7 Reasons to Be Excited for Ski Season in Banff Right Now
Summer days are coming to an end in Banff National Park, and as the days get shorter, the first hints of winter are already on the horizon. With snow at both Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort, opening days are already getting close.
With the 2026/27 season just around the corner, there is plenty to look forward to across the SkiBig3 resorts. From new terrain expansions, upgraded lifts, aprés spots, and more ways to experience the mountains, here are seven reasons to start getting excited for ski season!
Winter is coming to Banff National Park | Photo credit: Mirae Campbell
1. Ski season is closer than you think
It may not feel like it when you’re still enjoying warm days in the Rockies, in eastern Canada or south of the border, but opening day is just around the corner. All three SkiBig3 resorts are currently planning to open in early November, weather permitting.
That means it’s officially time to start thinking about your first turns of the season, whether that means planning a weekend in Banff, booking your ski or snowboard trip or simply prepping your gear for winter.
And with three resorts to choose from, the season can start looking pretty exciting.
New terrain at Lake Louise Ski Resort | Photo credit: Mirae Campbell
2. There’s even more terrain to explore at Lake Louise
Richardson’s Ridge made a major debut last season, adding approximately 200 acres of new terrain to Lake Louise Ski Resort. This winter, skiers and riders will have even more ways to explore the area.
New connections, including Grove Glade, Pikaboo and Prunepicker, will make it easier to move around the mountain, while expanded glades add more options for intermediate and advanced skiers.
The GOAT Club at Banff Sunshine | Photo credit: Jill Scarpato
3. Banff Sunshine is taking après to the next level
After making its debut last winter, the GOAT Club at Goat’s Eye Lodge is returning for another season of mountain après, with live entertainment and DJs. There’s also a new Coco Lab Coffee & Hot Chocolate Bar and cocktail bar at Goat’s Eye Lodge, making it easier to warm up between laps or settle in after the lifts stop spinning.
Meanwhile, Coco Lounge is heading into its first full winter on the deck of the Centennial Day Lodge, offering food, drinks, fireside seating and mountain views.
Heated bubble chairs | Photo credit: Mirae Campbell
4. The lifts are getting even better
If you like your ski days with a little extra comfort, SkiBig3 has you covered.
The three heated bubble chairlifts at Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise are a luxurious part of the SkiBig3 experience, offering a more comfortable ride up the mountain while keeping the focus where it belongs: getting back on the slopes for another lap.
Lake Louise is also upgrading the Top of the World Chair to improve loading capacity, reliability and speed making lift lines even shorter!.
Mt Norquay on a bluebird day | Photo credit: Mirae Campbell
5. Mt. Norquay is entering its next century
After celebrating 100 years of skiing last season, Mt. Norquay is looking ahead to its next chapter.
The resort’s new surface lift expanded the learning area between the Main Lodge and Tube Park by almost three times its original size, while continued investments in snowmaking, grooming, shuttle and lift infrastructure will help improve the experience throughout the season.
And because Norquay is just minutes from downtown Banff, it remains one of the easiest places to squeeze in a few laps when you’re staying in town.
The SkiBig3 Trifecta Challenge | Photo credit: Mirae Campbell
6. You can ski or ride three mountains on one trip
This might be one of the best reasons to be excited about winter in Banff: you don’t have to choose just one mountain.
With SkiBig3, you can ski or snowboard at Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt. Norquay, giving you access to nearly 8,000 acres of terrain across three different mountain experiences.
Three resorts. Two towns. One unforgettable ski trip.
Start planning your trip to Banff National Park | Photo credit: Mirae Campbell
7. It’s time to start planning
There’s something about September that makes ski season start to feel real. The gear starts coming out of storage; ski trips start appearing on calendars and suddenly everyone is talking about the first snowfall.
Whether you’re planning your entire winter around skiing or just dreaming about your first powder day, now is the perfect time to start planning. Because before you know it, the lifts will be spinning, the mountains will be covered in snow, and Banff will once again become a skier’s playground.
