Banff Park has three ski areas, which together have formed a partnership for booking and promotional purposes. For information on all of the following, contact Ski Banff/Lake Louise, Box 1085, Banff, AB T0l 0C0 (tel. 403/762-4561; fax 403/762-8185; www.skibig3.com).
Banff Mount Norquay (tel. 403/762-4421; www.banffnorquay.com) has twin runs just above the town of Banff. They cater to family skiing and offer day care, instruction, and night skiing. Rates start at C$52 (US$41) for adults.
Skiers must ski or take a gondola to the main lifts at Sunshine Village (tel. 403/762-6500; www.skibanff.com) and the Sunshine Inn, a ski-in/ski-out hotel. Sunshine, located 15 minutes west of Banff off Highway 1, receives more snow than any ski area in the Canadian Rockies (more than 9m/30 ft. per year!). Lift tickets here start at C$65 (US$52) for adults.
Lake Louise Ski Area (tel. 800/258-SNOW in North America, or 403/552-3555) has been named the most scenic ski resort in North America by Ski magazine. It's also one of the largest in Canada, with 1,680 skiable hectares (4,200 acres) and 113 named runs. Rates are C$64 (US$51) for adults. Snowmaking machines keep the lifts running from November to early May.
A special lift pass for Banff Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise Ski Area allows skiers unlimited access to all three resorts (and free rides on shuttle buses between the ski areas). Passes for 3 days (minimum) start at C$195 (US$156) for adults and C$61 (US$49) for children.
