Riding the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park

Riding the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park

Last season UNLTD athletes Audrey Hebert, Eric Corbin, and Dane Menzies gave the Snowledge crew a tour of their home SkiBig3 resorts, and talked with owner Dave Carlson to learn more about the history of UNLTD and riding in the Bow Valley.

The Mountains

The first thing that strikes you when you show up in Banff is the mountains. There are a lot of incredible ranges out there, but the Canadian Rockies are some of the most stunning and majestic mountains in the world. You’ll spend a good portion of your time here staring up those peaks, drooling over all of the different lines you might ride. 

The Terrain

The next thing that hits you is the terrain. There are 8,000 acres that offer a little something for everyone across three unique resorts. Hike-to exposed backcountry lines, cliffs, wide open bowls, perfectly spaced tree runs, and long rolling groomers.

The Snowfall & Season

Not only is there a ton of phenomenal skiing, but they get over 30 feet of the lightest cold-smoke snow you’ll find anywhere. On top of that, SkiBig3 are generally the first resorts to start spinning in North America in early November and the season runs into the middle of May. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys an endless winter, this is the place for you. Here’s a look at SkiBig3 by the numbers:

• 3 Resorts
• 29 Lifts
• 362 Runs
• 30ft+ (9 meters) Annual Snowfall
• 8,954ft (2,730m) Top Elevation
• 5,350 (1,630m) Base Elevation
• One incredible National Park

The Town

It’s not just the skiing that makes this place special. The community in Banff is incredible, from a friendly vibe, to the wide variety of restaurants, awesome local shops, and historic hot springs right in town, the time you spend off the hill is almost as fun as the time you spend on the hill.