3 of a KIND
Canadian mountain trio has it all
Planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies can be overwhelming. With so many great resorts to choose from, how do you settle on just one?
The great news is you don’t have to. A visit to the mountains that make up SkiBig3, uniquely wonderful resorts all in the Banff National Park and all within a half-hour driving distance of one another, mean you can plan a Canadian ski trip that truly has it all.
The Big Three are all anchored by the town of Banff, a beautiful and bustling mountain resort in Alberta, with jaw-dropping views from every angle. The issue of focus while walking down the street isn’t smart phones, it’s those incredible peaks. Every time you turn a bend, you have an “Oh wow” moment.
The ski areas — Mount Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise — each offer a unique vibe, great skiing and beautiful settings that make the visit worthwhile on its own. I visited each resort in the order of its distance from Banff proper.
MOUNT NORQUAY
Standing just above the town of Banff (a mere 10-minute drive), Mount Norquay is like that really fit, really nice local you meet out on the mountain. Steep and fast, it serves as a training ground for world-class racers. Laid-back and easy to manage, it sits ready for skiers to visit. A local favorite since it first welcomed skiers in 1926, it's easy to see why.
My day brings no new snow, but there is so much already there that I carve and whoop and ski all day on a perfect surface. I love steeps and found plenty. Compact, but with a big ski feel (the view alone helps that), I find lots of great intermediate runs, like Crazy Canuck to the east. Then there are steeper, more challenging ones to the west. In the middle, tucked in just above the base lodge, is a lovely beginner area that gives everyone their own special place on the mountain.
A mountaintop café offers views worth taking the chair for, and the base lodge food is a great step beyond expectation. Norquay skiers are friendly; every time I ride a chair with someone they offer to show me a great trail or share insider tips. Mount Norquay will be a must-ski whenever I am up that way.