Mount Norquay

Although Mount Norquay's size and stats don't measure up to its SkiBig3 siblings, Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine, this small but mighty mountain offers more than meets the eye. With just 190 skiable acres accessed by a modest six lifts, Mount Norquay is favored by the locals for its low-key vibes and puckering terrain and 120 inches of annual snowfall that lasts long after the squall rolls through.

Mount Norquay is celebrating its 100th season this year and the resort continues to be the resort-of-choice for Banff locals for its chiller atmosphere compared to the more popular tourist destinations Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine. While Norquay's skiable acres and vertical drop are not nearly the numbers of its bigger siblings, Norquay is favored for its ample expert terrain.

Mount Norquay is where families learn together, kids join the race team and adults frequent before and after business hours thanks to its ideal distance from downtown Banff—just a seven minute shuttle ride. Of the 190 acres of skiable terrain at Norquay, over a third of the terrain on the mountain is rated for advanced and expert skiers. Home to the Banff Alpine Racers, you can always count on Norquay's grooming to be pristine and Norquay is the only place in the Canadian Rockies where you can rip night laps under the lights.

Getting to Banff is easy. When you fly into Calgary International Airport, it’s a 90-minute drive on a four-lane highway with no traffic lights and very little traffic. It never gets old watching the mountains grow as you head toward the park.

The easiest way to book your trip is through SkiBig3.com, where you can get full vacation packages and discounts for Ikon or Mountain Collective passholders. Pro tip: the earlier you buy, the more you save.

Banff Airporter runs 11 shuttles per day and will drop you at your hotel door for about $50-70 CAD. Once you’re in Banff, the free SkiBig3 shuttle system connects Banff to each resort.