If you are a skier, snowboarder or mountain enthusiast there may be no finer place for a ski holiday than skiing in Banff, Alberta. Located in Banff National Park, and in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a vibrant little mountain town and the adventure hub for three world class ski resorts – Mt. Norquay Ski Resort, Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Why Ski in Banff
The three Banff ski resorts, collectively known as SkiBig3, are easily accessible from the Town of Banff allowing you to explore a massive array of terrain and a unique ski experience at each of the ski resorts near Banff.
Banff and area have a long history as a mecca for skiers of all types and abilities. With some of the best snow in the world, beautifully varied terrain, spectacular views, and one of the longest ski seasons anywhere, Banff is an incredible destination for a ski vacation.
The ski hills near Banff offer unlimited access to perfectly groomed green and blue runs, soft moguls on intermediate and expert pitches, wide open alpine bowls, and even those steep-and-deep shoots for the expert adrenaline seeking skiers and boarders. Whatever your idea of skiing-fun is, these great ski resorts near Banff have it all.
The three Banff ski resorts together offer about 7,748 acres of skiable terrain. Current official resort stats total 384 runs across the three resorts – the longest being 8 kilometers (5 miles). The slopes can get over 9 metres (30 feet) of snow each winter.
All three ski resorts are drivable from the Town of Banff and all offer free shuttle service to get you on the slopes quickly, safely and hassle free. Due to their close proximity to the city of Calgary, the hills are moderately busy on weekends but during the week you can enjoy Banff skiing with fewer crowds.
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Banff Ski Resorts at a Glance
Skiing in Banff means choosing between three main ski resorts: Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine Village, and Mount Norquay. Each offers different terrain, access, and trip style, making Banff a strong ski destination for beginners, families, and experienced skiers planning a Canadian Rockies winter trip. To help you decide, here is a quick comparison of the three main ski resorts in Banff:
- Lake Louise is the largest resort and offers wide terrain variety.
- Banff Sunshine is known for high elevation, long season, and reliable natural snow.
- Mount Norquay is the closest resort to the Town of Banff and the most affordable.
The Three Ski Resorts in Banff
Lake Louise Ski Resort
A 40-minute drive from downtown Banff, Lake Louise Ski Resort is the furthest of the ski resorts near Banff, but certainly worth the additional travel time. Located just outside the Village of Lake Louise, the tiny village offers some basic amenities and hotels for guests wanting to stay closer to the mountain, not to mention plenty of things to do at Lake Louise in winter (for skiers and non-skiers).
When visiting “The Lake”, as it’s known by locals, be sure to take your camera. On top of sensational skiing, Lake Louise is known for its spectacular scenery. From the top of every lift, you are treated to spectacular views of mountains, glaciers, and forests.
Lake Louise is the largest of the Big3 Banff resorts and one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Lake Louise terrain has great variety, from gentle slopes and long cruising runs to glades, chutes and some of the Canadian Rockies most exciting wide-open bowls.
The runs are well planned and allow skiers of all abilities to enjoy Lake Louise skiing together. You’ll find beginner ski runs at Lake Louise, along with intermediate and expert runs from every chair. If your partner wants to ski a black diamond, and you are in the mood for a blue/intermediate run, just pick your trail and meet back at the bottom of the lift.
Lake Louise Ski Resort Stats:
- Vertical rise: 991 metres (3,250 feet)
- Top elevation: 2,637 metres (8,650 feet)
- Skiable area: 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres)
- Number of runs: Number of runs: 170 named runs across five mountain faces
- Longest run: 8 kilometres (5 miles)
- Number of lifts: Number of lifts: 13 (1 gondola, 9 chairs, 3 carpets)
- Average snow fall: 455 centimetres (180 inches)
- Terrain breakdown: 25% beginner, 45% intermediate and 30% advanced
What’s New at Lake Louise Ski Resort?
Over the past few years, Lake Louise has continued to improve the skier experience with new lifts and expanded terrain. After adding the Juniper Express Quad in 2022 to help move skiers out of the base area more efficiently, the resort opened the new Pipestone Express in 2024, a heated bubble chair that gives skiers and riders another fast and comfortable way to access the mountain.
Then for the 2025/26 season, Lake Louise opened Richardson’s Ridge, a major new expansion with more than 200 acres of beginner and intermediate terrain, new glades, and a high-speed quad chair. This addition gives families and less experienced skiers even more room to spread out while still enjoying the incredible scenery Lake Louise is known for.
Getting From Banff to Lake Louise Ski Resort
Anyone looking to enjoy Lake Louise skiing has a few options to get to the Lake Louise Ski Resort. By car, it’s a 40 minute drive from the town of Banff to Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Lake Louise Ski Resort currently offers complimentary daily shuttles from Banff hotels and Lake Louise village hotels to the ski resort.. The shuttle is free for anyone with a lift ticket.
For skiers coming from Canmore or Calgary to Lake Louise Ski Resort, the Lake Louise Ski Bus has departures from both cities.
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Banff Sunshine Village Ski Resort
Banff Sunshine Village Ski Resort sits high on the Continental Divide and just a 20 minute drive from the Town of Banff. Three sprawling mountains provide breathtaking site lines, and some of the best powder skiing in Banff.
Sunshine can receive up to nine metres (30 feet) of snow within the Banff ski season and boasts 100% natural snow with no need for snowmaking. With a base-area altitude of 2,195 metres (7,200 feet) the snow stays light, dry and incredibly skiable. Its elevation and incredible snowpack means Sunshine’s ski season stretches from early November until late May; the longest non-glacial ski season in Canada.
This is ideal timing for anyone visiting Banff for Christmas or spending time in Banff National Park in December!
Banff Sunshine Village features more than 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, ranging from gentle beginner runs all the way up to big mountain terrain for expert skiers. New skiers will want to read our post on the best green runs at Sunshine Village.
Sunshine’s highlights include the most expansive intermediate terrain of the SkiBig3 resorts and their extreme ski zone, The Delirium Dive. Delirium Dive has been named one of the 10 top off-piste destinations in the world, and was awarded “Best View from the Best Off-Piste Run” by Ski Canada magazine.
Arriving in the base area, skiers and boarders must hop on the gondola to access the upper mountain areas of Goats Eye and the main Village. The gondola is optional for your trip back down and you can take the long winding ski out, a green run, that will take you all the way back to the base area.
Banff Sunshine Ski Resort is the only resort in Banff National Park with on hill/ski-in-ski-out accommodations. While lacking all the amenities you will find in town, staying on the mountain at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge is a luxurious option that will have you waking up to excellent skiing right out the door of your Banff hotel.
Banff Sunshine Village Ski Resort Specifics:
- Vertical rise: 1,070 metres (3,514 feet)
- Top elevation: 2,730 metres (8,954 feet)
- Skiable area: 1,359 hectares (3,358 acres)
- Number of runs: 137
- Longest run: 8 kilometres (5 miles)
- Number of lifts: 113 (1 gondola, 2 carpets, 2 quad chairs, 6 high speed quads, 2 high speed heated bubble quads)
- Annual snow fall: Up to 9 metres (30 feet)
- Terrain breakdown: 20% beginner, 55% intermediate and 25% advanced
What’s New at Banff Sunshine Ski Resort?
Over the past few years, Banff Sunshine Village has continued to build on what already makes it such a standout for skiing in Banff: reliable snow, a long season, and incredible high alpine terrain.
One of the biggest recent upgrades was the replacement of the old Angel Chair with the new Super Angel Luxury Express, a heated six-passenger bubble chair, while TeePee Town LX also gives skiers another heated lift option on the mountain.
Getting From Banff to Sunshine Village
Getting from Banff to Sunshine Village is a 20 minute drive along the Trans-Canada Highway and the Sunshine Road. Without a rental car, skiers can take a free shuttle from Banff to Sunshine Village which has several departures daily from a number of locations in Banff. See the Banff Sunshine Village shuttle info here.
The Sunshine Coach will take skiers from either Calgary or Canmore direct to Sunshine Village.
Mount Norquay Ski Resort
The Mount Norquay Ski Area is the closest ski resort to the Town of Banff and may be one of area’s best kept secrets. While not as big as the other resorts it offers excellent beginner terrain, and is the perfect spot for family-friendly skiing and boarding. Just a five minute drive from the town of Banff, Mount Norquay is steeped in local history and is a great option for quick access to the slopes.
A pioneer ski resort, Norquay was home to the first chairlift in western Canada. Since its opening in 1926, Mt. Norquay Ski Resort has continued to be a local favourite. Famous for its pristine grooming, these slopes are the training ground of many Olympic and World Cup athletes.
A few extra bonuses; Mt. Norquay offers tubing and the only night skiing in Banff National Park, including a fully lit terrain park, and expert snowmaking on 85% of the mountain.
Mount Norquay Ski Resort Stats:
- Vertical rise: 503 metres (1,650 feet)
- Top elevation: 2,450 metres (8,040 feet)
- Number of runs: 77
- Longest run: 1,167 metres (3,828 feet)
- Number of lifts: 6 (4 chairlifts, 2 carpet lifts)
- Average snow fall: 300 centimetres (120 inches)
- Terrain breakdown: 31% beginner | 25% intermediate | 44% advanced
What’s New at Mt. Norquay Ski Resort?
Over the past few years, Mt. Norquay has continued to improve the mountain while still keeping the local, laid-back feel that makes it so appealing. Heading into its 100th season in 2025/26, the resort has highlighted upgrades like the Cascade Chairlift modernization as well as energy-saving improvements behind the scenes, including new LED lighting and smart systems across the hill.
Getting from Banff to Norquay
The easiest way to get from Banff to Norquay is by car. It’s only a 10-15 minute drive. If you are visiting Banff without a car, you can still easily get to Mt. Norquay Ski Resort from Banff by a free shuttle. The free shuttle to Norquay leaves from several locations in Banff with a few pickup times each day.
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Purchase the SkiBig3 Pass
To get the full Banff skiing experience, try to spend time at all three resorts. Banff skiing packages and multi-resort lift tickets can be purchased through SkiBig3, the joint marketing venture for Mt. Norquay Ski Resort, Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort.
SkiBig3 works in conjunction with all three ski resorts within Banff National Park to allow visitors access to everything this winter destination has to offer, as well as a wide variety of added value discounts with local partners. SkiBig3 Vacation Planning services provides access to Ski & Stay Packages with over 30+ accommodation partners in Banff and Lake Louise.
The SkiBig3 lift tickets give you the flexibility to choose where and when you ski each day. The tickets can be used at any of the SkiBig3 resorts and even allow you to ski at one resort in the morning and another in the afternoon. (Although, with all the terrain to explore it is better to stick to one resort for the day.)
The pass is also great as it offers a discount when multiple days are purchased. The most common package is the three-day lift ticket pass which can be used over five days.
For an added experience you can hire a SkiBig3 ski instructor who will give you a guided experience and private lessons at each of the three ski resorts in Banff. They also offer a full-service rental & retail shop on Banff Avenue, The SkiBig3 Adventure Hub.
If you have an Ikon Pass, you currently get up to 7 days at SkiBig3. Ikon Base Pass currently includes up to 5 days, while Ikon Session Pass products include 2, 3, or 4 total days depending on the pass purchased.
Where to Stay in Banff
Given the sheer size of Banff National Park, it’s no surprise that the ski hills are spread out geographically. So, the decision on where to stay in Banff to go skiing depends a lot on which of the Big3 you plan on skiing the most.
With so many things to do in Banff in winter, there’s a good chance that you’ll want to enjoy other activities besides skiing. If this describes you, we recommend staying at one of these hotels in Banff with a private hot tub.
Enjoy a warm soak after a long day on the slopes, then head out to enjoy the close proximity to the shopping and restaurants around the Town of Banff. Plus, all the hotels in the Town of Banff provide easy access all the ski shuttles to the slopes.
Skiers coming to Banff will never forget a stay at the Banff Springs Hotel, the Castle in the Rockies. The ski package at the Banff Springs Hotel includes luxury accommodation, daily à la carte breakfast, two ski passes per room, per night, shuttle service from the hotel to the ski hill and self parking for one vehicle.
The only on-hill hotel in Banff National Park is the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. There’s no better feeling than waking up knowing that you are already on the ski hill. No driving, no parking stress…. just relax and enjoy a great day of skiing at Sunshine Village.
The Lake Louise ski resort is the furthest ski hill from Calgary and the Town of Banff. If you plan on spending most of your time at Lake Louise, we recommend you check out these top Lake Louise hotels, including the incomparable Chateau Lake Louise. Get all the details in our Fairmont Lake Louise hotel review.
Getting to the Town of Banff
Getting to Banff to start your ski vacation is a breeze. The Town of Banff is just a 90-minute drive from Calgary International Airport (YYC) which has direct flights from all major Canadian airports, Europe, UK, and many U.S. cities.
Once you land in Calgary, there are many options for rental cars and regularly scheduled shuttles that will take you from the airport to the front door of your hotel. The trip is a beautiful and easy drive along the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1), through the foothills and into the Bow Valley and surrounding peaks.
Once you have arrived in Banff it is easy to get around Banff without a car. Banff is very pedestrian friendly and offers exceptional public transit and shuttles to all the Banff ski resorts. Most Banff hotels are within a 15 minute walk to all the downtown Banff action allowing visitors to make the most of Banff ski vacations.
We have a 10% discount for the Banff Airporter airport shuttle. Get details on this, and many other deals in our list of Banff discounts for Travel Banff Canada readers!
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Celine Brewer, a local Canmore resident, is the co-owner of Travel Banff Canada. She has a passion for being out in the mountains any time of year. In the summer, you'll often find her hiking or mountain biking. In the winter, she enjoys cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking the most.
As much as she loves the mountains, she also loves travel! When she's not playing outdoors at home, she's either traveling the world with her husband and two kids or working on their other two travel sites: Family Can Travel and Baby Can Travel.