Canada’s 6 greatest adrenalin pumping ski slopes

Double black diamonds ahead! Canada’s most extreme runs can give even the experts pause for thought.

1. Hawaii Five-O – Blackcomb Mountain

Whistler Blackcomb

The run might be called Hawaii Five-0, but Whistler Blackcomb is no relaxing stroll along the sand.

Think more along the lines of an adrenaline-charged run so steep, it does not appear skiable, with a you-fall-you-die section just to keep things really interesting. More terrifying than the renowned Couloir Extreme to its right, Hawaii Five-O is unskiable for a good portion of the season when it isn’t holding enough snow. You reach Hawaii Five-O via a heinously steep drop called False Face and then hooking left before hitting Couloir Extreme.

Traverse above a massive cliff face (that’s the you-fall-you-die bit) and then you’re in the chute. Easy! Once recovered from a near-death drop, the next little hiccup skiers face is a mandatory (yep, it’s the only way down) metre-plus-long air over rocks between two cliff faces, a tad shy of two metres apart. Ready? You first.

2. The Couloir – Whistler Mountain

Whistler Blackcomb

You’ll need to take a leap of faith in more ways than one when taking on The Couloir, which requires a skilful jump to enter. The tricky threshold means snow conditions need to be optimal for The Couloir to be accessed. Tour operators will not take clients there unless weather permits, because this is the kind of place where if you fall, you will tumble all the way to the bottom.

3. Hanging Gardens – CMH Galena Lodge

Badshot Range, Selkirk Mountains

If your repertoire of moves does not include cliff-jumping, then beware this infamous helicopter-accessed ski run offered by Canadian Mountain Holidays, Canada’s largest and longest-established heliskiing company.

First of all, Hanging Gardens has three cliff bands that are virtually impossible to avoid. (This writer had more than a few heart-stopping moments, unexpectedly finding herself in the air.) Coupled with a precipitous pitch, Hanging Gardens easily ranks as one of the best steep tree-skiing runs that CMH accesses from its 11 luxury mountain lodges. Fortunately, this snowy delight, found in the tenure of CMH Galena Lodge, is almost always blanketed in deep powder, making landings beautifully soft and forgiving.

4. Unlimited Assets and surrounds

Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR)

Fanatics of this soaring monolith of a skifield – and there are many – swear by the steep pockets hidden among the trees and rocks on Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s Unlimited Assets on the front side of North Bowl. RMR fans also swear a lot more, generally, as this is one monster field that bubbles over with butt-kicking steeps on which to drop in, turn on and get cliffed out. Like any super scary run, Unlimited Assets intimidates from the get-go, thanks to a precipitous entrance. Get through that, and then you can pound down its powdery mass for what feels like miles. If you really want a wild ride, though, head for the real madness in the trees. Here, the chutes and drops are far steeper than the bowl itself. Particularly notable is the 170-centimetre-wide, rock-jammed chute in between Unlimited Assets and Meet The Neighbours.

5. ER 5 and ER 6 chutes

Lake Louise

Like Goldilocks’ porridge, ER 5 and ER 6 must be juuust right before ski patrol deign to open them to the public. ER6 – also encouragingly known as Fallen Angel – is filled with what non-skiers call cracks and those in the know call chokes – barely wide-enough chutes that need good snowfall to be skiable. Found in Eagle Ridge, ER 6 is at a sharp right of the Paradise Chair. ER 5, further along to the right, is a pyramid-shaped rocky outcrop so sketchy, it takes a perfect snow year to open. Little wonder these gems of Lake Louise, located 40 minutes’ drive from Banff, are favourite extreme skiing competition sites.

6. Delirium Dive

Sunshine Village

‘Terrifying’ is among the more popular (and G-rated) words used to describe Delirium Dive, considered Canada’s most extreme resort terrain. Sound like fun?

Then go find it on the flanks of Sunshine skifield, a 15-minute drive from Banff. Simply accessing Delirium Dive requires mountain goat-like skill, as your welcome mat is a six-metre long cliff band. There is also the optional set of stairs alongside, but bear in mind both entrances lead to the same place: a minefield of chutes, rocks and cliff bands with an average gradient of 40 degrees plus. Once past the threshold, local knowledge is the only currency that buys safe passage through its rocky chutes, along with commando-like courage to clear any unexpected cliffs.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Get Going!

To start planning your extreme Canadian winter holiday, contact one of these leading Australian operators.

Travelplan; 1300 754 754

SkiMax; 1300 136 997

Ski Travel Company; 02 9810 1000

Mogul Ski World; 1800 335 724

Ready to visit the USA’s neighbours of the north? The ultimate travel guide to Canada has been waiting for you.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.