Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points

  • Sport
Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points
Share

Whether we like it or not, winter is fast approaching and so is ski season! For those of you who love winter sports, here is a guide to help you save money on a ski trip to Western Canada.

My advice focuses on the most popular resorts: Whistler Blackcomb, Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort. Let’s take a closer look at how these points and tips can help you reduce your bill.

Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - whistler-unsplash

Ski Trip – Flight

The nearest international airport to Whistler is Vancouver, a 2-hour drive from the village.

According to Air Canada’s points predictor, the Montreal-Vancouver route starts at 12,500 Aeroplan points, for a one-way trip in economy class.

As for Banff, the nearest airport is in Calgary, a 1.5-hour drive away. From Montreal, a minimum of 12,500 Aeroplan points is required for an economy class ticket.

Transportation of Sports Equipment

There’s another important consideration for those who want to bring their skis or snowboards: the cost of transporting sports equipment.

With Air Canada, skis and snowboards are considered as regular baggage. A boot bag is also permitted and exempt from the baggage allowance when carried with skis or a board.

To get the first checked bag free on an Air Canada flight, simply sign up for an Aeroplan credit card.

Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - Ski 2

Air Canada’s loyalty program, Aeroplan, allows its members to earn points in various ways, including by travelling with Air Canada and using a credit card affiliated with this program, such as the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card. Among other things, this card includes travel medical, collision and damage insurance for a rental vehicle.

Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - Ski 5

Ski Trip – Lift Tickets

Skiing in the Rockies is fantastic. The snow conditions are exceptional and the mountains are much bigger than in Quebec. However, lift tickets can cost a small fortune if purchased on the day of!

Whistler Blackcomb

A day pass to Whistler Blackcomb is quite expensive when purchased locally, so take the time to book online before your visit.

Every year, there is a pre-sale of Edge passes (before December 2) on the Whistler Blackcomb website, reserved for residents of Canada and Washington State. Skiers can choose between 2, 5 or 10 days to use during the season.

As you’ve probably guessed, the biggest savings are made before the season starts by purchasing tickets for multiple days.

All prices are shown in the ‘Tickets and passes’ section. For example, a one-day pass for an adult costs $139, taxes included.

Banff Region

Fortunately, the rates for Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise are much simpler! There are no pre-sales and there are no savings to be made by buying for multiple days.

The Ski Big 3 pass provides access to Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay. This last resort is much smaller than the other two, and not as exceptional.

For example, a one-day Ski Big 3 pass for an adult starts at $188, tax included.

Other regions

Every Friday in the winter of 2024-2025, RBC Visa Avion cardholders will be able to enjoy two-for-one ski tickets at several ski resorts in Western Canada. Here they are:

In British Columbia :

  • Big White Ski Resort
  • Fernie Alpine Resort
  • Kimberley Alpine Resort
  • Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

In Alberta :

  • Marmot Basin
  • Nakiska Ski Area
  • Lake Louise Ski Resort

With the loyalty program Avion Rewards you can earn points with any RBC credit card.

Annual fee
$399
Our valuation
$1,500
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,500Total$1,500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
Ends Nov 25, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

  • Start travelling today with 25,000 welcome points
  • Earn 1.25 RBC Rewards points for every dollar you spend
  • Enjoy luxury travel benefits and exclusive privileges

For a limited time, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 100,000 Avion points, representing a travel value of up to $2,375.

  • 35,000 points upon approval of your application
  • 20,000 points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months
  • 45,000 points on your account’s first anniversary

With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card, you also receive 6 complimentary airport lounge visits each year.

You can redeem your Avion points for flights on over 500 airlines, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, or transfer them to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and WestJet Rewards.

The card also gives you access to priority lanes, security services, and reserved parking at select Canadian airports.

You earn 1.25 Avion points per dollar on all your purchases, and the card includes comprehensive insurance coverage: emergency medical care, trip cancellation and interruption, and mobile devices up to $1,500.

Annual fee

Primary card$399
Additional card$99

Annual income required

Individual$200,000
Household$200,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,607
2nd Year Value$321

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $2,500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $3,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $85,000 / 48 days
Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - Ski 6
Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - Ski 7
Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - Ski 8

Ski Trip – Accommodation

Hotel expenses will represent the largest part of your budget. You have two options:

  • Staying at the ski resort
  • Lodging in a town away from the mountain

If you book in advance you’ll have more choices and find better deals.

Banff

At the Banff Sunshine resort, the only ski-in ski-out option is the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Other accommodations are found in Banff village, a few minutes from the resort.

For the Lake Louise Ski Resort, there is no ski-in ski-out option, or any establishment at the base of the mountain. The closest accommodations to the resort are in the village of Lake Louise.

For a luxurious stay, the five-star Fairmont Château Lake Louise boasts an exceptional lakeside location. Fairmont hotels are part of the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program.

My best tip for saving money on accommodation in Banff: book a hotel in the town of Canmore.

There’s a huge choice, and prices are much more reasonable than on the mountain or in Banff village. However, you’ll need a car to get there. Canmore is 30 minutes from Banff Sunshine Resort and one hour from Lake Louise Resort.

Whistler

Marriott Bonvoy offers two accommodation options directly in the ski resort: Delta Hotels Whistler Village Suites and the luxurious Westin Resort & Spa Whistler.

There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. The easiest way is via the following American Express credit cards:

Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now
Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

Like Banff, there are much cheaper options outside the resort. You can stay in Squamish or Pemberton to save on accommodation.

You’ll need a car as the town of Squamish is 50 minutes from Whistler, while Pemberton is just 30 minutes away.

Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - Ski 9

Ski trip – Equipment Rental

If you don’t bring your own equipment, you will have to rent it on site. In Whistler, renting a complete set of intermediate-level equipment will cost you about $100 per day.

The best way to save money is to rent equipment off the mountain at a sports store. Complete equipment rentals are around $45 per day, and you can get a discount if you rent for several days.

Rentals in Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise are also less expensive than in Whistler. Expect to pay around $75 a day for a rental on the mountain or around $55 a day at a sports shop in Banff village.

Ski Trip – Organized Transportation and Car Rental

You could save on car rental with the AIR MILES loyalty program by using DREAM miles or with the Scene+ loyalty program by redeeming Scene+ points.

In my opinion, having a car makes things much smoother on a ski trip. However, if you prefer not to drive, there are organized transportation options to get to Whistler or Banff:

  • The SkyLynx company offers direct bus service between Vancouver airport and Whistler for $42 round trip.
  • Shuttles between the Calgary airport and Banff are more expensive: expect to pay around $150 for a round trip.
Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - Ski 10

Other Activities

Banff National Park is beautiful, even in winter! If you want to spend a day off the ski hill, there are plenty of other activities to do.

My favourites are skating on Lake Louise (rent skates at the Fairmont Hotel), the Upper Hot Springs thermal baths in Banff and the short hike to Peyto Lake. Unfortunately, the road to Moraine Lake is closed in winter.

From Banff, you can also book a snowshoe hike in Kootenay National Park.

Near Whistler, there is the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish which offers a magnificent view of the region’s mountains.

Canada: How to Plan a Ski Trip to Western Canada Using Points - Ski 11

Bottom Line

A ski trip using your points requires a lot of preparation. In short, book early and diversify the points and miles in your wallet. With Aeroplan points for flights, Marriott Bonvoy points for accommodation, AIR MILES Dreams miles or Scene+ points for the car and flexible points for other expenses, you’ll have a memorable trip at a low price. Enjoy the ride!

Featured
Annual fee
$0 $139
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$1,139
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now

on TD's website

With this offer for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you can get up to 50,000 Aeroplan points as well as an Annual Fee rebate for the first year.

  • Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card
  • Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days of Account opening.
  • Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening

This card also allows you to enjoy travel benefits, such as a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation, as well as a rebate on the NEXUS program application fee (up to $100 CAD per eligible cardholder) every 48 months.

With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on:

  • Grocery purchases
  • Gas and electric vehicle charging purchases
  • Purchases made directly with Air Canada® (including Air Canada Vacations®)

You also earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases made with your card.

Annual fee

Primary card$139
Additional card$75

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.5xGas & EV
  • 1.5xGroceries
  • 1.5xAir Canada flights
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,714
2nd Year Value$425

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 4 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from the airport to Whistler or Banff?

You can hire a car at the Vancouver or Calgary airports or take a bus to Whistler or Banff.

Where is Whistler?

Whistler is located in the Canadian mountains near the British Columbia coast. This winter sports paradise is just a two-hour drive north of Vancouver International Airport.

Why go to Whistler?

Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest ski resort. With a surface area of 8,171 acres, the resort is accessible to beginners and experienced skiers alike.

How much will ski passes cost in Whistler in 2024?

Edge cards must be reserved before December 2. For example, for five days, you will need to pay $572 including taxes for an adult Edge card, purchased online. All rates are available on the Whistler Blackcomb website.

Our featured card

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.