Canadian ski vacation homes see early surge in demand 

British Columbia ski towns top vacation hot spots; Kootenay Boundary and Whistler see strong demand growth 

Today, Vrbo released Key to Ski, a data-driven travel guide to help winter travellers plan their mountain getaways this season. 

“Canadians embrace winter in two ways — snowbirding to warmer destinations or snowboarding on the slopes,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo’s travel expert. “For those heading to the mountains, demand for ski cabins and chalets is already up nearly 10 per cent compared to last year. Whistler and resorts in the Kootenays and Okanagan, including Red Mountain, Big White, and Baldy Mountain, are seeing a surge in popularity this season.” 

Trending ski destinations 

British Columbia mountain towns lead vacation home demand among this season’s most popular ski destinations on Vrbo: 

• East Kootenay, British Columbia (includes Fernie and Kimberley)  

• Whistler, British Columbia 

• Kootenays, British Columbia (includes Red Mountain) 

• Okanagan, British Columbia (includes Big White in Kelowna, Baldy in Penticton) 

• Canmore, Alberta 

• The Laurentians, Quebec 

This season, Whistler, Kootenays and Okanagan have emerged as the fastest-growing destinations for vacation homes on Vrbo, with demand for homes up more than 20 per cent year over year during ski season. 

How to plan the perfect ski trip 

• Choose a destination that suits your ski trip. If you want more than snow sports, Whistler and Banff offer unbeatable après-ski scenes. If you prefer your hills less crowded, consider Fernie, Sun Peaks, or Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna. 

• Reserve your vacation home at least two months in advance to secure the cabin you want. Homes with popular amenities — such as equipment storage, hot tubs, and proximity to resorts — tend to get booked first. Select homes on Vrbo also offer discounts to guests who book over 60 days in advance. Plus, lift ticket pricing is dynamic, often favouring advanced reservations. 

• Avoid peak periods to skip the crowds. Weekdays and non-holidays are the least crowded times on the mountains. Christmas week and Family Day weekend are expected to be the busiest periods this ski season. Vrbo reports that demand for ski cabins during Christmas week is already up 10 percent this year. 

• Stay close to the action. Ski-in/ski-out accommodations offer maximum convenience, but many resorts offer free shuttles to the lifts, so you can skip driving. Use the “Ski-in/ski-out” search filter on Vrbo to find homes near the slopes. 

How to stretch your ski trip budget 

Ski vacations can add up quickly with transportation, lodging, gear, and lessons. Here are Vrbo’s top tips for saving money this season: 

• Try spring skiing. Snow often lasts well into spring, when mountains are less crowded, with the exception of March Break. Enjoy warmer weather, longer daylight hours, and discounts on lift tickets and more affordable Vrbo rentals. 

• Choose smaller resorts or local hills. Deal hunters often find lower-priced vacation rentals and lift tickets at their local hills or underrated destinations. This season, Canmore offers the lowest average daily rates for vacation rentals among Canada’s top ski spots. The mountain town provides easy access to the SkiBig3 resorts: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay. 

• Look for discounted stays. Many Vrbo cabins and chalets offer discounts for weeklong stays, early bookings, or last-minute trips. Use the search filters under the “Discounts” section on Vrbo to easily find homes with deals. 

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Data based on analysis of Vrbo bookings made in mountain destinations for the previous and present ski season (December-March).

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FAQ 

Q: Which ski destinations are the most popular this season? 

A: The most popular ski destinations this season on Vrbo include East Kootenay (Fernie and Kimberley), Whistler, Kootenays and Okanagan (Red Mountain, Big White, and Baldy Mountain), Canmore, and the Laurentians. 

Q: When should travellers book their ski vacation homes? 

A: Vrbo recommends booking at least two months in advance to secure preferred properties and take advantage of discounts for lift tickets and vacation homes. 

Q: What are the busiest times for ski destinations this season? 

A: Christmas week and Family Day weekend are expected to be the most crowded periods. 

Q: How can travellers save on ski trips? 

A: Consider spring skiing, choose smaller resorts or local hills, and look for Vrbo discounts on weeklong stays, early bookings, or last-minute trips. 

Q: Which Canadian ski spot is affordable? 

A: Canmore currently has the lowest average daily rates and provides easy access to the SkiBig3 resorts: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay. 

Q: How do you choose a high-quality vacation rental? 

A: Use Vrbo’s “Loved by Guests” and “Premier Host” filters. Loved by Guests means near-perfect reviews for cleanliness, location, and listing accuracy; Premier Host indicates the rentals are managed by reliable hosts with zero cancellations. Check verified reviews and guest photos, and book with confidence knowing every Vrbo stay is backed by VrboCare for protection against cancellations, denied access, fraud, and misrepresentation.