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The base of Sunshine Village with its lodges and lifts among dark pines, beneath snowy peaks under a blue sky

Resort guide · Canada

Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3): Our Ski Guide

Three ski resorts on one ticket inside Canada’s first national park: Banff Sunshine on the Continental Divide, the vast Lake Louise and Banff’s own Mt Norquay, with the castle hotel, the hot springs and the town between them.

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The back story

Season 2026/27: Sunshine and Lake Louise 6 Nov 2026, Norquay 7 Nov (tentative, skibig3.com); Lake Louise to 2 May 2027 (skilouise.com) · Ski area: Three resorts: Sunshine 3,358 acres, Lake Louise 4,400 acres, Norquay 190 acres · Top viewpoint: Banff Sunshine’s top, 2,730 m, on the Continental Divide · Lift pass: SkiBig3 ticket for all three, priced by date, up to 15% off online; Ikon Pass 7 shared days · National park: Parks Canada entry pass required; 30 m from elk and deer, 100 m from bears and wolves · Getting there: Calgary Airport (YYC): Banff about 90 min, Lake Louise 45 min further

  1. The back story

    Banff: the back story

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·In depth

    Hot springs found by railway workers, Canada’s first national park, Swiss guides and a ski camp cut on Mt Norquay in 1926: how Banff became the heart of skiing in the Canadian Rockies.

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Lift passes, ski schools and hire

  1. One ticket, three resorts

    SkiBig3 lift ticket

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Lift ticket, three resorts·€€€

    One lift ticket for Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay, with complimentary ski shuttles, grace days and delivery to your hotel; up to 15% less online.

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  2. Seven days shared, 2026/27

    Ikon Pass at the SkiBig3

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Season pass·€€€

    The 2026/27 Ikon Pass gives seven days shared across Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay with no blackout dates; the Ikon Base Pass gives five, with blackouts.

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  3. 3,358 acres on the Continental Divide

    Banff Sunshine Village

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Ski resort·€€€

    Three mountains on the Continental Divide, 15 minutes from Banff: 3,358 acres, 130 runs, a top at 2,730 m and two heated bubble chairs.

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  4. 4,400 acres, four mountain faces

    Lake Louise Ski Resort

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Ski resort·€€€

    One of North America’s largest ski areas, minutes from Lake Louise village: 4,400 acres, 169 runs and a season from 6 November 2026 to 2 May 2027.

    1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0Explore View on map

  5. Banff’s backyard, since 1926

    Mt Norquay

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Ski resort·€€

    The locals’ hill seven minutes from Banff, with the only night skiing in the national park, Tube Town and excellent beginner terrain.

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  6. Group, private and daycare lessons

    Banff Sunshine Snow School

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Ski and snowboard school·€€€

    Sunshine’s own school, with group and private lessons, multi-week programmes, adaptive lessons and Tiny Tiger daycare lessons.

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Where to stay, every budget

Who it suits. On a budget: The HI hostels in Banff and Lake Louise, complimentary ski shuttles on a SkiBig3 ticket, Wild Flour’s bread and night skiing at Mt Norquay. Mid-range: Suites at the Moose Hotel with its rooftop hot pools, lessons at Sunshine and après at Mad Trapper’s. Luxury: Fairmont Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise, the One-Key Post Hotel, and ski-in, ski-out nights at Sunshine Mountain Lodge.

  1. The ‘Castle in the Rockies’, since 1888 · In depth

    Fairmont Banff Springs

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Historic resort hotel·€€€€

    The ‘Castle in the Rockies’ since 1888, with the 40,000 sq ft Fairmont Spa, its indoor mineral pool and waterfall plunge pools, indoor and outdoor pools, 724 rooms and suites, the 1888 Chop House and Rundle Bar.

    405 Spray Avenue, Banff, ABExplore View on map

  2. On the shore of Lake Louise · In depth

    Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Lakeside resort hotel·€€€€

    On the shore of Lake Louise facing the Victoria Glacier, with BASIN Glacial Waters thermal bathing, Fairmont Spa Lake Louise, an indoor pool, steam room and whirlpool, 539 rooms and seven restaurants.

    111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, ABExplore View on map

  3. One MICHELIN Key (2025) · In depth

    Post Hotel & Spa

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Luxury hotel·€€€€

    A Relais & Châteaux log hotel on the Pipestone River in Lake Louise village, with Temple Mountain Spa, a Roman-inspired salt-water pool, riverfront cabins, The Dining Room, Chef’s Stübli and a cellar of more than 22,000 bottles.

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  4. The only ski-in, ski-out hotel in the park · In depth

    Sunshine Mountain Lodge

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Ski-in, ski-out hotel·€€€€

    The only ski-in, ski-out hotel in Banff National Park, high in Sunshine Village, with Banff’s largest outdoor hot tub, a cedar sauna, Cedar + Sage Spa, Eagle’s Nest Canadian Bistro and the Mad Trapper’s pub.

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  5. A minute’s walk from downtown Banff · In depth

    Moose Hotel & Suites

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Hotel·€€€

    A 174-room hotel on Banff Avenue, a minute from downtown, with Meadow Spa’s ten treatment rooms and private outdoor hot pool, two rooftop hot pools, a sauna, an indoor pool and Pacini Italian restaurant.

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  6. Shared rooms, private rooms and cabins

    HI Banff Alpine Centre

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Hostel·€

    A hostel on the edge of Banff with shared and private rooms, its own cabins, a bar and café, and a complimentary local bus pass.

    801 Hidden Ridge Way, Banff, ABExplore View on map

  7. In the village, close to the ski hill

    HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Hostel·€

    A hostel in Lake Louise village with private and family rooms, a fireplace lounge and Bill Peyto’s Café.

    203 Village Road, Lake Louise, ABExplore View on map

Restaurants and mountain huts

  1. Alberta farm to table

    The Bison

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Restaurant·€€€

    A farm-to-table restaurant in Banff whose menu changes with the seasons, with a patio built for the mountain views and live music on Thursdays.

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  2. Campfire cooking, spirits made in house

    Park Distillery

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Restaurant and distillery·€€

    A restaurant and working distillery in downtown Banff, with campfire-inspired cooking and spirits distilled from glacier water.

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  3. At the top of the Banff Gondola

    Sky Bistro

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Mountain restaurant·€€€

    Summit dining at the top of the Banff Gondola, with window sightlines from every table.

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  4. Banff’s artisan bakery for almost 20 years

    Wild Flour Bakery

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Bakery·€

    Banff’s local artisan bakery on Bear Street, baking bread every morning, with sandwiches, soups and gluten-free and vegan options.

    101-211 Bear Street, Banff, ABExplore View on map

  5. Farm-to-table on the mountain

    Whitehorn Bistro, Lake Louise

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Mountain restaurant·€€€

    The Lake Louise Ski Resort’s farm-to-table bistro on the mountain.

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  6. At the gondola base

    Creekside Restaurant, Banff Sunshine

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Restaurant·€€

    Sunshine’s restaurant at the base of the gondola, open daily from 11 am to 6 pm in winter.

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  7. Homestyle comfort food

    Cliffhouse Bistro, Mt Norquay

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Mountain restaurant·€€

    Mt Norquay’s on-mountain bistro for wholesome, homestyle food made from fresh, local ingredients.

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  8. Italian food on Banff Avenue

    Pacini, Moose Hotel

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Italian restaurant·€€

    Italian cooking at the Moose Hotel & Suites, a minute from downtown Banff.

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Après-ski and bars

  1. In the heart of Sunshine Village

    Mad Trapper’s

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Après bar·€€

    Banff Sunshine’s classic village après, with comfort food, a sunny deck and live music, open until 11 pm.

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  2. Mid-day après in Goat’s Gardens

    GOAT Club, Banff Sunshine

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Outdoor après·€€

    Outdoor mid-day après in Goat’s Gardens, with fire pits, day beds and DJs on selected weekends.

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  3. Boots off by the fire

    Chimney Corner, Sunshine Mountain Lodge

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Lodge bar·€€

    Après-focused food and drinks inside Sunshine Mountain Lodge, open to all, from 7 am to 9 pm.

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  4. At the Lake Louise base

    Powder Keg Lounge, Lake Louise

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Après lounge·€€

    The Lake Louise Ski Resort’s base lounge for fresh-baked pizza, wings, nachos and chili.

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  5. Where the locals après

    Lone Pine Pub, Mt Norquay

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Pub·€€

    Mt Norquay’s pub, where you hang out with the locals over a pint and nachos.

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  6. Euro-inspired cocktails

    Coco Lounge, Banff Sunshine

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Cocktail lounge·€€

    A laid-back, European-influenced lounge in the Centennial Daylodge in the heart of Sunshine Village.

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Shops

  1. Family-run in Banff since 1949

    Monod Sports

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Outdoor shop

    A family-owned outdoor shop in Banff since 1949, for technical clothing, footwear and gear.

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  2. Technical outerwear

    Arc'teryx Banff

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Brand store

    The Canadian brand’s Banff store for technical outerwear, in the town area.

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  3. Gear and apparel

    Atmosphere Banff

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Sporting goods

    Outdoor gear and apparel in the town of Banff.

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  4. Treats on the way home

    Banff Candy Store

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Sweet shop

    A sweet shop in the town of Banff.

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  5. Coffee to take home

    Banff Roasting Company

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Coffee roaster

    A local coffee roaster in the town of Banff.

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Spas and wellness

  1. Canada’s highest outdoor pool, since 1886

    Banff Upper Hot Springs

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Hot springs

    Parks Canada’s historic hot springs on Sulphur Mountain, kept at 37–40 °C, with views of Rundle and Cascade mountains.

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  2. Mineral pools in the castle

    Fairmont Spa, Banff Springs

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Hotel spa

    The Banff Springs spa, with waterfalls, mineral pools and steam rooms, and more than a century of welcoming guests.

    405 Spray Avenue, Banff, AB T1L 1J4Explore View on map

  3. Rooftop hot pools

    Meadow Spa & Pools, Moose Hotel

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Hotel spa

    Ten treatment rooms, a private outdoor hot pool and two rooftop hot pools at the Moose Hotel.

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  4. In Lake Louise village

    Temple Mountain Spa, Post Hotel

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Hotel spa

    The Post Hotel’s spa for massages, body therapies, facials and nails, open daily 10 am – 6 pm for guests 16 and over.

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  5. Begin in the Tea Garden

    Spa at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Hotel spa

    The Chateau’s spa, where treatments begin in a calm Tea Garden.

    111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, ABExplore View on map

Getting there

  1. Calgary Airport (YYC), 90 minutes

    Getting to Banff and Lake Louise

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Getting there

    Fly to Calgary International (YYC): Banff is a 90-minute drive on the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway, and Lake Louise 45 minutes further west.

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  2. Calgary Airport to Banff, since 1997

    Banff Airporter

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Airport shuttle

    The original Banff shuttle bus since 1997: door-to-door between Calgary Airport and Banff, with one stop in Canmore.

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  3. Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise

    Roam Transit

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Public bus

    Hybrid-electric buses around Banff and to Canmore and Lake Louise, including Route 1 to the hot springs and the 8X Lake Louise express.

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  4. Included with every SkiBig3 ticket

    SkiBig3 ski shuttles

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Ski shuttle

    Complimentary shuttles from Banff and Lake Louise hotels to all three resorts, included with every SkiBig3 lift ticket.

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  5. Required for every visitor

    Parks Canada entry pass

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Park pass

    Banff and Lake Louise lie inside Banff National Park, and every visitor needs a national park entry pass.

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Property: the neighbourhoods

  1. The town inside the park

    Town of Banff

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Neighbourhood

    The town on the Bow River, with Banff Avenue’s shops and restaurants, the hot springs and Mt Norquay seven minutes away.

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  2. Small and quiet, by the ski hill

    Lake Louise village

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Neighbourhood

    The hamlet at the foot of the Lake Louise Ski Resort, with the Post Hotel, the hostel and the lake a short drive up the hill.

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  3. Just outside the park

    Canmore

    Banff & Lake Louise (SkiBig3)·Neighbourhood

    The mountain town on the Bow River outside the park boundary, linked to Banff by Roam’s regional bus.

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