Panorama Ski Resort BC
Panorama is not a high profile ski resort compared to the nearby
Banff ski resorts and other heavy hitters in western Canada. Considering that Panorama commonly flies under the radar, you could easily be mistaken for thinking that Panorama is just a small pokey ski resort. This is certainly not the case. Panorama Ski Resort has plenty of terrain and vertical that is significant by North American standards, and these long leg burning runs can take you right to the door of your accommodation. There are still plenty of people who don’t know about Panorama, but this is advantageous to those that do.
Pros and Cons of Panorama BC
Pros
- One of the highlights of the Panorama Ski Resort is its family friendliness due to the convenient lay out of the village and ski area, and the various family friendly activities on offer.
- Much of the Panorama accommodation is ski-in ski-out or close to the lifts, which is particularly appreciated by families so they don’t have to lug all their gear too far.
- Panorama Ski Resort has good variety of terrain for all abilities so it’s strength is as an all-rounder.
- The piste runs and the grooming are a forte of the terrain.
- Panorama BC has steep backcountry style in-bounds terrain that’s hike-to or snowcat accessed.
- Relative to big name North American ski resorts, Panorama is generally uncrowded.
- RK Heli Ski is based in the Panorama Village so if you want to completely get away from the crowds and get unlimited fresh tracks, you can go heli-skiing.
Cons
- Whilst Panorama Ski Resort typically receives light dry snow, it doesn’t score well in the quantity stakes. The lower slopes can get very slick and the resort relies heavily on snowmaking.
- There is very little going on after the lifts close, but you can’t expect both uncrowded slopes and a heaving nightlife plus abundant activities.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
- The tree skiing is really good when the snow’s on, which isn’t often enough.
- It’s a hike to get to Panorama BC from a major airport, but it’s probably part of the reason that the slopes are uncrowded.
- A Panorama ski holiday is often great value and whilst it’s convenient that much of the lodging is ski-in ski-out, many of the condos are rather dated.
Panorama Ski and Snowboard Terrain
Panorama Ski Resort is renowned for the big vertical that spans 1,300 metres from an elevation of 2,365m to 1,150m. The 2,975 acres (1,200 hectares) of
Panorama ski terrain is below the tree line, so there are plenty of opportunities for enjoying the gladed areas. Much of the terrain is well suited to intermediates with many wide cruising groomers, and there are also some beginner trails and a couple of terrain parks.
Advanced riders mostly just have cut mogul runs. The pièce de résistance of the resort is the double black diamond tree skiing in the Extreme Dream Zone, and also the backcountry-type area in Taynton Bowl which was former heli-skiing terrain, some of which is serviced by a snowcat on weekends.
Panorama Snow
The annual snowfall at Panorama is not particularly high akin to the
Alberta ski resorts, but the light dry snow that falls is well retained on the upper slopes, many of which are north or northwest facing. Whilst the piste trails are largely supplemented with snow making and are summer groomed, the off-piste areas need a significant snow base in order to be rideable.
Where is Panorama BC?
Panorama Mountain Resort is located in the Purcell Mountains of BC Canada, 18km west of the town of Invermere. Calgary Airport is a 3.5 hour drive away, from where there are airport shuttles to Panorama, whilst the Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies International airport is 2 hours away.
Even though it is a destination in itself, Panorama could be combined with a trip to the Banff ski resorts. Or Panorama is on the
BC Powder Highway (even though Panorama doesn’t get much powder) and is well located to form part of a Canada road trip extravaganza that could include the other Powder Highway ski resorts of
Kimberley,
Fernie,
Whitewater,
Red Mountain,
Revelstoke and
Kicking Horse. The region is also highly regarded for the numerous cat skiing and heli skiing outfits, and the
RK Heliski base is in the Panorama Village.
Accommodation
The Panorama Resort Village has lots of multi-storey condos, but it’s not a major eyesore as the buildings have retained an alpine look. Some of the
Panorama lodgings are slope-side and ski-in ski-out.
Some skiers also stay in nearby Invermere which has affordable accommodations and more shops and restaurants.
Panorama Accommodations Listings
Invermere Accommodation Listings
Activities
A feature of the Panorama Village is the hot pools which include a warm pool, two hot tubs, and one large cold pool with a wading area.
RK Heliski is based in the Panorama Village, with the heli skiing terrain in nearby mountains that are outside the “snow donut”.