When the mercury begins to drop, there’s a natural desire to trade in summer activities like hiking, biking, and camping for winter ones, especially skiing. Calgary and its surrounding areas are home to some of the world’s best ski resorts, each offering a unique experience. Here are the top 10 ski resorts (listed from the closest to the furthest from the city) that are definitely worth visiting. More on calgary-name.com.
1. WinSport Canada Olympic Park
Located within Calgary itself, this park offers outstanding skiing and snowboarding lessons, not to mention an impressive landscape park with a competitive half-pipe (a structure used in extreme sports like snowboarding, skateboarding, skiing, and more). You can also experience the thrill of bobsledding and luge on the very track where the 1988 Winter Olympics were held. Bobsledding, in particular, is a must-try for thrill-seekers, where a professional driver takes groups of riders through 10 turns and speeds of up to 100 km/h.
2. Nakiska
This resort, located less than an hour’s drive from the western edge of Calgary in the Kananaskis Valley, offers a rich history, a convenient location, and terrain perfect for beginners who want to try skiing or for families looking to spend a day together in the Canadian Rockies. Unlike larger resorts that restrict beginners to a small part of the mountain, Nakiska offers terrain suitable for all skill levels. The resort was specifically built to host the alpine events during the 1988 Winter Olympics, and you can even find chairlifts, day lodges, and some of the runs named after Olympic medals, such as “Bronze,” “Silver,” “Gold,” and “Olympic.”
Distance from Calgary: 83 km
3. Norquay
Just minutes from Banff, this resort features a ski lift park and offers night skiing. The mountain was named in 1904 after John Norquay, the Premier of Manitoba from 1878 to 1887. The first ski trails opened here in 1926, and in 1929, the ski base was established. The resort was part of two bids for the Winter Olympics (1964 and 1968) and hosted the World Cup in 1972, which included giant slalom and slalom events on North American trails. The resort is also known for ski jumping, hosting many international competitions. Numerous local events take place on the ski slopes, in addition to large international ski races.
Distance from Calgary: 112 km
4. Sunshine Village
The main advantage of this resort, located within Banff National Park, is its elevation. Another perk is the Sunshine Mountain Lodge, a cozy hotel resembling a remote mountain hideaway with a fireplace dining room and luxurious rooms with hot tubs. The resort is known for having one of the best snow levels in Canada, with three mountains offering a range of terrain. It provides various runs, from green to the most challenging double black diamond runs.
Distance from Calgary: 135 km
5. Lake Louise Ski Resort
This vast resort, located in Banff National Park, offers visitors the chance to ski on trails of all levels. Located in the middle of the mountain, there are dining facilities where you can take a break and recharge. The resort also offers its First Tracks program, where skiers and snowboarders, along with a guide, get to ski the mountain before the lifts open.
If you plan to visit Lake Louise Ski Resort, be sure to bring your camera to capture the breathtaking views of the mountains, glaciers, lakes, and forests.
Distance from Calgary: 184 km
6. Castle Mountain Resort
Located in the Kananaskis Pass area, this resort is known for its laid-back atmosphere and for receiving the most snow in Alberta each year. Castle Mountain Resort offers skiers a return to the roots of the sport, with uncrowded slopes, challenging runs for all levels, great hospitality, and fixed lifts. Despite the name, Castle Mountain Resort is not actually located on Castle Mountain, which is in Banff National Park. The name comes from the Castle River and the nearby Windsor Mountain. The resort opened in 1965 and hosted Winter Olympic events in 1975.
Distance from Calgary: 255 km
7. Kicking Horse
Kicking Horse has long been a favorite of experienced skiers, making it the perfect venue for the Freeride World Tour. In winter, you can enjoy skiing on world-class runs, while in summer, mountain biking is a popular activity. The resort is a competition venue, where some of the best snowboarders and skiers descend the hill and perform large jumps. Here, you can truly experience an unforgettable ski vacation with amazing long descents and also have the opportunity to try heli-skiing.
Distance from Calgary: 270 km
8. Fairmont Hot Springs
This popular ski resort offers the best value for money. Fairmont Hot Springs’ family-friendly trails are ideal for beginners and experienced skiers looking to improve their skills. After an active run, you can relax in the world-famous mineral hot pools.
Distance from Calgary: 298 km
9. Fernie Alpine Resort
This resort is a favorite among skiers for its impressive terrain, heavy snowfall, and authentic ski-town culture. Fernie also offers a mountain bike park, hiking tours, guided walks, and sightseeing in the summer. In spring 2009, Fernie Alpine was transformed into the fictional ski resort of the Kadack Valley for the exterior shots in the Hollywood film Hot Tub Time Machine, which premiered in March 2010.
Fernie is truly a winter playground for skiers of all levels. It is particularly notable for its ski slope, which connects with the Mount Fernie Provincial Park. After skiing or snowboarding, take a walk through the town of Fernie to hear the real-life stories of the locals and free-skiing enthusiasts.
Distance from Calgary: 303 km
10. Panorama Mountain Resort
Skiers and snowboarders in Calgary love this resort for its location on the hill and its impressive vertical rise. Open hot pools are located on the hill. The charming village of Panorama, nestled between mountain peaks, is also worth visiting. There is also a reason for ice skaters to love this resort, as it offers free transport to Windermere Whiteway – a neighboring ice skating trail that stretches over 30 km.
Distance from Calgary: 311 km