If you are fixed on a ski-in, ski-out vacation, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper will leave you a bit disappointed. Due to building restrictions in Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, the Alberta side of the Canadian Rockies is missing the ski-in ski-out accommodations you may have grown accustomed to (and paid for) in resorts like Whistler, Mount Tremblant, Aspen and Vail. While Sunshine Village is the only resort to have "on-hill" overnight lodging, it is a bit removed from all the activities and amenities that may be essential to your ski vacation. What Banff and Lake Louise are missing in "on-mountain accommodations", they easily make up for in every other way.

The ski-in, ski-out mountain village concept is considerably more present in the BC Rockies resorts of Panorama, Kicking Horse (Golden), Kimberley and Fernie. While well known by regional powder hounds, the resorts of the BC Rockies are hidden gems that are quickly gaining international recognition.

Under Intrawest's direction (the same driving force behind Whistler and Mount Tremblant), Panorama has become one of the Canadian Rockies' premier ski destinations with an intimate village at the base, an excellent assortment of accommodation, superb terrain, and a wide range of other activities to keep the family occupied. A scenic 3-hour drive west of Calgary, Panorama's lift capacity is a little scarce for its growing popularity but the mountain is very affordable and well worth exploring under good ski conditions. If you haven't been to Panorama Mountain Village in recent years, be prepared to be floored by the mountain improvements, expanded terrain, and expansive condo and lodging developments.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 2.5 hours west of Calgary, the first ski resort to be built in Canada in 25 years, has been transformed from heli-skiing heaven to the newest shining star in the North American ski resort scene. Still relatively unknown on an international field since opening in 2000, Kicking Horse Mountain is blessed with vast terrain, heart stopping vertical, and unbeatable snow conditions. Kicking Horse's secret is now out of the bag though. In an on-line special report called ‘Adventures on the Edge’, CNN.com asked Travel + Leisure Magazine to name the ten best and most challenging snow destinations for 2004, and the magazine identified Kicking Horse Resort as the top spot for powder. While the village is still in its infancy, there is plenty of excellent accommodation at or near the base and return visitors will have the opportunity to watch the progression of the world's next great ski resort.

Also known for its superb knee deep powder is Fernie Alpine Resort. Located in the southeastern corner of BC about a 3 hour drive from Calgary, an amazing 29 feet of natural snow blankets the ski area’s impressive five alpine bowls nestled in the majestic limestone cliffs of the Lizard Range in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. Fernie is the fastest growing resort in Canada, and for good reason. 'Top ten in North America’, ‘most improved’ and ‘best new lifts’ are just a few of the notable awards Fernie resort has earned. You choose your level of adventure at Fernie, steep and deep or smooth and gentle - you will love the incredible variety of terrain. Many tastefully appointed accommodations and year round services are available at the resort base village, with more improvements and real estate opportunities to come, offering the very best in mountain living.

The other big ski resort in the BC Rockies is Kimberley Alpine Resort. Kimberley is located about 20 minutes from the Cranbrook Airport and about three and a half hours in drive time from the international airport in Calgary. The resort itself isn’t big by Western Canadian standards, nor is it imposing to look at. Its terrain rolls gradually away from its base, and until you ski the area you cannot appreciate its scope. Primarily a locals’ haunt until 1998, Kimberley slowly gained international recognition once purchased by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), which also owns nearby Fernie and Alberta’s Lake Louise. RCR has been working on a series of upgrades at Kimberley, including new lifts, new hotels and infrastructure for a new base village. A $250-million master plan is now in effect and Kimberley is quickly becoming a major ski destination. While there are plans to expand the ski area’s base, for now, the main action takes place in the small city of Kimberley, about 1.5 kilometres from the ski area. Kimberley started as a mining town, then added Bavarian architecture and traditions for the sake of the tourists. There’s a platzl (pedestrian-only town centre), Tyrolean-style chalets, pubs, gift shops, restaurants and plenty of accordion music.

Regardless of your budget or ski ambitions, be sure to contact Ultimate Rockies Vacations about your ski vacation in the majestic Canadian Rockies.