This snowy small town in BC is like wandering around a Swiss village

A winter getaway. ❄️

Panorama in BC. Right: Panorama Resort BC.

Panorama in BC. Right: Panorama Resort BC.

Editor

Looking out on the mountain range in this little B.C. town you feel like it's a painting in front of you — almost too beautiful to be real. The jagged peaks with a fresh coating of snow are reminiscent of Switzerland, especially when looking out from the Swiss-inspired cabin perched on the local ski hill.

B.C. is famed for its many ski resorts, from the popular destination of Whistler to the small town of Revelstoke. Panorama is tucked away in the Purcell Mountain region of the province, just three and a half hours from Calgary on the edge of the Canadian Rockies.

It's away from the crowds of Banff and the flocks of tourists but has unforgettable views, a quaint atmosphere and a slow-paced charm to it.

The big intrigue here is Panorama Mountain Village, the ski hill with top-tier conditions and a small village area. The cabins at the base of the mountain have a classic ski-town vibe, mostly close to the base to make hitting the slopes easy.

If you don't want to head out onto the trails you can soak in the hot pools, which are particularly picturesque in the snowy setting.

Elkhorn Cabin sits partway down the mountain and is where you'll most feel the European vibes. The outdoor seating gives you uninterrupted views of the mountain range, and you can sip on a cup of mulled time or enjoy some Swiss raclette here.

While you can escape the long lines of the more popular tourist towns, you're also just a few hours from Banff. You can make a road trip out of a visit here, which on its own gives you incredible views.

The scenic drive from Calgary takes you through both the Banff and Kootenay National Parks, which are home to some of the most spectacular nature Canada has to offer.

If you're looking for a little hidden gem, this ski village won't disappoint.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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