The Best Glades and Tree Runs at SkiBig3

Across SkiBig3’s nearly 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, you’ll find some of the best tree skiing and gladed runs in Banff National Park. From playful, well-spaced glades to steep, pulse-raising tree lines that demand fast reflexes and confident turns, there’s terrain here for every style and ability. Knowing where to go makes all the difference. This guide breaks down the best glades and tree runs across Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay, ranked by difficulty and packed with insider tips. 

Banff Sunshine

Tree skiing in the Wild West at Banff Sunshine | Photo credit: Dan Evans

Banff Sunshine offers tree skiing across three sprawling mountains, blending big alpine views with technical glades. Whether you’re easing into the trees or hunting steep, high-speed lines, Sunshine has terrain that rewards exploration. 

1. Strawberry Face

Run grade: Blue

Rider ability: Beginner

Directions: Ride the Strawberry Express, ski Strawberry Face and look skier’s left for multiple tree entrances

A mellow pitch, forgiving spacing, and easy bailouts onto groomers make this a confidence-builder for beginners and kids. Strawberry Face is a relaxed place to learn line choice without pressure. 

2. Roller Coaster

Run grade: Blue

Rider ability: Beginner

Directions: Ride Wolverine Express or Jackrabbit, ski Banff Avenue, then drop in on skier’s right 

Perfect for kids and newbies, Roller Coaster is short, playful and fun, delivering tight turns, rollers and bumps on a mellow gradient. It’s a great place for beginners to practice quick direction changes without picking up too much speed. 

3. Star Trek

Run grade: Black

Rider ability: Intermediate - advanced

Directions: Ride the Wawa Quad then head skiers right

Star Trek ups the ante. This long, tight tree run rewards commitment and flow. It’s steeper, faster, and more technical, but with smart bailout options onto Birdcage or The Waterfall if things get overwhelming. 

4. Tin Can Trees

Run grade: Black

Rider ability: Intermediate - advanced

Directions: Ride the Wawa Quad and head skiers left. The trees sit between Wawa Bowl and Tin Can Alley

This run offers steeper pitch, tighter spacing, and way more speed potential. Tin Can Trees are perfect for skiers who want to open it up between trunks but still have groomed runs close by as an escape hatch. 

5. The Shoulder

Run grade: Black

Rider ability: Advanced - expert

Directions: Ride Teepee Town or Angel Express, ski Ecstasy and look for the drop-in on skiers right

The Shoulder starts steep and funnels into tight, adrenaline-fueled glades. Sitting beside Delirium Dive, this zone often hides untouched powder and demands sharp turns and full focus. 

6. Eagle Creek

Run grade: Black

Rider ability: Expert

Directions: Ride Goats Eye Express, ski Saddledome in the Southside Chutes, then drop into Eagle Creek

Eagle Creek is a mission and worth every turn. After a steep choke on Saddledome, the terrain opens into fast, technical tree skiing that follows a natural creek bed. It’s tight, relentless, and one of Sunshine’s best expert tree runs. 

8. Wild West

Run grade: Double black diamond

Rider ability: Expert

Directions: Access from Goat's Eye (avalanche gear + partner required) 

Once you punch through Wild West’s cliff-lined entrances, the terrain opens into expansive, steep tree skiing with serious speed potential. Tight turns, big pitch, and deep powder make this a standout for confident experts.  

Lake Louise Ski Resort

Kid friendly tree skiing at Lake Louise | Photo credit: Travis Rousseau

1. Jerry's Jungle

Run grade: Green

Rider ability: Beginner

Directions: Ride Pipestone Express, ski Sunset Terrace to Charlie’s Choice, then drop into Jerry’s Jungle 

Perfect for first-time tree skiers. Jerry’s Jungle offers gentle slopes, wide spacing, and a playful feel that helps build confidence while keeping things fun.  

3. Charlie’s Choice 

Run grade: Blue 

Rider ability: Intermediate 

Directions: Ride Pipestone Express, ski Sunset Terrace onto Charlie’s Choice and set off into the trees on both side 

The trees alongside Charlie’s Choice provide lots of room to maneuver, with easy access back to the groomer. Ideal for progressing skiers looking to add speed without committing to steeper terrain.  

4. Ptarmigan Glades 

Run grade: Black 

Rider ability: Advanced – expert 

Directions: Ride Ptarmigan Chair, take the Ptarmigan Cat-track, then drop into the glades 

The Ptarmigan Glades deliver a massive gladed zone with endless line options. Steeper pitch and tighter trees demand quick decisions and strong legs; a favorite for lapping different routes every run.  

5. Pika Trees 

Run grade: Black 

Rider ability: Advanced – expert 

Directions: Ride Grizzly Express Gondola, ski Pika, and enter the trees along the run 

The Pika Trees feature dense, naturally gladed terrain. This is hard, fast skiing at its best; tight spacing, steep pitch and a constant demand for sharp reflexes. 

6. Tickety Chute 

Run grade: Black 

Rider ability: Expert 

Directions: Ride Pipestone Express, ski Sunset Terrace, then drop into Tickety Chute 

Steep, direct, and technical, Tickety Chute forces quick turns and commitment, with little room for hesitation. This is quick-turn skiing from top to bottom. 

7. Lookout Chutes 

Run grade: Double black diamond 

Rider ability: Expert 

Directions: Ride Larch Express, ski Larch, and enter mid-run on skiers left 

These gladed chutes are secluded, demanding and blend steep entrances with dense trees. Expect technical skiing, serious adrenaline and full-focus. 

Mt. Norquay

Tree skiing at Mt. Norquay on a powder day | Photo credit: Grant Gunderson

Just 10 minutes from Banff, Mt. Norquay is a local favorite. Minimal lift lines, steep fall-line skiing and some of the best natural glades make it a hidden gem for tree run addicts. 

1. Enchanted Forest 

Run grade: Green 

Rider ability: Beginner 

Directions: Ride Cascade Chair, drop in skiers left 

Enchanted Forest is a welcoming introduction to tree skiing with mellow pitch and well-spaced trees, perfect for kids and beginners. 

2. Milky Way (Dragon Forest)

Run grade: Green 

Rider ability: Beginner 

Directions: Ride Cascade Chair, ski Valley of Ten, then enter skiers left near the bottom. Watch for the hidden dragon sign at the entry. 

Milky Way (also known by locals as the ‘Dragon Forest’) is a local’s favourite & hidden gem. This is another great entry-level glade, offering smooth terrain and widely spaced trees for forgiving turns. The ideal introduction to tree skiing for kiddos. 

Check out Rowley Adventure’s YouTube video featuring this run – one of their all time favourites from the SkiBig3 Resorts. 

3. Norquay 90 Glades 

Run grade: Blue 

Rider ability: Intermediate – advanced 

Directions: Ride Mystic Chair, ski Monod’s Legacy, enter halfway down on skiers right 

The 90 Glades offer a steeper pitch with wider lanes to refine short, fast turns while maintaining control. 

4. Toni’s Trees 

Run grade: Blue 

Rider ability: Intermediate – advanced 

Directions: Ride Mystic Chair, ski past the ski patrol hut, then drop in 

Toni's tree offers glades that are accessible, fast and fun. This run balances speed with space, making them ideal for confident intermediates pushing progression. 

5. Norquay 100 Glades 

Run grade: Black 

Rider ability: Intermediate – advanced 

Directions: Ride Mystic Chair, ski part of Steelpipes, then drop into the glades on skiers right 

The Norquay 100 Glades are the resort’s newest terrain, opened this year in celebration of their centenary! Purpose-built for flow and speed, take a different line every lap. Steeper pitch, denser trees, and endless line options make this terrain a standout. Tight turns and fast reactions are mandatory. 

Tips for Tree Skiing

Tree skiing at Lake Louise Ski Resort | Photo credit: Jill Scarpato

Whether you’re just starting to venture off the groomers or are a seasoned tree-skiing pro, these tips and tricks will have you skiing and riding safely and with confidence.  

• Ski with a buddy and check in often  
• Practice making short, quick turns and planning your line on open, steep slopes and moguls 
• Start in wider glades before moving into tighter trees 
• Plan four to five turns ahead 
• Slow down! Control your speed with turns and line choice rather than picking up speed and panic stopping 
• Look through the trees, aiming for gaps not trunks 
• Wait for a solid snow base before venturing into deep glades 

Ski the trees at SkiBig3 

If glades and tree skiing are your vice, SkiBig3 has you sorted. With the one SkiBig3 Lift Ticket, you can ski at all three of Banff and Lake Louise’s world-renowned ski resorts, including Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay. You'll find three distinct mountains, endless glades, and some of the most adrenaline-filled tree skiing in the Canadian Rockies.