Banff and Lake Louise

Resort Overview

The ski towns of Banff and Lake Louise are home to three distinctive mountain resorts – Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt Norquay, which are all accessible by one lift ticket known as SkiBig3. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area is known for its exceptional natural beauty, rare wildlife and abundant land-forms.

Banff and Lake Louise are both surrounded by spectacular scenery. In Banff you will find ample accommodation options, trendy restaurants, bars and shopping, whereas the smaller village of Lake Louise is ideal for those seeking a luxury resort experience.

Located within easy distance of Calgary International Airport, Banff and Lake Louise are the ideal destinations for those seeking a high quality snow experience in one of the most spectacular parts of the world.

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Activities and Attractions

Combined, Banff’s three ski resorts boast over 3,100 hectare of skiable terrain, two gondolas, 26 chairlifts and 30 feet of feather-light, dry Canadian Rockies powder annually.

Mt. Norquay, the closest ski resort to Banff, is a smaller, family friendly resort with excellent beginner terrain. It is famous for being the training ground of Olympic and World Cup athletes.

Sunshine Village, a 15 minute-drive from Banff is home to three sprawling mountains and is recognised as Canada’s highest elevated resort. Here the terrain ranges from gentle beginner runs all the way up to extreme big mountain runs.

Lake Louise Ski resort, located just minutes from the village of Lake Louise, is known for its spectacular scenery and versatile terrain. Spread across four mountain faces, Lake Louise is one of the largest ski resorts in North America and boasts a variety of beginner, intermediate and expert runs.

Ski shuttles run from all major Banff hotels to all three ski areas and is included in the cost of your lift ticket. Ski lessons are available at all three ski resorts, with various options for beginners through to the advanced. Here the certified instructor will show you where to find the best powder and most stunning views.

Experienced skiers also flock to Banff National Park’s backcountry to find untouched powder. Other popular activities include snowmobile tours, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing and dog sledding. Off the snow you can relax in one of the hot springs, indulge in a spa treatment or enjoy the vibrant arts and culture scene with a number of museums and art galleries to explore.

Banff boasts a vibrant events calendar, including the renowned Banff Film and Book Festival, a Craft Beer Festival and the month long SnowDays Festival which features a variety of events, shows, and activities that combine history, culture and winter action.

Resort Services

The village of Banff has everything you need for an extended winter vacation with endless accommodation options on offer, including the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, known as the ‘Castle in the Rockies’. Banff is also home to over 125 bars and restaurants, plenty of retail shops, a cinema, medical centre, several supermarkets and a post office.

Lake Louise is smaller in comparison, with the main accommodation offering being the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This full service, luxury resort boasts eight restaurants, multiple bars, a ski shuttle service, ski rental and spa facilities. The nearby village of Lake Louise is home to additional dining options and facilities.

Banff and Lake Louise can be accessed from Calgary International Airport. Shuttle bus connections and private transfer options are available to both villages, with the trip taking two hours to Banff or three to Lake Louise.

Be sure to allow time for a day trip to explore the spectacular Icefields Parkway which links Banff and Jasper. This breathtaking journey is recognised as one of the most scenic drives in the world.