Regional Multi-Resort Passes Unlock Massive Terrain In Canadian Rockies
The ski and snowboard terrain in the mountains of western Canada is collectively the most acreage in North America, and a couple of multi-mountain passes make it easy to reach.
With five discount categories, the SkiBig3 pass groups the major resorts that are within reach of Calgary and within Banff National Park. It has a 5-7 day partner with Ikon, and hooks in with the Mountain Collective for half-off tickets another 27 resorts, including Canada's Revelstoke, Panorama, Marmot Basin and Sun Peaks.
The pass get unlimited skiing and riding at Norquay (190 a.,1,650 vert.) that opened in 1926 as Banff's town hill. It's the only mountain in the park with night skiing.
Take a 20-minute shuttle drive from town to Banff Sunshine (3,358 a., 3,514 vert.). Topping out on the Continental Divide (8,957 ft.), Sunshine boasts an expert-only, in-bounds freeride zone that required avalanche gear and a partner.
Finally, massive Lake Louise (4,200 a., 3,250 vert.) is less than an hour away to the north. Spanning four mountains above the eponymous lake below, Lake Louise has tons of expert runs in the West Bowl, plus plenty of blues and greens all around.
The other multi-mountain pass -- RCR (Resorts of the Canadian Rockies) -- takes care of four more of western Canada's major resorts under one owner. Add 25% more cash and get Lake Louise, or head to any Vail Resorts mountains and get half off the rack rate.
Starting in the south, Fernie (2,500 a., 3,550 vert.) features the most alpine terrain in the region -- five bowls -- and some of the steepest steeps under Polar Peak with a dedicated chairlift.
Nearby Kimberly (1,800 a., 2,465 vert.) relies on the faces of four peaks to fill out its trail map. Known for it glades, nearly half of the mountain is expert and advanced.
Head four hours north to Kicking Horse (2,750 a., 4,133 vert.) to find a hidden gem in the Canadian Rockies. Five ridges define five bowls that sprawl across the horizon, and more than half of the runs are diamond or double-diamond rated -- with tons of hike-to seclusion.
Finally, Nakiska (1,000 a, 2,412 vert.) is closest to Calgary. Nearly 90% of the mountain is rated for novices and intermediates, including a bank of mostly blue-rated glades off the summit.
There's also a Rocky Mountain Passport that gives access to all of the above, plus Marmot Basin. It's the equivalent of the SkiBig3's Super Pass in price and scope.
Whistler Blackcomb (8,171 a., 5,280 vert.), North America's largest ski and snowboard mountain, is owned by Vail Resorts and accepts only the Epic Pass (besides daily tickets).
The Ikon Pass covers Red Mountain, Revelstoke, Sun Peaks, SilverStar (new), all of the SkiBig3 mountains, and Panorama.
And, true to its name, the Indy Pass gives two days at Alberta's and British Columbia's passel of smaller -- and independently owned and/or operated -- ski and snowboard hills scatters across western Canada.
