Panorama Resort Guide

We consider Panorama's 2,975 acres of exciting and varied terrain to be a paradise for mixed abilities and the stats back it up. As much as 50% of the runs are suitable for beginners or intermediates whilst the remaining 50% is a steep and deep powder playground. Panorama offers a quieter ski experience than you may be used to. Even during busy periods, there are very few, if any, lift lines at the resort's 10 lifts so you'll have more time to enjoy the wide-open fall-line cruisers from the summit, which cascade down the mountain back to the resort base, providing Canada’s third-longest vertical drop.

Fun fact: Panorama is ranked as the #1 resort for most space per skier among the world’s 100 largest ski areas.

Beginners are more than covered at the resort, and to make things even easier, much of the beginner terrain is centred around the ski-in ski-out accommodation at Panorama Springs and Taynton Lodge. Once beginners have mastered the basics then the Mile 1 Quad awaits so you can experience more of what Panorama mountain has to offer, not forgetting those fantastic views.

The terrain for intermediates in Panorama is second to none (and we don’t say that lightly with so much local competition nearby). There is a lot of fun to be had off the Champagne Express, Sunbird and Summit Quad lifts - super long, fast and wide-open pistes await. For intermediates looking at progressing off traditional pisted terrain, the likes of Sun Bowl and Founder's Ridge offer an inbound freeride experience well worth checking out, with trees so well-spaced as if designed for skiing powder.

Panorama provides one of the best surprises going for advanced/expert skiers and snowboarders. Taynton Bowl, 750 acres of former heli-ski, hike-in terrain, will test the best, offering alpine bowl skiing and tight steep trees, chutes and cliffs and a seriously long 6.5 mile run out back to your accommodation. In fact, this terrain offers so much powder exhilaration for freeriders that Panorama Mountain Resort has expanded its offering even further by opening 128 acres of double black diamond terrain including an epic run nicknamed 'the Monster'. Still not enough? A three-run heli-ski experience with RK Heliski, based in Panorama, is simply awesome and the perfect introduction to the world of heli-skiing.

Snowcat tows to 'The Monster' - Want to take on Panorama's epic terrain expansion but not keen on the hike? On Saturdays and Sundays, catch a tow from a snowcat for just $5 per rider, per tow - first come, first served. Tickets must be pre-purchased at Guest Services.

Ski with a local - The best way to start enjoying this incredible mountain is to join one of the complimentary twice daily Mountain Friends tours. These local guides in the bright yellow jackets will have you skiing like a local in no time at all. Meet daily at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm in front of Ski Tip Lodge.

Night skiing - Night skiing is offered most Fridays and Saturdays on the Showoff run with access via the Mile 1 Express lift. Anyone with a valid pass for the day can keep skiing past 4 pm and into the night. The Showoff trail is a gentle rolling cruiser, over a mile long with a mix of both green and blue terrain - great for all abilities and groomed daily.

Heli-skiing - Panorama is the perfect place to try heli-skiing for the first time - RK Heliski are based right in the resort and offer heli-skiing on a full-day basis. Flying into the Purcell Mountain, RK has access to more than 1,700 square miles of open snowfields, glaciers and gladed trees with runs varying from 1,600 to 6,500 vertical feet. For first-time heli-skiers we recommend the standard three-run day package which includes three descents, powder ski/board rentals, breakfast, picnic lunch on the mountain and certificate. Additional runs can be arranged on the day. For more powder and a slightly faster pace, five-run packages are available.

Panorama's wide range of activities helps make your time in resort - both on and off the slopes - extra special. Here are some of our favourites on offer:

Snowmobiling - With over 32,000 acres of terrain to play in, Toby Creek Adventures are able to offer every group the snowmobile tour of a lifetime. All trips are catered for the first timer or for the seasoned pro.

Snow Tubing - Added for 2017/18, snow tubing is great fun for all the family as there are no height or age requirements. Open Friday and Saturday 4pm to 8pm.

Fat Biking - A unique way to get around in the snow, hire fat bikes from the Panorama Ski Cabin in the Upper Village and then hit the Nordic ski trails.

Cross Country Skiing - Explore over 20 km of groomed and track-set cross-country trails.

Snowshoeing - A great way to explore the mountains and enjoy spectacular views.

Sleigh Rides - Experience a magical sleigh ride in the clear mountain air as you travel through the snowy landscape of the lower valley trail. This experience is completed with a roaring bonfire, steaming mountain chilli, hot chocolate, and marshmallow roasting.

Ice Skating - Located in the heart of the resort with beautiful mountain views, Panorama's outdoor ice rink is open from 10am to 9pm.

Panorama Springs Pools - Soak, Swim, Relax. All Panorama lodging guests have access to the pools, slides, hot tubs and sauna. Let Canada’s largest slopeside hot pools gently massage away the fatigued muscles from a day on the slopes.

Tandem Paragliding - A real once-in-a-lifetime experience! Take off from the top of the mountain and soar over the runs, chairs and forests strapped to an expert instructor, landing at the base of the resort at the Greywolf Golf Course. Skiers only, for intermediates and above.

Mountain Hut Dining - Located at the summit of Panorama, experience unforgettable gourmet dining at 8000 feet in the Elkhorn Cabin. The hut itself is wood heated and this winter you will also be able to warm up on the deck around a new large outdoor wood fired stove.

Panorama Resort offers the best convenience imaginable, with most accommodation options ski-in ski-out or at most a two minute walk from the shops, restaurants and lifts. Connecting the upper and lower village is the Cabriolet open air gondola. This takes one minute and provides the quickest way for those staying in the upper village to access the General Store located in Toby Creek Lodge in the lower village, selling food, supplies and alcohol, and for the lower village guests, the quickest way to access the lifts, majority of shops, guest services and restaurants.

30 minutes from Panorama Resort is the small town of Invermere, where you will find a more extensive grocery store, galleries selling local art, regional ice hockey and ice skating opportunities on a real frozen lake, a true Canadian pastime. The resort runs a free return shuttle several times daily.

Panorama might not have the volume of options as some of the larger ski resorts, but the intimate village setting makes for wonderful dining experiences such as the Ski Safari favourite Alto Kitchen and Bar, which offers casual but superb food, inspired by regional flavours and is the place for world-famous Alberta beef.

With fantastic self-catering accommodation, we tend to prepare breakfast at home but when the milk has run out we always head to the Picnic Café, where you can fuel up on roasted Kicking Horse coffee and a great selection of breakfast items.

For après ski its hard to look beyond the T Bar & Grill, perfectly located for tired legs at the bottom of the mountain.

Other firm favourites include:

The Great Hall - Grab fresh to-go options or relax on the patio with a pint, a one-stop shop of greatness.

Fireside Cafe - Fancy a speciality coffee, or a tasty pastry, this is the place.

Hut One Cafe - Serves up mouth-watering food and coffee in a hut surrounded by views of the mountains and village.

Cliffhanger Restaurant - Contemporary seafood, local meat and fine wines. Fine dining with one of the most impressive restaurant views of the Purcell mountains through the floor to ceiling windows.

Chopper's Landing - If you have been heli-skiing or want to explore more of Panorama village head to Choppers Landing, located at the operations base for RK Heliski. Rustic ambience, crackling fireplace, what a place to enjoy with your partner or friends.

T-Bar & Grill - Can't beat it. Cold pints, live music and a classic sports bar menu, the T-Bar & Grill is the best place for laid-back après or a late night party.

Jackpine Pub - The locals' bar. Every resort needs one. Best stories, history and vitally important insider knowledge of where to find those all-important powder stashes for the next day's skiing.

A favourite way to dine for a special occasion, Panorama takes mountain hut dining to the next level with three huts to choose from and a unique way to reach one of them.

Summit Hut Fondue - Take the last lift of the day up to the summit to enjoy a traditional cheese fondue followed by a chocolate fondue alongside a glass of BC wine. As the sun sets, click back into your skis for a guided run back down to the village with the whole mountain to yourself.

Heli Fondue at the Summit Hut - How can you possibly improve the Summit Hut Fondue? Travel by helicopter, taking in the impressive views over the resort.

Elkhorn Cabin Raclette - Located mid-mountain just off the Rollercoaster run, the Elkhorn Cabin was moved in its entirety from the Elkhorn Ranch in Windermere half an hour away by car. Using your own grill, you'll melt raclette cheese over meats and vegetables while enjoying local BC wines, craft beers and liqueurs. Limited to very experienced skiers and snowboarders only.

Mile 1 Hut Fondue - The most family-friendly option, the Mile 1 Hut serves up authentic Swiss fondue for smaller groups of all abilities. Choose from traditional cheese fondue, chocolate fondue or a combination of the two.

Kid's Night Out - For children 5 -12 yrs - an evening of games, crafts, and movies at the Wee Wascals Day Care every Monday & Thursday - 7:00-9:00pm.

Wee Wascals Childcare - Children 18 months - 5 yrs - fun, safe and caring childcare including creative crafts, a bundled up walk in the snow, gondola ride and winter playground time. Younger toddlers have sleep time whilst older kids can have daily Snowbird lessons offered by the School of Skiing.

Panorama's wide-ranging ski school programmes and camps ensure that you get the most out of your Panorama/powder experience. Ski school is family-oriented but also specialises in intermediate to expert all-mountain instruction and guiding and offers a variety of programs for every level.

A couple of our favourites are:

A 3 day experience broken down into 6 different progressive ski improvement sessions. Each session is designed to build on the one before to help solidify your acquisition of new skills. You will be under the expert guidance of top ski professionals and surrounded by a group of skiers of equal ability.

Want to ski/snowboard together but at different abilities? Panorama has you covered. The private family instructor will mix adventure with skiing/riding improvement ensuring everyone has an excellent time.