#15: Whistler

If you want to experience the Canadian Rockies without the commercialism of Banff thrown into the mix, try jumping the Alberta border in favor of B.C. Whistler includes over 8,000 feet of skiing and drops of nearly 5,000 feet! There are also miles of cross-country trails winding through the mountain terrain.

British Columbia is one of Canada's warmer locations. At ground level, its inhabitants rarely see snow. That means that you can travel down-mountain for non-winter fun, and then drive back up for an afternoon of skiing. Whistler also features a world-famous golf course and a quaint village with a European feel. It's the perfect place for a holiday!

Whistler is a great place for any ski levels. The vast majority of its trails are intermediate, but there are a good chunk of beginner and advanced paths for you to follow. Whistler is a great place to bask in the combined charm of the best Canada and Europe have to offer.

If you go, you'll likely fly through Vancouver, which is worth a few nights' detour on its own. Vancouver is Canada's answer to Hollywood – many television shows and movies are filmed in the diverse terrain surrounding B.C.'s largest city. Vancouver has a unique feel unlike any city in the world, and is widely lauded as the best place to live in Canada.