3 Banff-Lake Louise Ski Resorts

Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village

Banff National Park is home to three of the world’s finest ski resorts; Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village.

The three resorts offer almost 8,000 acres of skiable terrain on one convenient, tri-area lift ticket. There’s terrain to suit every level and desire, from gentle groomed runs to some of the world’s most extreme in-bounds challenges.

Our high altitude and inland location guarantee the dry, light snow that we’re famous for – and plenty of it.

Free transportation between many hotels and the resorts, with a tri-area lift ticket, means that when you’re here, the choice of mountains is yours.

Stunning mountain backdrops, lack of lift lines and friendly local hospitality are just some of the bonuses that make a vacation here unforgettable.

The Lake Louise Ski Area
Photo courtesy of The Lake Louise Ski Area

Browse the tabs above to read about our famous resorts.

Tri-area statistics

Terrain Almost 8,000 acres (almost 3,300 hecters)
Runs 274
Snowfall Over 30 feet average (over 9 metres)
Lift Capacity 46,000 people per hour
Lifts 26
Terrain Parks Yes
Snowmaking Yes
Night Skiing Yes
Elk 267*
Grizzly Bears 70*
Black Bears 40*
Wolves 45*

*Approximate numbers.

Mt. NorquayMt. Norquay

Photo: Mt. Norquay

Family-friendly Mt. Norquay offers outstanding conditions for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers and riders.

Since its opening in 1926, Mt. Norquay continues to be the locals’ gem. Famous for being the training ground of Olympic and World Cup athletes, and with excellent beginner terrain, everyone will love this small, family-friendly resort.

Just minutes from the Town of Banff, Mt. Norquay offers the only night skiing in Banff-Lake Louise, including a fully lit terrain park, and expert snowmaking on 85% of the terrain.

This is the best-kept secret in the Canadian Rockies!

Mt. Norquay has been cited as yielding “a host to awe-inspiring vistas…every angle another postcard in the making,” by Snowboarder magazine, August 2009.

For more resort-specific information, visit www.banffnorquay.com.

Season Length November – April
Hours of Operation 9:00am – 4:00pm daily (winter only)
Out-of-Hours Skiing 5:00pm – 10:00pm Wednesdays & Fridays from January – March
Opening Date October 31, 2009 (for weekends only, with full opening scheduled for December 5, 2009)
Vertical 503 metres (1650 feet)
Base Elevation 1630 metres (5350 feet)
Peak Elevation 2133 metres (7000 feet)
Acreage 190 acres
Average Snowfall 300 cm (120 in)
Snowmaking 85% of skiable terrain
Trails 28 runs
Terrain 20% Beginner
36% Intermediate
28% Advanced
16% Expert
Longest Run 1167 metres (3828 feet)
Cumulative Length of Runs 16.4 km (10.2 miles)
Lifts 1 High speed quad chairlift
2 Quad chairlifts
1 Double chairlift
1 Surface lift
Lift Capacity 7,000 people/hour
Ski School Group & Private Lessons available
Racing Yes
Daycare Available for children from 19 months to
6 years
Equipment Rentals Banff Ski Hub

The Lake Louise Ski AreaThe Lake Louise Ski Area

Photo by Henry Georgi

The Lake Louise Ski Area is the giant of Canadian skiing!

With over 4,200 acres of terrain spread across four mountain faces, Lake Louise offers unparalleled skiing and riding just minutes from the Village of Lake Louise.

The exceptional layout allows families and groups of all abilities to ski together with beginner, intermediate and expert runs from every chair.

When visiting Lake Louise, be sure to take your camera! The spectacular views of mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests are truly unique.

The Lake Louise Ski Area is the proud recipient of the WestJet Up! Magazine 2009 Value Award, an accolade acknowledging the resort’s continuous efforts to improve guest experiences.

For more resort-specific information, visit www.skilouise.com.

Season Length November – May
Hours of Operation 9:00am – 4:00pm (winter)
Opening Date November 6, 2009
Vertical 991 metres (3250 feet)
Base Elevation 1646 metres (5400 feet)
Peak Elevation 2637 metres (8650 feet)
Acreage 4200 acres
Average Snowfall 454 cm (179 in)
Snowmaking Yes
Trails 139 runs + back bowls
Terrain 25% Beginner
45% Intermediate
30% Advanced
Longest Run 8 kms (5 miles)
Cumulative Length of Runs Over 100 kms (62 miles)
Lifts 1 High speed 6 passenger chairlift
1 High speed 6 passenger gondola
2 High speed quad chairlifts
1 Quad chairlift
1 Triple chairlift
2 T-bars
1 Carpet
Lift Capacity 13,716 people/hour
Snow School Group & Private Lessons available
Racing Yes
Daycare Available for children from 18 days
to 6 years
Equipment Rentals Banff Ski Hub

Sunshine VillageSunshine Village

Photo by Sean Hannah

Close to the Town of Banff, Sunshine Village – Canada’s highest elevated resort, has great, guaranteed snow conditions from December to May, with an average annual snowfall of over 30 feet, on over 3,300 acres of terrain!

Plus, enjoy the novel opportunity to ski or ride in both the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia on the same run!

This is where you’ll find Banff-Lake Louise’s premier ski-in, ski-out accommodation, the newly renovated Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Following a multimillion dollar wing replacement, the Lodge will open 30 new eco-luxurious rooms in December 2009.

Sunshine Village holds the title of “Best View from the Best Off-Piste Run” 2008 awarded by Ski Canada magazine.

For more resort-specific information, visit www.skibanff.com.

Hours of Operation 9:00am – 4:00pm
Gondola Hours 8:00am – 5:30pm Mon-Thurs (weekends extended)
Opening Date November 11, 2009
Vertical 1070 meters (3514 feet)
Base Elevation 1660 meters (5440 feet)
Peak Elevation 2730 meters (8954 feet)
Acreage 3358 acres
Average Snowfall 914 cm (360 in)
Snowmaking N/A
Trails 107 runs
Terrain 20% Beginner
55% Intermediate
25% Advanced
Longest Run 8 kms (5 miles)
Cumulative Length of Runs Approximately 82 kms (52 miles)
Lifts 1 High speed 8 Passenger Gondola
5 High speed Quad Chairlifts
2 Quad Chairlifts
1 Triple Chairlift
1 Double Chairlift
2 Surface Lifts
Lift Capacity Approximately 20,000 people/hour
Ski School Group and Private Ski and Snowboard Lessons
Learn to Ski & Snowboard Packages
Racing Dual-Slaloms
Daycare Available for kids 19 months to 6 years
Equipment Rentals Available at the area featuring Salomon skis & snowboards

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