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  • The Great Outdoors

Five Reasons Your Next Ski Vacation Should be in a Canadian National Park

  • November 27, 2017
  • Ben Osborne
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While there are countless reasons to visit Canada’s mountains this year, here are five reasons your next ski vacation should be in Banff National Park.

 

skiing hero banff lake louise alberta

 

1. Banff is Just like You Remembered it and Probably Will be in 20 Years

When you’ve put in enough years riding the chairs, you’re bound to have heard jaded skiers singing the praises of “how it used to be.” But in Banff, it’s likely eerily similar to how it’s been for decades. Not knocking today’s mega resorts, but let’s face it, they can often feel like cookie cutter retail malls capped with condo developments and timeshare opportunities. Because of Banff’s National Park designation, there are strict restrictions on development, meaning every new construction project or business venture is scrutinized to the nth degree. That’s not to say the resorts of Ski Big 3 are archaic; the facilities are as modern as they come. But the experience you have in Banff today, could very well be the same as the one you leave to your kids tomorrow.

 

 

2. Variety: Three Resorts in One

Banff is one of the most inspiring and humbling places on the planet, easily earning their status as national treasures. The canvas of Rocky Mountains, forests, lakes and wildlife makes for a wilderness portrait that is so authentically Canadian it’s become a symbol for the country as a whole.

The riding here is in a league of its own. Lake Louise Ski Resort, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay are all within 40 minutes of the town of Banff and can be plundered on a single tri-area lift pass, which includes shuttle service. Together, the resorts offer a staggering 9,500 acres of terrain, and the average annual snowfall in the area is about 10 metres—which makes for plenty of days of crisp, light pow days. The season stretches from first thing in November till late May.

Ski Big 3, which services the resorts, offers customizable vacation packages for all tastes and budgets. With over 30 accommodation partners and great local knowledge, they can help you find the right package at the best price.

 

MLRG HR 1

 

3. Keepin’ it Wild.

Have you ever seen an elk? How about a caribou? Bighorn sheep? The opportunity to spot majestic wildlife in Banff is unmatched. As the first national park in Canada (1885) and now a World Heritage Site, Banff’s 4,000-plus square kilometres include about 150 miles of Continental Divide. Due to its National Park status (there is no hunting here, and the reduced development, traffic control and, let’s face it, steady supply of food), wildlife thrives in Banff. But please, keep a safe distance when taking selfies, respect the animals, and don’t feed them—their lives depend on it.

 

devans 20160401

 

4. The Snow Quality is Out of this World

Typically, the resorts of Ski Big 3 are among the first to open every year, with lifts firing up in early November the norm. One of the reasons is the cold climate. This colder weather creates some of the lightest, fluffiest powder in the country. Unlike the wetter snow and warmer temperatures of the coast, the powder stashes at Ski Big 3 can stay in prime condition long after a storm. And with nearly 10,000 acres of terrain to choose from, there are ample pockets of untouched snow to be found.

 

 

5. The Amenities

Since we haven’t yet figured out how to spend every waking minute catching turns, things like lodging, restaurants and other amenities are crucially important when planning the perfect vacation. Banff and Ski Big 3 deliver in spades. From high-end hotels like the Fairmont Chateau, to hip boutiques, incredible dining, hot springs and spas, live music and cultural events at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, there’s always something something exciting going on in Banff.

 

Banff Avenue

 

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MY ONLY SUNSHINE: FAMILY LAPS AT SUNSHINE VILLAGE RESORT
At Sunshine Village Resort our son falls in love with the mountains. We hit an uncharacteristic sunny spell and the vistas from atop the Continental Divide Express Quad are absolutely incredible. We’re met with bluebird skies and views of the Sunshine Meadows and Mount Assiniboine. We shred the groomers down to the Mount Standish Express and do laps through the trees before breaking for lunch at the Day Lodge… Read more

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Related Topics
  • Banff
  • Lake Louise
  • Mount Norquay
  • Ski Big 3
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There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
With four decades of ice canoeing under his belt, Jean Anderson has dominated a sport that's unique to Quebec and that he helped shape.
Featuring three gravel and three MTB events, the series explores the intense competition and love of the sport among 60 of the world’s premier cyclists.
Winter commute with #mountainlifer @michelle_pittam ❄️🚵‍♀️🌲
@lhymnedestrembles.ca is no mirage. Set in the lush Laurentian forest, yet easily accessible (less than an hour and a half from Montreal), this luxurious ski-in ski-out residential resort by @groupebrivia is nestled at the foot of the Versant Soleil side of Mont Tremblant. The Tremblant region is a perennial destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, and within the province, attracting 3.5 million visitors annually.
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