experience skiing the Canadian Rockies

Banff National Park is home to three ski resorts: Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Banff Mt. Norquay. Each hill is owned, run and operated differently. However Ski Banff/Lake Louise is a joint venture company of the three ski resorts. The focus of the company is to promote Banff as a single winter vacation destination – so if you purchase a ticket through the company it includes complimentary transportation and you are able to use it at any of the three ski resorts.

Lake Louise (www.skilouise.com)

I would have to call Lake Louise ‘my local ski hill’ – I really enjoy the drive. It takes approximately 45 minutes to get there. The terrain is awesome, heaps of steeps. From the summit Lake Louise and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise can be easily seen – also one of my favorites Mt. Temple. Lake Louise hosts the first Men’s and Women’s World Cup races of the year.

Sunshine Village (www.skibanff.com)

The drive to Sunshine Village Gondola Base takes approximately 20 minutes, and then the world’s fastest eight-person Gondola ride is around 10 minutes. Sunshine Village offers a variety of terrain and great mountain vistas. Sunshine is in a very good spot for lots of natural snow boasting the longest season in the region. Before leaving Sunshine we must stop at Trappers for a beer or two!

Banff Mt. Norquay (www.banffnorquay.com)

Banff @ Norquay is the only ski hill that can be seen from the Town of Banff, it is also the oldest ski hill of the three areas, since 1948. It takes 10-15 minutes to get from down town, great for a couple of hours before work. The runs are steep and fast, there is grooming on 90% of the terrain. If there has been a big dump – the big chair is fantastic – no grooming on these runs.

All of the ski resorts in Banff are unique in their own way and are all worth riding at!