In September of 2014, I went to Banff, Alberta for the first time, and I fell in love at first sight. I had high expectations based on what others had told me about the area, and those expectations were still blown away.
When my family decided to make Banff our ski trip destination for the spring of 2015, I couldn’t possibly pass it up. I knew it would be a completely different experience from going in the summertime, and I was anxious to see what winter in Banff Lake Louise had to offer.
Once again: Mind. Blown.
Aside from the bonus reason that our US dollar is stronger than the Canadian dollar at the moment, here are 10 things that might inspire you to travel to Banff, Alberta this winter:
Related: 10 Tips for Visiting Banff Lake Louise on a Budget
1. The snow-capped mountains surrounding the town of Banff may be even more beautiful in winter than summer.
2. This time we stayed in Canmore, an incredibly beautiful, more affordable, and less-crowded alternative to Banff.
Related: Sleep Under the Canadian Stars: Yurt Glamping in Quebec
3. Even the view from the highway between Canmore and Banff is stunning.
4. Lake Louise is not swarming with people in winter, as it is in summer, and offers a completely different perspective on beauty.
5. You can ski or snowboard at Lake Louise Ski Resort! It is the largest ski resort in the Canadian Rockies, offering all types of terrain for every level of skier/boarder. And Rocky Mountains as far as the eye can see…
6. The Lake Louise gondola runs in winter as well, and it’s a completely different and equally beautiful scene from its summer days.
7. You can drive the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper in its prime season. This is something that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
8. You can also ski at Sunshine Village, the most beautifully isolated ski resort I’ve ever experienced, yet it’s only about a 15-20 minute drive from Banff.
Because of its layout, the views of the mountains are uninterrupted by any sign of civilization. It sits on the Continental Divide, where you can ski in two provinces at once (British Columbia and Alberta), it has some of Canada’s best snow, and it boasts the longest non-glacial ski season (early November through late May depending on conditions).
9. Eye candy: The 15-minute gondola ride into the backcountry of the mountains is what sets Sunshine Village apart, literally and figuratively.
10. You can watch curling on TV while you eat your poutine. What more could you ask for, eh?
Perhaps you want to travel elsewhere in Canada like Toronto or Quebec?