10 Reasons to Visit Banff & Lake Louise This Winter

The Ski Safari team has been skiing and snowboarding (and ice skating, snowshoeing, hiking, sightseeing, dog sledding, dining, drinking and dancing) here for over two decades - including two team trips last winter - and we’re going to tell you why we (and our customers) keep going back for more.

If you like what you see and want to speak to someone who has first-hand experience skiing and staying in Banff and Lake Louise, enquire online or call our friendly, knowledgeable team on 01273 224060.

By Rupert Hatfield, Canada Product Manager

The town of Banff and the three resorts of Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt. Norquay sit within the stunning Banff National Park in the heart of Alberta's Rocky Mountains.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, it offers some of the most spectacular scenery in North America and is one of the most photographed areas in the world. It also boasts some of the world's finest unspoiled ecosystems.

The views from the upper slopes at the three resorts are so attention-grabbing that you'll find it hard to focus on your skiing - I guarantee you'll spend the first couple of days taking far more photos than lifts.

Back in the town of Banff, the sight of Cascade Mountain to the north and Mt Rundle to the southeast will stop you in your tracks. Before you head off to ski, pose for a photo on Banff Avenue when it's quiet in the morning. The best spot is on the junction of Caribou Street outside the Mount Royal Hotel.

Even if you're not staying there, take a detour to Lake Louise after a day at the resort (they're a 10-15 minute drive apart) and walk out onto the lake.

An average of nine metres of dry, fluffy white powder falls every winter, making Banff a sure bet for guaranteed snow. The long season typically starts in early November and lasts long into May. In fact, the resorts only close when they do because the government insists!

The height and climate of this area play a big part in the legendary quality and quantity of the snow and they certainly make the most of it.

Banff Sunshine prides itself on its natural snow - instead of making any, they capture all of it with cleverly placed fences, building a snowpack without the need for artificial help, which they then move around the mountain as required. This ticks another box for us with the obvious environmental benefit of leaving a smaller carbon footprint, but it also slows down and allows for maximum use of snowmelt at the end of the season.

The snow is also known for being soft and forgiving due to milder temperatures than other areas and frequent snowfall. This allows you to tackle steeper terrain and challenging bumps without having to worry so much about taking a tumble.

The three resorts included on the SkiBig3 lift ticket, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay, provide a total ski area of 7,748 acres. Combined, that's second only to Whistler in Canada! Across the three resorts, the terrain is incredibly varied with plenty for all abilities from complete beginners up to seasoned experts. One visit here is never enough - which is why we keep going back!

We usually find that most of our time is spent in Banff Sunshine (20 minutes from Banff town), with three mountains offering everything from beginner runs to some of North America's most challenging steeps, notably Delirium Dive, plus it has the most snow (see above). This is also our favourite resort for family skiing as it's where most of the ski schools operate and it has superb, confidence-building slopes which all lead back to the same base.

Lake Louise (40 minutes from Banff) is the largest area and arguably the most scenic. At 4,200 acres it's one of the largest single ski areas in North America. The gladed terrain on the front side here is absolutely fantastic and suitable for all levels, while the 'ski anywhere' terrain off the Summit Chair and in the Back Bowls will test the hardiest of skiers and snowboarders. It's the furthest away from Banff, but you can stay locally for quicker access and more time to explore the incredible lake itself.

There are two ways to look at Mt Norquay, the smallest area but also the closest to Banff (10-15 minutes away). With just 31 runs it makes for a great warm-up day with minimal travel time. But don't be fooled by the piste map. Many of the greens here would be graded blue elsewhere, the blues lean towards black and the huge mogul runs off the North American chair are steep enough to test anyone. It's also great for a poor weather day as all the slopes are below the tree line, and the free tubing (included on your lift pass) is a fantastic way to end the day.

We absolutely love Banff town. It's hugely popular in the summer, so winter is the best time to visit to avoid the tourist crowds and benefit from much better accommodation rates - sometimes as much as a third of the price of peak summer dates. Banff is a working town where you'll rub elbows with friendly locals - make sure to ask them for their favourite places to ski, eat and drink!

There are almost 100 places to stay (we offer 11 of the best), ranging from great value 3* inns to luxurious 5* hotels and everything in between. Our top picks (and regular customer favourites) include the 3*+ Elk + Avenue Hotel and 4* Mount Royal Hotel, both on Banff Avenue within steps of the many restaurants, bars and shops. Or for a memorable stay, the full-service 5* Fairmont Banff Springs sits at the foot of Sulphur Mountain and features everything you could possibly need on-site - 50 shops and boutiques, 17 restaurants, bars and lounges, ski hire, shuttle buses and an incredible spa.

Banff Avenue is the heart of the town, with most of the cafes, restaurants and bars along a few blocks to the south and most of the accommodation to the north. There are also more than 100 shops to pick up souvenirs for family and friends or find your new favourite work of art.

If you prefer the quieter side of life, you can also stay at Lake Louise, either in the small village with a few restaurants and shops or right by the lake itself in the iconic 5* Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

With over 130 cafés, restaurants and bars in Banff, you'll find everything from family-run diners, fast food restaurants and cosy bars to artisan coffee shops, craft beer pubs and fine dining. There really is something for all tastes and budgets.

For a full list of where to eat and drink, see the Banff Dining Guide, but a few of our team favourites include:

• Whitebark Cafe for great coffee plus pastries, sandwiches and snacks to take to the mountain
• Coyotes for a proper sit-down breakfast
• Anejo for authentic Mexican flavours and twice daily happy hour - 3-5pm and 9pm to close
• Park Distillery for award-winning small-batch spirits and filling burgers and steaks
• Brazen for bold, modern flavours and reimagined classics
• Shoku Izakaya for a touch of Japan in Banff, Asian small plates and cocktails
• Nourish for veggies and vegans - plus a big beer list on tap
• Sky Bistro for a special treat, dining 2,900 ft above Banff

A few must-tries include Alberta beef, poutine, BeaverTails and of course everything maple syrup - you'll often smell it as you walk around town!

On-mountain, all three resorts feature canteen-style lodges, but I would recommend trying some of the table-service options including Lone Pine at Norquay, the Eagle's Nest at Sunshine and Sawyer's Nook at Lake Louise. You won't pay much more for much better service and food!

Banff and Lake Louise deliver a full winter experience with so much to do when you're not skiing or snowboarding. Banff National Park is huge and can be explored in a host of ways - horse sleigh rides, winter walks, snowshoeing, dog sledding and fat biking are all popular.

Create moments you'll never forget by ice skating on Lake Louise, joining a guided icewalk through Johnston Canyon or finding pristine, untouched powder on a heli-skiing trip.

Two must-do activities are taking Banff Gondola up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain - where you can follow a trail through the woods to lookout points back over the town, enjoy an immersive sound and lighting show and dine at altitude at the Sky Bistro - - and tubing at Mt Norquay. Included on your lift pass, choose from three sessions (we like the night session at 5pm to maximise ski time) and spend hours flying down Alberta's longest tube lanes.

There's plenty to do on a poor weather day, including spas, museums, galleries and bowling, and there are regular events throughout the season too. Ones to watch out for include the Christmas light show, SnowDays festival in Banff, Ice Magic in Lake Louise and Skijoring (skiers being pulled through town by cowboys on horses!).

In 1883, three railway workers discovered a hot spring on the slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the rest is history! Since their first discovery and the ensuing late 19th-century craze for the “water cure”, many spas were opened and people flocked to Banff to enjoy the purported healing properties of the mineral-rich springs. Our favourite is the last remaining and most historic public bath - the Upper Hot Springs.

With all the facilities of a modern spa, the Upper Hot Springs are set against Banff's impressive backdrop. The water is heated geothermally, bubbling up to the surface from three kilometres into the earth's crust. Sitting in the pools and watching the snow fall on the surrounding peaks is nothing short of magical.

It's not the only way to unwind either! Many of the hotels in Banff and Lake Louise feature outdoor hot tubs and pools - including a few on rooftops - while the Fairmont Banff Springs SPA is one of the best I've visited and is open to visitors even if you're not staying at the hotel. The 40,000 square foot spa features three waterfall whirlpools, an indoor mineral pool, an outdoor heated pool plus hot tubs, saunas and a relaxing lounge with complimentary food and drink.

Needless to say, it's a national park! Expect to see caribou and elk literally walking the streets of Banff town. Look a little further and you will find moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pine martens and all kinds of birds. Lynx have been known to make an appearance and there are an estimated 65 grizzly bears in Banff National Park. As they tend to hibernate from November to March, we've yet to see any up close!

For the best chance of spotting wildlife, we recommend heading to more secluded areas on the outskirts of town at sunrise or sunset. Make sure to keep your distance and take binoculars or a camera with a good zoom lens so that you don't have to get too close.

Canada is known for being one of the friendliest countries in the world, and Banff and Lake Louise are no exception. Expect a warm welcome and a smile wherever you go, from the hotel and restaurant staff to the lifties, ski school instructors and activity guides.

Don't be shy and strike up conversations on the lifts and in the bars - you'll meet people from all walks of life who share a passion for skiing and adventure in the outdoors.

Even better, why not ski with the locals? Both Sunshine Village and Lake Louise offer free group mountain tours where volunteers will show you around the mountains, guiding you to the best lifts, areas and runs. In Sunshine, look out for the blue jackets in front of the Old Sunshine Lodge at 11:45am daily. In Lake Louise, look out for the yellow jackets at at left side of the base area at 10am and 1:15pm. They're usually retired locals with more than a few good stories to tell!

One of the very best value-for-money destinations in North America, you can be sure that you'll not pay over the odds for a truly incredible ski holiday in Banff any time you choose to visit. In fact, it's the most affordable option in our North America programme this winter, with 10 nights from £1,105pp!

The lift pass also offers superb value, covering all three ski areas and including free and easy travel there and back on the regular shuttle.

For an idea of prices throughout the season, see our Banff & Lake Louise Ski Offers & Prices.

Call our friendly, knowledgeable team on 01273 224060 (Monday to Friday) or request a quotation online and we'll help you plan and book your perfect Banff ski holiday.

Our team visit every year and are ready to help using their own personal experience.

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