Conditions
Deals
SkiBig3
Mon, 16 Feb 2015

Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck: Ski Banff National Park!

When the exchange rate is so favorable the only thing steep are the slopes and not the prices, isn’t it time for you to check out a Canadian ski resort?

The recent decline in the Canadian Dollar has a bright side: if you hail from our Southern neighbour, the United States, this is your chance to squeeze in an affordable spring vacation and slay some pow at a discount.  And if you are going Canadian, go big – go Banff-Lake Louise.  Here are the top 5 reasons to head to Banff National Park for your Canadian Rockies Ski getaway.

1) A Favorable Exchange

With the US dollar trading for $1.25 Canadian, heading north for your ski vacation makes your holiday dollar go further than if you ski at home.  Not only are you getting a 25% discount off everything, but the colorful bills make you feel like you are paying with monopoly money.   Currently ski & stay packages are available for a little as $72 USD per person per night, so the question becomes: can you afford to ski anywhere else?

2) Feather-weight Flakes

Located just east of the Continental Divide means the resorts in Banff National Park are blessed with a dry, airy-light snow that is a dream to ski or snowboard in.  The best part: that blue smoke powder we are known for in the Canadian Rockies has been plentiful thus far in February and with the longest non-glaciated ski season in North America, you have until mid-May to get your fill of snorkel-worthy powder.

 3) The Advantage of Being in a National Park

Parks Canada, the body that governs our Park system, strictly limits the amount of development within Banff National Park. What this means is new structures, be it condos or hotels, are not allowed to spring up despite demand because Parks Canada aims to keep the human footprint on the park constant.  The result of this policy is that when you ski all you see is untouched wilderness: a sea of jagged peaks, glaciers, snow and pristine forest as far as the horizon.  Views are breathtaking and always will be because our National Park classification essentially ensures no one can pave paradise and put up a parking lot.

4) Wildlife

While Banff and Lake Louise’s après ski scenes offers up soirees to satiate any party animal, it's often a wildlife sighting of the other variety that makes visitor squeal with glee.  Being in a National Park means protection for the many species that call this place home, so it is not uncommon to see an elk walk down the main street in Banff, big horn sheep eating salt off the Mount Norquay access road or a bear ambling along the road in the spring near Lake Louise.  So keep your eyes open because nature rules!

5) Relief Size Matters

If you have heard rumors that The Canadian Rockies are smaller than the peaks farther south – this is technically true, but it’s really the relief size that matters.  The relief is the portion of the mountain measured from the valley bottom to the peak – the height of the rock face visible from town or the roadway – and that relief is bigger here than farther south.   While the peaks in Colorado, for example, top out at 14,000 feet and ours at 11,000 feet, we have more visible vertical since our valleys were carved deeper.  So unless you are planning to ski to sea level, your vertical may hold more wow-factor in the Canadian Rockies.

To book your next ski vacation at Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine, check out our featured ski and stay vacation packages or call us at 1-844-754-2443.

 

 

 

Other blog posts

Blog
Tips
Wed, 28 May 2025

When is the best time to visit Banff

Banff is one of those rare places where every season has its own magic. Whether you’re chasing perfect powder turns, vibrant wildflowers, golden larches, or bluebird patio days, there’s never a bad time to visit. The only question is: what kind of adventure are you looking for?
Activities & Exp...
SkiBig3
Mon, 05 May 2025

Stand-Up Paddleboard in Banff on these 7 Scenic Lakes

Stand-up paddleboard in Banff National Park this summer. Take a look at these 7 must-paddle scenic lakes and make unforgettable memories.
Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Renting a Kayak? 5 Scenic Lakes You Have to Explore

Here in Banff, there are so many ways to experience these iconic jaw-dropping mountains in the summer. If you’re looking for an alternative to an on-foot adventure, renting an inflatable, two person kayak from SkiBig3, is the perfect way to sit back, relax and enjoy the water with a breathtaking view.
Wed, 30 Apr 2025

A Guide to Banff’s Best Coffee Spots

What better way to start your morning, than enjoying a coffee and a baked good, whilst enjoying a stunning view of Cascade, Tunnel or Rundle Mountain.
Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Banff for the Non Hiker: Relaxed Ways to Experience the Rockies

Love the mountains but not into steep trails or full day hikes? You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not missing out. Banff and Lake Louise offer plenty of ways to take in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies without ever lacing up a pair of hiking boots.