BANFF NORQUAY , CANADA
Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
The busy town of Banff services 3 major ski and snowboard resorts; Mt Norquay a 5 minute drive, Sunshine a 15 minute drive, and Lake Louise a 40 minute drive. The one lift pass is valid for use at all 3 Banff Mountains.
Norquay Ski and Snowboard Terrain
Mt Norquay the smallest of the 3 resorts has impressive skiing and snowboarding terrain on challenging double black chutes, moguls, extreme steeps, treed terrain, groomed trails and gentle beginner areas.
Advanced Skiing and Snowboarding at Norquay
Skiing Norquay
The double black diamond mogul covered slopes around the North American Chairlift visible on the approach to Mt Norquay challenge the best bump riders; Upper Lone Pine in particular.
The Sun Chutes and Sheep Chutes on the left hand side treed area of the Mystic Express Chairlift have some of the steepest tree skiing and snowboarding in the region.
Intermediate Skiing and Snowboarding at Norquay
The majority of the terrain at Norquay is intermediate. Norquay was voted best groomed resort in 2005 by Ski Canada Magazine. The attention to detail is obvious throughout the mountain. All intermediate and beginner terrain is groomed nightly ensuring wide tree lined trails of varying descents covering the entire right side of the mountain. The trails around the Spirit and Mystic Express Chairlifts are both long and fast.
Beginner Skiing and Snowboarding at Norquay
The gentle sloping beginner area is under the Cascade Chairlift. Once confidence grows beginners can venture off to the longer trails on the right hand side of the Cascade Chairlift.
The Norquay Ski and Snowboard School offers lessons for all ages from first timers to those just wanting to touch up on their skills.
Norquay Halfpipe and Terrain Park
The terrain park at Norquay features huge jumps, table tops and hits and like the halfpipe is meticulously maintained.
Both the terrain park and halfpipe are illuminated on Friday nights during night skiing and snowboarding on the beginner terrain under the Cascade Chairlift.
Mountain Hosts at Norquay
First time visitors can explore Norquay with friendly and informative mountain hosts. Free tours depart daily at 10am and 1.30pm from Cascade Lodge. Skiers and snowboarders are put into groups of similar ability levels.
Cascade Lodge Norquay
Norquay has no on mountain accommodation just the Cascade day lodge. Cascade Lodge has a full service restaurant, a cafeteria and deli all with great views of the ski and snowboard terrain and surrounding mountains. The lodge is also the check in area for the Norquay Ski and Snowboard School.
Norquay Heli Skiing and Snowboarding
Heli skiing and snowboarding is available in the nearby Purcell Mountains. The Purcell Heli-Skiing company offers skiing or snowboarding adventures on alpine glaciers, open powder fields and heavily treed terrain.
Other Activities at Banff
Actives other than skiing or snowboarding include ice walking, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, dog sledding, and sleigh rides.
A free shuttle bus service operates throughout the town of Banff to Mt Norquay throughout the day.
Banff Shopping
The streets in Banff are lined with ski and snowboard clothing equipment stores, fashion boutiques, book shops, art galleries and souvenir stores.
Banff Restaurants
Diners are spoilt for choice at Banff with French, Italian, Mediterranean Tapas, Canadian, Asian and Swiss restaurants to choose from.
Giorgio's Trattoria is an institution serving terrific traditional Italian meals.
The popular Grizzly House pushes the limits serving everything from beef and lobster to exotic fondue with shark and rattlesnake.
Bumper's The Beef House has a warm friendly atmosphere and specializes in tender cuts of Alberta beef.
Banff Nightlife
Banff has a popular and busy nightlife. Dance the night away at Aurora or try one of the 60 single malt scotches or 25 draught beers at the very popular St James Gate Olde Irish Pub.
The Barbary Coast Bar and Saltlik Lounge both host live bands regularly. For a quieter environment head to the Rundle Lounge in the Fairmont Banff springs Hotel.
More about Banff Norquay
Get directions to Banff Norquay
Your Banff Ski & Snowboard Resort Reviews
John Paul , USA , March 2006 Personal favorite trails are Black Magic and Ka-Poof under the Pathfinder Express lift. Also the Banshee is good for a cruiser after a fall and a grooming. Norquay is quite an advanced mountain, one that is extremely well maintained and known for its short lift lines. The best thing of all is it very rarely has poor snow conditions, I sometimes find myself wishing it would stop snowing for a while to give my legs a rest for a couple of days!
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Statistics |
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Elevation |
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Average
Snowfall |
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120
inches |
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Lifts |
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5 |
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Trails |
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Terrain
% |
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Halfpipe |
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1 |
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Terrain
Park |
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1
with night lights |
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Resort
Website |
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