The Perfect 10 Night Banff & Lake Louise Winter Itinerary
The world’s most scenic ski trip
I've skied all over the world, including in Canada for more years than you'd probably believe! Whenever I'm asked, 'What's the most scenic place to ski?', my answer never changes: Banff & Lake Louise. The backdrop of Banff National Park's Canadian Rockies is spectacular - like skiing inside a postcard!
That's why I've skied here nine times, and every visit is truly unforgettable. But that's not just due to the world-class skiing for all abilities and incredibly snow-sure slopes. The many non-ski activities mean you can enjoy a true winter adventure.
This blog walks you through what I think is the best way to spend 10 nights in Banff & Lake Louise - including how to split your time between the three ski areas, my tips for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a range of Ski Safari-tested non-ski activities.
10 nights is our most popular option for Banff & Lake Louise, but every holiday we sell is 100% tailor-made, built around your wants and needs. We'll use our decades of experience skiing in Banff & Lake Louise to help you craft your perfect holiday. We were there as recently as January 2026!
Our 10-night Banff & Lake Louise ski packages range from £1,269pp to £2,469pp, including flights, transfers and accommodation. For a tailor-made quote, call our friendly and knowledgeable team on 01273 224060 or request a quotation online and we'll be in touch.
Day 1 - Arrival day
Getting to Banff is fairly straightforward, with direct flights from London Heathrow to Calgary taking around nine hours. A couple of films, a few drinks, and a nap, and you're there before you know it.
At Calgary Airport, you'll either catch a transfer or pick up your hire car and drive around 1.5 hours to Banff (we’ll arrange all of this for you as part of your package). This scenic transfer whets your appetite for the trip - you'll pass straight through Banff National Park, and it's here that you'll start to understand just how dramatic and beautiful this part of the world really is.
As Banff has three ski resorts nearby - 'SkiBig3', made up of Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mt Norquay - you'll base yourself in Banff town, and drive or transfer to each one. Skiing all three completes the Trifecta challenge, meaning you can collect your prize from the SkiBig3 hub in town!
The town itself is truly beautiful, with the Rockies dominating the view in every direction. It's home to friendly locals who live there year-round and are more than happy to share local stories, as well as any tips on how to make the most of the conditions on the slopes.
There are countless shops, bars and restaurants to explore in Banff as it's a genuine town, meaning you're never left bored with nothing to do.
Hotel-wise, there are loads of options to pick from for all budgets. Between our team, we've either stayed in or visited every single one - most recently in January 2026. We're here to help recommend the right one for you, but here are some pointers:
- For luxury, look no further than the majestic 5* Fairmont Banff Springs. Styled like a Scottish Baronial Castle, it represents the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies.
- For a mid-range option, the 4*+ Moose Hotel and Suites offers sensational value, with a stunning rooftop hot tub to boot.
- For budget-friendly options, the 3*+ Elk + Avenue Hotel and 4* Mount Royal Hotel are tried and tested team and customer favourites, located in the centre of town.
Once you've checked in to your hotel, you'll be handed your lift pass. The lift pass covers all three resorts, and even includes transfers to each one if you're not hiring a car. Depending on who you're ski rentals are booked (our excellent operations team will help with this), you might pick them up this evening, or it could be tomorrow morning. Or you may have the option for them to be dropped off at your hotel.
For dinner, it's time for some comfort food (think burgers, pizzas, pasta, ribs, etc.) at 'The Boss Kitchen & Bar' to beat any jetlag - our team ate here in January 2026!
Day 2 - Mt. Norquay ski day
Start the day with a quick grab-and-go breakfast and coffee from your hotel or a nearby café - it's the first ski day, the slopes are calling!
Mt. Norquay is the nearest of Banff's three resorts, just a scenic 10-minute drive through the Rockies (or transfer on the free shuttle bus). While it's the smallest resort in Banff, it packs a punch with some epic terrain, and it's a great resort to warm up your ski legs and prepare for a busy week ahead. And you won't be surprised to hear the scenery is simply incredible, with the peaks of the Rockies stretching as far as the eye can see.
Start on the Cascade chair to ease into the day, with a handful of wide, gentle groomers to get your legs moving. From there, work your way across to Spirit, where you'll find 'Abracadabra' - a fast, flowing blue that's one of my favourites. Finish up on Mystic for some steep terrain to finish off. This is a great way to explore the resort, with the runs getting progressively longer and steeper throughout the day.
Another benefit of skiing in Banff - and this isn't exclusive to Mt. Norquay - is that you'll rarely have to queue for a lift, which means more time skiing and less queueing. It also means the wide slopes are often empty, so you can properly dig in your turns.
After grabbing some lunch at Cascade Lodge (you have to try the poutine here!), it's time to try tubing. Mt Norquay is home to Alberta's longest tubing lanes - and they're included on your SkiBig3 lift pass! It's a ton of fun and suitable for all ages - our team love it!
There's night skiing on offer here on Fridays and Saturdays, so if that lines up with your trip, I'd definitely recommend it!
When you're done on the mountain, head back to Banff town and wind down. Make the most of your hotel facilities, take a stroll down Banff Avenue, or have a recovery nap.
For dinner, head to The Maple Leaf. This is a traditional Canadian restaurant, and a staple of the Banff dining scene. Treat yourself to some delicious Alberta meat to celebrate a memorable first full day in Banff.
Day 3 - Banff Sunshine Village ski day
Start with breakfast at one of the best spots in Banff: Farm & Fire. Found in the Elk + Avenue hotel, our team ate here recently and gave rave reviews - "the 'Canadian Eggs Benny' is a winner", says Marketing Executive Rollo.
Today you'll ski at Banff Sunshine Village, one of Canada's premier resorts. Just 20 minutes from Banff town, you'll pass spectacular scenery on the drive, leaving you eager to get on the mountain. Sunshine Village boasts nearly all-natural, consistently excellent snow - and it has the longest ski season in Canada, running from early November to late May (there was June skiing this year!)
Use today to ski as much of this jaw-dropping ski area as possible. Many of our team have described having the 'best ski day of their life' here, so it's one to be excited for.
Sunshine Village is split up into three mountains - I'd recommend exploring these two today:
- Lookout Mountain - head straight up the Great Divide Express, where you'll cross from Alberta into British Columbia and back again in a single ride. From the top, lap the wide single black diamond groomers for some of the best piste skiing in Canada, and duck off the sides if you're a mogul fan. It's fast, scenic skiing with picture-perfect views in every direction. I'd also recommend the Super Angel Express, a super-fast, heated six-seater chairlift which opens up similar terrain.
For lunch, I'd suggest heading to Chimney Corner, in the 4* Sunshine Mountain Lodge (the only ski-in ski-out hotel in Banff National Park), which offers a vast lunch menu.
- Mount Standish - cruise up the Standish Express and spend the morning carving its long, flowing runs, with plenty of options for every ability. The Wawa Quad is next for more wide-open blue runs like Wawa Bowl and Tin Can Alley. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, make your way to Strawberry Express and ski some gentler terrain and enjoy the mountain views.
Finish the day with the legendary Banff Avenue ski-out - a gentle, winding 5km green run back to the gondola base, a great end-of-day descent.
Once you're back in town, spend the evening exploring the town, and then enjoy a Japanese treat for dinner at Shoku Izakaya. It's one of the newest restaurants in town, with excellent food and service. Take your pick from tasty seafood to small plates of meat.
Day 4 - Lake Louise ski day
Make the 40-minute drive, or take the shuttle bus, to Lake Louise Ski Resort, aiming to arrive by 8:30am. Don't think of the drive as a negative - with the sun rising over the Rockies and the sky slowly brightening into colour, it's part of the experience in itself.
Once you're there, grab breakfast at the Lodge of Ten Peaks Cafeteria before the lifts start turning at 9am. Being one of the first on the mountain is a memory you'll keep - the scenery is absolutely mesmerising, and witnessing it with no one around is properly breathtaking.
As Canada's third biggest ski resort, I'd focus today on exploring the front side of the mountain. There's a lot of terrain; I don't like spreading the skiing too thin and doing the whole mountain in one day.
Start with a ride up the Grizzly Gondola, where the view unveils itself the higher you go. From the top, pick one of the speedy groomers back down - all have an immense backdrop, setting the tone for the day. Here's Sales Manager Andy Hemingway doing just that in January 2026:
Next up, ski to the Top of the World chair, which lives up to its name with sweeping views at the top. This is where you'll find some of my favourite groomed runs anywhere in the world.
You can also head up Summit for the highest terrain on the front side, where the alpine bowls open out, and the views stretch far into Banff National Park. Take your pick of the single black diamonds and head down to the Pipestone Express.
Ski the runs these lifts open up (there are a lot!) before heading to Whitehorn Bistro for lunch. Perched at 6,700ft with sweeping panoramic views and the food to match, you'll be hard pushed to find a better on-mountain spot.
Round off the day soaking up some of the finest mountain views in the Rockies and enjoying Canadian piste skiing at its best. And give yourself a pat on the back for completing the Trifecta challenge and skiing all three of Banff's resorts!
Back in town, celebrate an epic day by enjoying some relaxed après in town. Watch some ice hockey and enjoy a beer (or try a traditional 'Caesar') at The Canadian Brewhouse, Banff's top sports bar, or book a distillery tour and enjoy some spirits at Park Distillery. For dinner, I'd suggest trying the Mexican restaurant Añejo, one of my favourite places to eat in Banff.
Day 5 - Lake Louise activity day
With three full-on ski days behind you, today is a great chance for a rest day and to visit the actual Lake Louise, one of the most amazing places on the planet. Enjoy a delicious breakfast at Brazen in the Mount Royal Hotel, a place our team speak very highly of, before making your way there.
Lake Louise itself is one of those views that photos will never do justice. Winter is a great time to visit, as there are fewer crowds, and the lake transforms into a vast frozen expanse, framed by the Victoria Glacier and the peaks of the Bow Range rising steeply behind it.
Take a walk out onto the lake, which is a genuinely surreal experience, and bask in the beauty. Spare some time for ice skating on the lake, taking advantage of the well-maintained ice rink. Grab some lunch from the grand 5* Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which sits on the shore.
Spend the afternoon on a horse sleigh ride with Brewster Mountain Stables. You'll glide along Lake Louise's frozen shoreline, with the crisp mountain air on your face, and the sound of hooves and sleigh bells adding to the magic. This is a slow, peaceful way to take in some of the best scenery the Canadian Rockies have to offer. It takes a couple of hours.
The evening is the perfect time to stroll along Banff town and do some shopping. There are over 250 shops in downtown Banff, primarily concentrated along the bustling Banff Avenue and Bear Street. Most are independent local boutiques and galleries, alongside popular outdoor and lifestyle brands.
For something very different, you can opt for dinner at Grizzly House. The menu ventures into wild territory - think bison, elk, ostrich, and even rattlesnake and alligator, all cooked right at your table. If that's not for you, Nourish Bistro is a vegetarian (and mostly vegan) option that has an international menu, plus a massive cask beer list and cocktails.
Day 6 - Sunshine skiing and afternoon fat biking
It's time for another ski day at Sunshine Village! Pick up a quick breakfast at the bottom of the gondola, and make your way up.
Today's the chance to ski the third mountain, Goat's Eye. For some of the resort's longest, most satisfying slopes, the Goat's Eye Express is the place to be. Carve out a few laps before making your way to Wolverine Express for more wide, quiet slopes. Goat's Eye is home to some locals' secrets, such as the single black 'Eagle Creek', a tree-lined trail with natural terrain features, and some amazing advanced terrain down the south side chutes.
Experts should use today to test Sunshine's legendary terrain: Wild West and Delirium Dive. Both are strictly for experts, with avalanche gear and a partner required for access.
Wild West mixes tree skiing with a serious band of cliff and rock terrain in between. Delirium Dive, atop Lookout Mountain, drops through cliff-lined chutes with 40-55 degree pitches before some lines open into big, sweeping powder bowls. I've had some of my best ski days ever here!
Drive or transfer back to town a little earlier than usual today, as a guided e-fat biking tour awaits in the afternoon! Over 1-3 hours, you'll get the lowdown on two-wheeled winter riding, cycling out onto snow-packed trails skirting the wilderness. Tackling gentle climbs, winding through enchanting tree-lined paths, and enjoying those satisfying downhills, you'll soon realise what makes fat biking so addictive.
Keep the energy up by enjoying a few drinks and some pub grub at Banff Ave Brewing Co., a culture hotspot for locals and tourists alike.
Day 7 - More Lake Louise skiing and a spa session
Kickstart today with fresh pastries from Whitebark, before making your way back to Lake Louise ski resort with some more wonderful scenery en route.
Today's the chance to explore the back side of the mountain. Head up to the top of the Summit chair and either loop down 'Boomerang', or turn off into one of the many West Bowl double black diamonds.
Join the green Saddleback run and ski down to the new Richardson's Ridge lift, which Sales Consultant Josh describes as "opening up some great terrain with a mix of cruisey runs and advanced tree skiing - there's something for everyone in this new area".
After grabbing a classic mountain lunch at Sawyer's Nook in Temple Lodge, explore the rest of the back side, skiing the runs from the Paradise, Ptarmigan and Larch Express chairlifts. You'll find a mix of easily accessible expert terrain, as well as loads of empty pisted slopes where you can make as many turns as you like.
Once you're all skied out, it's time for the best remedy for tired legs: a spa visit! Drive 10 minutes to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise to recover in their brand-new BASIN Glacial Waters spa - a 19,000 sq ft facility with a series of hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms, and glacier views. Alternatively, you're no worse off at the Fairmont Banff Springs' Willow Stream Spa, with waterfall pools, a European mineral pool, and a hydrotherapy circuit.
Finish the day with the best sushi in town (or as the team who ate there in January put it, 'the best sushi ever'), at Hello Sunshine. I'm told the appetisers are not to be missed, and that you can't go wrong with your choice of sushi filling.
Day 8 - Back to Mt Norquay and snowshoeing
The first call of today is to head to one of the best spots in town - that comes from locals and our team - Tooloulou's. Whether it's breakfast poutine or one of the other endless choices, Tooloulou's is a tasty way to start the day.
10 minutes down the road, Mt Norquay awaits again. Carve out your first laps on the runs from the Mystic, Spirit and Cascade chairs - you'll want your ski legs under you for what's next: the two-seater North American chairlift. Installed in 1948, this was Canada's second-ever chairlift and is where the locals go on a powder day.
Andy H skied here in January 2026, and says: "The runs from this chairlift are a dream for advanced skiers, and are set against an astonishing backdrop. Expect open terrain with fresh lines for all on a powder day, or mogul fields and tree skiing if there's no fresh snow. Either way, it's a highlight of the trip, and you'll feel lucky to be skiing such a famous area. Lone Pine was my go-to run."
Another activity lies ahead in the afternoon. Strap into snowshoes right from town and join a guided tour into the surrounding winter wilderness, crunching through fresh snow with the towering Rockies all around you.
Your guide will lead you to some of the best local viewpoints, pointing out tracks left behind by wildlife along the way. It's a brilliant way to see a new Banff from a different perspective.
After a busy day, fuelling up to go again tomorrow is key. I'd recommend an Italian feast at The Fat Ox, an intimate, casual, Alpine-inspired Italian restaurant. You'll feel like family as soon as you enter, and the food is all crafted from local ingredients.
Day 9 - Johnston Canyon ice walk and hot springs
Good Earth Coffeehouse is the first port of call for breakfast - a busy day lies ahead, so fuel up and get some caffeine on board.
Just 30 minutes from Banff is Johnston Canyon, one of Banff National Park's most iconic and accessible natural attractions. You'll join a guided ice walk along steel catwalks suspended above the icy creek. Expect frozen canyons, with towering ice formations, shimmering waterfalls and narrow limestone walls.
This is a beginner-friendly adventure, takes around four hours in total, and is one of the most magical winter experiences Banff has to offer.
In the afternoon, it's time to relax and let off some steam in Banff's famous Upper Hot Springs. Perched high on Sulphur Mountain, it's a short bus ride from town, and well worth it to enjoy the historic spa. Slip into the steaming, mineral-rich waters - naturally heated from deep within the earth - and take in the panoramic views of snow-topped peaks and the Bow Valley below.
Finish the day with one of our team's favourite restaurants, Bluebird. This bustling restaurant specialises in steak and ribs, and the quality is off the charts. Tour Coordinator Eleri says: "I ate here in January 2026 - if there's one place in Banff you need to try, it's here!"
Day 10 - Final day on the slopes and dinner with a view
You've skied each of Banff's three amazing resorts twice, so today is up to you to return to your favourite! Maybe that's a few more laps of Mt. Norquay, tackling some tricky terrain you spotted at Sunshine Village, or one last day at Lake Louise, carving through the parts of the resort you didn't quite get to.
Whichever you choose, each resort brings its own world-class skiing, with something for every ability - gentle learning areas for beginners, wide, speedy groomers with a view for intermediates, moguls and off-piste for advanced skiers, and some of Canada's best expert terrain for those chasing the ultimate challenge.
Post-skiing, a special evening awaits. Catch the local bus to Banff Gondola, where in just eight minutes you'll ascend 700 metres to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. At the top, you'll be met with panoramic views of Banff and the surrounding Rockies.
Before dinner, take a walk along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk. This is a wooden walkway winding along the ridge to Sanson's Peak, with 360-degree views opening up across the Bow Valley and Rockies. It's a sensational view!
Eat at the Sky Bistro restaurant, at the top of the gondola, which has floor-to-ceiling glass windows and offers a special dining experience with a view you won't stop staring at.
I'd recommend a sunset booking, which costs a little more, but will leave you with lifelong memories. As the sun goes down and darkness descends upon Banff, look out for Northern Lights - they're quite common, and our team have caught a small glimpse before!
Day 11 - Home time
It's the day you'll be dreading, having to leave one of the best places on earth and head home. Drive or transfer back to Calgary, and fly back to the UK - spending the entire flight scrolling through your camera roll and looking back on the ski holiday of a lifetime.
Why book with Ski Safari?
- Our knowledge - we've been skiing and selling Banff for 20 years, and we return most winters to top up our knowledge. Between us, we've skied countless times in each resort, and have visited or stayed in every accommodation. We're here to help using our extensive first-hand experience.
- Our service - we create every holiday from scratch. This means that the quotation you receive is unique, based on your holiday preferences. Call us, and you can speak to the same person every time. We'll always be on hand to support every little detail and answer any questions, no matter how big or small!
- Our value - since 1996, our core values have stayed the same: we give meaningful advice and deliver a truly personal service that always puts you first. Our strong relationships with suppliers mean that we're often cheaper than you might expect. Tailor-made service doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag.
- Our happy customers - we regularly receive positive feedback from our happy customers, many of whom return year after year, and we're proud of our 4.9/5 rating on Feefo. We've also won Best Small Travel Company for Ski/Winter Sports Holidays in the British Travel Awards 2019-2025. Banff is rated 4.8/5 by our customers, and Lake Louise 4.9/5!
Want to experience the world's most scenic ski trip?
If you like the sound of Banff & Lake Louise, now's an excellent time to book for winter 2026/27. Booking early ensures you take advantage of early booking offers and cheaper flights - the prices will only go up from now! Call our friendly and knowledgeable team on 01273 224060 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm) or enquire online and we'll be in touch.
For an in-depth guide to Banff, read our Banff Resort Guide.
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