Frequently cited as one of the world’s scariest ski runs, Delirium Dive has something of a cult following among both local riders and those visiting Sunshine Village from afar. At the top of the Continental Divide Chair lies a gate which can only be opened with an avalanche transceiver, with Ski Patrol carefully watching to ensure those embarking on the short hike to the summit of Lookout Mountain are also equipped with a shovel, probe and a willing partner.
These strict requirements are not for show, with Delirium Dive providing an immense and complex cirque of steeps, cliffs and chutes for Sunshine’s dedicated Snow Safety experts to control. At its simplest, the Dive offers willing participants a nerve-wracking walk down some steep stairs, where they must navigate a wind-scoured and rocky ridge line to gain access to powder-filled 45-degree chutes. For the more adventurous, the possibilities are vast: jumping off the top cliffs and cornices to gain entry, “billy-goating” through rocks and cliffs to link heavily exposed 50-degree slopes, and hucking off frozen waterfalls and pillow drops.
The one thing that keeps people coming back, though, is the snow, with the wind often tripling or quadrupling the depth of fresh snow found elsewhere in the resort. There’s a reason why powder hungry skiers and boarders are always asking Sunshine’s Ski Patrol, “When’s the Dive opening?”
Delirium Dive at Banff Sunshine | Jillian Scarpato
For die-hard locals, the first opening of Mt Norquay’s ‘Big Chair’ is one of the highlighted days on their winter season calendar. Officially called the North American, this chair is one of the continent’s oldest, and accesses Mt Norquay’s biggest and steepest terrain. On powder days, this means steep, fall-line skiing with stashes of fresh snow to be found in the trees once the main pitches have been skied out.
The real test piece for expert skiers and riders comes after the snow has fallen, however, on Norquay’s notorious Lone Pine. This steep and unrelenting pitch is frequently populated by large and unforgiving moguls and proves to be a leg burner for even the fittest and most proficient riders. As the old saying goes: “It’s not that you can’t ski moguls, it’s that you can’t ski and the moguls just prove it”. For decades, this adage was borne out by Norquay’s infamous Mountain Smoker competition – a battle between the Bow Valley’s best to clock the most laps of Lone Pine in three hours. Although this competition has proven too tough for today’s skiers, those willing to truly challenge their abilities should head up to Big Chair and test themselves against the winners of years past.
Skier skis down a run off the North American Chair at Mt. Norquay | Cole Richardson
The Lake Louise Ski Resort’s back bowls are renowned as an expert skier’s paradise. The expanse of challenging terrain is so vast that it is difficult to narrow it down to an area, let alone a run. Eagle Ridge forms a large part of this, with ER Chutes 1 through 7 providing an assortment of steep alpine bowls which are peppered with cliffs, chutes, natural airs and rock rides.
The variety of expert terrain means organizers of The Lake Louise Ski Resort’s annual Big Mountain Challenge are spoilt for choice when selecting their competition venues, with ER3, ER5 and ER7 commonly providing the testing grounds for some of the best freeriders around. A local’s favourite, ER3 offers everything that expert riders could wish for: steep shots, wind-loaded pockets, and iconic cliff drops like the aptly named Eagle Air.
With terrain like this to train on, it's little wonder that the Rocky Mountain Freeriders base themselves on the slopes of The Lake Louise Ski Resort. This legendary local freeskiing club has a reputation for churning out skiers who navigate the gnarliest terrain with the greatest style and ease. When you see one of them boosting huge airs or spinning and flipping off the cliffs of ER3, you know the terrain at "The Lake" has prepared them well.
Skier at the ER 3 at Lake Louise Ski Resort | Josh Segeleski
Whitehorn II is another testament to Ski Patrol & Snow Safety’s vision, skill and determination in getting formerly closed terrain open to the public at The Lake Louise Ski Resort. Accessed from Lake Louise's Summit Platter, this expansive array of steep gullies and spines is a truly stunning sight for expert skiers and boarders.
Labelled A through I from looker's left to right, on a good day, the gullies and fans are known to provide some of the deepest and most glorious powder turns to be found in the Rockies - the sort of turns that are etched on your memory for years to come. For those after some additional adrenaline, the rocky spines that separate the gullies offer much added spice.
Here, only technically accomplished skiers and boarders flourish as they navigate the labyrinth of rocks and cliffs which interrupt steep pockets of snow. With such terrain becoming the bread and butter of local riders, it's no surprise that some of the world's finest big mountain skiers grew up honing their skills here. And while you can now see local legends like Chris Rubens and Eric Hjorleifson on big screens at ski movie premieres, the next generation is already clocking face shots and airtime as they run laps down Whitehorn.
Skier skis down the Whitehorn II at Lake Louise Ski Resort | Banff Lake Louise Tourism
Ready to push your limits? Banff National Park is home to some of the most thrilling terrain in the Canadian Rockies. Whether you are dropping into Delirium Dive or hunting powder in the back bowls of Lake Louise, these runs remind us why skiing here is truly unforgettable. When you are ready to explore all three resorts, SkiBig3 is here to help you plan your next adventure.
