStar   

Fast Facts

• Ski Lifts: 10
• Terrain: 3,282 Acres, 133 Runs
• 1 Day Lift pass: Starting at C$97 for early season riding
• Budget: $$
• Best Place to Stay: On Mountain
• Best for: Families and those who love bumps

With 10 lifts and over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, I debated whether or not to include Silverstar in a list of small ski resorts. It’s probably more mid-sized, if I’m being honest. However, it’s one of my favourites, give it a try and it just might become one of yours too. The colourful little village definitely gives off small mountain vibes, and I’ve rarely waited longer than a few minutes in a lift line. Located just 25 minutes out of Vernon and in the Okanagan Valley, Silverstar gets plenty of the famous dry and light Okanagan champagne powder. 

Once you’re warmed up, head over to the backside and check out some of the big bumps, or if that’s not your style, you’ll also find nicely groomed runs and plenty of glades. There’s a good mix of greens, blues, blacks, and double blacks at Silverstar, making it a perfect choice for groups of all abilities. The front side lends itself mainly to beginners and intermediates; however, there is no shortage of challenging terrain off of the Putnam Express over on the backside.

The village itself is made up of streets of brightly coloured little houses, like something out of a storybook. There are around 7 hotels and lodges in the village centre for ultimate convenience, plus plenty of self-contained accommodation options only a short walk away in the more residential areas. For a classic Canadian pub meal, the Red Antler is my top choice; however, the village is full of tasty spots, so you can’t go too far wrong.

5. Baldy Mountain Resort

Fast Facts

• Ski Lifts: 4
• Terrain: 600 Acres, 35 Runs
• 1 Day Lift pass: Starting at C$60
• Budget: $
• Best Place to Stay: On Mountain
• Best for: Glades and untouched powder

Another resort located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, Baldy Mountain Resort, truly is your typical small mountain resort. With two chairlifts, a t-bar, and a carpet, you’ll spend most of your day riding the Quad chair, Sugarlump, and the double chair, Eagle. Don’t be discouraged by the seemingly small number of runs; almost half of the terrain here (240 acres) is glades, which aren’t individually signed. If you’re happy to venture into these nicely spaced trees, there are plenty of options to keep you going all day. For the beginner, the Sugarlump chair is where you’ll find some nice, long green runs to keep you occupied.

Food options at Baldy are limited to the day lodge, where you’ll find a café and bar. There are no resort-operated accommodation options; however, there’s a small residential area behind the day lodge, where you can often find chalets, cabins, and condos available to rent for a night or two through the likes of Airbnb or VRBO. 

One thing you need to be aware of before visiting Baldy is the operating hours. Being a small mountain, not everything opens every day. For instance, the Eagle chair only operates Thursday to Monday, and the Sugarlump chair runs Tuesday to Sunday – so make sure you check the website before booking anything in. While this can be inconvenient if you’re looking to visit early in the week, it does mean any fresh powder mid-week tends to last longer, and you can still be getting fresh tracks on a Friday or Saturday. There are also not too many resorts these days where you can get a full-day Adult lift pass for only C$60 (or even C$73 on a Thursday when all lifts are open).

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So which is the Best Small Ski Resort in BC?

Still can’t decide which resort to choose? Why not visit a few? 

If you’re heading to the Kootenays, make it a red and white trip, with a day or two at Red Mountain and then a day or two at Whitewater. Nelson makes for a perfect base with neither resort being too far away. It’s also worth spending a bit of time checking out the quirky lakeside town.

If you’re more interested in testing out the famous Okanagan Champagne Powder, why not combine Apex, Baldy, and Silverstar? Look at basing yourself out of Penticton for Apex and Baldy before moving across to Vernon (or on-mountain) for Silverstar. Or, if you want a single base for all three, Kelowna works well. If you opt for Kelowna and have the time, consider trying out Big White as well. While not small, it is, in my opinion, the best resort in Canada. Although after living there for four seasons, I’ll admit I’m probably a bit biased, but that’s a story for another day.

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Ready to Ride BC?

Smaller resorts might not have all the amenities of their larger counterparts; however, the great vibes, empty runs, and fresh tracks more than make up for it in my opinion.

Now that you know where to go to avoid the crowds and get an affordable day of skiing in, it’s time to start planning. For more information on planning a Canadian Ski Trip, check out my ultimate guide to skiing in Canada here, and I’ll see you on the slopes of one of the best small ski resorts in BC soon.

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