Ski Resorts in and Around Calgary, Canada

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Sports Center

One of the highlights of the 1988 Winter Olympics was the first-ever appearance of the Jamaican bobsled team. This now-legendary run took place at WinSport, which sits just off the highway in Calgary proper. Here, you can try bobsledding for yourself by hurtling down the luge at 62mph (100kph) – while attached to an expert, of course. Skiing aficionados can also make use of the Olympic-size halfpipe, huge jumps and mogul run, but beginners aren’t forgotten, either, with smaller slopes, lessons and a high-adrenaline tube park. Recommended by local insider Patrick Twomey

Park
To get to this cross-country ski station, you’ll need to drive an hour or so outside Calgary to the mountainous town of Canmore. The center offers stunning views over surrounding Bow Valley and the Rockies from the meadow sitting at the heart of its trails. You also don’t need to worry about the ski season starting late. The center’s artificial snow machine whirls to life from the start of October, meaning that the respectable 40mi (65km) of hell-for-leather terrain is open for cross-country skiers and biathlon fans for the entire season. Recommended by local insider Patrick Twomey

Ski Resort

You can’t forget that this resort was developed for the 1988 Winter Olympics, as the Olympic torch is still burning at the entrance. Make your way to the top of the Olympic-size ski slopes – there are 16mi (25km) of runs to choose from – and admire the views of the Rockies before setting off downhill. Take the Gold Road to zigzag your way through pine trees and powdery snow before arriving at the Mid-Mountain Lodge for a well-deserved beer and a look at the mountain from its wooden balcony. Recommended by local insider Patrick Twomey

Resort

Is there anything better than opening your hotel room door and immediately skiing down a mountain? At Banff Sunshine – with the area’s only ski-in, ski-out hotel – doorstep skiing is not only possible, but practically the only way to get around. The resort sits a breezy 7,200ft (2,195m) above sea level, which, as well as blessing it with gold-standard natural snow, has the bonus of offering excellent views over Banff National Park. Plus, once the lifts stop running, the après-ski at Mad Trapper’s Smokehouse is unbeatable. Recommended by local insider Patrick Twomey

Resort

A wall of mountains that are swallowed by spiny pine trees in the same breath, 4,000 acres (1,619ha) of dry, powdery snow and 145 runs slicing across four different mountain faces – this is Lake Louise, Banff’s largest and most famous ski resort. As well as being the only stop in Canada for the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, there’s also every kind of ski activity imaginable offered here, from basic chutes to advanced terrain training. Done for the day? Take one last trip up the mountain in the sightseeing gondola to get incredible vistas of the icy-blue depths of Lake Louise itself. Recommended by local insider Patrick Twomey

View
Unlike most other ski resorts in the area, Banff Gate is open year-round. Winter calls for, of course, skiing, but when the snow has melted, you can still enjoy Banff’s springtime scenery via whitewater rafting or mountain biking. After spending a day tramping through the forests and flower meadows, it’s back to the resort at the foot of Pigeon Mountain to relax in the hot tub outside your cozy wooden chalet. Recommended by Yamila

Resort

The joy of cat skiing is the ability to go off-piste and ski across snow that nobody else has touched. On a KPOW cat-skiing tour, you’ll be loaded into “the cat” at Fortress Mountain, which is about 90 minutes west of Calgary. The team will then take you up the mountain until you’re let loose on the trails. It’s fast, fun and only slightly dangerous – perfect for adrenaline junkies and advanced skiers. Recommended by Yamila