Banff is a world-famous mountain town set in the heart of Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, home to the three distinct ski areas which form the Banff ski area of Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, often referred to as “The Big 3”. Its also easy to get to from Calgary International airport with a 90 minute transfer.
A vibrant mountain base, Banff town is full of energy and charm, with busy shops, restaurants, après bars and a backdrop of frosted peaks. Apres ski is quite lively with many bars offering live music and happy hours after skiing. There are also numerous restaurants to consider if you don’t have a half board option at your hotel or accommodation. Aside from skiing and snowboarding, there are numerous outdoor activities in the surrounding national park, from hot springs and nature trails, to ice-climbing and dogsledding.
Mount Norquay is the local gem and closest to Banff town (8km away), with tree-lined trails and the only night skiing in Banff. The highest and larger area, Sunshine Village is 16km from town, with terrain that crosses from Alberta to British Colombia. Lake Louise is 65km from Banff town – with its vast terrain and breathtaking views, the extra travel time is well worth it.
Regular shuttle services make it easy to get to the ski areas and, to do Banff justice and given how far you have travelled, you should experience all three, with all the ski areas being accessed on one ‘tri-area’ pass with the SkiBig3 pass. This pass also gives you free travel to each ski area via Banff’s shuttle bus service. Travelling to the slopes is an adventure in itself, with indigenous moose, elk and bighorn sheep watching you en route.
Sunshine Village receives the most snow of Banff’s resorts with around 30ft (9m) of snowfall annually. Renowned for its supreme snow conditions, Sunshine’s light, dry powder benefits from long winters, consistently cold temperatures and low water density. Lake Louise receives an average of 15ft (4.5m), while Mount Norquay gets 10ft (3m).
Banff’s huge acreage of groomed and free terrain is divided between the Big Three. Lake Louise is one of the biggest ski areas in North America with 4,200 acres spread across four mountain faces. Sunshine Village has 3,358 acres and three mountains that can offer everything from tree runs to epic backcountry lines. The remaining 190 acres belong to Mount Norquay – an Olympic training ground with the only night skiing in Banff.
In terms of marked runs or pistes, there are 145 in Lake Louise, Banff’s biggest ski area and more than 100km (62 miles). The longest run is 8km (5 miles) long, and the progressive terrain park add to the appeal.
In Sunshine Village there are 137 with around around 82km (52 miles) of named pistes. As in Lake Louise, the longest of these is a continuous 8km (5 mile) trail.
In Mount Norquay there are 74, with 16.4km (10.2 miles) of marked runs, plus night skiing and tubing until 9pm (Fridays and Saturdays) all within a ten-minute shuttle ride of Banff town. Norquay’s longest run is 1,167m (3,828ft).
In terms of what terrain is offered then you will find 30% of more advanced terrain is in Lake Louise. You’ve also got huge back bowls with open faces, powder chutes and gullies. Backcountry pros have serious steeps and rocky bowls to tackle.
25% is for more advanced enthusiasts in Sunshine Village where on Goats Eye Mountain you will find a lot of groomed and ungroomed steeps. Delirium Dive (avalanche transceivers mandatory) has been named as one of the world’s top ten off-piste destinations, and Sunshine has some of Banff’s best powder – be sure to get there early for fresh tracks.
Surprisingly the smaller area of Mount Norquay has 44% of its terrain designated as more for advanced skiers or boarders with big moguls characterising Norquay’s tougher terrain, which is classified by Banff as 28% advanced and 16% expert – not too shabby for doorstep skiing!!!
Intermediates are certainly well catered for with 45% of its area in Lake Louise, from winding blues to tree-lined groomers and fun blacks for progression, intermediates can explore the whole mountain. The front face and Larch area offer miles of thigh-burning cruisers.
Sunshine Village offers 55% of its area for Intermediates where you will find a big choice of sweeping blues, along with un groomed trails for transitioning to tougher terrain.
Mount Norquay offers 36% of its area for intermediates where you will find some glorious groomed runs and pisted black runs for pushing yourself further. You’ve also got easier chutes and sidecountry to explore.
A vast expanse of mountains, ice fields and coniferous forest, Banff became Canada’s first national park in 1885. Banff town and the Big Three ski areas sit within its heart. This Unesco-listed area offers a huge variety of natural attractions and activities beyond the slopes, such as ice-walking through the Johnston Canyon, backcountry tours past glistening glaciers, and twilight skating on Lake Louise. The scenery is absolutely stunning.
Accommodation centres mainly around hotels, with a few self catered apartments and we are happy to advice the choices and best rates offered, with or without flights included.
