6 Best Ski Resorts Around Calgary in Alberta [2023]
Everybody relishes in the snow when the mercury drops, and the snow flies in the terrains of Alberta. Skiing is one of the most engaging and thrilling sports and the next finest thing to having wings. Alberta is the nest for many skiing enthusiasts because of its cozy atmosphere. The towering peaks rush your adrenaline to enjoy at the best ski resorts around Calgary in Alberta. The bone-chilling cold and short days of the highest terrains bring a spectacular chance to hit the slopes. Moreover, many of the ski resorts are located in national parks and allow access to daily and yearly passes.
The best and world-class ski resorts are a lucky charm for Calgarians because of their location within driving distance. Most of the popular skiing places are just over a two-hour drive from the city. Our local take on these bewildering skiing places brings something distinctive. The ski resorts around Calgary gained attention and appreciation over time and are now considered an action-packed spot in Alberta. If you’re confused in deciding where to take your skiing excitement, you came to the right place. We’ve thoroughly researched and compiled the 6 best ski resorts around Calgary in Alberta for a stirring and hair-raising adventure.
1- WinSport Canada Olympic Ski Resort
Website: winsport.ca
Phone: +1 403 247 5452
Address: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5R5, Canada
Highlights:
- Ski & Snowboard
- Skating & Hockey Arenas
- Servus Tube Park
- Freestyle Training Programs
With an impressive terrain park, WinSport Ski Resort wins the hearts of thousands of thrill-seekers. They own and operate Canada Olympic Park in Calgary from the 1988 Winter Olympics with legacy facilities in Alberta. Located on the western city limits, this fascinating place is at a driving distance from Calgary. This place is known to be one of the biggest ski & snowboard schools that provides fun for all ages and in all seasons. Featuring a world-class halfpipe and FIS slopestyle terrain park, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of raining snow. You’ll be able to enjoy the highest possible rocky mountain terrains with their lift-accessible park.
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WinSport activates your rip-roaring potential throughout the year with its winter, summer, and year-round programs. Besides, this is the largest tube park where you and your family can experience the spirit of fun and sports at the same time. WinSport also facilitates its visitors with a professional sled pilot that operates 10 turns throughout the day. The bobsleigh and luge experience are a must for all ski riders with a hitting speed of about 100 km/hr. Feeling excited? Pack your luggage and hit WinSport – the best ski resort in Alberta.
What Visitors Think?
Very fun place to play in the snow. Close to Calgary and surrounding cities. Booked a time slot online and had no issues getting our passes. Definitely worth going to. Lots of different activities year-round. (Google Reviews)
Great location for all your winter activities, and really friendly staffs working there, giving an amazing service too. A pretty nice hill to do some skiing and snowboarding on, and it’s in Calgary too! You can literally go every weekend or even everyday if you wanted to, without needing to drive hours outside of Calgary to another ski resort. (Google Review)
2- Lake Louise Ski Resort
Website: skilouise.com
Phone: +1 403 522 3555
Address: 1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0, Canada
Highlights:
- Ski & Snowboard
- Terrain Park
- Tube Park
- Sightseeing Gondola
- Guided Hikes & Stunning Scenery
Being a pioneer ski resort in Alberta, Lake Louise is the home to the most thrilling world cup ski events. The mountains and the terrains have now achieved international recognition and are filled with the adventure you could dream of. The thigh-busting bump runs offer you a wide range of skiing and cruise runs. Lake Louise is expanded to four mountains with a vertical drop height of 3250 feet. If you want to see an enchanting panorama of peaks and valleys, this place is your go-to option. The spectacular sightseeing is made possible by ten lifts that clutch you back to mountain tops.
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In terms of skiing experience and facilities, the terrain is extended to 1700 hectares at Lake Louise. You’ll have the option to choose from your preferred run as there are 160 named runs available. Another astounding thing that’ll satisfy your needs more than accommodated is the Summit Plater Lift. You can access the 480 hectares of newly developed advanced skiing terrain with this lift. Lake Louise is the most popular ski resort around Calgary in Alberta, with delighting preferences of on-mountain services.
What Visitors Think?
Truly a world class resort! Fresh refills everyday skiing and in 2 days only skied about 2/3 of the mountain. Easily a top 3 resort in my book!! Views for days and many amenities for anything. I would recommend this resort to anyone! Need vaccine proof to go in buildings and gondola, but no requirements beside that. Again, WORLD CLASS RESORT! (Google Reviews)
Fun experience skiing here. The variety of runs you can do is great for any level of ski experience. They have a great sized ski lodge, and I love the tube park. The ski area is very clean. The only thing I didn’t care for was how busy it was. They crammed people not from our group in the gondola, and on the chairlift, even with the ongoing coronavirus. (Google Review)
3- Nakiska Ski Area
Website: skinakiska.com
Phone: +1 403 591 7777
Address: 2 Mt Allan Dr, Kananaskis, AB T0L 2H0, Canada
Highlights:
- Family-friendly Skiing & Snowboarding Area
- Dining and Shopping
- Reasonably Affordable
- Closest to Calgary
Cutting the time short and reaching your favourite ski area is always an exciting thing. If you’re someone who doesn’t like long hours driving, Nakiska Resort is your dream choice. This popular and best ski resort around Calgary is known for its family-friendliness. The staff and instructors are well-trained and offer special attention to beginners. Despite its astounding beauty, the resort doesn’t get as much snow as other mountain resorts on our list. But that doesn’t stop the fun because of the massive snow guns making more than two feet of snow per acre to enhance the skiing experience.
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The infrastructure of Nakiska keeps getting better with time. The 1988 Olympic games are hosted by this world-class Nakiska Ski Resort around Calgary in Alberta. Every hour, more than eight thousand skiers whisk back to mountain tops by six lifts. With a wide array of bumps & humps, the mountain has a top elevation of 7500 feet. The Nakiska Ski Resort features a Tube Park that’s open for all ages and full of family adventures.
What Visitors Think?
If you are going to a ski hill looking for a fun time, this is a great place to go! Though it is not the best hill in Alberta it is a great hill for the price and a great hill for beginners. The slopes are a decent length, but can get pretty icy. The workers there in general are awesome people! (Google Reviews)
I have been coming here with my family since 2011. I am lucky that place like this such close by drive from Calgary. Slopes are great and we have been consistently snowboarding majority of the weekend during the season. Great staff! (Google Reviews)
4- Mount Norquay Ski Resort
Website: banffnorquay.com
Phone: +1 403 762 4421
Address: #2 Mt Norquay Rd, Banff, AB T1L 1B4, Canada
Highlights:
- Day & Night Skiing
- Year-round Recreational Activities
- Terrain Park
- Tubing & Dining
- Snow Training School
Situated at the edge of Banff Townsite, Mount Norquay offers a laid-back atmosphere for skiing and tubing. The mountain has a vertical drop of 1650 feet and is covered with 10 feet of snow. Want to know something special no other resort in Alberta offers? This is the only best ski resort around Calgary in Alberta that enables you to have a night skiing adventure. The night skiing is scheduled on Friday and Saturday night from 5 to 9 PM. The terrain park offers fascinating sightseeing and is a home training ground for many famous freestyle teams.
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Mount Norquay has an eye-catching ski school with well-trained and patient staff. The instructors are super nice and facilitate the children that are passionate about skiing. They have season passes for families and different age groups that are quite affordable. The season passes not only offer discounts on tickets but also on retail, rentals, and food pubs. With that being said, plan your visit to Mount Norquay and get the inside scoop of insane skiing tracks and natural beauty.
What Visitors Think?
Tubing or skiing, something for everyone and every skill level. Excellent staff to help with tickets or rentals. Great lodge to relax, eat or store items. (Google Reviews)
It was our first time at Mt. Norquay (we tried the tubing) and it was awesome! The staff are great and very friendly, shout out to the lads at the top of the mountain who were really cool too. We tried going down the mountain together first and then took turns next. It’s so much fun you’d want to do it all over again! If you’re looking for something fun to do this winter, then check this place out! (Google Reviews)
5- Sunshine Village Ski
Website: skibanff.com
Phone: +1 403 705 4000
Address: Banff Sunshine Village, Alberta T0L 2C0, Canada
Highlights:
- Natural Dry Snow
- Heated Modern Lifts
- Ski & Sightseeing Passes
- Family Friendly Terrain Parks
Banff Sunshine Village is situated in the heart of the Canadian Rockies at a height of 7,200 feet. With over 3,300 acres of skiing and snowboarding area, this best-in-class ski resort around Calgary in Alberta features Canada’s best snow. Because of its sheer size and plenty of recreational activities, Sunshine Village is the most loved alpine ski destination. The delighted skiers find no place better & beautiful than this snowy resort. Besides, you can experience the longest season-opening than all other ski resorts in Alberta.
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Another distinctive feature that differentiates Sunshine Village is the availability of heated quad chairlifts. Yes, you heard it right! Heated lifts with on-hill accommodation and tasty restaurants uplift the joy of skiing to another tier. The highest point ever recorded of skiable terrain is at 8,950 feet serviced by 12 lifts. The snowy mountains also feature a separate terrain park for snowboarding and freestyle skiing. The quiet evenings with a snow shower overnight moulds this place into a shiny paradise.
What Visitors Think?
What an amazing ski experience! Loved everything about it! From Travis, the bus driver to the terrain, ability to process people, variety of food available – an absolute gem everyone must discover! (Google Reviews)
Amazing views in winter, safe ski area for beginners even from the highest points accessible with chairlifts. Their blue runs are manageable in comparison with the blue runs of Lake Louise and Norquay. An experience worth repeating. (Google Reviews)
6- Castle Mountain Resort
Website: skicastle.ca
Phone: +1 403 627 5101
Address: HWY-774, AB T0K 1W0, Canada
Highlights:
- Cat Skiing
- Last Tracks Snowshoe Tours
- Hiking Trails
- Full Moon Snowshoe & Fine Dining
Castle Mountain Ski Resort is the place of interest for those who want to discover Alberta’s undiscovered gems. The fun vibes and friendly people add up to the worth-visiting experience of skiing and hiking. The mountain covers an average of 30 feet of snow providing a competent and professional skiing atmosphere. The average top height of the resort is at a surprising 7,460 feet with a vertical drop of 2,800 feet.
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The 30 feet snow topping up to the top of the resort is accessed by six lifts working continuously throughout the season. With this over-the-edge resort area, Castle Mountain Ski Resort is claimed to be the second-largest ski resort in Alberta. One of the astonishing services made available for visitors is cat skiing. Cat skiing comes at a little extra cost but the experience given by Powder Stagecoach Cat Skiing will make your adrenaline off the charts. Pack your things and visit this popular and bewildering ski resort to enjoy all day long.
What Visitors Think?
Such an amazing area to visit in all the seasons! We absolutely love hiking in the area and exploring. Great ski runs in the winter. Really awesome vibe from the people who work and visit the area. Must stop in the T-bar summer or winter. Great food, drinks and atmosphere. (Google Reviews)
A hidden gem! Great runs for all levels. Snow conditions were awesome. This was my first time at this resort and amazed to see the ski in-ski out lodge around this area. Next time, staying for sure! Make sure to plan ahead as they sell out easily. (Google Reviews)
Conclusion
If you’re living in or around Calgary, you’re fortunate enough to have some of the top-class skiing resorts. We stacked up the list of the 6 best ski resorts around Calgary in Alberta so you can invest your time & money only where these are worth investing. These resorts have all the charms whether you want to ski, cruise, hike, or enjoy family time. Check out these seriously great ski resorts and we’ll see you at a snowy bar touching the sky.
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