Celebrating 100 Years of Mt. Norquay – Big Chair Chronicles

This year, Mt. Norquay will mark a milestone that few ski hills have reached: 100 years in operation. At the centre of Norquay's story is the North American chairlift, known locally as ‘Big Chair’; a lift that has carried generations of skiers into some of the steepest terrain in Banff.  

25/26 Big Chair opening day on Dec 13, 2025 | Photo credit: Cody Gray

Norquay’s roots stretch back well before chairlifts and groomers. When the Canadian Pacific Railway cut through Banff in the 1870s, it opened the door to mountain travel in the Rockies. By the early 1900s, Swiss and Austrian mountain guides had arrived, and the idea of skiing began to take hold. Norquay began to take shape in 1926 when Gus Johnson cut the first ski runs on the mountain. Two years later, Cliff White and Cyril Paris built the area’s first ski cabin. By 1935, a road connected Banff to the slopes. After a fire destroyed the original cabin, the North American Lodge was built in 1940, and it still stands today. 
 
1941 saw the wheels of progress start to spin with the installation of a rope tow where the current Big Chair stands. Before that, skiing meant boot-packing uphill with your skis on your shoulder, hoping for a couple of laps before calling it a day. For just 25 cents, the rope tow now allowed you four runs. When the Monod brothers and Bruno Engler arrived at Norquay, skiing in Banff was powered by Norquay’s rope tow and a small lift at Lake Louise Ski Resort. 

The Mt. Norquay rope tow taken between 1941-1943 | Photo credit: Placido Monachello via the Whyte Museum

Big Chair took its biggest step forward in 1948 with the installation of a single chairlift, only the second in Canada at the time. The upgrade opened access to what was then North America’s steepest and longest ski terrain. It even carried Hollywood royalty, including Marilyn Monroe, to the top. Suddenly, skiing more than eight laps a day wasn’t just possible, it was the norm. 

Marilyn Monroe on Big Chair | Photo provided by Mt. Norquay

By 1952, a teahouse had been built at the summit at 7,000 feet, giving skiers a place to warm up, swap stories, and take in the view. Today, that same spot is home to the Cliffhouse Bistro, which continues to serve as a mountain top gathering place in the summer and special events in the winter.  

Skiers at the Big Chair lookout in 1962 | Photo credit: Gar Lunney via the Whyte Museum

Another upgrade followed in 1966, when the original single chair was replaced by the two-seater lift that still stands today. Supported by a mono-pole and dual cables, the new chair helped cut down lift lines and keep skiers moving; a welcome change as skiing surged in popularity.  

Big Chair in 1966 | Photo provided by Mt. Norquay

As Mt. Norquay looks ahead to its next 100 years, Big Chair continues to evolve. The 2027/28 season will usher in a new gondola connecting the Base Lodge to the Cliffhouse. This would see the removal of the North American lodge, an expansion to the Cliffhouse bistro, relocation and restoration of the ski jumping judging towers and easier accessibly to their summertime Via Ferrata. 
 
When you think of Mt. Norquay, it’s hard not to think of Big Chair. Riding it for the first time has long been a rite of passage, proof you were ready for Norquay’s steeper side. For locals, Big Chair opening day still marks the true beginning of winter and the kind of skiing you plan your day around. The 26 runs accessed from the chair are known for their steep pitches, demanding moguls, and expert-level skiing, and on a powder day, Big Chair laps sit high on the list of the best runs at SkiBig3.  

Picture 1 - Skiing from Big Chair in 1976 | Photo credit: Ron Adlington via Mt. Norquay

Picture 2 - Big Chair powder skiing in 1977 | Photo credit: Ron Adlington via Mt. Norquay

Picture 3 - Powder skiing at Big Chair opening on 13 Dec 2025 | Photo credit: Cody Gray

Join in their centennial celebrations at Norquay’s Day of Nostalgia this March 28 and look back on all that this local gem has done for skiing in the Canadian Rockies. Grab your SkiBig3 Lift Ticket to be part of Norquay’s storied history books.