When heading off on our annual snow holiday, it goes without saying that we’re looking for a big ski destination with extensive terrain and superb snow conditions.
Winter is a wonderful time of year to visit the Rocky Mountains of Canada’s Alberta, which enjoys a seven-month ski season. The snow lies deep and fresh and the locals hunker down for the winter; with crackling fires to keep toasty and warm, signature hot dishes to fuel up on and incredible starry nights. You may even get lucky and see the northern lights.
The Skiing and Snowboarding
Banff Sunshine Village © Travel Alberta | John Price
Banff and Lake Louise offer one of North America’s largest ski destinations, being on every skier and snowboarder’s bucket list. Between them, they boast the most skiable acres in a national park in Canada, with 7,748 acres of powder perfect slopes.
Banff and Lake Louise open each season from early November right through to the following May. The three ski areas of Mt. Norquay, the Lake Louise Ski Area, and Banff Sunshine work together as the “Big Three,” and all are accessible with a single ski pass.
In this huge area, there’s terrain to suit every taste and ability. Fast, comfortable lifts whisk you up the slopes, where you can take in the some of the most magnificent mountain scenery in the world.
Although recreational skiers looking for endless miles of glorious, groomed terrain will find slopes that match their ability, the region is famed for its perfect powder and steep, deep terrain, where skiers can enjoy more of a challenge. Tuition is available for those wanting to graduate to the more exhilarating descents.
Of course, if you’ve never skied before, what better place to learn than in Alberta, at one of the world’s most spectacular ski resort destinations? Each of the three centres has dedicated beginners areas, with super enthusiastic and patient instructors ready to teach you.
Ski & Snowboard Mt. Norquay © Dan Evans
Off the slopes you can enjoy the magic of Alberta in winter by ice skating across frozen lakes; snowshoeing through the stunning national park with an expert guide, or dogsledding with huskies – a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t get back home!
There are also 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of maintained hiking trails so you can enjoy your own hikes through the incredible landscape. Natural hot springs provide a warm respite from outdoor adventures. Or enjoy the cosiness of a big mug of hot chocolate or glass of wine by the fire in one of a plethora of après-ski locations.
The Resorts of Banff and Lake Louise
Banff and Lake Louise are both key cultural and social hubs in Alberta, drawing visitors from all over the world year-round.
Banff Town
Banff is a vibrant, lively town chock-full of enticing cafes, restaurants, bars and other attractions, all surrounded by the stunning wilderness that is Banff National Park and the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains towering above. The local Mt. Norquay Ski Resort, which celebrates 100 years of skiing in 2026, is just a ten-minute drive from the heart of town.
Banff boasts a plethora of boutique shops, with central Banff Avenue and Bear Street being the main hubs for retail therapy. You might wish to shop for adventure gear, an original piece of art or just holiday souvenirs. The town is also home to galleries and museums as well as a great range of accommodation for all needs, tastes and budgets.
Wherever you turn and whatever you choose to try next, you’ll find friendly, outgoing locals who are all too keen to share their enthusiasm for Banff and make you feel welcome.
Lake Louise is a smaller community about 30 minutes north of Banff and close to the incredible Lake Louise ski area. Tucked right in the heart of nature, Lake Louise has long been a mecca for adventure and features incredible hiking and skiing just outside the village. You’ll find a variety of restaurants, a grocery store, bakery, deli, sporting goods store and visitor information centre. The stunning lake that the community is named after is perhaps the most well-known of Banff National Park’s glacial lakes, overlooked by the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. In the winter, you can ice-skate on the lake and even non-residents can explore the Chateau and enjoy their decadent afternoon tea.
Whether you choose to stay in Banff or Lake Louise, it’s easy to travel between the two ski towns and other attractions in the area on the reliable public transport network, some of it included in the regional ski pass.
Your Perfect Alberta Itinerary with Canadian Affair
To make the best of your winter holiday to Alberta and not miss out on the myriad of attractions this incredible destination offers, organise your trip with Canadian Affair. Their team know the region intimately and can tailor an itinerary for you from start to finish. Canadian Affair can book you direct flights from the UK to Calgary and the nearest airport to Banff and Lake Louise. They’ll also arrange transfers and accommodation to meet all preferences and budgets. They can even help with pre-booking ski lift passes and obtaining a National Park Pass, something that all visitors to Banff National Park are required to have regardless of the mode of travel.
© Lake Louise Ski Resort / Chris Moseley
The ski lifts are open from the start of November with the snowfall so reliable that Banff Sunshine is one of the very few resorts left in the world to open for and almost seven-month-long ski season without the need for snowmaking. This means you can visit earlier or later than most other resorts around the world. Canadian Affair will craft a ski holiday for you in November or May – with lower prices and even less crowded slopes during this shoulder season period.
Don’t Miss
Canadian Affair will also help arrange your visit to other unmissable sights in the region. For more than a century, visitors have been taking in the scenic snowy views while floating in the warm waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs – which are up to 104°F (40°C). Due to the Springs’ popularity, Canadian Affair recommend visiting early in the morning or later at night – perhaps after a day on the slopes. There are also a vast catalogue of large frozen lakes to visit, including Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake.
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon (above) is a winter wonderland for hikers, with a well-maintained trail that leads past frozen waterfalls and other icy wonders. You can hike the canyon yourself or book a guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide to make the most of your visit.
The Banff Park Museum, the oldest natural history museum in Western Canada, will delight culture lovers, housed in a log cabin built in 1903. Nearby is the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, founded by landscape artists Peter and Catharine Whyte, which showcases the culture and history of the mountains that dominate the landscape around you. You can also learn about the region’s original inhabitants at the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum.
Banff and Lake Louise have a busy events calendar right throughout the seven-month ski season. The Banff Yoga and Wine Festival takes place just as the season is getting started in November, then SnowDays takes place in January and into February. During this festival, the Ice Magic event produces a glittering display of ice sculptures in Lake Louise, whilst the streets of downtown Banff become a vast open-air art gallery with giant snow sculptures everywhere. There are also traditional skijoring races (skiers towed behind horses) and the SnowDays Play Zone for the kids.
Whenever you visit, you’ll love Alberta’s Banff and Lake Louise.
Example itinerary
Call Canadian Affair on 0203 642 5613 to book a tailor-made winter holiday to Alberta.
Main Image © Travel Alberta / Mike Seehagel
