Skiing, Sleigh Rides and Stargazing – Why Banff and Lake Louise Belongs on Your List.

Imagine a place where the mountains stand tall, the snow is consistent, the town buzzes with life, après and activities, the nature carries national park significance, and the skiing comes with not one but three resort options. That place exists and we find ourselves coming back to it time and time again, for work and for the pure joy of it. We are talking about Banff and Lake Louise, of course.

Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, about two hours from Calgary, this is a destination that has been making headlines for a while, and for very good reason.

If you are a ski aficionado, you may have already heard the news: they are opening to ski at the end of June and into early July 2026 for the Canada Day long weekend. We are not sure it gets much better than that. We are all about winter, and they are planning to ski in summer, say less. It has us packing already.

Flattery aside, the destination is genuinely extraordinary, and we want to give you a proper picture of what to expect.

Town & Accommodation

Banff town feels big enough to have a bustling dining culture, a great après scene, shopping, evening activities and plenty to fill a non-ski day. Yet it is small and walkable enough to feel authentically Canadian, the kind of place that feels like home almost immediately. Accommodation options span main streets and quieter spots on the outskirts, catering to every preference and group size. From hotel rooms and cosy lodges through to home-style suites, there is something for every kind of traveller and every kind of ski crew. Here are a couple of options we find ourselves returning to year after year.
Banff Ptanmigan Inn – Centrally located in Banff National Park, just steps away from the downtown area, with a variety of hotel rooms and suites. Enjoy complimentary breakfast for the duration of your stay, plus a free area shuttle.
Elk + Avenue – Ideally located just steps from the charming streets, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife of downtown Banff. It features suites, lofts, and standard rooms, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Moose Hotel & Suites – This mountain retreat exudes mountain elegance, just a minute’s walk from downtown Banff. Featuring hotel rooms and suites, guests can unwind at the Meadow Spa & Pools for a truly relaxing experience.
Fairmont Banff Springs – Discover the soul-stirring beauty of the Canadian Rockies at this iconic mountain castle, set in Banff National Park at the foot of Rundle Mountain, just minutes from the lively town of Banff.
Fox Hotel & Suites – Conveniently located on Banff Avenue, just a short walk to downtown Banff. It features both hotel rooms and suites for a comfortable and relaxing experience.
Sunshine Mountain Lodge – Nestled in the majestic peaks of Banff National Park, this lodge offers effortless access to the slopes of Banff Sunshine Village. Choose from cosy rooms to spacious, luxurious suites, perfect for any mountain escape.
Lake Louise Inn – Offering stunning views of the Rockies, with hotel rooms, suites, and condos set in a beautiful, wooded setting. Unwind in the heated indoor pool and whirlpools while enjoying mountain views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – In the heart of the Rockies, a 5-star retreat with breathtaking views of Victoria Glacier and its iconic turquoise lake. Ski nearby slopes, explore Banff National Park, then relax with a spa treatment and gourmet dining.

Mountains

You are spoilt for choice here. Three resorts, five mountains, and one lift ticket to access all of it. One could confidently spend months exploring and still find something new, so for a ski holiday next season, you are very well covered.
Laura took a group of skiers and boarders across all three resorts in March 2026, and we want to show you exactly what they look like and share the strategy for covering as much ground as possible while enjoying every moment of it.

Mt. Norquay or ‘Banff’s Backyard’ is a local favourite with a big personality. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and the absence of crowds, it is the perfect spot for those who want a more laid-back day on the mountain without sacrificing the experience.

Night Skiing – Mt Norquay famous for its night skiing, with well-lit runs that offer a very special experience under the stars. If you have not skied at night before, this is a great place to start.

Tubing Park – For a fun alternative to skiing and snowboarding, the Mt. Norquay Tubing Park is a hit with all ages. A great way to mix things up mid-trip. Top tip: leave the ski boots at the lodge, you are not allowed to tube in them!

Lake Louise is synonymous with stunning beauty and unreal skiing. With breathtaking scenery at every turn and a combination of gentle slopes and genuinely challenging terrain, it earns its reputation easily.

With over 4,200 acres of skiable terrain, there is something for every level here. Beginners can enjoy wide, open runs on the front side, while the more experienced can test themselves on the thrilling back bowls. Just minutes from the village of Lake Louise, the resort offers views of mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests that stop you mid-run.

Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival – Held every January, this ice carving competition transforms the already iconic Lake Louise into a full winter wonderland. If your timing lines up, it is well worth it.

Banff Sunshine Village, or ‘Ski the Divide’, sits high on the Continental Divide just a 30 -minute free bus shuttle from the town of Banff, yet feeling miles from civilization. Known for having Canada’s best snow, it’s a resort that truly delivers for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

Sitting high on the Continental Divide, just a free 30-minute bus shuttle from Banff town yet feeling a world away, Sunshine Village is known for having some of Canada’s best snow. It is a resort that truly delivers for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

With over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain spread across three mountains, Sunshine has everything from gentle beginner runs through to some of the most extreme big mountain terrain around. You can even ski across two provinces, Alberta and British Columbia, in a single run!

The natural progression of a day here tends to look something like this: warm-up laps and fresh powder pockets on Mount Standish, across to Lookout Mountain when the legs are ready for proper alpine runs, then off to Goat’s Eye Mountain for the steep, deep and long descents with some of the best views on the hill. And when the day is done, the home run all the way to the base is the perfect way to finish, one of those runs you find yourself looking forward to all afternoon.

Delirium Dive – For the thrill-seekers, Delirium Dive has been named one of the top ten off-piste destinations in the world. It does not get much better than that.

Canada’s Longest Ski Season – Sunshine’s seven-month season stretches from early November through to late May, the longest non-glacial ski season in Canada. More time on the slopes, less time waiting for winter.

Ski-In/Ski-Out Luxury – The Sunshine Mountain Lodge is Banff’s only ski-in/ski-out hotel, sitting right in the heart of the resort. If waking up and being first on the mountain sounds like your kind of morning, this is your place.

Banff & Lake Louise Experiences and Snow Activities

Beyond the skiing, dining, après, spa soaks and shopping, Banff and Lake Louise has some of our favourite snow activities to fill the days in between. Here is what we got up to.

Johnson Canyon walk

One of the most beautiful winter walks in the Rockies, Johnston Canyon takes you through a narrow limestone canyon past frozen waterfalls that seem almost too dramatic to be real. We went on a half-day guided tour with pickup and drop-off from the hotel, and hot chocolate and cookies provided mid-hike, a very welcome touch when the temperature drops. The guide adds real value here, both for safety and for the stories that bring the canyon to life.

One non-negotiable: crampons. Do not attempt this walk without them, the ice underfoot is no joke. If members of your group have different fitness levels, there is a café at the car park at the start of the trail where anyone can peel off, warm up and wait comfortably. No one gets left out in the cold.

Tubing at Mt. Norquay

If there is one activity that had the whole group united, it was this one. Tubing at Norquay is an absolute blast, the kind of fun that reminds you why you came on a ski holiday in the first place. The lanes vary in length and drop, so there is something for every speed preference, from the cautious to the committed. Everyone in our group had an enormous amount of fun and not a single person wanted to leave.

Essential reminder: you cannot do this in ski or snowboard boots, so pack a pair of normal shoes in your bag. Do not be the person who turns up unprepared, you will not want to miss it.

Sleigh ride at Lake Louise

There is something wonderfully unhurried about a horse-drawn sleigh ride across a frozen alpine lake, and Lake Louise delivers it in spectacular fashion. We took the free shuttle from Lake Louise Mountain to the Chateau, then headed straight to the ice bar for drinks beforehand, a great combination and a lovely way to ease into the evening. The lake itself was buzzing with activity: ice hockey, skating, fat biking, people walking, it is a scene worth soaking in before you wrap yourself in a blanket and clip along the lake and back.

The ride itself is around an hour return rather than a loop of the lake, and blankets are provided, but dress warmly regardless. The views are worth every layer.

Gondola in Town

We timed this one perfectly – up in daylight, down in the dark, and it made for a genuinely memorable evening. A taxi from town to the gondola base is straightforward, and the Roam bus services it too. At the top, the restaurant delivers on both ambiance and views in a way that makes it ideal for a special occasion dinner. Beyond dinner there are boardwalks to explore, open fire pits to gather around, and stargazing through a telescope. A lovely way to spend a few hours with good company.

For more activities and information, download our Banff and Lake Louise Quick Guide for 2026/27 below.

Our Final Thoughts on Banff & Lake Louise

After travelling, skiing and exploring Banff and Lake Louise more times than we can count, we can say with complete confidence that this destination delivers on every level. Great snow conditions, an enormous variety of terrain, activities that fill every kind of day, some of the best dining and après we have found anywhere, and views that genuinely never get old, no matter how many times you have seen them.

It should firmly be on your consideration list. Better yet, stop considering and go ahead and book it.