Banff ‘The Big 3’ – Alberta Overview
Quite simply right up there with some of the best and largest ski areas in the world. Banff is just 2 hours’ drive from Calgary, around 5.5 hours from Edmonton, and nestled in the heart of a beautiful national park. The Select package includes the tri-area pass, covering Mt Norquay, Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise. Groups will generally ski two of the three areas during their stay. Snow is all but guaranteed, with the resort open for business from November through to the end of May, and all abilities are well catered for by the fabulous ski school. City stopover at Edmonton available – contact us for details.
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Banff ‘The Big 3’ – Alberta Accommodation
Inns of Banff
Location: Banff
Capacity: 244
The Inns of Banff is a Swiss village building 15 minutes’ walk from downtown Banff and the ski bus stops right opposite the hotel. Ski Monday to Friday for the quietest slopes and you’ll feel like the mountain is your own!
Rooms: Accommodation is based on 4 students sharing 2 queen/double beds with TV, mini fridge, hair dryer, telephone, safe and all with en-suite facilities.
Facilities: Roof-top heated outdoor pool, indoor pool and whirlpool, meeting rooms for evening activities, fitness facility, Wi-Fi, spacious lounge and in-house restaurant “Wild-Fire Grill”.
Banff ‘The Big 3’ – Alberta Après Ski
In-house Quiz
Subject range: Cultural, History, Geography, Language
What you’ll experience: A quiz night is a great way to spend a relaxed evening inside. Your rep will help you organise the activity.
Select says: You may wish to budget for snacks, prizes, etc.
Swimming
Subject range: Physical Education
What you’ll experience: A great way for students to stretch out tired muscles after skiing and a very popular choice as an evening activity.
Select says: Some hotels have heated pools and saunas available on site for the whole group to use in the evenings.
Disco Night
Subject range: Cultural
What you’ll experience: A disco night is always a great way for the group to let loose after a long day on the slopes. This evening entertainment allows children to socialise and have fun.
Select says: A disco night is a popular option as an end of week celebration! Includes 1 soft drink.
Banff Hot Springs
Subject range: Cultural
What you’ll experience: Put the Banff Upper Springs at the top of your list of things to do in Banff. Soak in the steamy hot mineral water where travellers have visited for over a hundred years.
Select says: A great way to relax the muscles after a hard day on the slopes. You can even hire the whole hot springs out for your group! Located in Banff, roughly a 10 minute drive from the resort so easily accessible.
Canadian 5 pin bowling - Banff
Subject range: Cultural, Physical Education
What you’ll experience: A great evening activity is to visit the Canadian Bowling and Entertainment Centre, equipped with 4 lanes of bowling with neon lights (specifically for Blackout bowling, available upon request), pool table, ping pong table, golf simulator, lounge and music.
Select says: A great way to get rid of some energy in the evening after skiing. Located in Banff, roughly a 10 minute drive from the resort so easily accessible. Available daily 11am-11pm.
Cinema – Banff (Lux)
Subject range: Cultural
What you’ll experience: Take the students for a relaxed evening at the cinema in Banff.
Select says: Maximum 15 mins walk from Inns of Banff. It Is also on the shuttle bus route, which is included on the lift pass. Larger groups may be better advised to charter own transportation if they prefer not to walk.
Ice Skating / Curling - Banff
Subject range: Winter Sports
What you’ll experience: Take the students ice skating or to learn how to play curling at the Banff Recreation Centre. A great evening activity which allows students to experience other winter sports becide skiing!
Select says: Also, perhaps hire skates from Ultimate Sports and skate free at the high school grounds in downtown Banff.
Banff ‘The Big 3’ – Alberta Resort Facts
| Resort height | Mt Norquay 1630m/Lake Louise 1646m/Banff Sunshine 1660m |
| Highest lift | 2133m/2637m/2730m |
| Vertical drop | 503m/991m/1070m |
| Total acres of piste | 7748 acres |
| Total no of trails | 60/143/137/ |
| Beginner | 31%/25%/20% |
| Intermediate | 25%/45%/55% |
| Advanced | 44%/30%/25% |
| Total no of lifts | 6/10/12 |
| Longest run | 3km/8km/8km |
| Lift pass covers | Tri-area pass – Mt Norquay, Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine |
| Glacier | No |
| Snowboarding facilities | Terrain parks at Mt Norquay and Banff Sunshine |
| Snow making | Extensive snow making |
| Transfer time by air | Calgary – 2 hours, Edmonton 5 hours 30mins |
| Medical facilitites | In each resort |
| Nearest hospital | Banff town |
