LAKE LOUISE SKI RESORT
There are three world-class ski resorts in Banff National Park, Alberta: Lake Louise Ski Resort, Banff Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, and Mount Norquay. They are known as SkiBig3, and you can visit one, two, or all three of them.
If you can only choose one resort, perhaps head to Lake Louise Ski Resort, considering it was ranked Canada’s Best Ski Resort in 2024 by the World Ski Awards. With over 4,200 skiable acres spread across four mountain faces, Lake Louise is the largest ski resort in the Canadian Rockies. As of 2025, Lake Louise has 12 lifts (1 gondola, 8 chairs, 3 carpets) and 164 named runs, making this resort accessible to beginner, intermediate, and advanced snow riders.
Staying in Lake Louise village (perhaps at the Post Hotel & Spa or the Fairmont Château Lake Louise) means you are only about a 10-minute drive from the Lake Louise Ski Resort. If you are staying in downtown Banff, the resort is a 40-minute drive away. Because this resort is in a national park, you will need to display a National Parks Pass in your car, which can be purchased at any park gate or in advance on the Parks Canada website. Please note that if you do not have a penchant for driving in winter conditions, there is a free shuttle connecting Lake Louise village hotels and Banff hotels directly to Lake Louise Ski Resort.
gorgeous views - just from the parking lot alone!
Once you arrive, you can put any items that you do not want to take on the slopes in a locker. I love the lockers at Lake Louise, because they come in different sizes, you can pay by credit card, and you can return to them throughout the day. At Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay, you cannot pay by credit card and the lockers are one time use (which means you cannot keep opening and closing them). However, there are plenty of people that leave their belongings outside in the open, which is free!
If you are renting equipment on Lake Louise Ski Resort property (and therefore are not bringing your own or bringing rentals from a SkiBig3 hub), you will fill out an online form in advance regarding your experience skiing, your shoe size, and more. Then when you get to the rental area, you will check in and be given whatever you chose to rent. Please note that lessons do not include lift tickets or equipment, so be sure to book everything that you need for your particular experience. Also take a walk through the Sports Alpine Ski and Sports Boutique, located downstairs in the Lodge of Ten Peaks, for winter apparel and souvenirs.
Once you’ve had your fill of skiing or snowboarding, enjoy the après ski offerings! I recommend tacos at the Powder Keg Lounge, a casual dining spot.
The Powder Keg Lounge
We absolutely loved Lake Louise Ski Resort, and highly recommend a trip!
