If you’re looking for incredible skiing variety and jaw-dropping Alpine views, Alberta delivers on all fronts. The ski resorts of Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper all have their own vibes and unique ski terrain to enjoy. Our ski experts have put together a guide to help you get the most out of your Alberta ski holiday.
Add the Iconic City of Calgary to your Alberta Trip
Why not make your ski trip unique with a city stop in Calgary? This city has a wide range of attractions that appeal to those with an interest in history, sports, art and culinary delights. From the iconic Calgary Tower to the many delightful restaurants, Calgary is a must-visit on your Alberta ski holiday journey.
If you’re a foodie, Calgary has an array of award-winning restaurants to visit. Major Tom has some incredible seafood dishes on its menu. Ten Foot Henry has a mouth-watering menu that centres its dishes around fresh vegetables. For something a bit different, Crazyweed has a funky atmosphere and unique food combinations. There are so many culinary delights to enjoy during your stay.
Whilst you are in Calgary, there are many unique experiences to enjoy. We recommend heading to the Alberta Boot Company and admiring the amazing handcrafting skills of the bootmakers that create premium western work boots and everyday footwear. Founded in 1978 you get a real sense of the company’s history and progression throughout the years.
Music enthusiasts will love Studio Bell which showcases the stars of the Canadian music scene over five floors. There are great interactive instrument exhibitions which depict certain artists’ sounds. There’s also a chance to have a sing-along in the vocal booths too. You’ll be humming Bryan Adams for the rest of your trip!
Calgary is an easy stopover to and from Alberta’s ski resorts. Banff and Lake Louise in particular are only an hour and a half away from the city by car. Our ski experts can advise the best way to add this city stop to your ski holiday.
Marmot Basin – A Peaceful Alpine Experience
Step out onto the Marmot Basin ski area (Jasper’s nearest ski area) and you feel a great sense of freedom as the lifts and slopes are uncrowded. It’s a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of your typical European ski resort. You can explore up to 100km of marked pistes, with slopes suitable for all abilities. If you’re a keen powder skier, you’re in for a treat! Jasper has an excellent snow record and different powder bowls and tree lines to explore within the boundaries. All this with some of the most breathtaking Alpine views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Stay At:
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a luxurious retreat with a number of fantastic facilities.
Jasper – The Perfect Combination of Relaxation and Excitement
The town of Jasper is friendly and welcoming to visitors. It has a small, mountain town atmosphere, but still has a wide choice of activities and places to visit during your stay. A tour of the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk will make your trip truly one to remember. Hire a guide to take you around one of Alberta’s most beautiful natural wonders. You will explore frozen waterfalls, ice caves and ice formations, whilst learning about the history of the area (in particular the ‘disappearing’ Medicine Lake).
For the foodies, we love the locally-sourced seafood menu at the Fiddle River restaurant. This premier seafood restaurant has a variety of great dishes to order. Starting with the tasty appetisers of Earl Grey smoked candied salmon, fish cakes, creamy seafood chowder and coconut prawns. For the main course, the Atlantic lobster and shrimp are to die for.
Jasper is only 20km away from the Marmot Basin ski area, which can be accessed by Highway 93, 93A and Marmot Road. There’s a great variety of accommodation options for different price points and needs. Jasper is certainly a major highlight of your Alberta ski journey.
Stay At:
The Crimson is located in the heart of Jasper with a relaxing indoor pool available to access.
Ski Big 3 – One of the Most Beautiful Ski Areas In The World
For the spectacular views alone, Banff is one of the best ski destinations to visit in Canada. The ski area, ‘SkiBig3’, is made up of three different ski resorts; Sunshine Village, Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise. All of which offer incredible skiing, with up to 264km of slopes to explore combined. Whether you’re a first-time skier looking for easy blue runs, or an advanced skier itching to float through some powder, there’s something for everyone.
Set in Canada’s original National Park, Banff is surrounded by natural beauty on and off the slopes. The majestic Rockies are the backdrop everywhere you turn and are a welcoming change from city life. If you head up the Banff Gondola you will have a breathtaking view of the Rockies from 2,292m. From here walk the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson Peak on a clear day for some of the best views in Alberta.
Stay At:
Fairmont Banff Springs is an iconic hotel with state-of-the-art facilities and superb service.
Banff – A Stunning Mountain Town
For the spectacular views alone, Banff is one of the best ski destinations to visit in Canada. The ski area, ‘SkiBig3’, is made up of three different ski resorts; Sunshine Village, Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise. All of which offer incredible skiing, with up to 264km of slopes to explore combined. Whether you’re a first-time skier looking for easy blue runs, or an advanced skier itching to float through some powder, there’s something for everyone.
Set in Canada’s original National Park, Banff is surrounded by natural beauty on and off the slopes. The majestic Rockies are the backdrop everywhere you turn and are a welcoming change from city life. If you head up the Banff Gondola you will have a breathtaking view of the Rockies from 2,292m. From here walk the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson Peak on a clear day for some of the best views in Alberta.
Stay At:
The Fox Hotel and Suites is one of the newest properties in Banff with big and spacious units and superb facilities.
Lake Louise – Pristine Luxury Ski Experience
Named after the famous nearby lake, Lake Louise is a skier’s paradise. It is one of the largest ski resorts in Canada, with 100km of slopes to enjoy. The combination of the beautiful lakeside views and the glorious surrounding mountain range is visually incredible. Any skier will enjoy their time on the Lake Louise slopes with an easy slope available to access from every chairlift. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can ski the World Cup Downhill run, the same run that the world’s best racers compete on.
The town itself has brilliant restaurants and accommodation options to choose from. We recommend eating at the Walliser Stube located within the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This restaurant is European-inspired and has a delicious cheese fondue to enjoy after hitting the slopes.
In addition to its great restaurant scene, Lake Louise has some wonderful non-ski activities to enjoy. Race through the surrounding Rocky Mountain landscape by dog sled or glide across the glistening natural ice of Lake Louise on ice skates. You can also have the unique experience of the nearby Johnston Canyon Ice Walk where you can admire glistening frozen waterfalls up close.
Stay At:
Few hotels in the world can rival the majestic setting of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
If you want to know more about skiing in Alberta, call our ski experts today on 020 7471 7700.
