Who Knew Watson Lake Was a Skier’s Paradise?

Maichen Ski Hill & Chalet: Canada’s top hidden-gem resort in 2024, with a rating of 4.9 stars out of 5

Well, the folks at Jackpot City knew! The online gambling platform did a simple study of 173 ski resorts across Canada, looked at places with lower visitor ratings but with high customer-satisfaction ratings and—voila! Mt. Maichen Ski Hill & Chalet, in Watson Lake, has emerged as Canada’s top hidden-gem resort in 2024, with a rating of 4.9 stars out of 5.

That’s pretty good news for the resort, which is volunteer-run and is already considered a hidden gem by many locals.

Jenny Skelton, secretary for the volunteer-run Watson Lake Ski Club and training officer for the hill’s ski patrol, said that being named the top hill in the country was a great honour. She also pointed out that Mt. Maichen is part of an ever-shrinking group of small hills in the country.

“The little hills like ours are becoming a rarity in Canada.” She attributed that to skyrocketing insurance costs combined with the expense of the sport itself, adding that in some places skiing has become a hobby of the elite.

But Mt. Maichen marches on with the support of community members, who get involved in fundraising initiatives; with the town of Watson Lake, which owns the chalet; and with the Daylu Dena Council, who have supplied fuel to the hill’s machinery.

Throughout much of the hill’s history, it has been the place for schools to send students to learn to ski, Skelton said. Now in its 35^th year, the school program is for grades 4 to 7 who head for the hill four times a year. The program is run by the ski patrol and has seen a lot of young skiers hit the slopes.

“Basically, every child has learned to ski through this program,” Skelton added.

Located on the Robert Campbell Highway, the hill caters to all levels of skiers. Its elevation sits at 500 feet, and those looking for the most time possible on the hill can enjoy a thrilling mile-long run to the bottom. In addition, Mt. Maichen boasts two T-bars, nine groomed runs, programs for both schools and racing, ski rentals, a concession with a licensed lounge, and tons of cross-country-ski and hiking trails. The chalet can accommodate up to 100 people for private functions.

Skelton said they hope to have a December opening, weather permitting, and have snow through to the end of the season (typically April).

This year will be particularly exciting for the volunteers, as the ski club recently secured a grant to buy a new snow-grooming machine that will help keep the runs looking good and operating at their peak.

Menihek Nordic Ski Club, in Labrador City (Newfoundland and Labrador), follows close behind in second place, also with 4.9 stars out of 5. Nestled among birch and spruce trees, with skiing allowed into the evening, the resort is a hit with cross-country skiers and snowshoers.Ranking in third as a top hidden-gem resort is the Thunderhill Ski Area, in the Swan River Valley, Manitoba, with a rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 from 29 Google reviews. Lying in-between the Duck Mountains and the Porcupine Provincial Forest, the resort has over 24 perfectly groomed ski runs, 2.2 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, and cozy chalets where you can enjoy a warm drink after a busy day.

For more information on Mt. Maichen, check out facebook.com/MountMaichen.