Ski Magazine recently published its “Top 30 Resorts in the West”; to no one’s surprise, two of our province’s ski resorts made the list.
How could they not when the Rockies are right in our backyard? Ski Magazine’s list is based on reader commentary and each resort’s pros and cons.
No ski resort is perfect, but our province’s ski resorts come pretty close. Or do they? Let’s talk about the two Alberta resorts that made the cut and their rankings, starting with the Lake Louise Ski Resort!
Lake Louise Ski Resort
Coming in at No. 15 is the Lake Louise Ski Resort, up seven spots from last year. It doesn’t get much better than Lake Louise if you want iconic views.
The resort is one of the largest in North America, spanning 4,200 acres spread across four mountain faces.
In addition to a great view of the Rockies, the resort’s other selling point is Lake Louise’s nearby crystal blue waters.
The beautifully coloured water has attracted tourists worldwide, including celebrities like Bryan Cranston, AKA Walter White, AKA Heisenberg. He appreciates all kinds of crystals.
If you are at a ski resort, odds are you are there to hit the slopes, not sightsee.
For the adrenaline junkies looking to get their fix, the Lake Louise Ski Resort doesn’t have much to offer in terms of extreme terrain.
What the resort lacks in extreme terrain, it makes up for a diverse selection of beginner, intermediate, and expert runs, ensuring opportunities for all skill levels.
The Early Bird Gets the…Swag?
If it’s your first time at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, the resort offers free group ski and snowboard mountain tours for all ability levels to help you get acquainted with the area.
“Great terrain diversity and the free guided tours were amazing for newcomers! I wish every big resort did this. When you only have a couple of days to explore, this really helped me get the most out of the mountain and showed me some spots I never would have found on my own,” one reader told Ski Magazine.
If you are itching to take a trip to the Lake Louise Ski Resort, you’re in luck! The resort recently announced opening early this year on November 5.
If you need an incentive to check out one of North America’s best ski resorts, the Lake Louise Ski Resort is giving the first 200 skiers and snowboarders some special swag, whatever that means.
After a busy day on the slopes, why not keep the party going in Banff? The townsite is about 40 minutes away and is home to endless dining, lodging, and nightlife opportunities.
Did you know? The Lake Louise Ski Resort has one of the highest ratios of grizzly bears to humans. In July 2017, bears were spotted on 29 out of 31 days. Twenty-four of those sightings were of grizzly bears!
Banff Sunshine Village Resort
Speaking of Banff, the Banff Sunshine Village Resort took the No. 3 spot on Ski Magazine’s list after not even making the list last year. It isn’t just Ski Magazine that thinks Banff Sunshine deserves a spot in the top three!
The resort was also ranked as the third best place to ski in North America by the Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Condé Nast Traveller’s ranking was calculated using votes from over 125,000 readers in the United Kingdom. Ironically, the magazine ranked the Lake Louise Ski Resort above Banff Sunshine.
So, why is Banff Sunshine regarded so highly? As we mentioned earlier, the resort is more isolated than Lake Louise Ski Resort. There are just you, great views, and pristine powder.
“It’s in a gorgeous location, and it feels like you’re way up high in the alpine—most runs are above tree line. It’s got an almost surreal feel and is great for intermediates with lots of gentle rolling terrain and short runs,” wrote one Ski Magazine reader.
A Resort for Beginners and Experts
The resort features more than 3,300 acres of terrain for both beginners and experts. If you want to push your limits, the resort’s Delirium Dive and Wild West are two of its most extreme runs.
If the name wasn’t enough to make you jump out of your ski boots, Delirium Dive is considered one of the most dangerous ski slopes in the world.
You can thank the slope’s rugged rocks, tight chutes, and steep inclines for that. If you are eager to try Delirium Dive for yourself, you won’t have to wait long.
Banff Sunshine isn’t crowded, meaning less time spent standing in line and more time on the slopes. Many of Ski Magazine’s readers ranked Banff Sunshine highly for its 100 percent natural snow.
However, you might have trouble finding amenities when you are ready to call it a day. Sunshine Mountain Lodge is the only lodge in the village.
The beautiful 84-room lodge offers a view of the starlit sky you won’t find anywhere else. The lodge also has massive hot tubs and casual and fine dining options.
Not to mention, Banff Sunshine is a short 20-minute drive from the Banff townsite. If Delirium Dive wasn’t enough to make your legs wobbly, a few drinks at a bar should do the trick.
If you are interested in checking out the Banff Sunshine Village Resort, it opens on November 8!
Did you know? Banff Sunshine has the longest non-glacial ski season in Canada, from early November to late May. The resort was also the first resort in Canada to allow snowboarding!
Different Slopes for Different Folks
Do you agree with Ski Magazine’s ranking, or do you think the Lake Louise Ski Resort and the Banff Sunshine Village Resort deserve to be higher or lower on the list?
Would you recommend any other resorts above these two resorts? If so, why? We would love to hear from you!
