Banff National Park. Canada’s first national park, and the world’s third. UNESCO World Heritage site. Home to Grizzly bears, wolves, marmots, wolverines…and powder hounds!
With almost 20 feet of snowfall to date and 8,000 acres to ski (that’s over 32 square km’s) at THREE terrific resorts, it is a great time to head to the Canadian Rockies. Here is some information and links to help convince you that, yep, it’s time to shred.

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Just a few minutes from downtown Banff, Mt Norquay has been taking skiers on a ride since 1926. Perfect for the whole family, hop on any of the five lifts (especially the Big Chair), or hit the terrain park-even on Friday and Saturday NIGHTS under the lights! Even if skiing isn’t your thing, Mt Norquay has a super fun tube park and a newly re-opened historic tea house that has one of the best views in the park.

And for Alberta residents, there is no better deal than ‘Toonie Thursdays’-lift passes for $2 on the second Thursday of the month (Feb. 9, Mar 8, Apr 12). No fine print. No catch. Just skiing for $2!

Even Marilyn Monroe loved the view from Mt Norquay

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The Lake Louise Ski Area has over 4200 acres to ski over four mountain faces in one of North America’s largest ski hills. Back bowls? Check. Terrain Park? Check. 9 lifts accessing over 100 km’s of runs? Check.

With mind blowing views over the Canadian Rockies and beautiful lodges to catch your breath and refuel, a day at the Lake is like no other! Keep track of the current conditions at Lake Louise with their weekly YouTube updates, featuring the legendary ‘Rocket’ Miller-Snow Safety Manager at Lake Louise, and a host of other Lake Louise insiders. And if you want to really hone your skills, check out the ‘First Tracks’ program which gets you instruction AND access to the runs a 1/2 hour before they open the mountain.

Lodge of the Ten Peaks at the base of Lake Louise Ski Area

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Sunshine Village doesn’t have any man made snow. With over 30 feet dropping in an average year, it doesn’t need to! A premier ski-in, ski-out resort, Sunshine Village offers up over 3,300 acres of fun on 82 km’s of runs over 12 lifts on three mountains.

Take in Goat’s Eye mountain, challenge the steep and fresh snow of Delirium Dive (avi gear required), huck a 360 in the Rogers Terrain Park, or just relax in the on hill resort’s hot tub-it’s all here. Just a short 15 minute drive from Banff, relax as Sunshine’s high speed gondola takes you to the highest elevated ski area in Canada. 

And it’s open until the May long weekend-the final ski day is the season ending ‘Slush Cup’ party (not to be missed)-which means you have seven months to enjoy all the snow.

You may want to pack a snorkel…

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