Ski in Banff in the Heart of the Canadian Rockies

You won’t want to pass up a chance to ski down some of the globe’s most epic mountain terrain — and let’s face it, cross the Canadian Rockies off your bucket list. Just a short drive from Banff, three resorts rank top for the best skiing and snowboarding.

Get the most out of your Canadian Rockies ski vacation and take advantage of the spectacular scenery and legendary champagne powder. You’ll find varied terrain that matches all levels, short lift lines and warm Western hospitality.

Where to Stay

    Fairmont Banff Springs under winters spell

    Fairmont Banff Springs

    Located at the base of Rundle Mountain and on the banks of both the Spray and Bow Rivers sits Canada’s Castle in the Rockies, Fairmont Banff Springs. Providing legendary service since 1888, this year-round Banff luxury resort offers golfing, skiing, an award-winning spa, and exceptional dining experiences.

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    The Rimorck Hotel at sunset in winter.

    The Rimrock Resort Hotel

    Tucked into Sulphur Mountain side, The Rimrock Resort Hotel provides guests impeccable hospitality and incredible views of Banff National Park. With decadent dining options, including the award-winning restaurant Eden, a spa, and direct access to the Banff Gondola, The Rimrock Resort Hotel is home base to all your Canadian Rockies adventures.

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    SkiBig3 – Norquay, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village

    The Banff area’s top resorts —all known for jaw-dropping 360-degree Rocky Mountain vistas — are Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village. Buy a Ski Big 3 Pass for lift tickets to the trio, famed for dry, fluffy champagne powder and a long season running from mid-November to mid-May.

    A group of friends on the chairlift at Banff Sunshine Villlage, photo by Kyle Mulde & Banff Sunshine Village, one of Canada's top ski destinations

    Sunshine Village & Ski Area

    General Information

    • A 25-minute scenic drive via TransCanada Highway, Westbound from Banff.
    • 130 named runs on 3,358 acres (1358 hectares)
    • Features Canada’s only heated chairlift

    Sunshine Village Stats

    • Vertical Elevation: 1,070 metres (3154 feet)
    • Base Elevation: 1,659 metres (5440 feet)
    • Peak: 2,730 metres (8054 feet)
    • Snowmaking: Less than 5%
    • Number of Lifts: 13
    • Terrain: 20% Beginner, 55% Intermediate, 25% Expert
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    Mount Norquay

    General Information

    • Located just 10 minutes from downtown Banff.
    • Snowshoeing & tube park available
    • 60 named runs on 190 acres (77 hectares)

    Mount Norquay Stats

    • Vertical Elevation: 5,500 feets (1,680 metres)
    • Base Elevation: 1,630 metres (5,350 feet)
    • Peak: 2,133 metres (6,998 feet)
    • Snowmaking: Yes
    • Number of Lifts: 6
    • Terrain: 20% Beginner, 36% Intermediate, 28% Difficult, 6% Expert
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    Skiing in Banff National Park. Mt Norquay
    Winter couples ski at Lake Louise.

    Lake Lousie Ski Resort

    General Information

    • A 40-minute drive from Fairmont Banff Springs
    • Child care services available at the ski resort
    • Voted “Canada’s Best Ski Resort” by the World Ski Awards
    • Voted “best scenery” and “best steeps” by Ski Canada magazine
    • Snowshoeing & tube park available
    • 164 named runs on 4,200 acres (1,700 hectares)

    Lake Louise Ski Resort Stats

    • Vertical Elevation: 991 metres (3,250 feet)
    • Base Elevation: 5400ft (1645m)
    • Peak: 2,637 metres (8,650 feet)
    • Snowmaking: Yes
    • Number of Lifts: 12
    • Terrain: 25% Beginner, 45% Intermediate, 30% Expert
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    Ski Passes

    Ikon Pass holders

    Ski and ride in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Your IKON pass is the key to winter adventure at all Ski Big 3 renowned resorts in Banff National Park: Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay.

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    Mountain Collective Pass holders

    Pack your Mountain Collective Pass to explore 2 days of skiing and riding at each renowned Mountain Collective resort in Banff and Jasper National Park. Discover Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Marmot Basin.

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    No Gear No Problem

    Chateau Mountain Sports

    RENTAL & RETAIL OUTLET

    Chateau Mountain Sports is an independent outdoor retailer in Fairmont Banff Springs. The store showcases the best brand names in winter and spring, plus summer essentials. Find accessories from leading brands such as The North Face, Spyder, Icebreaker, Oakley, Smith, Dale of Norway and Sorel, to name a few. The focus is on the best-quality products and individualized customer service. Rent equipment at the Chateau Mountain Sports’ Winter Equipment Rental shop in the Conference Centre.

    Fairmont Banff Spring Ski Valet

    Our ski valet is at your service. Whether you are travelling with your equipment or need to store your rentals, we are pleased to offer private ski equipment storage. Find the ski valet near the hotel’s main entrance.

    Experience Banff National Park

    Snowshoeing in Banff National Park

    Banff National Park

    Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Renowned for its majestic mountain landscapes, the park features turquoise glacier-fed lakes, vast alpine meadows, diverse wildlife, and awe-inspiring glaciers. As Canada’s first national park and part of the world’s largest protected area of its kind, Banff is a gateway to adventure, offering breathtaking vistas, unparalleled outdoor activities, and a deep connection to nature’s wonders.

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    Couple at the top of Sulphure Mountain, Banff Gondola Romantic Experience

    Beyond the Slopes in Banff

    After you stow your skis, explore Banff National Park at its most magical time of year. Go ice skating and tobogganing around the white frosty landscape. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the hushed woods and join a guided ice walk. Or treat yourself to a massage at the spa, then curl up by the cozy fire with a good book and a great glass of wine.

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    Things to Do

    Banff Ski Offers

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      Banff

      With humility and deep respect, we acknowledge that we live and work within the present-day territories of Treaty 6, 7 and 8, as well as the Métis Homeland. The lands and waters of Banff National Park have been used for millennia by Indigenous Peoples for sustenance, ceremony, trade and travel. We thank them for their continued stewardship and for sharing this land.