Ski Banff Lake Louise Holidays

Get to know the SkiBig3 resorts

Banff Sunshine Village

Just a 15-minute drive from Banff can make you feel miles away from urban life. Located 7,200 feet high on the Continental Divide, the three mountains of Banff Sunshine offer vast terrain and 360° views of the spectacular Canadian Rockies. The ski season here is the longest non-glacial season in Canada, stretching from November through to late May, with nine metres of snow on average annually! Fly into Calgary International Airport and Banff is only a 90-minute drive away.

Lake Louise Ski Resort

Lake Louise Ski Resort is vast and varied; pristine and inspirational. Located in the heart of the Rockies just half an hour from Banff, the resort has 4,200 acres of skiable terrain. The unique layout offers beginner, intermediate and expert runs from every chair. Regarded as one of the top ski resorts near Banff, it's perfect for families and mixed ability groups. There are endless chutes, glades, gentle slopes, cruising runs and remote bowls to choose from.

Mt. Norquay

Established almost a century ago, Mt. Norquay is the original Banff ski resort. Located 4 miles from Banff, it's easy to get to if you're staying in town. With an elevation of 8,040 feet, the views from the top are superb. There are five chairlifts (one a high-speed quad) and an average snowfall of 3 metres. The skiable terrain boasts 60 runs spread over 190 acres.

Choose your destination

Stay in Banff

Banff is considered the gateway to the spectacular namesake national park, which protects more than 6,000 square kilometres of wilderness. The town of Banff is just a 90-minute drive from Calgary and represents the epicentre of vibrant mountain life. You should stay here if you love lively destinations and being in the heart of the action. During your Banff ski holiday you can enjoy over 130 bars, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and exciting nightlife (if you fancy it!)

Stay in Lake Louise

Lake Louise is one of the most photographed destinations in the Rockies - and for good reason. The frozen lake beneath the mighty Victoria Glacier is iconic. The town is 40 minutes' drive west of Banff and represents a more peaceful, picturesque setting away from the hustle and bustle. There are plenty of amenities and places to unwind, as well as signature experiences like a horse-drawn sleigh ride across the lake.

Stay in Canmore

A third, less common choice of place to stay is Canmore. This town neighbours Banff just outside the national park gates, roughly a 20-minute drive away. Canmore has a homey, down-to-earth vibe and boasts the stunning scenery we know and love from the Rockies. If you stay here, you won't be able to use the SkiBig3 shuttle so we'd recommend having your own transport to get to the slopes. However, you'll be rewarded with more availability and a quieter setting.

Lift passes, lessons & gear

Lift passes

Your lift pass is a holiday essential - you can't access the slopes without it! Buy in advance to save money on in-resort fees and save hassle once you arrive in Banff or Lake Louise. One SkiBig3 lift pass gets you access to all the resorts in Banff and Lake Louise or you can buy separate passes if you'd like to focus on one resort. You can easily book lift passes for your whole group over the phone with our advisors - just let us know how many days you'd like to ski (or snowboard) for and we'll help you.

Ski lessons

All three ski resorts near Banff boast excellent ski schools but they're not just for beginners! A wide range of skill levels could benefit from booking a day or two of ski lessons. The lessons help you to orientate yourself around the ski area of the combined mountains. The instructors will explain the runs and ski areas to you as well as take you to hidden parts of the mountain. With an instructor you also enjoy priority lift boarding.

Equipment hire

Save time and hassle by hiring ski and snowboard equipment ahead of time. When you hire with us, we'll make sure your vouchers and equipment are ready and waiting for you when you arrive in the resort. You can choose from three different equipment levels to suit beginners through to experts, from good quality and reliable through to the highest spec and latest season. You can hire skis, poles or snowboards with us or choose a package including your boots.

Top 5 winter activities

Snowmobile tours

Snowmobiling has to be the most exhilarating way to explore the snow-covered Rocky Mountains during your Lake Louise or Banff ski holiday. Enjoy a transfer from Banff or Lake Louise through spectacular scenery to the famous Kicking Horse Canyon. A guided tour takes you into the most remote wilderness areas and your experience includes a hot lunch. You can book your full day excursion with us - just give us a call and our experts will be happy to help.

Johnston Canyon ice walks

Join a guided tour to one of the most spectacular natural features in the Rockies. Your guide will reveal the mysteries of the canyon's creation before you strap on your ice cleats and start exploring. Hike along steel walkways built into the canyon walls and marvel at the breath-taking views of the gorge. The catwalks lead you into the frozen lower waterfalls and through a cave before your final stop at the upper falls. Call us to book.

Lake Louise scenic snowshoe tour

This unique snowshoe tour of the Lake Louise Ski Area offers the perfect introduction to the activity. It takes you to the top of the mountain to experience views that are usually only accessible to skiers and snowboarders. Certified guides show you how to use the snowshoes in a safe environment and share stories of the wildlife, landscape and people of Lake Louise. Call us to book.

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Top 5 winter activities

Snowshoe to Marble Canyon

The Marble Canyon is a great introduction to snowshoeing that provides insight into the fur trade and its impact on Western Canada. Along the way, discover stories of Banff's indigenous people, explorers and fur traders who lived and travelled through the Rockies. The snowshoe trail is easy to manage and is a cultural treasure within the National Park. Look out for snowshoe hare, moose and wolf tracks along the way and enjoy some hot maple taffy at the end!

Discover Banff's wildlife tour

This three-hour tour shows you Banff's landmarks and lets you view the region's remarkable wildlife in their natural habitat. You'll learn about each animal's behaviour, habitat and winter survival, from elks to wolves. Plus, your guide will tell you how the history of the Bow Valley changed when three railway workers rediscovered a hidden treasure. The tour includes transfers, hot chocolate and a light snack, as well as admission to Cave and Basin Historic Site. Call us to book.

Know before you go

Opening and closing dates

The Banff and Lake Louise resorts all have long seasons. Banff Sunshine has the longest non-glacial season in Canada, stretching from November through to late May. Check out this season's opening dates to give you an idea:

• Banff Sunshine - 9 November to 20 May
• Lake Louise - 9 November to 5 May
• Mt. Norquay - 9 November to 22 April

Skiing a National Park

The SkiBig3 resorts sit in Banff National Park, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. As such, you can expect incredible scenery and wildlife as a bonus on your ski holiday in Banff. Don't forget that this means you'll need to buy a pass from Parks Canada to enter the National Park. While wildlife spottings aren't guaranteed, they are commonplace. You're likely to see elk even in the townsite of Banff!

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Know before you go

Average snowfall

The snow in Banff is constantly dubbed the "lightest and driest". With a long winter season, low water density in the snow and dry conditions really do make for perfect powder, with fresh powder throughout the season. Check out the annual average snowfalls you can enjoy on your Banff ski holiday for each resort:

• Banff Sunshine - 8m
• Lake Louise - 3.6m
• Mt. Norquay - 3m

Unmissable events

• Banff Christmas Market: 22 to 25 Nov - See the town lit up like a Christmas tree with festive stalls and plenty of cheer in the vibrant centre.
• Lake Louise Ski World Cup: 30 Nov to 8 Dec - The Lake Louise Audi FIS Ski World Cup is a major annual event with Downhill and Super-G events taking place.
• Ice Magic Festival: 17 to 27 Jan - Set in the spectacular surroundings of Lake Louise, see incredible ice-carvings on the lake, including a palace!

Speak with our experts

Thinking of skiing in Canada? You couldn't have made a better choice. The terrain is epic, the views are stunning and the people are wonderful. If you'd like to book, you can give our friendly team a call or send us a message through the website. You'll get to speak to someone who's been there and done it themselves. Just chat with us about the holiday you're looking for and we can advise on flights, where to stay, ski passes and equipment hire. Plus we can give tips on extra-curricular activities like spas and dog sledding!

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