The iconic Alberta ski destination is undoubtedly Banff-lake Louise – Canada's "protected playground" boasting an incredible 8,000 acres of pristine skiable terrain and short lift lines to have you shredding all day. Here you will find Canada's Big 3 Ski Resorts: Mt Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Sunshine Village.
Fast Facts
Ski Season:
November – May
Opening Times:
9am – 4pm
Terrain Grades:
The three skiing areas average out at 22% beginner, 45% intermediate, 28% advanced and 16% expert
Lifts:
26 lifts in the Banff tri-area including a handful of superlifts and high-speed gondolas. Purchase a tri-area lift ticket to ski all three regions
Ski School:
Try Banff's Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard School, the Lake Louise Ski and Snowboard School or the Mt Norquay Snow School, with both adult and junior programs
Cost of a Day Pass:
Around CAD$90 for an adult tri-area lift ticket
Car parks:
Ski shuttle busses are the easiest way to get from your hotel in Banff and are included in the price of your lift ticket
Getting There
Book your flights online to Calgary and make the 90 minute journey to Banff, either on Highway 1 with your own set of wheels or with an airport transfer / ski shuttle to the Big 3 resorts. Mt Norquay is only 10 minutes from Banff, Sunshine Village 20 minutes and Lake Louise 45 minutes (or 5 minutes if you choose to base yourself at the Lake Louise township).
Accommodation
Ski resorts, romantic chateaus, self-contained condos and cosy cabins are plentiful in beautiful Banff, with something for every taste and budget. Book accommodation online early as the popular alpine town tends to fill up in both summer and winter.
Car Hire
While Banff township is easy to navigate by foot, hiring a car is a great option to see the wider Alberta region. Streamline your travel planning by booking your car online with the rest of your holiday.
Travel Insurance
Don't get distracted on the slopes, ski with peace of mind by booking travel insurance just in case.
Events
A number of winter events take place on and off the mountain throughout the ski season. Enjoy the action of the WinterStart Festival with World Cup Downhill Skiing at the Lake Louise Ski Area and nostalgic wagon rides on Banff Avenue, while SnowDays and the Ice Magic festival roll into Banff-Lake Louise each January and February, celebrating everything wonderful about winter.