Kelowna, Fairmont Hot Springs or Canmore for family skiing?
 

We have an opportunity to exchange for timeshare condos at either of these 3 locations. Any opinions on the three areas?

We are a family of 4, would prefer ski areas heavy on the intermediate ski/snowboard runs. Not really interested in nightlife, but some non-ski activities, such as dining, sledding, dog-sledding, snowmobiling would be nice. Low crowds are a big plus.

Also important is how difficult each area is to get to, and which airports are best to fly into.

One last thing -- How late does the ski season last, ie: would "Spring skiing" in early April be pleasant or muddy?

Thanks!

early april for the banff area is usually great (might get a little slushy on the bottom in late afternoon). i'd be leary of fairmont that late. big white in kelowna is nice too but i'm not too sure how long their season is.
canmore would be a great choice for skiing, plus enjoying banff, 3 ski areas around there, could pop into calgary if you wanted a city for an evening (olympic park is cool - bobsledding a blast but expensive) and several places around canmore for dog-sledding, snowmobiling.

This year the Season at Big White ended at the end of the Easter weekend. The great thing about skiing in Kelowna in April, is that you can either ski on the hill or golf in town.
Lots of intermediate runs, and as far as non ski activities, there is the Mega Snowcoaster, ice skating, quite a few restaurants. The village has really grown in the past few years, and now offers a lot more options than a few years back. Also I think a whole new area is scheduled to open for the 2005 season.
check out www.bigwhite.com

Thanks for all the info and the links. All 3 areas look so beautiful! If we don't make it out there for spring break, we'll definitely try for a winter trip.

Here is a plug for Fairmont. There are a bunch of beautiful hills all within driving distance. You can ski Banff, Fernie, Kimberely and Invermere all within a few hours drive! Its a resort town in a beautiful scenery!

Thanks Jamikins,

Glad to have another opinion. How's the little ski area at the Fairmont Mountainside resort?

It's little. The best skiing in the vicinity of Fairmont is Panorama, which is about 40 minutes away. If you're looking for convenience, Kelowna or Canmore would be better bets. They're also much better for access by air.

As well, the snow conditions at Fairmont in early April are going to be dicey as well. On the other hand, I saw people golfing in shorts at Fairmont at the end of March this year!

It all depends on how important the skiing is for you as opposed to the resort itself. I would not travel to BC to ski at Fairmont.

I agree. Fairmont is very tiny. Panarama is in Invemere which is a very short drive away. Kimberely to Fairmont is only about 40-45 min and Banff is aI believe a couple hours. Fernie would also be a couple of hours away in the other direction. All of these places are big resorts and the skiing usually closes easter weekend or the middle of April.
Here are their websites:
Kimberly: http://www.skikimberley.com/
Fernie: http://www.skifernie.com/index.asp
Inveremere: http://www.panoramaresort.com/winter/index.html

Hope this helps!

Jamie