This distinctive alpine resort provides an ideal home base to explore the surrounding natural beauty. They offer a wide range of accommodations including studios, lofts, one one bedroom loft condos, rustic chalets and large specialty suites. All units come with fully-equipped kitchens, and many have wood-burning fireplaces. Included in every SkiBig3 Lift Ticket is complimentary ski shuttle service that runs regularly to all three ski resorts. The Roam bus service, Canada’s first all-hybrid electric community bus service, can get you around town. From the base area, you have a 20-minute gondola ride up to the resort.
It has by far the most lodging options, at all price points, though Lake Louise has the poshest. Banff has a vibe similar to Jackson, Wyoming. There are many chain hotels in the town, all within walking distance from everything. The Fairmont Banff Springs is the most famous and most luxurious of all the Canadian Pacific’s railway hotels. It is known as “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies”, a majestic castle-like icon. It is huge, with multiple restaurants, a big spa and everything you could want under one roof, though it is on the far edge of town and harder to walk from. You can spend that much on a single night’s hotel room in Vail or Aspen or Deer Valley.
- The Lake Louise Ski Resort’s first gondola was opened in 1959. Since then, the resort has had 10 lifts, six chairs and three surface lifts.
- Three of the most iconic Canadian Rockies mountain resorts share one SkiBig3 Lift ticket, which gives you access to 8,000 acres of skiing and 26 chairlifts. There is also a pile of legendary powder snow.
- The skiing is mostly above the treeline and the views are breathtaking on a clear day.
- Fairmont Banff Springs has 768 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and attentive, personal service.
- Families love our two giant indoor waterslides, swimming pool, and kiddie pool.
The 5-day ski pass can be used over 7 days, offering 2 days off to relax and enjoy some of the many winter activities Banff has to offer. Transfers to and from each resort are included. Ski Norquay Mount Norquay can be found amongst Banff National Park’s Rocky Mountains. An ideal location just moments away from the conveniences of the Banff town site, enjoy spectacular views and minimal lineups at this smaller, well-maintained resort.
Mount Norquay has terrain to suit all skill levels and interests, including a great terrain park for those interested in practicing their stunt performance. The impressive hand hewn logs that accent the building’s exterior and lobby create the spectacular ambiance of this mountain lodge.
The Lake Louise Ski Resort’s first gondola was opened in 1959. Since then, the resort has had 10 lifts, six chairs and three surface lifts. Note that almost every chair has either a beginner, intermediate, or advance run leaving from it, so practically the entire mountain is accessible to everyone. And there’s lots to explore, over 4,200 acres of skiable terrain ensures that you’ll have your own space to shred, even on the busiest of days.
Banff’s inland location, bordering Alberta and Interior British Columbia, ensures that there is light, fluffy powder. This makes skiing in Banff or Lake Louise even more enjoyable. We easily could have walked, but it was a wee bit chilly, so we took advantage of the hotel’s complimentary shuttle to get into town and the city’s free bus service to get back. What’s even better is you have several options on ski resorts and areas to stay that can cater to a variety of preferences! I hope this blog about where to stay in Banff for skiing helped you figure out what the right area is for you to stay in and some hotel options. As with all ski resorts, there are pros who can teach kids and adults, and a ski school I recommend to any family with young children. SkiBig3 offers Guided Adventures, which we made use of when a ski instructor toured us through the three resorts in back-to-back-to-back ski days.
The lobby’s large fieldstone fireplace invites you to relax before the crackling flames of its massive hearth. The lodge has 195 rooms, including 6 stunning loft suites. You can reach downtown shops and restaurants by a pleasant 10-minute stroll or by the Banff Transit. Friendly and outgoing staff are always available to offer information or suggestions about any of Banff’s many exciting activities. These storms are rare, however. There are several private transportation options to Banff if you don’t want to drive.
The resort has 171 rooms that are well-equipped and include studios, lodge rooms, and suites. On-site amenities include indoor pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, Mountain Health & Fitness Club with full gym, sauna, and massage therapy. You can take a complimentary shuttle from the hotel to downtown Banff. Peppers Bar & Deli or Seasons Restaurant are great options for dining on-property. Skiers and boarders have more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain spread over three world-class ski resorts and accessed with one tri-area lift ticket. With more than 274 named trails, every level of skiing is well represented at Banff’s three resorts.
From the center, several lifts go out to the mountains and ridges in the area. Since the resort base is high in elevation, most of the runs are relatively short. There are many terrain options and there is something for everyone. Banff’s ski resorts are situated in the national park so there are not many villages or accommodation options nearby.
- Lake Louise is an easy drive of about 40 minutes from downtown Banff along a divided highway, and still within Banff National Park.
- In 1882 Tom Wilson, the first non-native to view Lake Louise, described the moment he discovered these sights by saying “I never, in all my explorations, saw such a matchless scene”.
- We easily could have walked, but it was a wee bit chilly, so we took advantage of the hotel’s complimentary shuttle to get into town and the city’s free bus service to get back.
- Like the other two mountains in the National Park, there are stunning views from all over the slopes.
- Sunshine Village Sunshine Village is conveniently located 20 minutes west of Banff via the Trans Canada Highway.
We also visited the Rimrock Lodge which offers breathtaking views. I was unable to make it to the Banff Hot Springs so that is still on my bucket-list. Call me at ext 3692 or email and let’s discuss a trip to Banff and Lake Louise. A big perk of skiing in Banff is the fact that you can buy the SkiBig3 pass and get access to all three resorts, which lay claim to nearly 8,000 acres of skiing, two gondolas and 26 chairlifts.
Thanks to the altitude, it also receives plenty of natural snow, appealing to even the pickiest of powder junkies. You might be able to get more if you have been slamming the terrain park and slopes all day. It all depends on the day. If it’s a Friday or Saturday, you can keep on going; the lifties flick the lights on at 5pm and keep them on until 9pm, so you can enjoy some night skiing. The resort receives on average 10 feet of snow each year and has snowmaking coverage on 85 percent of the mountain, ensuring a good blanket of the wonderful white stuff.