Banff Ski Holidays

Canada Holidays

Expert Opinion Our Expert
Andy Knights

"The bustling ski town of Banff makes a great ski base with accommodation to suit every budget and free shuttles to take you to the Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village ski areas. The scenery is also stunning..."

Resort Info

  • Resort Scorecard
  • Beginners 6/10
  • Intermediates 8/10
  • Advanced: 8/10
  • Families: 7/10
  • Nightlife: 9/10
  • Village Charm: 8/10
  • Affordability: 9/10
  • Non Ski Activities: 8/10
  • Sustainability: 8/10

Season: 5 Nov - 21 May

Nearest Airport: Calgary

Transfer Time: 1½ hours

Transport: Transfer or Car Hire

Elevation: 8,954 ft

Vertical Drop: 3,514 ft

Avg Snowfall: 30 ft

Ski Area: 7,748 acres

Ski Lifts: 26

Runs: 274

Grade: 30% advanced
45% intermediates
25% beginners

Why Banff?

Set within the stunning Banff National Park, the Banff Lake Louise area is the centre of skiing in Alberta and very popular with British skiers. This section of the Rockies has very reliable snow conditions and a long ski season running from November through to May.

From the bustling town of Banff there are three ski areas that you can ski - Mt. Norquay (the smallest) - 6kms from town, Sunshine Village (most popular) - 18 kms from town and The Lake Louise Ski Area (the largest) - 60kms away. They are all covered by the excellent tri-area lift pass - the pass also covers the shuttle buses to and from Banff. 

The variety of skiing that can be done using the tri-area pass is huge - the combined area makes it the second largest ski area in Canada. Mt. Norquay is a small ski area with 1 mountain and 31 runs... however it has a lot of variety with plenty of carving and free-riding options. Sunshine Village has three mountains that offer everything from easy beginner slopes to some of the most challenging runs in North America…and lots of snow! The Lake Louise Ski Area, famous for its early season World Cup Downhill, is the second largest ski area in Canada and has a great variety of terrain on the front side and chutes in the back bowls.

Banff town and its collection of hotels make it the most popular base to ski the 3 areas. As a true ski town it has lively nightlife and plenty of après ski activities.

One of the most outstanding features of this area is the stunning scenery - to be skiing amid the Rocky Mountains looking out over miles and miles of mountain wilderness is an experience that brings people back to holiday here year after year.

There is only one ski-in ski-out property in The Banff National Park and this is found up at Sunshine Village, The Sunshine Mountain Lodge. It provides a unique peaceful experience and allows extra early access to the ski slopes.

Ski Safaris Combine Banff & Lake Louise with other ski resorts.

Ski & Sun Love the snow but need a little more time to relax on your holiday?

Northern Lights Experience this natural phenomenon with a stopover in Yukon, Canada

Combine Hawaii Combine the splendor of Whistler or Banff with the stunning Hawaii.