The Secret Behind SkiBig3’s Exceptional Quality Snow

At SkiBig3, you can experience three world-class resorts (Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay) all located in one iconic Banff National Park, with quality snow conditions that last literally, all season long. Although it can be chilly here, thanks to the frozen temperatures and high pressure in the Canadian Rockies, you can experience long-lasting, bluebird powder days, that you can’t quite find anywhere else. So, what makes the snow quality so great here in the Canadian Rockies? Let’s drop in and find out!

Making fresh tracks on a bluebird powder day at Banff Sunshine | Photo credit: Rajiv Dhaliwal 

With a seven-month-long season, it may seem unbelievable that you can experience reliable snow conditions from November to April/May. But the facts don’t lie. As shown in OpenSnow’s analysis, “In every month from November to April, there are an average of 12 to 14 days with new snow (one inch or more) …[so] there is a good chance you will catch some fresh snow, no matter when you plan your ski trip”. Whether you’re thinking about hitting the slopes in early November or enjoying those later spring skiing laps in April or May, you can be confident carving down the slopes at the three SkiBig3 resorts.

Powder Stashes on a blue bird day | Photo credit: Nick Hase

As winter rolls in early in the Canadian Rockies, and thanks to our good friend the cold, the SkiBig3 resorts are already stacking up the snow before some resorts receive their first dusting. At Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay, snow machines team up with Mother Nature to start building the base before the season begins. At Lake Louise Ski Resort and Banff Sunshine to maintain conditions throughout the season, they use snow farming. At Banff Sunshine, their talented trail crew and 30 kilometres of snow fencing placed perpendicular to the prevailing winds, the fences can capture the snow, and the team can then move it around the resort. This helps to build the snowpack without the need for artificial assistance.

Trail Crew snow farming at Banff Sunshine | Photo credit: Banff Sunshine

True, it can be a little bit colder here. But in exchange for a few degrees, what you get in return is 30 feet of annual snowfall so light and fluffy it even has its own name, Prosecco PowderTM. We'll take that trade every time! The cooler temperatures of the Rockies help to keep the snow from recrystallizing and becoming heavy throughout the day and overnight, even with the warmth of the sun on a bluebird day, so you can continue to enjoy those soft buttery laps from first chair to last.

Finding the powder stashes in the trees  | Photo credit: Jill Scarpato

If you're looking for a deeper dive into the facts and figures behind the snowfall across the SkiBig3 resorts, be sure to check out this article which outlines a more in-depth explanation about the snow conditions and data across the resorts throughout the winter season.

Enjoying the fresh powder at Banff Sunshine | Photo credit: Jill Scarpato

At SkiBig3, it’s not just the incredible views and diverse terrain that make these resorts so unique. But it’s the snow quality that truly sets them apart. Whether you’re looking to set some fresh tracks down the groomers, or float through knee-deep powder there’s nothing quite like the snow at the SkiBig3 resorts, and it’s not until you try it for yourself, you’ll realise what you’ve been missing. When you’re planning your next ski trip and snow quality and consistency is at the top of your list, look no further than booking your winter ski vacation to SkiBig3. You'll quickly see why these mountains are so spectacular, and you'll be booking your return trip before you've even finished your first run.