Banff & Lake Louise ski resorts

Possibly the most beautiful place you’ll ever ski. Banff/Lake Louise offers nature at its finest, and an unparalleled variety of skiing in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

This is Canada’s largest ski area, and one of the most beautiful ski regions in the world; the rugged peaks reflected in the clear glacier-fed waters of Lake Louise is perhaps the most stunning and memorable of a host of natural wonders. Three richly contrasting ski resorts (Lake Louise, Banff/Mount Norquay and Sunshine) are linked by a free bus service and the Tri-Area Lift Pass. All offer breathtaking views, pristine powder, and exceptional skiing and snowboarding on the wild frontier of the Canadian Rockies. The village and resort areas offer a range of accommodation that again caters for all levels – from the legendary castle at Banff Springs, to small, intimate and very comfortable lodges.

The three ski areas are quite different in character, and you’ll probably want to spend at least a day at each – which of course you can with the Tri-Area Lift Pass. Lake Louise is a protected UN World Heritage site and the largest and most varied ski area, with trails that are ideal for beginners, powder-filled Back Bowls for the more advanced and “The Jungle” for snowboarders. Sunshine is a 3-mountain resort with legendary open bowls and everything from beginners’ slopes to challenging expert terrain. Banff Mount Norquay is a smaller ski area standing just on the outskirts of downtown Banff offering a mixture of trails and night skiing.

The combined ski area amounts to an amazing 7500 acres - can you ski it all in one visit? How seriously you take your skiing will be a determining factor on where you’ll choose to stay. Lake Louise Village (10 mins by bus from the ski area) is a compact village with shops, restaurants and bars. The town of Banff is undoubtedly better suited to serious après-ski, and has a wider choice with over 100 bistros and fine restaurants, plus excellent shopping

Sunshine Village, accessible only by cable car has just one hotel nestled at the base of the mountain and is recommended for serious skiers.