BANFF, CANADA

The Resorts

Banff is a unique, stunning location, and is home to 3 renown ski resorts, 2 of which can be named among Canada’s largest ski areas . The combination of having so many resorts and so much ski terrain within close proximity to Banff means you really do have the largest and most diverse ski area in Canada at your fingertips.

Mt Norquay

The smallest of the three with 190 acres of skiable terrain but the closest to Banff, only requiring a 7 minute drive from the centre of Banff itself. Although this resort is small and with limited runs compared to Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, this is a fantastic place for ski schools to race train due to steep pistes with fantastic fall lines, perfect for timed gate runs. This is also a super fun resort for families looking for a brilliant ski school to send their kids to with plenty of young and enthusiastic instructors and without the same high population of advanced skiers and snowboarders that you find at the two larger resorts.

**image credit to Dan Evans / Mt Norquay

Sunshine Village

After a 20 minute drive to the base of the resort and an incredible scenic 15 minute gondola ride up into the mountains you arrive in the heart of Sunshine Village resort.

This is one of Canadas highest mountain resorts, with a massive annual snowfall which means that winter conditions are never an issue!

More limited in size and terrain than Lake Louise, Sunshine Village makes up for this with two renown inbound free ride zones, amazing access to incredible back country touring for those experience to do so and a great mix of on piste terrain to suite anyone.

**image credit to Banff Sunshine Village

Lake Louise

Leaving the best to last, Lake Louise is the crown of the Rocky Mountains. The largest resort in the Rockies with a massive 4,200 acres of skiable terrain at your finger tips. Lake Louise an amazing dedicated powder section and an abundance of long on and off-piste runs  and challenging steep sections. Need I say any more? You can already see why it is worth venturing just that little further from Banff before clicking into your skis or snowboard. Ask anyone who has been and they will tell you the same thing, it’s worth the wait!

**image credit to Reuben Krabbe / SkiBig3

Activities

Being a central point for so many resorts means that Banff has a huge infrastructure to support many activities throughout the year. Excluding all the popular summer activities such as White Water Rafting, hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking and other more popular summer activities, there is so much to do within the winter season in the Banff area.

***Photo credit goes to Paul Zizka, Devaan Ingraham, Darren Roberts, Noel Hendrickson

Nightlife

This is one area that Banff really needs no introduction in. Banff is known across North America as THE party town of the Rocky Mountains and indeed Canada. At the last count Banff has over 130 venues to eat and drink at, many of which draw in busy crowds every night of the week. With so many drawn to the world class ski resorts surrounding Banff, you can be sure that after a long day on the slopes, the town comes alive!

From the Banff Ave Brewing Company to the Rose and Crown, Pump & Tap, Bruno’s, Tommys Neighbourhood pub, Wild Bills Legendary Saloon, High Rollers, The Devils Gap, the Dancing Sasquatch and many more, the list goes on! There is without a doubt something for everyone, no matter your taste, preference towards gin bar, wine bar or micro brewery, you will not be disappointed with variety to be found in Banff.

**Photo credit to Destination Canada, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka Photography