9 Alberta hills to check out this 2020/2021 ski and snowboard season
If there are two things that Alberta is famous for, it’s our snowy winters and our proximity to the Rocky Mountains.
Put those two things together and you’ve got yourself some seriously stellar ski hills come winter (and most of fall and spring, if we’re being honest).
You don’t have to head to British Columbia to get on a grade-A run, after all, as one of the best things about Calgary is just how easy it is to get into the mountains.
In just a matter of hours, you can make it from your front door to the top of some world-class mountain resorts.
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We’ll be updating our list of which ski hills are open throughout the season so you’ll always know where to find the freshest powder.
Check out some hills close to the city that will let you hit the slopes ASAP.
WinSport Calgary
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Getting your snowboard on has never been easier with a park right inside Calgary City Limits. WinSport offers tubing, skiing, snowboarding, and more.
Distance from Calgary: Within city limits
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Cost: TBA
Nakiska Ski Resort
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Nakiska’s close proximity to Calgary makes it the perfect destination if you don’t like travelling on icy roads or just want to do a quick half day. For Olympic grade skiing, Nakiska is actually a great option. The mountain was built from the ground up for the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games and is home to Olympic grade runs and some of the best snow-making equipment around. The tube park is also a bonus!
Distance from Calgary: About one hour
Where: 2 Mount Allan Drive, Kananaskis
Cost: $69 for an Adult Lift Ticket
Mt. Norquay Resort
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Norquay Resort is extremely close to the Trans-Canada Highway which makes it a breeze to get to. Plus those views of the Rocky Mountains are priceless in their own right.
Distance From Calgary: About an hour and a half
Where: Near the town of Banff, exit on Trans-Canada highway
Cost: $42 for an Adult Lift Ticket
Sunshine Village
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Sunshine Village offers all of the skiing and snowboarding your heart desires. With tons of snowfall, Sunshine is often open later than most mountains in Canada, AND they have the first heated chairlift in the country!
Distance from Calgary: About an hour and a half
Where: 1 Sunshine Access Road, Banff
Cost: Around $129 for an Adult Lift Ticket
Castle Mountain Resort
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Seasoned skiers usually head west to hit the mountains, but just a few hours south of Calgary lies Castle Mountain Resort, a premium ski and snowboard destination. The hill offers over 80 runs, lessons, snowshoeing, and some amazing views.
Distance from Calgary: About two hours away
Where: Pincher Creek – Range Road 40A
Cost: $99.95 for an Adult Full Day Lift Pass
Lake Louise
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Lake Louise’s 4,200 skiable acres of world-class terrain makes this a hot spot for skiers and snowboarders. The hill has numerous beginning, intermediate, and black diamond runs which makes it a perfect place for shredders of any capability.
Distance from Calgary: About two hours away
Where: 1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise
Cost: $99 for an Adult Lift Pass
Canyon Ski Resort
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Central Alberta represent! Canyon Ski Resort is located in Red Deer, Alberta, and offers a large array of specials from college nights to Thrifty Thursdays.
Distance from Calgary: About one hour 40 minutes
Where: RR#2 Site #8 Box 26, Red Deer
Cost: $48 for an Adult Lift Pass
Hidden Valley Ski Resort
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Hidden Valley Ski Resort is a truly hidden valley, tucked away in Alberta’s Cyprus Hills Provincial Park. Stunning views of Alberta’s Prairie and world-class snow-making machines make the hill top-notch.
Distance from Calgary: About three and a half hours
Where: Buffalo Trail, Elkwater
Cost: TBA
Marmot Basin
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Located in the heart of Jasper National Park, Marmot Basin is located right inside the Canadian Rockies, which makes it a great place for guaranteed fresh powder.
Distance from Calgary: Five hours
Where: 1 Marmot Road, Jasper
Cost: $105 for an Adult Lift Pass