Husband (expert skier), sons ages 7 and 9 and I (intermediate skiers) are interested in skiing in Canada for spring break. We don't need much nightlife, just some restaurants for dinner. Boys will go to ski school. We would prefer to stay in a suite or condo. Which resort would be better, and why? Any other suggestions for a family ski trip in Canada?

I have been to both Lake Louise and Whistler and personally would not make either my first choice. Weather being the major factor - Lake Louise can be quite icy and Whistler can get rain. Of course the weather gods never guarantee anything but, you do have a better chance of great snow in the B.C. interior - Fernie, Silver Star, Big White or Panorama are all great choices. Our family has been to all and Fernie is at the top of our list - great on-hill accommodation, ski school, lots of hill variety and we love the size - not too overwhelming. In fact we're heading back in three weeks!

Thank you Starfish. I will look into your suggestions, especially Fernie. Our 7 year old is studying Canada in school this year, and we thought it would be fun to spend spring break in Canada as our sons have not been there.

Both Whistler and Lake Louise have huge terrain and a great variety for all levels of skiers. In addition, at Lake Louise you can get a tri-mountain pass which would add Sunshine and Mount Norquay, if you need any more variety.

Off-slope, Whistler of course has everything in terms of accommodation, restaurants and entertainment. Lake Louise is much more limited, and you would have much more choice in Banff and Canmore for accommodation and restaurants, but that's a 40 minute drive from the Lake Louise. If you want on-slope accommodation, Sunshine would be your best bet, but there's only one lodge.

The suggestions of Fernie, Big White, Silver Star or Panorama are good ones. I think that for your family, Panorama would be the choice. It has lots of intermediate runs, but also real expert terrain in the newly opened Taynton Bowl. Also, everything is slopeside--hotel, condos, restaurants etc. Fernie would be my close second choice, but it's a bit more remote.

There's a good article on Panorama in this November's issue of Ski Magazine.

whistler is great, has plenty of suites but very expensive.
lake louise is very good and as mentioned, you can also ski other hills too such as sunshine. one day at each and then decide which you like better. in both cases, i would stay in banff as that's where most of the hotels and restaurants are. (the douglas fir has suites and a waterslide which the kids might enjoy.) either a car or a shuttle bus is required to get to either but this isn't a big deal to most people.
my sister takes her family of 5 to fernie every year. she says the resort is very family oriented and her kids always have a blast. they have accommodations right on the hill. for a change (if you get bored there) you can drive to big white ski hill outside of kelowna. i'm guessing it would be 60-90 minute drive. this is in the okanagan valley regions and it is beautiful. to go silver star ski hill you would fly into kelowna's airport. silver star is much smaller then whistler or lake louise. but, if i was bringing young kids, i might like this idea.

padams421, you are very welcome! You also have some very good info. now to help in making your decision. Just to add, while Panorama is a great hill and as laverendrye said the Taynton Bowl is great for experts, there is really no town near Panorama. Maybe that doesn't matter to you but we find that being able to go into the town of Fernie which is about 5 minutes from the hill (and a real step back in time)is a nice change. It's fun and funky and if you like good old fashioned gronk hockey, the Fernie Ghostriders games should not be missed. I'm sure wherever you decide to go will be wonderful - it is such a great part of the country that you will probably get hooked like us!