SKIBIG3: BANFF SUNSHINE, LAKE LOUISE & MT NORQUAY
(December 9, 2020) SkiBig3, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay are open and welcoming guests for the 20/21 winter season. All resorts are operating under increased operational restrictions outlined by Alberta Health Services to ensure the safety of guests, employees and our local communities.
Arrive prepared for a day of skiing & riding outside and anticipate very limited access to indoor spaces. Ski shuttles are operational for Banff Sunshine & Lake Louise. Shuttle service has been suspended for Mt Norquay until further notice. Consider using your vehicle as your day lodge. Food & Beverage services will be limited to grab-and-go take-out services only. We highly recommend bringing your own lunch, snacks, water and a thermos of hot chocolate, tea or coffee. Masks are mandatory indoors, within lift lines and while riding on chairlifts & gondolas. Physical distancing measures are in place across the resort. Indoor warming areas are available with limited capacity and time restrictions. Washrooms are available.
Guest services at resorts is limited. Purchase your lift ticket in advance or make sure to have your season pass, Ikon Pass or Mountain Collective pass in-hand prior to arrival. Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and SkiBig3 season passes as well as Mountain Collective passes can be picked up in advance at the SkiBig3 Adventure Hub, 114 Banff Ave.
As of December 22, 2020, reservations are needed to visit the Lake Louise Ski Resort. To avoid disappointment, especially during peak holiday time periods and on weekends, use your SkiBig3 Lift Ticket, Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective Pass or SkiBig3 Season Pass to reserve your spot up to 2 weeks prior to arrival.
In order to be as flexible as possible when you book with us, SkiBig3 has implemented a No-Questions-Asked Cancellation Policy allowing for free itinerary changes and cancellations until 3-days prior to arrival. International border restrictions for travel to Canada are subject to change. For the latest updates please check Government of Canada – Border & Travel Information
Covid-19 safety protocols are ongoing and are subject to change based on updates from regional authorities. SkiBig3 is committed to keeping you informed about what to expect when travelling to Banff National Park
What to Expect - Plan Ahead
Important Note: Masks are required when riding chairlifts and gondolas, while waiting in lift or ski shuttle lines and within all indoor public spaces at Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay. Physical distancing with others outside your cohort is required at all times. Complete protocols for all resorts are provide below. Please arrive prepared for a day outside.
Masks are required by law for all public indoor spaces within Alberta as well as the outside sidewalks along Banff Avenue, Bear Street pathways and Caribou Street connecting Banff Ave and Bear Street. Public spaces include shops, cafes, hotel lobbies, hallways and other publicly accessible buildings.
As of Sunday, December 13, restaurants, bars and cafes are limited to take-out services only. Hotels are open and welcoming guests. Retail is open with limited capacity. Please call individual operators in advance to confirm services and hours of operation.
Please visit the following links for additional information regarding COVID-19 policies for Banff & Lake Louise, and the province of Alberta. Protocols may be updated throughout the winter, please be prepared for changes in service delivery and hours of operation for all local businesses.
SKI RESORT PROTOCOLS
Banff Sunshine: Winter 20/21
Carving up the snow at Banff Sunshine Village looks different this winter. The safety and well-being of guests and team members is our top priority. To keep our mountain community healthy, we’ve implemented some changes to operating procedures that will allow us to sustainably operate throughout the season. Here’s a summary of some of the changes you can expect to see this winter. Please note, we are working closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure strict compliance with all health & safety guidelines. These changes and procedures will evolve throughout the season.
Masks are required to ride the gondola or enter facilities. If you do not have a mask, they are being handed out at the gondola and facility entrances. Full Operational Guidelines
LAKE LOUISE: Winter 20/21
The season is off to a great start and we continue to welcome visitors for skiing and snowboarding. Our guest, employee and community health and safety remains our top priority as we continue to work closely with Alberta Health Services to implement all health & safety guidelines as procedures evolve.
Things look different this season, and we would like to share our operating procedures with you so you know what to expect when visiting the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Please check back before your first visit as things evolve and adapt accordingly.
As of December 22, 2020, reservations are needed to visit the Lake Louise Ski Resort. To avoid disappointment, particularly on weekend and holiday days, use your SkiBig3 Lift Ticket, Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective Pass or SkiBig3 Season Pass to reserve your spot up to two weeks prior to arrival.
MT NORQUAY : WINTER 20/21
As always, the health and safety of our staff and guests is at the top of our priority list, as such things are going to be a little different this season while operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Following Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines and incorporating industry best practices we are confident of a great, safe winter season ahead.
We are spoiled to have the beautiful Cascade Lodge, with it’s large size in comparison to our daily skier visits, and the fact that all of our lifts are easily accessed without ‘choke points’, we feel that we are well-positioned to provide a safe, enjoyable mountain experience.
UPDATE December 13, 2020: Ski shuttle services from Banff to Mt Norquay have been suspended until further notice.
SkiBig3 Adventure Hub
VISITING THE SKIBIG3 ADVENTURE HUB
- Safety protocol signage has been placed at the entrance and throughout the store.
- Masks or face-covering must be worn inside the store at all times.
- Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance, cash desk and in rental fitting area.
- Floor signs will direct you through the store and rental area allowing each guest ample space to explore and pick up what they need.
- Physical distance markers on the floor and flow reminders identify 6 -foot distancing protocol for rental and payment areas.
- Plexi-glass dividers at both the cashier desk and tech benches allow for the safety of both customers and employees.
PICKING UP YOUR RENTALS
- Rental check-in stations: monitors, keyboards and desks, will be sanitized between use.
- Boot fitting benches are separated to allow for appropriate spacing. Fitting benches will be sanitized between use.
- Rental returns will be received by staff and taken to a cleaning area for sanitization.
- Helmets are limited to usage of only once per day, which includes helmets used for sizing.
- Helmet exterior and chin strap will be wiped down with sanitizer and the interior sprayed between rental usage.
- Ski & snowboard boots (inside and out) will be sanitized, disinfected and dried between rental usage.
- Rental equipment will be kept in a “staff only” area in order to prevent unnecessary contact between rentals.
CLEANING PROTOCOLS
- Retail merchandise items handled by patrons will be set aside for cleaning before restocking.
- Employees will regularly clean and disinfect any high touch surfaces and equipment frequented by both employees and customers.
- A daily cleaning log will be kept and posted.
- Goggles and sunglasses will be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide wipes following any customer contact.
- Retail tiems such as helmets and thermals will be unavailable for fitting in-store, however a 7-day return policy is in place for refund or exchange. Items cannot be returned used and must be in re-sellable condition along with original packaging and receipt of purchase.
KEEPING CUSTOMERS AND THE SKIBIG3 TEAM SAFE
All SkiBig3 employees are trained on hygiene, sanitation (including sneezing/coughing etiquette) and updated policies and procedures related to preventing the spread of COVID-19. All SkiBig3 team members will follow cleaning and disinfecting practices described in the Alberta Health Services workplace guidelines.

All SkiBig3 Team members will wash hands and use sanitizer upon arrival to work, and will continue to wash hands and sanitize hands regularly throughout their shift.

Should a team member report or show any symptoms while at work, they will be immediately separated and contract tracing will be noted. SkiBig3 will notify all concerned parties and all appropriate work areas will be immediately sanitized.

Employees will launder reusable face masks and uniforms between shifts.

In addition to posted signage, employees will monitor customers for any COVID-19 symptoms prior to entry of the business and will request that guests not be allowed into the store should symptoms be noted.

Employee arrival and departure times, breaks and meetings will be staggered to reduce the number of team members in one place at a given time.

Should a guest show any symptoms while on premises, they will be immediately separated and requested to leave. All appropriate areas will be immediately sanitized.

SkiBig3 will train and educate all employees to monitor their own health and recognize COVID-19 symptoms.

Employees will be asked upon arrival if they have any symptoms of COVID-19. If symptoms are noted, the employee will be asked to remain home as per the protocols outlines by Alberta Health Services.
We thank you for your support and cooperation during these changing times. We look forward to helping you make the most of your adventure in Banff National Park!
Any questions? Please contact [email protected]