S-Media takes you on a tour of our top ski destinations for 2011.

Who makes your top 11 list? Send your feedback via the commenting tool at the bottom of this article.

Who'll make our 2012 list? That's quite a mission to tackle. The fun is just about to start ...

Le Massif, Quebec
Annual snow: 670 cm
Vertical: 2,526 vertical feet/770 vertical metres
Info: www.lemassif.com

In a resort world dominated by lookalike post-and-beam monster mansions, groomed, boring cookie-cutter trails and bland, overpriced cuisine, Le Massif stands out. But that’s what you’d expect from owner Daniel Gauthier, a visionary who also revolutionized the circus world, co-founding the renowned Cirque du Soleil. Gauthier’s vision involves engaging the nearby Charlevoix region, already famous for its artisanal cheeses, meats and produce. Le Massif also has sensational skiing ―the highest vertical drop in Eastern Canada, the most abundant and reliable snowfall, and acres of gladed, off-piste terrain.  ― Steven Threndyle (Benjamin Gagnon photo)

Fernie Alpine Resort, B.C.
Vertical drop: 2,816 feet
Average snowfall: 29 feet (875 cm)
Info: www.skifernie.com

La Niña has delivered its promise to Fernie, delivering over seven feet of snow early this season to its five alpine bowls and over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and some of the steepest in-bounds terrain in North America. Along with the new Polar Peak lift, the mountain ― which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this spring ― continues to boast uncrowded trails and enough après-ski options to keep your whole group happy. The nearby turn-of-the-century coal mining town of Fernie is four kilometres away and the main street boasts restaurants, bars and cafes that are surrounded by brick and stone to create a great vibe.  ― Gordie Bowles


























 

Kicking Horse, B.C.
Annual snow: 650 cm
Vertical: 1,260 metres (4,133 feet)
Info: www.kickignhorseresort.com

If there’s a mountain resort worth taking a last-minute vacation to, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is it. Though considerably less glitzy than Whistler and somewhat challenging to get to, Kicking Horse offers expert skiing comparable not just to North America’s best but famed Euro resorts such as Chamonix, Verbier and La Grave. Truly massive bowls unfurl like angel’s wings from the top of the aptly named Stairway to Heaven lift. Precipitous black and double-black diamond couloirs studded with cliffs and rock outcrops push the very limits of in-bounds insanity. The hardest choice to make is where to begin.  ― Steven Threndyle

Big White, B.C.
Annual snow: 747 centimetres (294 inches)
Vertical: 777 metres (2,550 feet)
Info: http://www.bigwhite.com

Nestled in the heart of the Okanagan, the mild temperatures and average of over 24 feet of annual snowfall — as well as the killer TELUS Park (terrain park) — make this family resort a popular stop. With over 2,765 acres of skiable terrain, Big White is B.C.’s second-largest ski resort. The centrally located village has recently expanded and the revamped kids centre (also offers daycare) are some of the new highlights as well as the recent announcement that they intend to stay open until April 15, 2012.  — Gordie Bowles (Matthew Butterworth photo)

Deer Valley, Utah
Annual snow: 1,000 cm
Vertical: 914 m
Info: www.deervalley.com

From historic accounts of aristocratic Brits vacationing in the Alps to the private ski clubs of Ontario, moneyed skiers have long seemed to make their turns on different snow than the rest of us. Uncrowded, immaculately groomed slopes are outshone only by opulent, five-diamond accommodations, such as the world famous Stein Eriksen Lodge, perched zen-like mid-mountain. Ski valet service, a resident chocolatier and a multitude of spa treatments elevate the concept of pampering to a new level. Of course, Deer Valley’s finely tilled corduroy is as soft as a spa robe and experts will love the wide-open bowls and tree skiing, too.  ― Steven Threndyle

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
Annual snow: 700 cm
Vertical: 1,506 metres
Info: www.stantonamarlberg.com

If you surveyed the Krazy Kangaroo bar ― filled with young Aussies, Scandinavians and North Americans ― in St. Anton, Austria, you’d correctly surmise that this is the original ski bum mecca. What draws enthusiasts the world over is the immense acreage of off-piste alpine terrain and a rowdy party atmosphere hat starts mid-afternoon and rages well into the wee hours. The sheer variety offered by St. Anton’s interchangeable lift ticket is astounding (Stuben, Lech and Zurs would be standalone resorts in North America).  ― Steven Threndyle (Josef Mallaun photo)

Mica Heli Skiing, B.C.
Annual snow: 4,000 cm
Vertical: 1,800 vertical meters
Info: www.micaheli.com

Mica Heli specializes in what is best called “rock star skiing.” Owned by the same successful team as Island Lake Lodge cat skiing in southeastern B.C., Mica’s been featured in dozens of ski and snowboard magazines and videos. For expert skiers, there’s no experience quite like Mica’s famed pillow lines. Snow pillows are gigantic rocks covered in powder, and an epic descent features a skier pointing ’em straight down and checking speed through sinking into the powder and vaulting airborne from one pillow to the next ― like bounding down a snow-covered staircase in a single leap.  ― Steven Threndyle


























 

Whistler-Blackcomb, B.C.
Annual snow: 10.42 metres (34 feet)
Vertical: 1,609 metres (5,280 feet)
Info: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Whistler-Blackcomb is a big and wondrous place and often the core of many remember-when-we-did-that ski stories. In the heart of the season, it snows and it snows hard at Whistler. On the occasional bluebird day, the views are spectacular over the Coastal Range. The alpine bowls are sprawling over the 100 plus runs and seemingly unlimited tree skiing and fall-line nonstops. The steep and deep West Bowls are amazing after good powder falls near the Garbonzo Chair for tree skiing, like the Symphony Amphitheater, one of the favourite inbounds backcountry terrain spots.  ― Gordie Bowles

Lake Louise Ski Area, Alberta
Vertical drop: 991 metres (3,250 feet)
Average snowfall: 454 cm (179 inches)
Info: www.skibig3.com

The Lake Louise Ski Area is the farthest from the town of Banff (40-minute drive) but is a beast of a mountain. With more than 4,200 acres over four mountains, this stunning resort with a smart layout allows families and groups to ski and enjoy most of the mountain together. The abundance of cruisers work well for both beginners and intermediate skiers, while plenty of chutes, glades and remote bowls provide some of the most challenging terrain in the country.  ― Gordie Bowles (Henry Georgi photo)

Sun Peaks Resort, B.C.
Vertical drop: 882 metres (2,894 feet)
Average snowfall: 559 cm (220 inches)
Info: www.sunpeaksresort.com

When the Burfield chairlift loaded its first passenger at the Tod Mountain Ski Area (Sun Peaks Resort) in 1961, it was the longest chairlift of its kind in North America. Fifty years later, the Burf is not exactly state of the art but is deeply rooted in the culture of the resort, especially with locals. Sun Peaks Resort today boasts a couple of first-class hotels, three mountains and a picturesque and quaint village and has hit the big leagues. The resort was ranked as the second-best resort in Canada and 13th-best in North America by Condé Nast Traveller. It is the largest ski area in B.C’s interior and the second-largest behind Whistler.  ― Gordie Bowles (Adam Stein photo)
























 
 

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, B.C.
Vertical drop: 1,713 metres (5,620 feet)
Average snowfall: 9-14 metres
Info: http://www.revelstokemountainresort.com

As of late December, Revelstoke has had a whopping 12 feet of snowfall at this unique big mountain destination. It’s hard to believe the resort is only five years old, but Revelstoke continues to improve their overall experience, showing that not only is it here for the long haul, but also that it intends on becoming the premier ski resort in the West.  Revy boasts North America’s longest lift-serviced vertical and this season offers upgrades to family oriented facilities, services and slopes as well as snowmaking and mountain grooming.  ― Gordie Bowles (Fred Marmsater photo)