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5 Snowboarding Spots in Alberta That Are Peak Canadian Fun
Growing up in Ontario exposed me to snowboarding—lots of it—thanks to its abundance of ski hills. Back then, I thought it couldn’t get better than that, so imagine my surprise when I moved to Alberta and saw its massive snowy mountains.
This made me fall deeper in love with snowboarding (I didn’t know that was possible), as these spots became a playground for an adrenaline-seeker like me. Also, I don’t know if it’s recency bias, but I think the views here are far better!
So, if you’re looking for some new mountains and hills to shred through, join me on this list! I’ve compiled some of the top snowboarding spots in Alberta, ranging from family-friendly runs to expert slopes!
Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola
Media credit: skilouise and fairmontbanff
Address: 1 Whitehorn Rd
Contact details: +1 403-522-3555
Rates:
- Banff National Park Entrance:
- Adult: CAD10.50
- Senior: CAD9
- Youth (17 years and under): Free
- Snowboard Rentals:
- Boots: CAD19 (after 12 PM), CAD22 (full day)
- Snowboards: CAD57 (after 12 PM), CAD65 (full day)
- Snowboard and boots package: CAD65 (after 12 PM), CAD75 (full day)
Lake Louise is among the top snowboarding spots for enthusiasts globally, largely because of its sheer size. You’ll never run out of snow to shred here, as it features over 4,200 acres of skiable areas that consist of various slopes for all levels of skiers.
The entire family will enjoy this spot because some glades are gentle while others will grant you ridiculous speeds.
However, the biggest highlight here is the views! Aside from the titular breathtaking lake, you can also catch glimpses of the surrounding mountains.
Pro tip:
After freezing your noses off while snowboarding, you can head to the resort’s cafe, Slopeside Coffee, and warm up with your favourite cup of joe. They also offer hot cocoa for the non-caffeine lovers out there!
Sunshine Village
Media credit: sunshinevillage
Address: Improvement District No. 9
Contact details: +1 403-705-4000
Rates:
- Banff National Park Entrance:
- Adult: CAD10.50
- Senior: CAD9
- Youth (17 years and under): Free
- Snowboard Rentals:
- Full-day: CAD39
- Half day: CAD39
- 3-day: CAD36 (per day)
Sunshine Village is another ski resort perched among the beautiful Canadian Rockies. It’s a winter wonderland with a distinct ray of sunshine present even during the cloudy season—hence, its name!
Our favourite aspect about this ski resort is its wide array of terrain that snowboarders can rip through. For instance, during your descent, you’ll find several bowls free of trees, allowing you to ride freely!
The picturesque views of the jagged mountain range complete the snowboarding experience. Then, once you finish satisfying your adrenaline rush, you can choose from one of the resort’s lodging options to enjoy a beautiful stay among the snowy peaks!
Pro tip:
Warm your soul with a hearty bowl of ramen at Nikko Ramen before or after your snowboarding session at the resort! It’s located right by the Sunshine Village Mountainside Lodge.
Mount Norquay
Media credit: mtnorquay
Address: Improvement District No. 9
Contact details: +1 403-762-4421
Rates:
- Lift Tickets:
- Full-day: CAD119
- Afternoon: CAD107
- Last hour: CAD48
Located just minutes from Banff National Park, Mount Norquay is a steep ski resort that offers plentiful space for both skiers and snowboarders. But don’t be overwhelmed by its intimidating facade, as it’s among the most family-friendly snowboarding spots in Alberta!
For starters, it offers far shorter lift lines compared to the previous two items, making it a much more relaxed destination. Moreover, the variety of trails here is perfect for getting your footing in snowboarding.
Once you get the hang of the sport, you can proceed to one of the intermediate and steeper slopes! There are also some rails and ramps you can ride through if you want to spice things up while you’re going downhill.
Pro tip:
If you’ve always wanted to try snowboarding or skiing but were scared to try, enroll yourself or someone you know in their snow school! They offer programs for both adults and kids.
Marmot Basin
Media credit: mtnorquay
Address: 1 Marmot Rd
Contact details: +1 780-852-3816
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Rates (Full-day single ticket):
- Adults: CAD149
- Youth (13 to 17 years): CAD120
- Student (18 to 24 years): CAD120
- Junior (6 to 10 years): CAD52
Marmot Basin is located in Jasper National Park, so you can expect to be surrounded by panoramic views while snowboarding. More specifically, you’ll be surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains and tall trees!
Snowboarding experts also love this spot because the texture of the snow never disappoints, often providing perfect powder conditions. This is why you’ll notice that you feel as if you’re weightlessly gliding down, as opposed to simply riding a snowboard (if you catch my drift).
Furthermore, its diverse terrain allows snowboarders with different levels of expertise to enjoy. For instance, beginners can go on a chill cruise on the groomed pathways, while experts can dash through the off-piste slopes.
Pro tip:
Book your tickets online to skip the lines, which can be unbearable during peak seasons. Also, their website features announcements regarding their promotions, so you might as well check them before buying your pass.
Castle Mountain Resort
Media credit: castlemountainresort
Address: HWY-774, Pincher Creek No. 9
Contact details: +1 403-627-5101
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Rates (Full-day pass):
- Senior (65 74 years): CAD99.95
- Junior (13-17 years): CAD99.95
- Child (6-12 years): CAD59.95
- Super Senior (75+ years): Free
- Tiger (5 & Under): Free
As one of the spots in Alberta that experiences the most snowfall because of its altitude, Castle Mountain Resort offers the best conditions for snowboarding.
Enthusiasts categorise this place as an intermediate snowboarding spot, but we concur! Although it does offer challenging bowls and steep slopes, it also features even-surfaced trails.
We also love Castle Mountain Resort because it features a much more laid-back atmosphere compared to other ski resorts in the country! This way, you won’t have to worry about overcrowding and can focus on your own lane.
Pro tip:
Book your day tickets through their official website to enjoy discounts of up to CAD20!
