Ski & Board Holidays

Ski Canada's BIG 3

The 'BIG' in the Big 3 is no exaggeration. Together, Mount Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village offer nearly 8,000  acres (3,240 hectares) of skiable terrain. Skiers and snowboarders are spoiled for choice with the Tri-Area Ski Pass which covers all three resorts. As for snow, it comes early, stays late and is consistently dry and fluffy. Even better, long range weather forcasts for this Winter predict that the La Nina effect will continue, bringing more deep powder!

In the Canadian Rockies, the ski slopes are high, starting at 7,000 feet above sea level, nestled in the unspoiled beauty of the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Best of all, the BIG 3 are less than two hours drive west of Calgary International airport to which there are direct flights from The UK this Winter.

The heart of the action is the town of Banff. With its casual atmosphere, cheerful Western twang and its shops, bars and restaurants, this has long been a favourite with visitors year round. But, in Winter, the setting is particularly dramatic with 360 degree views of snow covered jagged peaks, silouetted against clear blue skies. As well as skiing and snowboarding, there are many other Winter activities on offer: cross-country skiing, dog sledding, horse drawn sleigh rides, ice skating and ice fishing!

Sunshine Village

Ten miles west of Banff, an eight passenger gondola sweeps you up to Sunshine in 12minutes. Canada's highest resort also boasts the country's longest ski season, stretching from November to May. Sunshine chalks up more awesome stats: a vertical drop of 3,514 feet, 3,300 acres of alpine terrain and 30 feet of snow a year. No wonder their moto is '100% natural snow'

Sprawling across three mountains, more than half of Sunshines runs are intermediate and the vast open bowls are perfect for improving techniques. For experts, the challenge is the legendary Delirium Dive, one of the resort's three freeride zones. A double black diamond on extreme terrain, the Dive is rated one of the 'World's Scariest Ski Slopes'. For snowboarders, Rogers Terrain Park is a 15 acre playground of rails, boxes and jumps.

The Lake Louise Ski Area

With its turquoise water framed by peaks, Lake Louise is familiar from a thousand posters and travel photos. In Winter, the focus shifts to the ski resort, with 6.6 square miles of terrain spread over four mountain faces. Ride the aptly-named 'Top of the World' 6-pack express for a sweeping panorama of the valley and frozen Lake Louise itself, which literally stops you in your tracks. All abilities are catered for, but specialities include the ungroomed Ultimate Steeps, with outstanding bowl skiing, and mens and ladies downhill black runs, which host annual World Cup races. Snowboarders? You bet! They can strut their stuff on the jumps, rails and bozes in the expanded terrain park.

Mount Norquay

Opened in 1926, Mount Norquay is the oldest ski resort in the Candian Rockies. Located minutes from downtown Banff, it offers modern fun, with a snow tube park, night skiing and terrain park. There are also testing runs, such as Upper Lone Pine, a double black diamond rated 'experts only'. Re-opening this winter is the refurbished Teahouse, dating from the 1950s. Skiers and non-skiers alike can take the North American Chairlift to enjoy the breathtaking views that regularly attracted celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe.