About This Resort
Skiable Terrain: 3,358 acres
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20%Expert
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55%Intermediate
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25%Beginners
Resort Features:
- Fantastic For Families
- Great Nightlife
- Ideal First Ski Holiday
- Off the Slope Activities
- True Canadian Town
Resort Info
A Banff ski holiday is the perfect choice for great skiing in a naturally beautiful winter wonderland. The resort town of Banff lies in the midst of Banff National Park at the heart of the Canadian Rockies, one of the most glorious places on Earth. If your idea of a luxury ski holiday is to enjoy incomparable scenery, with vast rocky peaks rising high above frozen lakes and snow-laden, tree-covered slopes, then Banff is the place for you. It is also one of the most natural places in the world to ski; no purpose-built village here, just three amazing ski areas – Mt Norquay at Banff, Lake Louise Ski Resort and, between the two, Banff Sunshine – all available on one lift ticket.
On your ski holiday to Banff there is much to appeal to all levels of skier and boarder, but more advanced intermediates and experts have most to relish.
Banff Sunshine is where most Banff guests focus their ski holiday. Just 20 minutes from town, surrounded by huge peaks and enjoying an average annual snowfall of around 30 feet, Banff Sunshine ski resort is a simply stunning place to ski and board. Its impressive array of terrain includes some gnarly double black diamonds and the off-piste, controlled access, Delirium Dive and Wild West areas, along with plenty for novices and those who love just to cruise! Its reliable, natural snow means it typically offers a lengthy season from mid-November until mid May – the best choice for a late season ski holiday to Banff.
Mt. Norquay’s proximity to Banff, just five minutes drive or bus ride away, makes it an attractive alternative to the other larger areas. There is some enjoyable skiing, from tree lined blue trails to more adventurous black diamond terrain. Night skiing is another attraction on offer at Mt. Norquay to help make the most of the slopes during your Banff ski holiday.
A ski holiday to Banff can be easily combined with Kicking Horse or Jasper, as well as being a great twin centre stay when combined with Lake Louise Ski Resort. You can even include a heli-skiing trip – several heli centres are within a couple of hours drive.
Off the Slopes
Banff is an authentic Canadian town surrounded by sublime scenery. There are plenty of dining and après choices, and the lively vibe of the town, with its bars, restaurants and clubs is not to be missed.
As well as the fantastic skiing, there are many other ways of taking in the spectacular terrain of the local area, including iceclimbing, ice walk tours, dogsledding trips and tobogganing. You can also sample the delights of the towns’ spas and Banff’s Upper Hot Springs. Maybe even consider a visit to Calgary to watch the Flames play Ice Hockey.
Another recent addition to the entertainments offered in the town is a 6-lane bowling alley called High Rollers, which also serves New York-style pizza and stocks 48 craft beers on tap.
Resort Stats
| Banff Sunshine |
Mt. Norquay |
|
| Base elevation | 5,440 feet | 5,350 feet |
| Top elevation |
8.954 feet | 7,000 feet |
| Vertical drop |
3,514 feet | 1,650 feet |
| Number of runs |
137 plus gladed areas and offshoots |
74
|
| Advanced | 25% | 44% |
| Inter | 55% | 36% |
| Novice | 20% | 20% |
| Lifts
|
12 including 1 high-speed gondola,1 high- speed bubble heated quad, 8 high-speed quads. |
6 including 1 high- speed quad, 2 quads. |
| Lift capacity
|
20,000 skiers per hour |
7,000 skiers per hour |
| Terrain Park | Rails, tables and boxes |
Rails, tables and boxes |
| Average annual snowfall |
360 inches |
120 inches |
| Skiable terrain | 3,358 acres |
190 acres |
| Ski season |
mid-Nov – mid-May |
mid-Nov – late Apr |
Frontier’s Personal Experience