Up over the border in Alberta, you’ll find skiing and riding for all ability levels, friendly faces, and hot tubs galore.
Tired of the late-season heat, eh? Dreaming of winter already? Us, too! And we can’t think of a better way to get through the next few months than by planning a winter escape.
If you’re itching to travel but not too far, the Canadian Rockies are calling. The allure of winter amid snowcapped peaks and stunning ’scapes is undeniable. Banff and Lake Louise create the core of this winter wonderland, home to the infamous SkiBig3: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay, each with its own unique vibe. These resorts and their magical surroundings merge to offer a pristine playground suited for those who yearn for adventure and want a proper break from it all. Deep pow turns, fresh air, hot springs, fine food, nighttime excursions—keep reading for all the reasons this fantastic area should be on your winter must-visit list.
SLOPE SIDE
Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay are more than ski resorts; they’re gateways to adventure set against some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth. And they collectively boast varied terrain, from gentle slopes for beginners to steep chutes for thrill-seekers.
Earn Your Turns
If you love hike-to terrain, you’ll find enough to keep you busy and grinning from ear to ear. But take note: Some of this hike-to magic is only accessible to those skiing with a partner (or two) and fully equipped with avalanche gear.
Here’s a rundown of some of our favorite spots. At Banff, if you’re looking for some steep-and-deep lines, Delirium Dive and the Wild West can’t be missed. Both require avalanche safety equipment and training as well a partner, and may be closed if conditions are dangerous. However, if you are lucky enough to ski these wild zones, you’ll be rewarded with pucker-worthy drop-ins, steep chutes, and memories to last a lifetime.
Not sure if you’re up for the Dive? Hit Wildside or Farside chutes on Goat’s Eye as a warmup. If you’re comfortable here, you are likely ready for the more committed routes. And, if you’re not sure about going it on your own, hire a guide who can assess your skills and show you the ropes. Other spots to check out are the Shoulder on Lookout Mountain and Paris Basin on Mt. Standish.
At Lake Louise, we love West Bowl, a zone for intermediates, advanced, and experts alike that opened for the first time in 25 years in 2020. Though this is inbounds terrain (previously side country and backcountry), avalanche gear and skills are highly recommended. On the Back Side, check out Hikers Paradise, which lives up to its name with endless open zones that hold pow.
Ski In Style
Despite the rugged mountains surrounding you, you’ll benefit from modern comforts. New chairlifts (think the Super Angel Express Heated Bubble Chairlift at Banff Sunshine and the Upper Juniper Express at Lake Louise) elevate the skiing experience via cozy, heated seats and protective bubbles against the elements. The Super Angle replaces Banff’s oldest high-speed quad with a state-of-the-art six-passenger luxury lift. The new Upper Juniper Express delivers the ultimate access to Lake Louise’s West Bowl, featuring some of Canada’s most thrilling and challenging inbounds terrain (for intermediates to experts).
BEYOND THE SLOPES
While delivering world-class skiing and riding, SkiBig3 also serves up many activities and excitement off the hill.
Night Moves
When the sun goes down, a lot of fun opportunities come up. If you’re lucky, the northern lights will appear; winter and early spring are the best times to test your aurora luck. Try Lake Minnewanka, Vermillion Lakes, or Two Jack Lake. Or, drive up the Icefields Parkway for some super dark skies. Take a quick hike to the shore of Bow Lake and be wowed.
A nighttime snowshoe tour at Lake Louise Ski Resort allows you to explore the slopes differently and get a glimpse behind the scenes at a ski resort. If you’re staying at Sunshine Mountain Lodge at Banff, night sky viewing opps abound, aand Banff offers its own fun and unique nighttime snowshoe tour.
For a cultural experience unlike any other, take the Banff Gondola to check out Nightrise at the top of Sulphur Mountain. This immersive experience merges multimedia art with nature. Created in partnership with the Indigenous peoples of the Stoney Nakoda Nation, it aims to help people connect with the mountains in a new way.
Wild Ice
A trip North usually brings colder temps. Embrace the freeze and channel your inner Olympian by cruising “wild ice” on skates. Many local lakes freeze solid, including iconic Lake Louise, offering an enchanting way to experience winter. Or, leave the skates and walk along frozen pathways in Johnston and Grotto Canyons, where you can explore massive ice pillars in winding, rocky gorges. If you’d like to get vertical amid the ice, try ice climbing or canyoning; take a guided tour to get the most out of it.
Restore and Relax
Into each vacation, a little rest must fall. And the heart of the Canadian Rockies has some sweet opportunities.
Hot Water
Get ready to unwind at Fairmont Banff Springs’ new outdoor sauna, offering breathtaking views of Cascade Mountain. Don’t miss the guided sound bathing, meditation, and forest bathing led by Banff’s only forest bathing-certified guide.
Just 50 miles from Banff, Kananaskis Nordic Spa awaits you with its serene surroundings. Immerse yourself in Nordic hydrotherapy guided by the mantra: hot, cold, rest, repeat. Enjoy five outdoor pools, six saunas and steam cabins, outdoor fire pits, hammocks, and more.
Coming Soon
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is adding a cutting-edge thermal wellness facility set to open in the summer of 2025. It will be an eco-friendly sanctuary offering an outstanding new level of guest experience.
Cover photo taken of Mount Norquay by Dan Evans
