The ski town of Banff, Alberta is nestled in the heart of Banff National Park and is home to some of the best skiing in Canada. The area is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and the National Park is world renowned for its awe inspiring views.
When you ski here you have the choice of visiting three areas, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay, all of which are covered on the same lift pass. The Big 3 resorts all have an incredible snow record, and have one of the longest seasons in North America. The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup visits Lake Louise at the end of November every year and Sunshine Village typically stays open well into May.
Just 10 minutes away from Banff, Mount Norquay is the closest of the three ski areas. This is a locals favourite area and a regular training ground for Canadian World Cup racers. It’s the smallest of the Big 3 resorts and has 10 miles of runs and 190 acres of skiable terrain. The area caters well for beginners and there are some nice tree-lined intermediate runs as well as some adventurous black diamond runs. Mount Norquay also has a flood lit terrain park which stays open until 10pm at the weekends.
Only 10 miles from Banff, Sunshine Village is a world-class resort in its own right. This is a great ski area with an amazing snow record. With an altitude of nearly 9000 feet, the resort proudly boasts they have 100% natural snow and the longest non-glacial ski season in Canada, with the resort regularly staying open until late May every year.
This is a big ski area offering 3,358 acres spread over 115 runs and three peaks and offers some of the best terrain in Canada. Most people choose to stay in Banff, but Sunshine Village also has the only on mountain accommodation in the National Park. Located at the base of the skiing, The Sunshine Mountain Lodge is the only ski-in slope-side accommodation in the Banff/Lake Louise area.
Lake Louise ski area offers some of the most spectacular views in the region, with jaw dropping vistas of Victoria Glacier and the frozen Lake. It’s the largest of the three ski areas in the area and at 4200 acres it’s also the third largest ski area in Canada.
Lake Louise is the furthest resort away from Banff, a 45 minutes drive away. You can choose to stay in Lake Louise Village a short 10 minute drive away, where there a number of hotels nestled next to the Lake, the most iconic of which is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Everywhere you ski here the views are awesome. Take the aptly named Top of the World Express Chair to enjoy the scenery across the Bow Valley – a view famous for being previously featured on Canada’s $20 note. Families will love skiing here. The resorts layout has at least one green or intermediate run from the top of nearly every chairlift – allowing your group to ski together high up on the mountain.
Amazing Alberta offers some of the best skiing in Canada. The hardest decision you’ll have is which resort to ski first!
Snow Unlimited is one of the UK’s leading tour operators offering tailor-made ski holidays to the most exciting ski resorts in Canada and the USA. For more advice on which resort is best for your group contact our ski specialists on ski@snowunlimited.co.uk