Panorama Mountain Ski Resort may be a little-known ski resort for those who haven’t ever vacationed in British Columbia, but it's well known amongst ski racers and rabid powderhounds.
Panorama is the site of the ski training center for Canadian racers. There's a special area with a dedicated run just for racing purposes. The perfect weather in October and November lends itself to ideal snowmaking conditions for the remainder of the season, this means that racers can practice on machine made snow which is most likely the conditions they'll be racing on through the rest of the season. Two very prestigious teams, Canada and Great Britain, practiced here in the 2009 / 2010 season along with other private clubs and regional teams including the Whistler Mountain ski club.
Many prestigious competitions have been hosted at the mountain. The Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup was hosted at Panorama for Women’s Giant Slalom and Slalom. The Canadian men's speed team has used Panorama. But despite these popular events, it is still is a mountain that guests can enjoy and not have to deal with the immense crowds found at larger resorts. See why Panorama is one of the premiere locations for racing and Olympic training.
Dining at Panorama Mountain provides a wide variety of cuisine choices with many different restaurants in the pedestrian village. Enjoy a bit of ethnic flair with their selection of Italian, Chinese, Thai and Mexican restaurants, or indulge in the local dishes and more traditional mountain dining. There are a variety of shops to enjoy in the pedestrian village as well and all of these things are just a few feet away from most of the areas lodgings be they condominiums, hotels or villas.
The Panorama Springs hot pools are a wonderful place to spend some time after a day on the slopes for adults and children alike. The school is top-notch and has skiing and snowboarding lessons available for adults as well as kids. The laid-back atmosphere, friendly mountain staff and consummate professionals combines to make a wonderful learning environment and a low pressure environment where new skiers and children can learn and enjoy. The sleigh riding, cross country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing are also great all ages off the slopes activities. For more advanced and adventurous skiers and riders there is also some great backcountry areas and cat accessed skiing and riding in the area.
The pedestrian village has a variety of pubs and taverns perfect for afterhours entertainment and enjoyable après ski get-togethers. Going to the spa is a popular thing to do after a day on the slopes and perfect for soaking and relaxing tired muscles. There's even a mountain hut fondue area which is a great option for a memorable dining experience at Panorama. There is no lack of things to do at night in the mountain village at Panorama and guests will be pleasantly surprised at how much fun they will have at Panorama Mountain Village.
Though many have never heard of Panorama Mountain Village, it’s the home of some of Canada’s longest runs. The resort’s impressive vertical drop of 4,000 feet means that Panorama is the ideal resort for people who really want a challenge and consider themselves experts on the slopes. There are more than 2,800 acres of skiable terrain with 40% snowmaking ability on the trails. The top elevation is an impressive 7,800 feet and the elevation at the base is around 3,800 feet. The area receives about 200 inches of snowfall, but the ideal conditions for snowmaking in late fall have turned Panorama into the place to go for ski race training in Canada.
There are more than 120 trails and several bowls at Panorama. 55% of the terrain is suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers. About 20% of the trails are for beginners. 25% of the trails are double black diamond trails which mean they’re only suitable for experts. The longest run is 5.5 miles which is perfect for experts looking for a true backcountry challenge.
Panorama Mountain has two terrain parks, and one of them is the biggest freestyle terrain park the Canadian Rockies region of British Columbia. The park was designed by an expert and boasts an impressive number of natural and manmade features. The park is constantly evolving and improves every year. There’s also a small-medium terrain park with wide boxes, jumps and low rails, and the Showoff Terrain Park, a progression park that has features ranging from small to extra-large. The Taynton Bowl offers backcountry skiing and riding and has been voted the best new terrain by several different reputable ski publications.
The pedestrian village is a great place for dining, shopping and finding a wide range of accommodations. It’s a great alpine village with wonderful architecture and a friendly atmosphere. Panorama even has hot tubs near the lifts for you to enjoy after a day on the slopes. Spa treatments, cookouts, mountain fondues and a variety of winter activities like cross-country skiing, ice skating and snowshoeing are available. It’s a skier and rider’s paradise replete with luxurious amenities and entertaining activities.
For après ski fun, enjoy Panorama Mountain’s fondues and cookouts or opt to find a pub or a tavern in the pedestrian village just steps away from the lodging. Fun activities for individuals and families as well as frequent fireworks displays and a variety of attractions are available throughout the season right at Panorama Mountain Village.
Getting to Panorama is an easy trip from Calgary International Airport going south on Highway 1 to Highway 93 which will take guests directly to the village.