Where to Ski & Snowboard while in Canmore?
Lake Louise, Sunshine, Mt Norquay, Nakiska …or visit them all!
Let’s take a look at our winter ski & snowboard wonderland in Canmore, Alberta.
We are winter lovers, so to be fair enough – we kinda know what we are talking about.
Banff National Park offers some really unforgettable experiences and it also has some history to it, too. Did you know that the 1988 Winter Olympics of cross country skiing and biathlon was held in Canmore Nordic Center?
Why Visit Canmore?
Canmore is a little town with a lot of options and not far away from ski hills. It’s perfect for families, a group of friends, couples or even for a single traveller – it has various restaurants and things to do when you are tired of skiing and snowboarding.
It is in the middle of action. So, close to Banff Sunshine ski resort, a bit further to Lake Louise Ski Resort (but so worth the drive!) and close to the big city like Calgary.
Canmore is a little town with a lot of options and not far away from ski hills. It’s perfect for families, a group of friends, couples or even for a single traveller – it has various restaurants and things to do when you are tired of skiing and snowboarding.
Sunshine Village – Banff
Close to the Town of Banff Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort – Canada’s highest elevated resort, has great, guaranteed snow conditions from December to May, with an average annual snowfall of over 30 feet, on over 3,300 acres of terrain! Now with the first heated chairlift in Canada !
It’s a popular ski resort for people who live in Banff and most Calgarians, so weekends might look a bit busier than weekdays but that’s definitely nothing that can stop you from visiting!
There are plenty of runs you can choose from – beginners have a space for learning nice long curves on beginner oriented runs, intermediate find themselves challenging & nice runs and advanced skiers can take a look at some free ride runs – the Delirium Dive is an expert zone and it’s challenging! You can’t enter the area without your avalanche gear, ski patrols will make sure you have those and your avalanche safety knowledge.
It might not be a true fit if you don’t like a bigger amount of flat areas in the resort.
The base area makes it perfect as a meeting point and you’ll be amazed by summit views, too – the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies is Mount Assiniboine and it will always check on you from your pictures.
Check Sunshine Village’s website for further information and Ski Conditions and how to get here
Lake Louise Ski Resort
Lake Louise Ski Resort is about 1 hour of drive from Canmore. With over 4,200 acres of terrain spread across four mountain faces, Lake Louise is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Lake Louise Ski Resort offers a variety of terrain from gentle slopes and long cruising runs, to glades, chutes and some of the Canadian Rockies most exciting and wide open bowls.
If you are a beginner or an advanced skier or snowboarder, you’d love this resort. Not only does it have a lot of nicely groomed runs to enjoy but you can also level up with your skills on ungroomed runs. You can choose from various difficulties. And if you’re a freerider and powder day addict – don’t forget to visit West Bowl in the resort and play with your gear there! Due to Lake Louise’s location, a lot of places in the resort are covered with powder. Pow-pow!!
So Check the conditions get your Lift pass and enjoy the magic of Lake Louise!
Check the resort’s website for further information
Lake Louise vs Sunshine Village
Haha, this conversation never gets old. Locals are always discussing this topic before the season hits. The truth is that both of those resorts are great, both of them have great views, great snow conditions and a long season (6 to 7 months long).
If you are visiting for a couple days, I would definitely try them both! But wait … there’s more places to ski…..
Mount Norquay
Close to Canmore, Banff and full of family fun !
Famous for being the training ground of Olympic and World Cup athletes, and with excellent beginner terrain, everyone will love this small, family-friendly resort.
For extra fun check out Norquay’s Tube Park
Check Norquay Ski Conditions and check out Norquay 100 Vision for sustainability, indigenous connections and extraordinary adventure in celebration of their upcoming 100 anniversary in 2026!
Ski Nakiska
In Kananaskis Country and just 45 min from Calgary. The Gateway to the Canadian Rockies and the proud site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, Nakiska features some of the best cruising and carving trails in the Rockies. A great resort to learn the sport of skiing and snowboarding with wide-open runs groomed to perfection. Ski Nakiska
If that is not enough Canmore is also only a couple hours away you can also experience Kicking Horse Resort in Golden, BC or Revelstoke Ski Resort
Need more …. try Heli-skiing
Greatest skiing on earth! There’s no better place to Heli-Ski or Snowboard then with Alpine Helicopter
Whichever resort you choose, you will enjoy Legendary Powder and make memorable memories. Plan your trip & Book Your Stay
