Mt Norquay is Banff's local mountain — the one that residents can see from their living rooms and reach in six minutes by car. While it's the smallest of the SkiBig3 resorts, Mt Norquay punches well above its weight with excellent terrain variety, night skiing, tubing, the famous Via Ferrata, and a sightseeing chairlift. It's the mountain where locals teach their kids to ski, where the après-ski is authentically laid-back, and where you can have a world-class mountain experience without the crowds or price tags of the bigger resorts.
Winter: Skiing & Snowboarding
Terrain Overview
- Skiable terrain: 190 acres
- Vertical: 503 metres
- Runs: 60+ marked runs across beginner to expert terrain
- Lifts: 5 lifts including a high-speed quad
- Season: November to April
Don't let the smaller acreage fool you. Mt Norquay's terrain is varied and well-designed. The Spirit chair serves gentle green runs perfect for beginners and families. The North American chair accesses steeper blue and black runs with excellent grooming. And the Lone Pine area delivers expert-level steeps and bumps that rival anything in the Rockies.
Night Skiing
Mt Norquay is the only resort in Banff offering night skiing (Friday and Saturday evenings during season). Skiing under the lights with the stars above and the twinkling lights of Banff town below is a uniquely magical experience. Night lift tickets are typically $40–50 CAD.
Lift Tickets
Mt Norquay offers the most affordable lift tickets of the SkiBig3:
- Adult day pass: From approximately $90 CAD
- Youth/Student: Significant discounts available
- Night skiing: From approximately $45 CAD
- SkiBig3 multi-day passes include Norquay access alongside Sunshine Village and Lake Louise
Winter: Tubing
The Norquay Tube Park is one of Banff's most popular family winter activities. Multiple lanes of varying speed send you flying down the mountain on inflated tubes, with a conveyor lift taking you back up. No skill required — just hold on and laugh. Suitable for all ages and a guaranteed good time.
Summer: Via Ferrata
The Mt Norquay Via Ferrata is one of the top summer activities in Banff. Four route options (Explorer, Ridgewalker, Summiteer, Skyline) take you up exposed cliff faces and across suspension bridges with stunning aerial views of the Bow Valley. Season runs June through early October. All equipment provided.
Summer: Sightseeing Chairlift
In summer, the North American chairlift operates as a sightseeing lift, carrying visitors to 2,133m elevation for panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Banff town, Mount Rundle, and the surrounding peaks. There's a summit deck with interpretive signs, and the Cliffhouse Bistro serves food and drinks with the view. A great option for those who want mountain-top views without hiking.
Dining
The Cliffhouse Bistro at the top of the North American chair serves casual mountain food with incredible views. In winter, the base lodge offers warming meals and hot drinks. The relaxed, local atmosphere is a refreshing change from larger, more commercial resorts.
Getting There
Mt Norquay is just 6 km from downtown Banff — a 6-minute drive up the Mt Norquay Road (well-signed from the Trans-Canada Highway). Free parking at the base. No shuttle service, but a taxi from town is affordable.
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