Panorama Mountain Village

Recent years have seen a big push at promoting Panorama, in the Purcell Mountains immediately west of Invermere, as a year-round destination by its owners, Intrawest. The resort has a long way to go before becoming the “next Whistler,” also owned by Intrawest, but Panorama Mountain Village, comprising a redeveloped base area, a residential subdivision, an open-air gondola to move visitors between the two main villages, a year-round water park, and a resort-style golf course, is just the first step in future plans. Greywolf Golf Course (250/341-4100) is a challenging 7,140 yards from the back tees, with water coming into play on 14 of the 18 holes, including the signature sixth hole, “the Cliffhanger,” which requires an accurate tee shot across a narrow canyon to a green backed by towering cliffs. Greens fees are $119, dropping to $75 for twilight rates. Also during the warmer months, there are chairlift rides (noon–5 p.m.), white-water rafting, inflatable-kayak trips down Toby Creek, and horseback riding. In the village itself you’ll find tennis, a climbing wall, and a swimming pool.

Skiing first put Panorama on the map, mainly because the resort boasts the third-highest vertical rise of all North American winter resorts (1,200 meters/3,940 feet), behind only Whistler/Blackcomb, also in British Columbia, and Big Sky, Montana. Despite the impressive relief, Panorama offers slopes suitable for all levels of expertise. Lift tickets are adult $59, senior $49, child $27.

The village is also home to R.K. Heli-Ski (250/342-3889 or 800/661-6060, www.rkheliski.com), which operates out of its own “heli-plex,” complete with a lounge and restaurant. The company is one of the few heli-ski operations that specializes in day trips.

Accommodations in Panorama Mountain Village are all relatively new and can be booked through the resort’s main switchboard (250/342-6941 or 800/663-2929, www.panoramaresort.com), as can all summer activities. Outside of the resort’s marketing department, summer is still thought of as the off-season, and there are some great summer deals to be had, such as two nights’ accommodation and unlimited use of the chairlift for $99 per person.