Winter Sports in Banff

Albertans often complain that our winters last for 6 months. Half the year with snow and cold is more than enough. But, it does allow for us to enjoy a lot of winter sports. Banff is the destination of choice for many of the winter activities in Alberta. And, for those coming to visit from warmer climates, it provides something unique and some great stories to tell for when you get home.

Obviously, the most popular winter sport in the mountains is skiing. Banff National Park has three ski hills: Lake Louise, Sunshine, and Norquay. A fourth, Nakiska, is just a half-hour drive out of the park in Kananaskis. Lake Louise is a very famous ski hill, and it's one of Canada's premiere ski resorts. There's a lot of terrain, usually pretty good snow, and it's easy to get to off the Trans-Canada Highway. Sunshine Village requires a gondola to access the ski area. But, once up there, it's a great hill. Sunshine is very close to the town of Banff, and it has a lot of quad chair lifts, meaning you won't have to ever wait in line too long. Norquay is right beside the town of Banff, but it's not as good as the other two.

The Canadian Rockies Adventure Centre has things to do all year, but in winter they offer snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and many others. There main office is in Canmore, but their tours take guests all throughout Kananaskis and Banff National Park.

Lake Minnewanka is the only place in Banff where tourists can scuba diving. Even in the winter, they do scuba. But, you can also ice fish, cross-country ski, and snowshoe in the lake area.

Sunshine Village Ski Resort

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expert pick

119 Banff Avenue

All Natural Snow, 15 minutes from Banff...
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Canadian Rockies Rafting and Adventure Centre

expert pick

701 Bow Valley Trail

The leader in Canadian Rockies adventures...
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Lake Louise Ski Resort

Box 5, 1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise

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Grotto Canyon Icewalk

See unique rock formations and Native Canadian rock art...
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Lake Louise

expert pick

Famous lake with dog sled rides, hikes, and cross-country trails...
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Healy Creek

Sunshine Road

One of the few Mountain Biking trails in the National Park...
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Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake

Recreation area for hiking, biking, fishing, and scuba...
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Brewster Adventures

PO Box 370

Trail rides, sleigh rides, and back-country-by-horseback...
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Mount Norquay

Mount Norquay Access Road

A Day Skiing on the Slopes...
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Snowshoeing to Paint Pots

Snowshoe to Vista Lake beneath Storm Mountain...
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