Banff has 3 ski resorts right on its doorstep. So many choices!!! But with choices comes decisions. There is quite the collection of passes to consider and with all that hard-earned cash on the line you don’t want to have any regrets.
So let’s start with three resorts and their differences:
Mt Norquay
The smallest of the three resorts but closest to the town of Banff. Short but steep runs and a great beginner lift. The only resort to have night skiing which runs on weekends. It has a small park with some good size jumps and a variety of rails and boxes.
Sunshine Village
Ever hard the phrase champagne powder? A short 15-20min drive from Banff. 7 lifts access 3 different mountains. Home to Delirium Dive which has been voted one of the top 10 off-piste destinations in the world. Good range of beginner to advanced terrain. Has 3 parks catering for all abilities.
Lake Louise
Get ready for the leg burn. Lake Louise has over 4,200 skiable acres spread across 4 mountain faces. The runs are longer but there are green, blue and black runs off every chair. Some nice trees run to test out those turning skills. Good park options. Takes 45mins to get there.
And now to your choices….
For the person who wants it all and the freedom to go where the snow falls the Ski Big 3 Season Pass is for you. This gives you access to all 3 resorts including the bus there and back. This is available in full week and mid-week which is from Monday to Thursday. The most expensive card but well worth it if you are aiming for that 100 day season. With this pass, you also get 50% off Mountain Collective Destinations.
Then we have the Norquay Season Pass. This would be ideal for someone who really isn’t into the whole winter thing and only looking to get out every now and then. Those runs are short and can get a bit repetitive. Norquay turns 90 this year and is offering a special pass for a great rate but some blackout dates apply.
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They also offer the Power of 4 Pass, get 3 of your friends together and only pay $199 each for a mid-week Season Pass. One last option Norquay provide is the Night Pass, night skiing runs on Friday and Saturday nights from January to March, only 1 green run is open but the park is open for those wanting to work on the perfect Method Grab.
For someone that has been lucky enough to score themselves an afternoon job, a Sunshine Village Season Pass is a great option. It is close enough to Banff to get in some morning turns before starting work. This is also available in full and mid-week.
More runs mean you can always find something new to ride.
Sunshine has the Sunshine Marmot Card which would suit someone that wants more terrain than Norquay, but won’t be able to get out often enough to make the Season Pass worthwhile this card is for you (side note: to make your Season Pass worth it, you have to go 13 times).
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You get your 1st, 3rd and 7th day free and $25 off a day pass every other day and as the name suggests this card also works for Marmot Basin in Jasper.
One last resort to cover!! If you are living in Banff the Lake Louise Season Pass probably isn’t the best option.
Yes, the resort is amazing but it is just that bit further and can be harder to find a crew to go with. In an effort to save money without limiting yourself to just one resort, getting the Sunshine Season Pass and the Lake Louise Plus card works great.
The Lake Louise Plus card gives you the 1st, 3rd and 7th day free and $25 off all other day passes.
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And lastly, for the latecomers or late bloomers, Sunshine and Lake Louise both offer Spring Passes. These passes are good from the end of March until the season closes.
Whichever pass you buy you are sure to have a blast but watch out, this sport is addictive! Happy shredding 🙂
