Mt Norquay Ski Resort, Canada

Mt Norquay Ski Resort, Canada

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Guide To Mt Norquay Ski Resort

Mt Norquay Ski Resort is one of the oldest ski areas in Alberta, situated on a mountain named after the premier of Manitoba. The ski resort was opened in 1926 and is one of three ski fields nestled within the Banff National Park. Being a historic winter destination for alpine snow sports, it has been a locals’ favorite since its inception.

The magnificent Banff National Park is home to three ski resorts which are Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mt Norquay. Mt Norquay Ski resort is the smallest of the three snow fields, but it packs a punch in its snow quality and scenic views. Skiers and snowboarders get treated to superb views of the surrounding mountain landscape, the beautiful national park, and picturesque views of Banff Town.

Mt Norquay Ski Resort is also a little-known winter escape and its slopes are often uncrowded. This means that you get to enjoy a great time on the slopes virtually by yourself. It is also the birthplace of alpine skiing in the Canadian Rockies and is located in an area that is a world heritage site.

The resort offers great terrain that riders of all levels and abilities enjoy. It is a perfect introductory snow field before you hit Sunshine Village and Lake Louise ski resorts. And with the Big3 ticket, you can ski all three ski resorts for an immersive winter experience.

Mt Norquay Ski Resort is one of the best places to learn skiing and snowboarding. It has a great selection of beginner terrain and is a popular training ground for Olympic and World Cup athletes. Notably, it is a favorite location for the EA Ski and Snowboard interns. It is a well-equipped ski field with installations such as a banked course and slalom gates which are set up on multiple runs. 

The ski field is unique as it offers night skiing with floodlit slopes allowing for extended skiing and snowboarding experience. As you shred powder on the pleasant slopes, you’re likely to spot wildlife lurking in the snow and woods nearby.

What Mt Norquay Ski Resort  has to offer section 

Services

Mountain Features

Resort Features

MT. NORQUAY SKI RESORT OPEN DATES AND TIMES

Mt Norquay Ski Field is estimated to be open

Between the dates of November 05 2022 and estimated to close on April 18 for the 2022 season.

Ski life Services at Mt Norquay open as early as 9:00 AM  and last to close is at 4:00 PM.

Mountain Map/ Info

Mt Norquay Trail Map

Mt Norquay Ski Resort Terrain

Skiing at Mt Norquay Ski Resort is a wonderful experience thanks to its dynamic terrain that has something for everyone. The resort’s terrain has great features that range from blue cruisers to double-black natural terrain and steep black moguls. Its slopes also predominantly face east, meaning they are more protected from the elements and the snow stays fresh longer.

The ski field features 190 acres of skiable terrain with 28 trails located on slopes that rise a 503-meter vertical. It has 60 runs whose key features include well-groomed pistes, steep bumps, and spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. 

It has a unique blend of slopes designated for different abilities and levels. Its beginner slopes are famous as the best place to learn skiing or snowboarding or for becoming an instructor. Advanced riders also love the amazing terrain that allows them to hone their moves on mogul slopes and steep forest aisles.

The official stats for the resort’s 16.4 kilometers of slopes are:

  • 31% (5.1 kilometers) of easy beginner slopes
  • 25% (4.1 kilometers) of mellow blue runs for intermediates
  • 44% (7.2 kilometers) of advanced terrain

Beginner Terrain

The beginner terrain on this mountain is phenomenal as this is where complete novices become confident skiers. A magic carpet and a chairlift provide easy and convenient ascent up the gentle slopes.

Intermediate Terrain

Intermediates enjoy pleasant well-groomed pistes with long cruising runs on mellow slopes. More confident intermediates can try out the advanced terrain that has steeper slopes and some black diamond runs. The blue runs at Mt Norquay are also well-maintained and have nice fall lines.

Advanced/Expert Terrain

The advanced terrain at this resort is characterized by adrenaline-pumping steeps, large moguls, and big bumps. Hard-core regulars especially love testing their limits on the mega-sized, icy bumps.

When the chutes are not avalanche prone, they provide endless fun for daring advanced riders, under the watchful eye of safety patrollers. Expert skiers and snowboarders also delight in the side country opportunities to the right of the ski area. Adrenaline junkies will also delight in tree skiing when there’s ample snow.

Terrain Park

Mt Norquay’s terrain park is located in the area above the day lodge. If you’re staying at the lodge, you can enjoy splendid views of the surrounding landscape and resort’s terrain, where you also get to watch riders trying out different tricks on the terrain park. And the fun does not end when the sun sets. The terrain park is also one of the areas that are flood-lit at night, providing endless fun well into the night.

Lifts at Mt Norquay Ski Resort

Being the smallest of the three resorts in the Banff National Park, Mt Norquay does not need an extensive lift network. However, its 6 lifts (2 Carpet lifts, 1 double chair, 2 Quad chairs, and 1 high-speed quad) provide easy and convenient access to all the slopes. 

The only shortcoming is that the positioning of the lifts means that to access the far right of the resort, you may have to ride up and down thrice before reaching the Mystic Express Chair. And the upside to this? You enjoy spectacular views of the mountains, landscape, and resort as you ride the lifts. In fact, these lifts are also used by visitors and non-skiers who are on a sightseeing adventure at Mt Norquay. 

The following are the named lifts at the resort;

  1. The North American 'Norquay' Chair – This is a fixed grip double chair that takes roughly 5 minutes to ascend a 396-meter vertical and cover a length of 945 meters. It takes advanced riders to the highest point in the resort where they can access advanced slopes. Revelers may also ride this lift to access the Cliff House Bistro, located further upslope.
  2. The Mystic Express Chair – This is the newest addition to the resort’s fleet and the only high-speed quad providing the fastest ascent up the 395-meter vertical. It takes only 4.5 minutes to travel the 1,016-meter length.
  3. Spirit Chair – This is a fixed grip quad chair that travels a distance of 654 meters and ascends a 196-meter vertical in 5.5 minutes.
  4. Cascade Chair – This is also a fixed grip quad chair that takes 4.6 minutes to rise a 122-meter vertical and cover a gross length of 579 meters.
  5. Sundance Magic Carpet (two lifts) – Located on the gentle beginner terrain, these are Magic carpet surface lifts.

How To Get A Ski Pass To Mt Norquay Ski Resort

Mt Norquay Ski Resort is part of the Banff ski resorts which share the interchangeable Big 3 lift tickets. The easiest way to get your tickets is by purchasing them from the resort’s website’s online store. You can also buy your lift tickets right at the resort’s ticket window. As with most resorts, you get great deals and discounts when you purchase more ski days.

You can purchase the following lift ticket types:

  • Single & Multi-Day Lift Passes
  • The Magic Carpet only pass
  • The night pass
  • The Ikon pass
  • The mountain collective pass

The Big 3 lift ticket allows you to access the constituent resorts in the Banff Snow Domain, and also includes shuttle transport between Banff Town and the resort. It provides access to about 8,000 acres of snow-blanketed slopes at a great value. And with one of the longest ski seasons from November to April, you get plenty of time to explore the winter wonderland.

With the season pass, you get incredible discounts on food, ski lessons, equipment rentals, tubing tickets, and access to the surrounding resorts.

Click here to find out more about the lift tickets and passes at the resort including their individual perks and benefits.

Mt Norquay Ski Resort Snowcam  

Curious to know what the snow is like today at Mt Norquay Ski Resort?

The following is a live webcam feed of the slopes at Mt Norquay Ski Resort. We’ve curated the best views to show you the current snow conditions from around the resort. 

Norquay Snowcam

Ski Resort Weather

Mt Norquay has one of the longest snow sports seasons in Canada, running from November to April. It receives an average seasonal snowfall of about 3.5 meters of great snow. 

To complement the natural snowfall, the resort has artificial snowmaking equipment covering 85% of the slopes. The resort’s snow grooming team keeps the slopes in great condition to the delight of eager riders.

MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT SNOW REPORT

In the following live graphic, you can see the current estimated snow Depth for Mt Norquay Ski Resort.

MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT WEATHER FORECAST

Knowing the projected weather conditions at and around the resort can help you plan your trip better. 

The following graphic shows an updated forecast for Mt Norquay’s weather.

Mt Norquay Weather Forcast

How To Get to Mt Norquay Ski Resort

Mt Norquay is located in Banff’s township, about a 10-minute drive from the town. To get to the resort from Banff, it takes a 6-kilometer drive along a switchback mountain road that takes you to the base of the mountain. A trip to Mt Norquay is a great experience as it is close to other resorts in the area such as Banff and Canmore, which you can also explore.

The following are the best ways to get to the resort:

Flying in via Calgary International Airport

This is the closest airport to Mt Norquay and is about 120 kilometers away from the resort, along the Trans Canada Highway 1. There are many connecting flights from Calgary to many Canadian, US, and international cities. 

At Calgary, you’ll find frequent airport transfers that you can book with your pass. Popular ground transfer options include airport shuttle services and rental cars. You can also take a scenic ride to the resort aboard a helicopter.

Driving to Mt Norquay

You can hire a car at the many car rental services at Calgary International Airport. A rental car is a great transport option as you get to explore different places within the ski domain. In addition, you’ll also find lots of free parking in Banff and the nearby Lake Louise.

Roam Bus Public Transport

While Banff is largely a pedestrian town, you can move around using the Roam Bus service which operates Canada’s first all-hybrid community buses. You can buy bus tickets individually or they can be included in your accommodation.

BOOK NEARBY HOTELS

MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT ACCOMMODATION AND WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING THE SKI RESORT.

The resort has no on-mountain accommodation but that’s not an inconvenience as it is so close to Banff Town. Even though you don’t get the ski-in/ski-out convenience, most of Banff’s lodges and dining spots are close enough to the resorts.

Although Mt Norquay’s Ski Resort’s facilities are not extensive, they are sufficient for day-trippers. The Cascade Day Lodge contains most of the ski life amenities, which include pubs, and restaurants. You’ll also find ski and snowboard sales, repair, and rentals, as well as superb shopping opportunities.

The Cascade Lodge is a great on-mountain dining spot where you’ll also find the Lone Pine Pub and Restaurant on its second floor. Also, located on top of the Big Chair is the Cliffhouse Bistro which is popular with both skiers and non-skiers.

Other amenities include:

MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT ACCOMMODATION AND WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING THE SKI RESORT.

The resort has no on-mountain accommodation but that’s not an inconvenience as it is so close to Banff Town. Even though you don’t get the ski-in/ski-out convenience, most of Banff’s lodges and dining spots are close enough to the resorts.

Although Mt Norquay’s Ski Resort’s facilities are not extensive, they are sufficient for day-trippers. The Cascade Day Lodge contains most of the ski life amenities, which include pubs, and restaurants. You’ll also find ski and snowboard sales, repair, and rentals, as well as superb shopping opportunities.

The Cascade Lodge is a great on-mountain dining spot where you’ll also find the Lone Pine Pub and Restaurant on its second floor. Also, located on top of the Big Chair is the Cliffhouse Bistro which is popular with both skiers and non-skiers.

Other amenities include:

Getting To The Resort

How To Get to Mt Norquay Ski Resort

Mt Norquay is located in Banff’s township, about a 10-minute drive from the town. To get to the resort from Banff, it takes a 6-kilometer drive along a switchback mountain road that takes you to the base of the mountain. A trip to Mt Norquay is a great experience as it is close to other resorts in the area such as Banff and Canmore, which you can also explore.

The following are the best ways to get to the resort:

Flying in via Calgary International Airport

This is the closest airport to Mt Norquay and is about 120 kilometers away from the resort, along the Trans Canada Highway 1. There are many connecting flights from Calgary to many Canadian, US, and international cities. 

At Calgary, you’ll find frequent airport transfers that you can book with your pass. Popular ground transfer options include airport shuttle services and rental cars. You can also take a scenic ride to the resort aboard a helicopter.

Driving to Mt Norquay

You can hire a car at the many car rental services at Calgary International Airport. A rental car is a great transport option as you get to explore different places within the ski domain. In addition, you’ll also find lots of free parking in Banff and the nearby Lake Louise.

Roam Bus Public Transport

While Banff is largely a pedestrian town, you can move around using the Roam Bus service which operates Canada’s first all-hybrid community buses. You can buy bus tickets individually or they can be included in your accommodation.

Ski Resort FAQ

WHERE IS MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT?

The resort is located in Alberta near Banff Town. It is about 15 minutes away from Banff town and two hours away from Calgary International Airport

HOW MUCH SNOW IS AT MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT?

The resort receives an average seasonal snowfall of about 3.5 meters, with artificial snowmaking covering up to 85% of the slopes.

HOW BIG IS MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT

The resort has 190 acres of dynamic skiable terrain, with 60 runs and 16.4 kilometers of slopes.

IS THERE PARKING AT MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT

Yes, you’ll find ample parking at the resort, with additional free parking in Banff and Lake Louise.

IS MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT BEGINNER FRIENDLY

Yes, Mt Norquay is beginner friendly with well-maintained gentle slopes, a ski school, and equipment sale, repair, and rental services. 

DOES MT NORQUAY SKI RESORT NEED SNOW CHAINS

Yes, if you’re driving up the alpine areas in Alberta, the local administration requires that all vehicles carry fitting snow chains.