Post by: Christina Uticone, PlanetEye Traveler

There is something very special about spending time in the mountains. Wherever you go they rise above and around you, ancient and protective, but with promises of great adventure and adrenaline winking at you from the peaks. Rather than escaping from winter, escape to it and plan a ski vacation in Alberta, Canada – specifically, in the charming resort town of Banff.

About Banff

The town of Banff, Alberta is located in the heart of Banff National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park itself is Canada’s first national park and only the third national park in the world. Measuring 2,564 square miles, Banff National Park is nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and its namesake city is one of the most popular resort destinations in the world.

Lake Louise

According to their official website the town of Banff is the largest town in Banff National Park, located about an hour and a half west of Calgary. At less than 3 square miles in size, Banff is small but it is also the highest town in Canada, measuring in at 4,537 feet. Surrounded by the Canadian Rocky Montains, some of the most notable surrounding peaks include: Mt. Rundel at 9,675 feet, Mount Norquay at 7,001 feet, Cascade Mountain at 9,836 feet and Sulphur Mountain at 7,484 feet. With a friendly local population of about 8000 and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities, I fully recommend Banff as a vacation destination. As winter approaches, skiers and snowboarders who are looking for their next great adventure would do well to consider Banff, whether you are planning a family ski vacation or a romantic getaway for two.

Planning

Beautiful Banff

 

Planning a ski vacation is easier than you might think. If you are an avid skier or snowboarder you likely have your own equipment, which you may wish to bring along with you. Skis, snowboards, and other outdoor gear can be sent as checked luggage on an airplane. If you do not have your own equipment or if you don’t wish to bring it along on your trip, contact local resorts and get price quotes for equipment rental, and check on lesson rates and schedules for any

beginners in your group. The average temperature in Banff in December is between 7-23 °F, which means you should also bring along the appropriate clothing for skiing and snowboarding: long underwear, hats, mittens/gloves, ski pants and jackets, balaclavas, and plenty of warm socks.

Lift Tickets

There are a few tricks to help you save money when purchasing lift tickets.  Checking the daily price of a single lift ticket against the price of bundles or packages that a resort offers can help you save money, because often the price-per-ticket is reduced when you buy more than one.  Shopping online for lift ticket deals can also save you money; lodges and resorts sometimes offer special online deals on travel discount sites, much like airlines and hotels.

Banff-area skiers and snowboarders can purchase what is called a “tri-area” lift ticket, which provides unlimited access to three area resorts: the Lake Louise Ski area, Sunshine Village, and Mt. Norquay.

  • Lake Louise Ski Area in Lake Louise, Alberta: Beginner, intermediate and expert runs with rentals and lessons for skiers and snowboarders available.
  • Sunshine Village just outside of Banff: In addition to skiing and boarding for all levels of athlete, Sunshine offers lessons for kids and adults, as well as available private lessons and adaptive programs for the disabled athlete.
  • Mount Norquay in Banff: With lessons available for the whole family, Mount Norquay also provides alpine racing clubs for those with a need for speed.

Off the Slopes

To get the most out of your vacation you may want to round out your stay in Banff with a few other activities.  Downtown Banff has lovely shops and restaurants, and even some nightclubs if you have some energy left for dancing after a day on the slopes.  Here are a few of my suggestions for what to do when you aren’t shushing down the mountainsides. 

  • Eddie Burger + Bar at 137 Banff Avenue: With a fun staff, funky regular crowd, and an excellent beer list Eddie’s is a top pick for where to spend time when you aren’t skiing.
  • Maple Leaf Grille & Lounge at 137 Banff Avenue: If you are standing in front of Eddie Burger + Bar and you sneeze, you’ll be in front of the Maple Leaf!  To be fair, Banff is a tiny little town that you can explore completely on foot (if you can handle the cold).  The Maple Leaf is an award-winning restaurant that specializes in Canadian cuisine, where you can try something that may be unusual to you such as bison or elk.
  • Banff Upper Hot Springs: Outdoor swimming … in winter?  A dip in a hot spring-fed pool, surrounded by tall mountains and the accompanying bracing mountain air is exhilarating and a not-to-be-missed opportunity.  A nighttime swim might even allow you to see a show of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.
  • Aurora Nightclub at 110 Banff Avenue: “Shake it Up” Fridays and “Tequila Saturdays” might keep you from that early morning run on the slopes, but live music and DJs keep the Aurora fun enough to make it worth the late start in the morning.
  • Hoodoo Lounge and Nightclub at 137 Banff Avenue: Drink specials and music events nightly will keep you entertained at Hoodoo.  Closed Sundays.

If you’re looking to book your winter getaway – we have tons of great chalets that are perfect for groups of friends and families traveling together. Click here for more Banff short term rentals.

Photo credits: SXC (Lake Louise); “Diderot” (Banff Avenue); Satoru Kikuchi (aurora borealis)