Every winter, skiers and snowboarders from around the world flock to the Canadian Rockies. With great snow, amazing terrain and stunning scenery, the Rockies have something for skiers of every skill level. Knowing how to plan a skiing trip can make all the difference, though, and it can be very different from organizing another type of vacation.

Here, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about how to plan a skiing trip, from packing and picking the right resort to finding the perfect hotel to rest your head after a long day on the slopes.

Key Takeaways

• Choose Canmore for access to four ski resorts and vibrant town life. 
• Buy lift tickets online in advance for better prices. 
• Consider multi-resort passes for more skiing options and savings. 
• Use discount cards for free days and deals at the resorts. 
• Stay at the Coast Canmore for convenient lodging and amenities. 
• Rent gear from local shops for cost savings and flexibility.

Why Plan a Ski Trip to Canmore?

With 3 world-class resorts in nearby Banff National Park and another that’s perfect for families in nearby Kananaskis, staying in Canmore puts you right in the middle of all the action for your ski trip to the Canadian Rockies. All 4 resorts are easy to access, and the town itself is quieter and less touristy than Banff. 

How to Plan a Skiing Trip in the Canadian Rockies

Planning a ski trip can be a lot of fun and can result in an incredible experience for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re looking for the right resort, trying to find Banff ski trip deals to save money or figure out where to get gear, here are a few steps to consider:

Pick Your Destination

There are amazing ski resorts all over the world, but few can rival what Canmore and the Canadian Rockies can offer. From the majesty and stunning mountain vistas at Lake Louise, the rich variety of terrain at Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay to the family-friendly convenience of Nakiska, the area around Canmore has 4 incredible ski areas for visitors to explore.

With its vibrant downtown full of boutique and artisanal shops, amazing breweries and fabulous restaurants, Canmore has lots of options for apres fun or just exploring when you aren’t ripping down a mountain.

Get Lift Tickets

You can always buy your lift tickets when you arrive on the mountain, but it can save you time and money to buy them online in advance. At resorts like Nakiska, you can save up to 20% when you buy your lift tickets through their website, so buying early can be a great way to cut down on costs and help with planning a ski trip.

When you’re visiting Canmore and planning on skiing, there are other ski trip deals that will help you save, too.

Multi-Resort Passes

Over the past decade, multi-resort passes like the IKON, Epic and Mountain Collective have become more and more popular. For travellers, in particular, these cards can give you access to resorts you never imagined you could ski or ride at.

Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay are all included as part of the IKON pass, while Nakiska and Kicking Horse are part of the Epic Pass’s offerings. Lake Louise and Sunshine are part of the Mountain Collective, too.

Discount Cards

Each of the resorts around Canmore offers cards you can buy that will save you money quickly when you visit them on multiple days. 

• Lake Louise offers the Louise+ card.
• Sunshine Village has the Sunshine Super Card.
• Nakiska offers the SkiRCR card. 

Each of them gets you your 1st, 4th and 7th day on the mountain for free, as well as discounts on every other visit. The Norquay Big Drop Card, meanwhile, gets you a 40% discount on every lift ticket all season long.

These cards are great ways to save money, but it’s worth noting that they generally need to be purchased before Christmas, so it’s important you get organized early when you’re planning a ski trip.

Book Your Accommodations

Skiing and snowboarding are hard work, so you’ll want a comfortable place to return to at the end of every day. Finding the right hotel is one of the most important steps when you’re wondering how to plan a skiing trip, and many skiers and riders find that staying in Canmore is their best option when skiing in the Canadian Rockies.

The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is conveniently located just a few short blocks from downtown, but also with easy access to the Trans-Canada Highway so you can get to the ski and snowboard resorts in the region quickly and easily. 

With an indoor heated pool and hot tub, you’ll be able to warm up and relax after your day on the slopes, and because one of Canmore’s best restaurants, TABLE Food + Drink, is located right in the hotel, you’ll be able to enjoy an apres meal and drinks just steps from your room.

Save on Rentals

The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre’s Stay & Play Deal can be used on activities other than skiing, but it gets you a $100 adventure credit that can be used on ski rentals at Chateau Mountain Sports, as well as a $100 food voucher at TABLE Food + Drink. 

Get Your Gear

You’ll be able to rent skis, snowboards and anything else you might need at whichever ski resort you choose to visit. 

Helpful Tip: It can be less expensive to rent at a local shop before you hit the mountain, though, and this allows you to visit multiple resorts without having to go through the hassle of renting new equipment at each one. 

As you sort through how to plan a ski trip, consider renting skis or snowboards from one of the local shops in Canmore. Chateau Mountain Sports, Gear Up Sports and Canmore Ski Rentals all have knowledgeable staff who will make sure you’ve got the right equipment for the type of skiing and riding you’re looking to do. 

Sort Out Transportation

Figuring out how you’re going to get to and from the mountains is important as you figure out how to prepare for a skiing trip. Fortunately, you’ve got options when you’re staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre.

If you want to drive, the hotel is near the Trans-Canada Highway, which will take you directly to Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay. 

• Lake Louise is the furthest of the 3, but it’s still only about a 45-minute drive west.
• Nakiska is only about half an hour, and you drive a short distance west before heading south on Highway 40 into Kananaskis Country.

Many visitors love staying in Canmore because you don’t need a car to explore the beautiful downtown, which is just a few blocks from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. Getting to the ski resorts is easy, too. There are shuttle buses to both Lake Louise and Sunshine that have stops at the hotel, while you can hop on a Roam Transit bus to Banff and grab a free shuttle to Norquay from there.

Get Packing!

Coming up with a ski trip packing list is going to make life easier once you arrive in the Rockies, and you should consider everything you need to bring for a winter trip to Banff and Canmore. While you can buy any coats, gloves and ski pants you’ll need once you arrive, most people generally bring as much as they can with them.

If you don’t have your own skis, boots or snowboard, it’s easy enough to rent them in Canmore or at the resort, but make sure to remember to pack:

• A warm ski jacket that’s designed for mountain movement
• Ski pants 
• Good gloves
• Thick socks
• Layers, like sweaters and long-sleeved shirts
• A neck warmer

Stay at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre for Your Next Ski Trip

Skiing and snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies is a bucket-list experience for alpine enthusiasts all over the world. Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre gives you easy access to some of the best ski resorts on the planet and gives you a warm, comfortable home to return to after ripping up the slopes. 

Now that you know how to plan a skiing trip, book your stay with us today.

FAQ

How many days is enough for a ski trip?

This depends on your level of skiing. Many experienced skiers will try to pack as much time on the slopes as possible on their ski trips, while newcomers to the sport might only want to ski for a day or two and then have other activities planned. There’s a lot to do in Canmore, so considering whether you might want to spend some time exploring other adventures is an important part of ski trip planning.

How far in advance should I plan a ski trip?

If you’re planning on taking advantage of ski trip deals, it can be advantageous to plan your trip as far in advance as possible. The holiday season does get busy in the Canadian Rockies, so anyone planning on visiting in late December or early January should book hotel rooms early.