All Photos: Reuben Krabbe & SkiBig3
When I think of a destination for the front of a postcard, the iconic shot of Banff, Alberta, comes to mind, with its vertical, snow-covered peaks and the stunning teal lake below. Set within Canada’s oldest national park, Banff is one of the most beautiful places on the planet and it also happens to have some of the best skiing in the world.
Sitting at 4,537 feet above sea level, this real life snowglobe gets around 30 feet of annual snowfall and boasts one of the longest non-glacial resort seasons in North America, stretching seven months from early November through May. Banff doesn’t just have one ski resort, either. Known as SkiBig3, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mount Norquay are all within 45 minutes of downtown Banff.
Thanks to this resort trio, skiers are spread out and a busy weekend in Banff means five-minute lift lines and powder stashes for days—an experience that popular U.S. ski resorts can only dream of providing. One lift ticket grants you access to all three, along with free shuttles between Banff and each resort, creating three unique experiences over a long weekend or a week-long stay.
It's a different world in the Great North
One Pass, Three Worlds
Lake Louise Ski Resort
Locals call Lake Louise “the friendly giant,” and at 4,200 acres with 164 runs and 12 lifts spread across four mountain faces, it’s the soon-to-be second largest ski resort in Canada with a 200-acre addition opening for the 2025-26 season. This massive mix of terrain includes everything from incredible steeps and chutes to glades, groomers and wind-filled powder stashes.
The front face has a great balance of wide-open groomers and technical bowl and glade skiing. There are also blue runs off every chair on the front side, which means you can venture around the mountain with your crew, and everyone in your group can enjoy their own line down. The real magic happens when you take the Summit Chair up to 8,650 feet, where the Whitehorn back bowls and numerous other runs are all accessible.
Whether you prefer picking your way down the center of the bowl or boosting off a cliff, there’s something for everyone in these permanently ungroomed zones. This season, Lake Louise is opening the first phase of their Richardson’s Ridge expansion, adding fresh beginner and intermediate terrain on the backside that has a backcountry feel without leaving resort boundaries.
Mount Norquay
Mount Norquay is what the locals call “Banff’s backyard,” and it may be the best-kept secret in the Canadian Rockies. Norquay is celebrating its 100th anniversary this season, which makes it the oldest resort in the Canadian Rockies and gives some perspective on its deep skiing heritage. At just 190 acres, it’s tiny compared to its siblings but nearly one third of the runs here deliver expert terrain.
This gem provides incredible, concentrated skiing, just seven minutes from downtown Banff, and there’s something to be said for that kind of access. The grooming here is impeccable and they’ve recently added new gladed terrain—who doesn’t want more tree skiing? Finally, Norquay is the only place in the Canadian Rockies where you can rip some night skiing laps on the weekends.
Bottom Line is that people go to Norquay for the combination of authenticity and value. It’s where Banff locals ski before work while their kids learn to race, and where all families can enjoy their weekends.
Banff Sunshine Village
Sitting directly on the Continental Divide, at 8,943 feet, Sunshine Village offers the opportunity to ski in both the Alberta and British Columbia provinces on the same day. Thanks to its ideal location, the resort gets what they refer to as “Prosecco Powder,” the snow that has made Canadian skiing legendary around the world. It also means the season runs from early November through late May, earning the distinction of the longest non-glacial resort season in Canada.
From the base, take the rainbow-colored Village Gondola up to the famous “Upper Village” which is nestled at 7,082 feet. From there, you have access to 3,358 acres with 12 lifts and 137 runs to explore. The Strawberry Express and Standish lifts take you to some fantastic intermediate terrain and the village area has wide-open slopes that are perfect for building confidence. From there, test your skills on Goat’s Eye Mountain with a mix of groomers and off-piste options, including the South Side chutes.
If you’re looking for something a little more rowdy, Delirium Dive and Wild West have achieved legendary status for good reason. You need an avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe and a buddy, which should tell you what you need to know about the commitment level.
Logistics
Getting to Banff is easy and the U.S. dollar typically goes far. 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. 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.
Beyond the Resorts
Beyond resort boundaries, Banff National Park offers some of the most spectacular backcountry skiing in North America. Highly recommended for those new to backcountry skiing, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures offers avalanche skills training and guided touring, while the Alpine Club of Canada provides access to backcountry huts for multi-day adventures.
The Wapta Icefield Traverse is considered one of the great ski mountaineering routes in North America, connecting a series of huts across a massive glacier system. For heli-skiing enthusiasts, Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) operates several lodges within a few hours’ drive of Banff.
Always check current avalanche conditions with Avalanche Canada and travel with proper safety equipment.
Accomodations
Visitors have multiple options for setting up base camp. The village at Lake Louise has a population of 850 people and is great for those who love waking up surrounded by wildlife and wilderness. It’s serene, magical and iconic but there’s not a lot going on after hours.
The town of Banff, with a population around 8,000, is perfect for foodies, nightlife lovers and those who want to immerse themselves in an authentic Canadian community. Here, you get local flavor, charming characters and a lively après scene.
If you can swing it, try to stay at the Banff Centre campus. With numerous artist residencies, programs and concerts, it offers a unique cultural vibe you won’t find at most ski destinations.
Those who want the most luxurious experience can choose between the Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Just a few minutes from downtown Banff, the castle known as Fairmont Banff Springs has been a dream destination since 1888, with 739 rooms, world-class dining and plenty of spa amenities. Just north, at Lake Louise, you can wake up to the world-famous view of the lake and get pampered in the brand-new, $62 million spa that’s setting a new standard in mountain luxury.
Finally, for more budget-friendly lodging and options that can accommodate larger parties, check out the town of Canmore, just 20 minutes east of Banff.
Local Bites & Brews
Banff’s food scene is absolutely bonkers. For a town of 8,000 people, the variety and quality is quite impressive and what’s more is that you can actually get a meal after 9 p.m., unlike most resort towns.
Shoku and Block Kitchen + Bar are local favorites that capture what the Banff food scene is all about: International influences with mountain hospitality. Hello Sunshine serves up excellent sushi and has private, ski-themed karaoke rooms where you can belt out après classics while taking down sake bombs.
Chaya Ramen serves up some of the best noodles outside of Japan; seriously worth the trip just for that bowl. If you find yourself at Lake Louise village, don’t miss Laggan’s Bakery, a favorite among locals and visitors, alike.
For après, The Elk and Oarsman is consistently rated one of the best sports bars in Canada. The elk nachos are a Canadian delicacy and if there’s a hockey or football game on, this is your spot. Park Distillery is for the full Canadian experience and the menu is all campfire-inspired dishes.
Banff Avenue Brewing Company was the first brewpub in town, and their pizza game is second to none. For something uniquely weird and wonderful, The Grizzly House has been serving fondue and exotic meats since the ‘70s—a bit touristy, but worth it.
High Rollers combines bowling with craft beer (50+ taps) and Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub is where the locals go for cheap drinks and a no-frills atmosphere. For dancing, don’t look past Melissa’s MisSteak (known to locals as Mel’s) or the new Dusty Boot Saloon & Dance Hall, opening in December 2025.
At night, Banff transforms into one of Canada’s liveliest mountain towns. The compact layout means you can easily hop from bar to bar and unlike most ski towns, the party keeps going late into the night. You can legally drink here at the age of 18 and yes, weed is legal in Canada. Just follow the local rules.
Insider Tips
After long days on the mountain, nothing beats a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Perhaps not the hottest springs you’ll find, but the views are absolutely worth it.
While MLK weekend is a holiday in the U.S. and busy at most resorts, it’s not a holiday in Canada, which means fewer people and better deals. As other resorts are closing in April, skiing in Banff is still prime with long days and friendly temps. With a plethora of new and returning events throughout the season, there’s never a dull time to plan your visit.
Banff is where the Canadian parks system originated and in many ways that is bigger than “just” skiing. From the moment you first catch a glimpse of the Canadian Rockies on the drive from Calgary, this destination delivers world-class experiences without the crowds of British Columbia.
