Fiona Outdoors logo My independent guide to the best of Scotland outdoors

Powder Highway: Panorama Mountain Resort

Written by Fiona

July 23 2019

I visited Panorama Mountain Resort as part of a ski-drive tour of the Powder Highway in Canada. Accommodation was at in-resort lodgings.

Panorama Mountain Resort is acclaimed as the “most complete ski-in / ski-out village in the Canadian Rockies. At 1300m, the vertical is in the top three resorts in Canada.

Panorama stats, pros & cons

Panorama stats

  • Top: 2,450m
  • Base: 1,150m
  • Drop: 1,300m
  • Area: 2,975 acres.
  • Number of runs: 129
  • Green: 20%
  • Blue: 55%
  • Black Diamond: 25%
  • Longest run: 6.5km
  • 10 uplifts:
  • Snow making?: Yes
  • Average annual snowfall: 5.2m

Pros of Panorama

  • No need for a car or shuttle service at the resort because everything is in easy walking distance
  • The resort is known for the quality of grooming on endless fall-line pistes.
  • Busiest days see 3,000 skiers on 3,000 acres so that’s an acre per person
  • Panorama Springs Pools are the largest slopeside hot pools in Canada
  • Panorama is close to the real BC town of Invermere.
  • A free shuttle runs to the town every day, giving guests the chance to experience life outside the resort.
  • Four “Monstrous” expert trails were added in the 2017-18 season, increasing both vertical and acreage.
  • The Monstrous trails are mostly above tree line (unlike most of Panorama for a true alpine powder experience.
  • Further expansion will take place in the coming seasons.

 Cons of Panorama

  • The rooms are noisy with other guests because the walls/ceiling seem quite thin
  • Large resort that can seem too big and less intimate compared to other Powder Highway ski centres.

What we discovered at Panorama

  • The resort is built with accommodation is self-contained studio maisonettes (four in a block)
  • Found that we could hear guests in the room above
  • Great resort that feels quite European
  • Lots of groomers
  • The blacks are particularly steep
  • Plenty bumps, which we like
  • Few trees, so that means you need god skiing weather
  • Hot tubs and barbecue areas to share in the street
  • Various in-resort restaurants to choose (use of gondola to reach them)
  • Cat tow to back Bowls Monster run is a great thing to try
  • Loads of super friendly hosts (I recommend you do the tour)
  • Very scenic
  • Good bars
  • Reasonably priced food and drink
  • Underground parking so you do not see many vehicles
  • Ideal for families or groups of different abilities
  • We greatly enjoyed the Sunshine Bowl.

More Like This

Adventure

Why Is the Scottish Open always played the week Before the Open Championship?

Adventure

10 epic hiking & biking trails across Europe for outdoor lovers

Adventure

Solo trekking in Nepal: Why Langtang Valley Is the perfect route

Adventure

Review: Rab Women’s Protium ND25L Day Pack

Adventure

Review: Berghaus Remote Hike 23 litre pack

Adventure

How to find the best static caravan for sale on the East Coast