Three ski areas in one national park
Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt Norquay all lie inside Banff National Park. Together they form the SkiBig3 offer. Sunshine sits on the Continental Divide. Lake Louise has 4,200 acres of terrain. Norquay is about 7 minutes from Banff town by the operator's own estimate.
The planned opening dates for 2026/27 are 6 November 2026 for Sunshine and Lake Louise and 7 November 2026 for Norquay. All three dates are provisional and depend on the weather, so none of the areas is open yet at the end of October.
Sunshine, Lake Louise and Norquay compared
What is known for the 2026/27 season.
| Area | Setting | Planned start | Lift hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banff Sunshine | On the Continental Divide, reached by gondola | 6 November 2026 | Chairlifts and carpets 09:30–16:30, Jackrabbit to 17:00 |
| Lake Louise Ski Resort | 4,200 acres of terrain | 6 November 2026 | – |
| Mt Norquay | About 7 minutes from Banff town | 7 November 2026 | – |
The Sunshine gondola runs Saturday to Thursday from 08:30 to 18:00 and on Fridays until 22:30. The late gondola on Fridays is not a sign of night skiing. Check each area for its current lift hours before you go.
Winter tours and trips around Banff
Winter sightseeing, wildlife and day trips from Banff, with live prices and availability.
How to choose between the three
Base, terrain and how you want to ride.
Sunshine Village
It sits high on the Continental Divide and you reach it by gondola. The gondola starts at 08:30, an hour before the lifts, and the lifts close at 16:30. Plan to be at the base in good time if you want a full day.
Lake Louise Ski Resort
The area covers 4,200 acres of terrain. Its park-and-ride is at 1 Whitehorn Road, and the summer lake shuttles also start there.
Lake Louise guide →Mt Norquay
The operator puts it about 7 minutes from Banff town, so it is easy to combine with a stay in town. It opens one day after the other two on the planned dates.
Banff town guide →The SkiBig3 ticket
One ticket for all three areas.
What it includes
The SkiBig3 ticket covers all three areas. Free ski shuttles and flexible days between areas are part of the offer. Read the validity window and pick-up conditions of the product you buy. Do not assume you can use it without limits.
Children's offer
The SkiBig3 package lets up to 2 children aged 12 and under ski free with each adult ticket of 5 or more ski days. Blackout dates apply from 19 December to 4 January and from 13 to 22 February. It is not a general free pass for children. The package travel period runs from 8 November 2026 to 24 May 2027, and that is not a statement that all three areas stay open until May.
Prices and closing dates
Check the current day and multi-day prices for adults, children and seniors when you book. Closing dates for spring 2027 depend on conditions.
Getting to the slopes
From Calgary airport and around the park.
From Calgary airport
The Banff Airporter winter fare for 2026/27 is CAD 88.90 one way for adults aged 18 to 64. The Brewster Express winter schedule runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. Both run to Banff. The SkiBig3 ticket advertises free ski shuttles for the last leg.
Calgary to Banff →Park pass
Park rules apply to stays in the park, including the town. In 2026 an adult day pass costs CAD 12.25 and the Discovery Pass costs CAD 83.50. The lift ticket is a separate purchase.
Park pass guide →Winter roads
On the Icefields Parkway the road is not maintained between 15:30 and 07:00 from October to May, there is no fuel on the way, and winter tyres are required. Closures can come without warning. Check 511 Alberta before you leave, and do not treat a Parkway drive as a routine ski transfer.
Icefields Parkway guide →After skiing
The Banff Upper Hot Springs are closed for maintenance from 13 October until early November 2026, with reopening expected in early November. Check the date before you go. Regular hours are 10:00 to 22:00, with the last entry at 21:30.
Hot springs guide →More Banff winter pages
Pages that pair well with a ski trip.
Banff skiing: frequently asked questions
When does the ski season start in Banff?
The planned dates for 2026/27 are 6 November 2026 for Sunshine and Lake Louise and 7 November 2026 for Norquay. They depend on the weather.
Which ski areas are in Banff National Park?
Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt Norquay. All three belong to the SkiBig3 offer.
Does one ticket cover all three areas?
Yes, the SkiBig3 ticket does. Free ski shuttles between areas and flexible days are part of the offer. Check the validity conditions of the product you buy.
What are the Sunshine lift hours?
For 2026/27, chairlifts and carpets run daily from 09:30 to 16:30 and the Jackrabbit lift until 17:00. The gondola runs Saturday to Thursday from 08:30 to 18:00 and on Friday until 22:30.
Is there night skiing at Sunshine?
No night skiing is part of the 2026/27 hours. The Sunshine gondola runs until 22:30 on Fridays, but the lifts close at 16:30 or 17:00.
Do children ski free?
Only under conditions. Up to 2 children aged 12 and under ski free per adult ticket of 5 or more days, outside 19 December to 4 January and 13 to 22 February.