Banff

Banff is a year-round destination town in the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage Banff National Park Site. It’s located 145 km (90 mi) west from Calgary International Airport. It’s a gateway to three ski areas totalling 7,748 acres of skiing that you can ski on the one ski pass. The closest is Mt Norquay from the town of Banff, 7.5 km (4.6 mi), followed by Banff Sunshine 18 km (11 mi) and the furthest but very much worth the extra drive time is Lake Louise Ski Resort a 45 minute drive some 59 km (36 mi) away.

So there is no ski in ski out accommodation found in Banff, access to the ski areas are via car or daily local shuttle rides. First settled in 1880, after the transcontinental railway was built, Banff is the gateway to the Canadian Rockies and the Banff National Park. It is a vibrant ski town and summer destination of 9,000 residents who welcomed 4 million visitors annually, with the majority of those visiting in the summer. Banff has over 130 bars, restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries to satisfy hungry, thirsty families, couples and partygoers each winter.

Banff Lodging & Accommodation Options

Banff offers a range of hotels and accommodation from the picture postcard 5 star Fairmont Banff Springs that will have you staying in a castle, to the many lodges and condominium (apartment) style options.

Fairmont Banff Springs

• Rating: 5 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Hotel, 1 Bedroom

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Moose Hotel & Suites

• Rating: 4.5 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Hotel, 1-2 Bedroom

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The Fox Hotel & Suites

• Rating: 4 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Hotel, Studio, 1, 1+ Bedroom

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Hidden Ridge Resort

• Rating: 3.5 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Condominium / Apartment; 1 - 2+ Bedroom

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Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

• Rating: 3.5 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Hotel Room

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Calanta Lodge

• Rating: 3.5 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Hotel, Suite

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Banff Ptarmigan Inn

• Rating: 3.5 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Hotel

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Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

• Rating: 3.5 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Condominium / Apartment; 1-4 Bedroom

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Inns of Banff

• Rating: 3 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Condominium / Apartment; Hotel; 2-4 Bedroom

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Tunnel Mountain Resort

• Rating: 3 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Hotel; Condominium / Apartment; Hotel Room; Studio; 1-2 Bedroom

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Bumpers Inn

• Rating: 2 Star
• Location: Less than 2 min walk to shuttle
• Room Type: Hotel Room

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Banff Ski Big 3 Mountains & Ski Terrain

The ski big three areas of Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine and Mt Norquay combined total 7,744 acres of skiing over 334 runs with an average snowfall over 9 m (30 feet) across the three areas.

Lake Louise Ski Resort is described as a friendly giant with over 4,200 acres spread across four mountain faces and is the host of the World Cup downhill at the start of the season each year.

Banff Sunshine Ski Resort with its three sprawling mountains sits high on the Continental Divide in the heart of the Baff National Park with amazing wilderness scenery. With over 3,300 acres from gentle beginner to extreme big mountain runs and with the Village’s altitude of 7,200 feet ensuring the snow stays light and dry also allows the resort to stay open late each season.

Since is opening in 1926, Mt Norquay Ski Resort is considered the locals gem with excellent beginner terrain, easy access from town it’s a very small family friendly resort of 190 acres and 74 runs that’s produced more than its fair share of Olympic and World Cup athletes because you biggest.

For an individual breakup of each of the resorts you can visit their dedicated resort pages of Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine and Mt Norquay.

Banff Ski Big 3 Combined Statistics

How To Get To Banff

The closest international airport is Calgary International Airport (YYC) some 145 km (90 mi) distance away. Flight times into Calgary from Vancouver are 1hr 25, Seattle 1hr 50, Denver 2hr 30, New York 4hr 45 and Mexico 5h 35.

There are well maintained roads to get you to Banff and the surrounding ski areas. As always, use extra caution when driving in the winter, meaning driver a little slower and allow for extra stopping distances. Make sure your vehicle has the necessary winter tyres as you will most likely encounter some degree of snow cover on the roads and perhaps some ice. The roads through the Rock Mountains are generally kept open however there are some times when there are temporary closures due to winter storms of avalanche work.

Driving times listed here assume good driving conditions, so times will vary in low visibility and snowy conditions. Driving times from Calgary is 2 hours, Golden / Kickinghorse 2 hours, Revelstoke 4 hours, Kamloops and Kelowna 6.5 hours and Vancouver 11 hours.

Banff Lift Pass Options

Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise & Norquay offer a full range of ski pass options for you to chose from plus you can also ski Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise & Norquay on the IKON Pass, which is a multi resort / multi day pass option.

Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise & Norquay Early Bird Lift Specials

We have negotiated a number of early bird lift pass specials for that you can access when you get a quote.

Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise & Norquay IKON Pass Options

You can also ski and ride at Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise & Norquay on the IKON Pass. The IKON Pass is a multi-resort / multi day ski pass that is available for purchase for a limited time each season.

Which Ski Pass Do I Choose – Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise & Norquay or IKON?

It depends on a number of factors including your skiing dates, the number of days you plan on skiing, early bird specials, if you are you planning on skiing any other IKON Pass resorts and importantly if there are any IKON Pass blackout dates that you need to factor in.

The best way to work out which pass option is best for you – is to pick both pass types when you prepare your quote – and then simply bin the pass option that doesn’t offer you the very best deal.

Some of the IKON Pass options have blackout dates so be sure to double check and understand the IKON Pass options and blackout dates and how they work by visiting this page we have prepared for you –  IKON Pass Explained.

Banff Things To Do, Activities & Tours

In Banff you can choose from many winter activities with some tour operators picking you up from your accommodation in town. Choose from: Dogsledding, Sleigh Rides, Snowmobiling, Ice Walks, Snowshoeing, Heli-Skiing, Ice Climbing, Cave Tours and Ice Fishing, Ice Explorer Glacier Tour and Glacier Skywalk, Athabasca Glacier Snow Trip from Banff, Johnston Canyon Icewalk, Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride in Banff, Grotto Canyon Icewalk, Snowshoeing on Top of the World, Johnston Canyon Icewalk from Banff, First Tracks Snowshoe Explorer, Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Athabasca Glacier Snow Trip from Banff, Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls Day Trip from Banff, Columbia Icefield Tour including the Glacier Skywalk from Banff, Discover Grizzly Bears from Banff, Banff Day Trip from Calgary.

Plus there are also a host of actives offered at each of the three ski resorts.

Banff Restaurants, Bars & Nightlife

For fine dining try the Three Ravens Restaurant and Wine Bar, Eden, The Bison Restaurant, and The Maple Leaf. For local Canadian cuisine try The Jupiter Bistro, Eddie Burger and Bar, The Bear Street Tavern, Melissa’s Restaurant and Bar. Value restaurants include Block Kitchen and Bar, Coyotes Southwestern Grill. Cheap eats try Beaver Tails, The Beaver Bar, Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub, and the Good Earth Coffeehouse.

For a après drink in Banff, you can try Mel’s Bar above Melissa’s Missteak restaurant, Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub, The Pump & Tap in the basement of the Sundance Mall, and the The Banff Ave. Brewing Company.

Choose from one of three nightclubs in Banff. The Dancing Sasquatch that’s open seven days a week. The Hoodoo Lounge that’s closed on a Wednesday.  Aurora Nighclub & Lounge that’s open Tuesdays to Sundays.

Block Kitchen and Bar
Location: 201 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 985-2887

Park Distillery
Location: 219 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-5114

Ramen Arashi
Location: 215 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 760-0908

The Maple Leaf
Location: 137 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 760-7680

Bear Street Tavern
Location: 211 Bear St
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2021

The Bison Restaurant
Location: 211 Bear Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-5550

Tooloulou’s
Location: 204 Caribou Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2633

Saltlik Banff
Location: 221 Bear Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2467

Indian Curry House
Location: 225 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (587) 222-8779

Earls
Location: 299 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4414

Taste Of Sri Lanka
Location: 317 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3112

Coyotes Southwestern Grill
Location: 206 Caribou Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3963

Balkan The Greek Restaurant
Location: 120 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3454

Whitebark Cafe
Location: 401 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 760-7298

Eddie Burger + Bar
Location: 137 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2230

Seoul Country
Location: 215 Banff Ave
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4941

Grizzly House Restaurant
Location: 207 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4055

Melissa’s
Location: 218 Lynx Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-5511

Wild Flour – Banff’s Artisan Bakery Cafe
Location: 211 Bear Street
Ph: +1 (403) 760-5074

Three Ravens Restaurant and Wine Bar
Location: 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr
Ph: +1 (403) 762-6300

Chaya
Location: 118 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 760-0882

Sushi House
Location: 304 Caribou Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4353

Nourish Bistro
Location: 211 Bear Street
Ph: +1 (403) 760-3933

Bamboo Garden
Location: 211 Banff Ave
Ph: +1 (403) 985-6688

Chuck’s Steakhouse
Location: 101 Banff Ave
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4825

Good Earth Cafe
Location: 333 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 985-0989

Banff Shawarma
Location: 317 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-0489

Rocky Mountain Flatbread
Location: 317 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 985-7632

Magpie & Stump Restaurant
Location: 203 Caribou Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4067

The Old Spaghetti Factory
Location: 317 Banff Avenue, 2nd Floor
Ph: +1 (403) 760-2779

Eggsmart
Location: 317 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-5996

Squish Sandwich Cellar
Location: 211 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 985-5000

Sushi Bistro
Location: 208 Caribou St
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4000

Elk & Oarsman
Location: 119 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4616

Masala Authentic Indian Cuisine
Located in Wolf & Bear Mall
Ph: +1 (403) 760-6612

High Rollers
Location: 110 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 760-5300

Aardvark Pizza & Sub
Location: 304A Caribou Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-5500

Barpa Bill’s Souvlaki
Location: 223 Bear Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-0377

Pad Thai Restaurant
Location: 110 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4911

Silver Dragon
Location: 109 Spray Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3939

Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon
Location: 201 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-0333

Pacini
Location: 345 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 760-8570

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
Location: 117 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 760-3030

Yan’s Bistro
Located in Cascade Shops
Ph: +1 (403) 985-6868

Skoki’s Waffle & Frozen Yogurt
Location: 109 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 985-2220

El Toro Restaurant
Location: 429 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2520

Bruno’s Bar & Grill
Location: 304 Caribou Street
Ph: +1 (403) 762-8115

Crave Mountain Grill
Location: 222 Lynx Steet
Ph: +1 (403) 760-3255

Banff Edo
Location: 317 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-8820

Ticino Swiss-Italian Restaurant
Location: 415 Banff Avenue
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3848

Banff Shopping

Banff is a year round destination town with a consistent local population so it offers a wide variety of well established shops from big brand clothing and technical outerwear, sports stores, bike shops to art and souvenirs. Plus a full range of grocery and liquor and convenience stores.

Cascade Shops
317 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph:+1 (403) 762-8484

Rocky Mountain Flannel Company
225 Bear St, Banff

Clock Tower Village Mall
108 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4698

Patagonia
94 Banff Avenue, Banff,
Ph: +1 (403) 985-5588

Roots – Banff
227 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-9434

Lululemon Athletica Banff
121 Banff Ave, Banff,
Ph: +1 (403) 760-3303

Fjällräven Banff
216 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-8575

Cabin 108
108 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2108

Pika Village
221 Banff Ave, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-2622

Rocks and Gems
137 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4331

Cascade Gifts
131 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2035

CT Style
108B Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3554

The Summit
225 Banff Ave, Banff

Rude Boys
205 Caribou Street, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-8211

The Thunderbird
215 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4661

Monod Sports
129 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (866) 956-6663

Snowflake
215 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3633

Little Blue House
128B Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2420

The North Face Banff
124 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-0775

Bighorn Gifts
201 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2424

The Bay
125 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-5525

Duck Duck Moose
112 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-1000

United Colors of Benetton
317 Banff Ave. Cascade Plaza

Pine House Gifts
128 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3988

Ammolite In The Rockies
Located in Clock Tower Village Mall
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4698

Banff Gifts & Souvenirs
215 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4661

About Canada
105 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-2995

Helly Hensen
201 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-8282

Bear In Mind
3-127 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2801

Atmosphere Banff
124 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-8249

OK Gift Shop
209 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-3133

Gap
317 Cascade Plaza, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-8630

Rundle United Thrift
104 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-2075

The Last Temptation Thrift
229 Bear St, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 985-7747

Stratton’s Jewelry
202 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4367

The Bare Moose
112B Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-4696

Lole Banff
211 Bear Street, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-0817

Botega Salon & Gallery
105-211 Bear Street, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-3087

The Sleeping Buffalo
111 Banff Ave, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-8443

Boulder Menswear
317 Banff Ave, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-2800

Nv Boutique
220 Bear Street, Banff

Ardene
Located in Cascade Shops
Ph: +1 (877) 606-4233

Rundle Gifts
319 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-9340

Canada House Gallery
201 Bear Street Banff
Ph: +1 (800) 419-1298

Indigo
317 Banff Avenue, Banff,
Ph: +1 (403) 760-2920

Quiksilver
114 Banff Ave, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 762-5566

Billabong
317 Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-3466

Struggler Games
Banff, AB
Ph: +1 (833) 561-6750

All In The Wild Photography
105A Banff Avenue, Banff
Ph: +1 (403) 760-3141

Banff Ski Big 3 Trail Maps

Explore Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort & Norquay trail maps to find your ideal place to ride, catch up with friends and more…

Banff Sunshine Trail Map

Lake Louise Ski Resort Trail Map

Norquay Trail Map