My husband and I are considering a ski trip to Canada, but never having skiied there we have no idea what area would best suit our abilities.<BR><BR>We are lower-level intermediates, and also like a "village" atmosphere with shops and restaurants. Low-key - we don't care about "nightlife" per se - clubs, casinos, etc.<BR><BR>Any suggestions for what mountain/area of Canada might be best for what we are looking for?

Whistler/Blackcomb is the number one rated ski resort in North America and while it does have an active nightlife you don't have to partake. The restaurants and shopping are as good as it gets with prices about 20% above Vancouver but still well below equivilant US resort costs.<BR><BR>Following that Banff/Sunshine/Lake Louise is the second most popular resort in Western Canada and is different from Whistler in that it's usually much colder and drier.<BR><BR>Smaller, but still village like resorts are Big White in Kelowna, Sunpeaks near Kamloops and a whole slew of others even more intimate but none with the variety of restaurants and shopping right in the ski area like Whistler or Banff. All the ski areas have a full variety of skill level runs.<BR><BR>Hope this has helped

Whistler/Blackcomb has a great "village" atmosphere, and as Gary states, the nightlife is easily avoided if you don't want to participate.<BR><BR>If it's the difficulty of terrain that concerns you, here are some stats: The terrain is designated 55% intermediate for both mountains; and 15% beginner(Whistler); 20% beginner(Blackcomb). So I'm sure you will find plenty of runs that suit your ability level.<BR><BR>I've also had friends stay at Silver Star which has a nice, "low-key" type of village, but not nearly the amount of skiable terrain as Whistler/Blackcomb.

I should have mentioned we are from the East coast - Boston area - so maybe Eastern Canada would be more feasible.<BR><BR>I checked out Whistler and will not cross it off just yet, but is there anything comparable in the East? Someone mentioned either Mont Ste. Anne or Tremblant.<BR><BR>The other concern I had is cold - we both get cold very easy. We ski Vermont, so that kind of cold is OK, but I have heard Canada can get bitter cold!

Anyplace where there is good skiing by definition can get very cold but West Coast resorts like Whistler or Mount Washington on Vancouver Island rarely experiance the bitter cold of even Vermont. I gave up skiing long ago because I hate cold weather, being a Vancouver boy born and bred, and have never found a way to compromise this conflict. Sometimes however when the sun shines brightly off the snow the air can feel very warm in spite of the actual temperature. But you have to be lucky.

Mont St Anne is great, lots of terrain for intermediates. Mont Tremblant is also very good, has a beautiful village at the base which is all brand new and very well laid out. Yes it will be cold but it can be just as cold in Vermont. If you dress properly you will have a great time.

go stay in banff, alberta and you can ski in both lake louise & sunshine. they have a lot of runs for the "lower-levl intermediate". or, jasper,alberta is another great place.