The debate over which of the ski hills near Canmore is best has been raging for decades. That’s a good thing, though, and a sign that a trip to the Canadian Rockies will never disappoint skiers or snowboarders. 

From the sprawling slopes of Lake Louise and Sunshine Village’s champagne powder to Norquay and Nakiska’s family-friendly and oh-so-close-by runs, there are ski resorts near Canmore that attract alpine enthusiasts from all over the world.

Which one’s best? That depends on what you’re looking for. But let’s take a look at the 4 ski resorts near Canmore and what makes them each special and unique.

Key Takeaways

• Lake Louise Ski Area features diverse terrain, stunning views, and excellent dining options for all skill levels. 
• Sunshine Village is renowned for great snow, varied terrain, and convenient dining, appealing to all abilities. 
• Mount Norquay is family-friendly, offering beginner-friendly runs and tubing activities.
• Nakiska, built for the Olympics, provides top-notch skiing conditions and a highly regarded ski school. 

Skiing near Canmore: An International Destination

Skiing in the Canadian Rockies dates back well over 100 years, and the first ski resort near Canmore opened back in 1928, when Mount Norquay first began welcoming adventurous winter sports enthusiasts.

Today, skiers and snowboarders travel from all over the world every winter to test out their skills at the Big 3 resorts in Banff and Lake Louise, as well as Nakiska in Kananaskis, which was home to many of the alpine competitions at the 1988 Winter Olympics.

What sets the ski resorts near Canmore apart? The snow, for one thing. Unlike resorts closer to the coast, the snow that blankets Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country is famous for being dry and fluffy, allowing you to genuinely glide above it on big powder days. The terrain rivals anything you’ll find around the world, too, with groomers for beginners and intermediate skiers as well as incredible off-piste runs for people with a little more experience.

The Best Ski Hills Near Canmore

Lake Louise Ski Area

Famous around the world for its stunning mountain vistas and incredible variety of terrain, the Lake Louise Ski Area has undergone substantial improvements over the past decades. New lifts make accessing the deep powder in West Bowl easier than ever, and with the third-most skiable terrain in Canada, there is something for everyone.

With a massive learner’s area and intermediate terrain, you don’t need to be the best skier in the world to enjoy Lake Louise. The resort has unbelievable chutes and big bowls for more experienced skiers and riders, too.

An Experience to Dine For

A ski day is about a lot more than just ripping down the mountain, and Lake Louise offers exceptional dining and apres-ski experiences. When it comes to food, there are lots of options for traditional mid-day meals like burgers or pizza, but Lake Louise has quite a few elevated dining experiences, too. Kuma Yama features great sushi, the Whitehorn Bistro offers exceptional farm-to-table cuisine while the Temple Cantina serves up Mexican fare.

Sunshine Village

Selected by Conde Nast readers as Canada’s second-best resort this year, Sunshine Village stretches across 3 mountains and is generally considered to get the best snow of the ski hills near Canmore. The turnoff for the resort is just a few short minutes past Banff, making it easy to get to for anyone staying in Canmore.

Located on the Continental Divide, Sunshine has a great area for anyone who is just learning how to ski or ride, and from the top of the gondola, guests will be blown away by the variety of terrain that’s at their fingertips. Intense areas like Delirium Dive require a probe, shovel and a partner, while runs like the Larch Glade and Dell Valley will keep newcomers happy.

Food for Everyone

Sunshine Village is easy to get to, so many skiers and riders may choose to head back to Canmore after their day on the mountain. There are lots of great options for eating, though, including Nikko Ramen, which is perfect when you need a hearty meal to warm up with, and the Eagle’s Nest, which provides a fine dining experience right in the high alpine.

Mount Norquay

Mount Norquay is famous for being family-friendly and is one of the best ski hills near Canmore for visitors who may have never skied down the side of a mountain before. That doesn’t mean there isn’t great, challenging terrain, though, just that everyone will be able to find a run that works for them.

Located practically at the Banff town limits, Mount Norquay is only about a 20-minute drive from Canmore. It’s a local’s favourite, and the views of Banff National Park from up top are unrivalled.

More Than Just Skiing

While Canmore skiing is an amazing experience, there are lots of families where there may be 1 or 2 people who just don’t love the sport. Norquay’s got them covered, as their amazing tubing park has Alberta’s longest tubing lanes and will ensure that everyone has something fun to do during your ski day.

Nakiska Ski Area

Nakiska was built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, which were hosted by Calgary, and the resort in Kananskis played host to many of the alpine racing events. Many elite athletes continue to train at the ski hill near Canmore, and it offers great family-friendly skiing and riding for beginners, intermediates and experts alike.

Learning the Slopes

The ski school is one of the best around, so it’s a great place to book a lesson, and Nakiska’s got the biggest fleet of snowmakers in the Rockies, ensuring great conditions throughout the whole season.

Getting to Ski Hills Near Canmore

When you stay at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, getting to the ski hills near Canmore is easy. Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay are all located along the Trans-Canada Highway and are an easy drive from Canmore. Nakiska is just a short drive east on the same highway and then south into Kananaskis and takes less than half an hour.

For anyone without a car, staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre makes it incredibly straightforward to get to the ski hills near Canmore.

There are shuttle buses to Lake Louise and Sunshine that both have stops directly in front of the Coast Canmore. Norquay offers free shuttles from downtown Banff, and you can easily hop on a Roam Transit bus to get there.

Book an Incredible Canmore Ski Vacation

If you’re looking to book a ski vacation in the Canadian Rockies, there’s nowhere better to stay than the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. Right in the middle of all the action, our hotel in Canmore gets you easy access to 4 amazing ski hills near Canmore, along with all the excitement of the Rocky Mountain town right at your fingertips. Book online today.

FAQ

How far is Canmore from ski resorts?

Canmore is very close to ski resorts. Nakiska is just over half an hour away in Kananaskis, while Norquay is about 25 minutes west and Sunshine is just a few minutes further. Lake Louise is about 45 minutes west on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Does Canmore have a ski hill?

While there is not a ski hill right in Canmore, there are 4 ski hills near Canmore. 

Where is the closest ski area to Calgary?

The best ski hills near Canmore are also easily accessible for day-trips from Calgary. While Canada Olympic Park is in Calgary and is great for learners, the closest mountain ski resort is Nakiska. The Kananaskis ski and snowboard resort is only 45 minutes from Calgary, so many locals will even pop out for an hour or two in the morning and get back to the city in time for work.