Updated July 21, 2021
A winter wonderland, the prairie city of Regina is surprisingly close to some excellent ski hills. Try out some of the hills closer to home, or head out to the Rockies for a weekend getaway. There are also nordic trails around the city as well, if downhill isn’t your thing. Read on for our list of the most scenic spots to go snowboarding or skiing near Regina.
Mission Ridge Winter Park
- Distance from Regina: 75 km (~55 minutes)
- Accommodation available? No
- Experience levels: All levels
Located just under an hour from the city, Mission Ridge Winter Park is a great option for snowboarding or skiing near Regina. Located in Fort Qu’Appelle, the hill has 325 feet of vertical and 10 trails, split evenly across all levels. There is also night skiing available and a terrain park. It’s a great option for beginners and families, or even just those looking to do a few laps after work.
Asessippi Ski Resort
- Distance from Regina: 281 km (~3 hours)
- Accommodation available? No, but many options nearby
- Experience levels: All levels
The self-described “Playground of the Prairies”, Asessippi Ski Resort is a family-friendly place to go snowboarding or skiing near Regina. The hill has 26 runs, including greens, blues, and black diamonds. There are also 2 terrain parks and a beginner area, with lessons and rentals available. If you want to take a break from shredding, check out the tubing area or the snowshoeing trails. With a charming village full of gift shops, a food court, and pubs, Asessippi is perfect for a weekend getaway.
Wapiti Valley
- Distance from Regina: 327 km (~3 hours, 25 minutes)
- Accommodation available? No, but stay in nearby Melfort
- Experience levels: All levels
With 15 trails and a terrain park, Wapiti Valley is a fantastic option for snowboarding and skiing near Regina. The hill also features a terrain park, lessons, and rentals. Stop by the restaurant in the chalet for some refuelling, or enjoy your après at the onsite lounge.
Thunderhill Ski Area
- Distance from Regina: 339 km (~3 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodation available? No
- Experience levels: All levels
With something for everyone, Thunderhill Ski Area is a great option for snowboarding and skiing near Regina. The hill has 22 runs across all levels, as well as 2 terrain parks. Not interested in downhill? Check out the nordic and snowshoe trails, as well as a regional snowmobile trail system.
Table Mountain
- Distance from Regina: 425 km (~4 hours, 15 minutes)
- Accommodation available? No, but stay in nearby Battleford
- Experience levels: Beginner and intermediate
From groomers to moguls, Table Mountain has a little bit of something for everyone. The hill’s 11 trails are mostly greens and blues, with 1 black diamond run for the brave, and a terrain park. There is night skiing on Fridays, as well as lessons and rentals.
Optimist Hill
- Distance from Regina: 256 km (~2 hours, 40 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: No, but many options in Saskatoon
- Ability Level: All levels
Led by the non-profit Optimist Club of Saskatoon, Optimist Hill aims to become Saskatoon’s premier winter activity destination. The hill offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and tobogganing, as well as affordable lift tickets, rentals, and lessons.
Duck Mountain Ski Area
- Distance from Regina: 298 km (~3 hours, 30 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: No, but some options in nearby Kamsack
- Ability Level: All levels
Located on the southern edge of the beautiful Duck Mountain Provincial Park, Duck Mountain Ski Area is a great option for snowboarding and skiing near Regina. With 23 well-treed runs split across all levels, this is a family-friendly and affordable place to ski.
Regina Ski Club
- Distance from Regina: Various locations around the city
- Accommodations Available: No, but if coming from afar there are many places to stay in Regina
- Ability Level: All levels
Run by volunteers, the Regina Ski Club is a non-profit entity through the Government of Saskatchewan. It runs programs, events, and trips for all levels of nordic skiers, as well as some downhill options as well. There are six groomed trails around the city of Regina, as well as trails at White Butte. Check the trail conditions before you head out for the day.
Sunshine Village
- Distance from Regina: 896 km (~8 hours, 50 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: Yes, at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge
- Ability Level: All levels
Located on the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies, Sunshine Village is one of the ski resorts near Regina that’s located in Banff National Park. If you’re making the trip to any of the Banff ski resorts, you’ll definitely want to stay for a few days, at minimum. From the top of the slopes, you can see all the way out to the striking Mount Assiniboine – the tallest peak in the region. The resort occupies property across 3 mountains – Mount Standish, Lookout Mountain, and Goat’s Eye Mountain – and has trails ranging from beginner to expert levels.
Pro tip: If you’re slope-hungry, the SkiBig3 lift ticket that also gives access to Lake Louise and Mt. Norquay. You can also buy a SkiBig3 season pass for regular access to all 3 resorts.
Sunshine Village boasts high-speed gondolas (including a heated lift!) and a network of 139 runs spanning 3,500 acres. Goat’s Eye features a broad variety of terrain, while Mount Standish caters more to intermediate riders and skiers. Visitors love the views from the lifts and the top of the slopes, the resort’s annual Slush Cup event, as well as the well-maintained resort facilities.
Lake Louise Ski Resort
- Distance from Regina: 935 km (~9 hours, 10 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: No, but stay in the nearby hamlet of Lake Louise
- Ability Levels: All levels
As the largest and most popular Banff ski resort, Lake Louise is one of the most iconic places in Canada to plan a ski trip. With over 145 marked runs across 4 mountain faces and some of the most epic views in all of Banff, it’s one of our favourite places for snowboarding and skiing near Regina. It’s also the host resort to the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup – the only destination in Canada where this event takes place.
At Lake Louise, you can also find one of the largest terrain parks in North America, perfect for adrenaline junkies who want to shake up their skiing or snowboarding experience. The lifts are also organized in such a way that almost all of them service runs of all levels – perfect for mixed-level groups or families who want to ride up together!
Mount Norquay
- Distance from Regina: 885 km (~8 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: No, but many options in nearby Banff
- Ability Level: Mostly intermediate/advanced
As one of the other SkiBig3 resorts in Banff National Park, Mt. Norquay is one of the most beloved places to go skiing near Regina. Known for advanced slopes and terrain, experienced snowboarders and skiers will love the challenging runs that Mt. Norquay has to offer. It’s a bit smaller than the other two resorts in Banff, but it’s great for advanced skiers and snowboarders who want to train on some of the best runs in the area. In fact, many Olympic-level athletes use Mt. Norquay as a training facility!
When you’re ready for a break from the slopes, Mt. Norquay has a fantastic on-site cafe – the Cliffhouse Bistro – which was built in a former alpine teahouse. The resort is also very close to the town of Banff, where you have plenty of options for restaurants and bars.
More Information About Snowboarding and Skiing Near Regina
What to Pack:
- Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
- Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
- Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
- Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
- Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
- Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
