Panorama Ski and Snowboard Guide
Near Invermere, BC in the Purcell Mountain Range lies a magical family playground called Panorama boasting some incredible skiing!
Quick Facts About Panorama Mountain Resort:
- Located 18km West of Invermere, BC
- 2847 acres of terrain
- 196″ of snow per season (average)
- 4019 feet of vertical drop
PANORAMA MOUNTAIN RESORT’S TERRAIN
Panorama has great ski and snowboard options for everyone, but where this resort really shines is in how well it provides for families. It’s like they know exactly what is needed to give parents and kids of all ages the terrain, the accessibility, and the activities to make sure everyone has a great time.
The recently added Discovery Zone delivers beginners and intermediates to more gradual slopes that are perfect for learning. This area helps to bridge the gap between the bunny hill and the more ambitious Mile 1 terrain. They also added the Little Ripper carpet to the Discovery Zone area to transport learners to the easiest runs with the most consistent snow.
All of the terrain at Panorama is below the tree-line so you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of beautiful, gladed runs. The real feature at this mountain, however, is the Extreme Dream Zone (a steep black-diamond area) and the Taynton Bowl. This bowl used to be accessible to heliskiers only but is now reachable by everyone looking to enjoy that backcountry feel. There are also terrain parks and lots of cruisy groomers to enjoy. They’ve opened up 60 new acres of gladed terrain, mainly in Taynton Bowl, which is so good that you might not make it anywhere else on the mountain!
Ever tried night skiing? It’s a thrill that has to be tried at least once in your lifetime, and be warned you might get addicted. You can take Panorama’s Mile 1 high-speed chairlift and enjoy 1200 feet of night skiing on the Showoff run. The Mile 1 Hut also provides an excellent family fondue, which is a great addition to any night skiing adventure.
And as if all that wasn’t enough to get you packing your bags, Panorama has a great partnership with RK Heliski who offer amazing heli-ski adventures directly from the hill. They have the highest heli-landings in Canada and have been giving heliskiers a great experience for almost 50 years! Talk about pro’s! To learn more about Panorama’s heli-skiing options, click here.
The Resort
Another great thing about Panorama is that it has amazing ski-in/ski-out accommodations and all the amenities that you could want or need right on the hill, yet still retains that quaint and cozy village feeling that you want a ski-resort to have. The crowning feature of the Panorama amenities are the beautiful Panorama Springs Hot Pools. These are the largest slope-side pools in Canada. They are outdoors and of course have a jaw-dropping view. It’s truly a luxurious experience to soak away all your tensions while you gaze on the snow-covered and rugged terrain that spreads out before you.
Wee Wascals childcare facilities as well as the on-site spa, Pure Massage, gives parents the opportunity to take a few hours and truly unwind. There’s always a lot happening in terms of activities so be sure to check in with the concierge and see what’s shakin’. There are also 11 different eateries to choose from so no matter what type of cuisine or atmosphere you’re after, you’ll be able to find something that suits your taste and makes the kiddies happy too.
The Town
The nearby (very nearby as it’s just down the mountain road) town of Invermere is a cute little BC town of about 4000 people that offers some nice dining options, retail shops, galleries, bakeries and cafe’s, and lovely scenery pretty much from wherever you’re standing. There is a nordic centre if you’d like to go for an x-country ski or a winter hike, as well as a shuttle that’ll take you up to Panorama Resort and back as you wish.
The Windermere Whiteway (the world’s longest skating trail) is Invermere’s crowning jewel in the winter with XC skiing, skating and fat biking trails, and hockey rinks. The shuttle between Invermere and Panorama is free for all guests. Taste of the Valley is also a really cool event that happens down on the Whiteway on January 22, and features fire pits, ice-skating, fireworks, live music and of course great food.