Boarding & Skiing
Famous for its dry, fluffy snow and brilliant cloudless winter skies, Alberta offers unparalleled skiing and snowboarding. With thousands of hectares of powder and new snowfall almost every day, our Canadian Rockies ski resorts are beyond compare. But you'll be surprised at the number of regional ski hills across the rest of the province.
Canadian Rockies – Top Spots
Castle Mountain, located 2.5 hours from Calgary and 1.5 from the U.S. border towns of Carway and Roosville, features slopes for the expert level skier, although the resort plans to expand to accommodate those newer to the sport.The Lake Louise Ski Area is Canada’s largest single ski area with 17 sq km (6.6 sq mi) of terrain over four mountain faces. Its unique layout with beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs from every chair means groups of all abilities can ski or board together to enjoy one of the most scenic resorts in North America.
Marmot Basin located twenty minutes from the town of Jasper, is a family-friendly resort and one of the least crowded ski areas for its size. Eighty-four runs are tailored for novices to experts, providing plenty of fun for the whole family and more than enough to challenge serious skiers and boarders.
Nakiska, less than an hour west of Calgary, was home to the 1988 Winter Olympic events. Because of its groomed fall-line skiing, Nakiska is a cruiser’s paradise and ideal for family fun. If you’re just beginning, check out their “First Timers Guide” for everything you need to know—even before you take your first lesson.
Mount Norquay is known as the most family-friendly resort of the Big Six and a local's favourite. The four runs you see when approaching the mountain, just ten minutes from the town of Banff, are widely legendary as some of the most challenging anywhere. Mt. Norquay also has lots of gentle runs for beginners, plus flexible hourly rates and night skiing.
Sunshine Village just outside of Banff, usually has the longest ski season—sometimes well into May—and some of the best snow in Canada. With its on-slope accommodations, Sunshine is the most popular ski resort in the Rockies. If extreme skiing is the lure, your skills will be tested on the double black diamond run, aptly named Delirium Dive.
Around Alberta
You’ll find regional ski clubs and resorts all over Alberta that offer terrific ski and snowboard packages at family-friendly prices. Use our search engine to get complete results. Here are a few ideas to get you started.Calgary
Canada Olympic Park, which is open to the public, was originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. The ski jump that towers over the site is likely the most visible reminder of the games. Unlike Olympic venues in other host cities, this one continues to be used as a centre for professional training and competitions in ski jumping, downhill, snowboarding, and bobsledding. It has expanded to a year-round recreation centre, with an excellent mountain bike dirt park and summer day-camp activities for children.Drumheller
Ski the Badlands is located on the outskirts of Drumheller, sporting a panoramic view of our famous Canadian Badlands. Because its 12 hectares (30 acres) of open territory are completely treeless, courses can be constantly reconfigured to keep things interesting for skiers and boarders. The facility offers a significant discount for youth group ski programs.Edmonton
Rabbit Hill lays claim to the largest local ski and snowboard area.Snow Valley claims to have the best snow in the city. If Mother Nature isn’t cooperating, their state-of the art snowmaking equipment and daily grooming keep skiers and boarders happy and certified instructors busy with alpine, telemark and snowboarding lessons for all ages.
