Day 1

You probably don’t feel like doing much after arriving in Vancouver, but I urge you to suit up and head for Grouse Mountain, where the ski runs are lighted for night skiing and the views back down across British Columbia’s largest city are breathtaking.

Day 2

Head east, through the Fraser River Valley, to Kelowna. Spend the afternoon browsing through town or visiting a local winery. Spend the night at Big White Ski Resort.

Day 3

Hit the slopes of Big White, where the trails suit all abilities and where kids will love the toboggan runs.

Day 4

Families should spend an extra day in the Big White, especially those with younger children who will gravitate to the Happy Valley Adventure Centre. Experienced skiers looking to indulge in British Columbia’s legendary powder should drive to Rossland on Day 3 and spend Day 4 knee-deep in the deepest snow this side of a helicopter.

Day 5

Regardless of your Day 4 itinerary, spend Day 5 enjoying the slopes of Silver Star before driving through Kamloops to Sun Peaks Resort (www.sunpeaksresort.com).

Day 6

Drive to Whistler via Vancouver. You’ll have a few spare hours to visit a couple of Vancouver’s better-known indoor attractions—like the Maritime Museum.

Day 7

Skiers and boarders should rise early for a full day’s skiing. Rather than trying to cover the entire resort, concentrate your efforts on either Whistler or Blackcomb Mountain. Drive to Horseshoe Bay and make the short hop across Georgia Strait to Nanaimo.

Day 8

Spend the day at Mt. Washington Alpine Resort (www.mountwashington.ca), then choose a heritage home bed-and-breakfast in downtown Victoria for your final night in Canada.

Day 9

Take advantage of Victoria’s balmy winter weather by booking a morning tee time at a local links. Return to Vancouver by ferry—or take a floatplane for a treat.

© Andrew Hempstead, from Moon Western Canada, 3rd Edition