Winter in Canada means one thing for ski fans – an epic Canadian Rockies ski trip! Our 10-day adventure took us from Toronto to Calgary, where we explored some of the most iconic ski resorts: Ski Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, Kicking Horse, and Revelstoke. Along the way, we made smart choices about where to stay, which passes to use, and how to maximize our time on the slopes while keeping costs down. Here’s a detailed account of our trip and tips for planning your own Canadian Rockies ski trip.
Day 1: Toronto to Calgary
Every year during the Christmas and New Year holidays, the snow in Eastern Canada’s ski resorts is usually not ready yet. So, as passionate skiers, we take advantage of this longer holiday period to head west for some serious skiing. This year, we planned a 10-day ski trip from December 30 to January 8, hitting four iconic ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, Kicking Horse, and Revelstoke. Two days were spent traveling, with eight full days on the slopes.
Small but Mighty Hamilton Airport
We chose to fly out of Hamilton Airport, which offered significantly cheaper flights compared to Toronto Pearson. From Brampton it was an easy one-hour drive entirely on the highway. Taking a short stretch of Highway 407, merging onto the 403, and then finishing with the last 10 kilometers on Highway 6, we arrived right at the airport—time-saving and hassle-free.
The airport itself is small and incredibly convenient. You can see everything at a glance, from the parking lot to arrivals and departures. Even if we’d forgotten something in the car, the furthest parking spot was only a two-minute round trip.
In the Terminal
The Hamilton Airport terminal is cozy. Though labeled as Gates 1-6, there are really just two main gates, which adds to its charm. The free Wi-Fi outside security worked perfectly, but we couldn’t connect to the Wi-Fi in the departure lounge. Food options were limited—Tim Hortons had only coffee, muffins, and donuts, and the pizza was sold out by early afternoon.
Despite the few hiccups, we loved this small airport for its simplicity and ease of use.
The Flight and Arrival at Calgary
The flight to Calgary took just 4 hours and 19 minutes. Once we landed, we picked up our snow-tire-equipped rental car and headed out for dinner. We found a pho restaurant for a quick and satisfying meal, and then stopped by T&T Supermarket to grab some grocery and snack for the week ahead.
We rented a car from AVIS at Calgary Airport upon arrival. Pro tip: always make sure to request a vehicle with snow tires, especially for a ski trip in the Rockies.
Hotel Close to Calgary Airport
We checked into a Days Inn close to the airport, strategically located to make our drive to Banff the next day easier. It was a smooth and practical start to our Rockies ski adventure.
Key Takeaways from Day 1:
- Hamilton Airport: A small, budget-friendly alternative to major airports, saving both time and money.
- Car Rental: Always ensure your rental car has snow tires when driving in the Rockies.
- Food and Essentials: Quick meals and a stop at T&T Supermarket for grocery set us up for the trip ahead.
Day 2: Ski Banff Sunshine Village
Our first ski day was spent at Ski Banff Sunshine Village. This resort is a dream with its high-altitude terrain and reliable snow. Thanks to our Ikon Pass, we skipped the hassle of buying day tickets and got straight to the fun. The breathtaking mountain views and perfectly groomed runs made it an unforgettable start to our ski trip.
Savings Insight: Ski Banff Sunshine is included in the Ikon Pass, which makes it an easy and cost-effective choice for multi-resort ski trips. Ikon pass offers 5 days on Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt. Norquay.
Day 3&4: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Thanks to our jet lag and another hour late of Calgary, we arrived at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden at 7:55 a.m. Given the mountain’s impressive height and skiable area, the facilities at the base were compact. The day lodge, a modest two-story building, sits right next to the gondola and houses a restaurant, ticket office, and restrooms. However, there are only two ticket windows, three restroom stalls, and a very small parking lot, which is quite unlike what you’d expect.
On the lodge’s first floor, you’ll find the restaurant, where you’re not allowed to leave your bags or shoes. The second floor, which has a mezzanine design, is surrounded by tables and chairs where skiers can stash their belongings. The basement hosts lockers and additional restrooms.
At 9:00 a.m., the gondola started running and carried us directly to the top of the mountain. Unfortunately, the sky was overcast, and visibility was poor, making it hard to discern the terrain beneath our skis.
First Impressions of the Mountain
Once you step off the gondola, there’s only one green run—a scenic trail winding down the mountain. However, this resort isn’t beginner-friendly. Most of the slopes are steep, with challenging terrain that’s better suited for advanced skiers. The “Stairway to Heaven” chairlift takes you to Blue Heaven (8,037 ft), a stunning peak connected by a short iron staircase.
The base area is home to a handful of vacation homes and the Whitetooth Grill, which serves as the main restaurant and ticketing hub. Groomed runs are scarce, as Kicking Horse is renowned for its natural, ungroomed powder.
Lift Lines and Facilities
Despite skiing here on January 1st and 2nd—peak holiday season—there were surprisingly no lines up at the gondola. The resort has one main gondola and three chairlifts. Once off the gondola, most of the runs are labeled black or double black diamond runs, with just one green trail that might be considered blue at other resorts.
We stopped for lunch at Eagle’s Eye, Canada’s highest elevation restaurant, perched atop the gondola. Book early if you want to have a lunch at the highest restaurant of North America!
Driving from Kicking Horse to Revelstoke
On January 2nd, the temperature dropped to -25°C, making it an intense day for skiing. The cold wind gave me a headache, so we took a long lunch break, and wrapped up our ski day by 2 p.m.
From Kicking Horse in Golden, we began our drive to Revelstoke, which took about 1 hour and 40 minutes in good weather. Along the way, we passed through Glacier National Park and Mount Revelstoke National Park. We aimed to reach our hotel before sunset for safer driving and to enjoy the scenery.
Rogers Pass
Driving through Rogers Pass, known as Canada’s snowiest area with up to 50 feet of snowfall annually, was a highlight. This area is equipped with snow sheds over railway tracks to protect from avalanches. It’s worth checking road conditions ahead of time on DriveBC. Thankfully, we had clear skies and smooth travel.
Stay in Revelstoke
We checked into the Swiss Chalet Motel, which had good review on booking.com. The motel had been recently renovated, and the interior was thoughtfully designed. The beds were particularly impressive—easily comparable to a five-star hotel. The Wi-Fi was lightning-fast, and everything felt high-quality.
However, the rooms were quite small (as the word “cozy” in reviews hinted), and the motel was close to both the main road and the railway, which made it a bit noisy. These issues are unavoidable due to its location. If you’re after the comfiest beds, opt for the two queen bedrooms and request rooms slightly farther from the road.
Highlights from Day 3 & 4 on Canadian Rockies Ski Trip
- Compact Base Area: The lodge is small but functional.
- Uncrowded Slopes: No lift lines, even during the holidays.
- Extreme Cold: Dress in layers and take breaks in heated areas.
- Scenic Drive: Driving through two national parks made the trip even more special.
- Swiss Chalet Motel: Comfortable and good value, despite minor drawbacks.
The combination of challenging terrain and unique mountain features made Kicking Horse an unforgettable part of our trip! Next stop: Revelstoke.
Day 5-8: Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Revelstoke boasts the largest vertical drop in North America (5,620 feet) and is a four-hour drive from Calgary or just over two hours from Kelowna. Back in February 2016, my travel companion Pei Yu had visited Revelstoke for two days as part of a heli-skiing trip and wanted to bring me back here. It’s also the main highlight of our ski trip. To reach the summit, you’ll need to take two gondolas followed by the Stoke Chair lift.
Revelstoke: Stunning Views and Challenging Terrain
The gondola ride gave us a fantastic view, complete with ice flowers forming on the windows at -18°C—warmer than Kicking Horse but still quite cold. At the summit, the expansive views of the North Bowl and other black diamond runs were breathtaking. For powder chasers, there are areas where you’ll need to hike with skis on your back to access pristine runs.
Despite the challenging terrain, Revelstoke offers plenty of wide blue and green groomed runs, making it much friendlier for intermediate and beginner skiers compared to Kicking Horse. Skiers who love carving will find endless enjoyment on these long, open slopes.
Facilities at Revelstoke
The resort has limited dining options, with most located at the Revelation Lodge, midway up the mountain. This includes a main restaurant and a bar. The quirky restroom signs there add a touch of fun to the experience.
For those skiing multiple days, be sure to book a reservation at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant in advance to avoid disappointment. On one day, we tried to grab lunch there at 1:30 p.m., but the wait was so long we ended up leaving.
Fresh Powder and More Exploration
On our second day, we were greeted by a mesmerizing sea of clouds in the morning—a picture-perfect start to the day. Fresh powder arrived by the afternoon, transforming the slopes into a skier’s paradise. The Aspen trail, marked as a black diamond, turned out to be an easy and quiet run through mushroom-like trees and soft snow, ideal for practicing turns.
Revelstoke’s terrain is perfect for a variety of skill levels, offering everything from serene green trails to adventurous powder-filled tree runs.
The Cozy Swiss Chalet Motel
We stayed at the Swiss Chalet Motel, which had the highest local reviews. Recently renovated, the rooms were equipped with modern furnishings, and the beds were exceptionally comfortable—easily comparable to a five-star hotel. The Wi-Fi was fast and reliable, which was a nice bonus.
However, the rooms were indeed “cozy” as the reviews described, and being right next to the main road made it a bit noisy. To ensure a good night’s sleep, we recommend requesting a room further away from the road and railway. The motel is conveniently located on a strip with multiple accommodations and restaurants, making it easy to access essentials.
Nearby Highlight: Across the road is the Revelstoke Railway Museum, which is worth a visit. The final spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven nearby, making it a historically significant site.
Afternoon Departure to Lake Louise
After four incredible days at Revelstoke, we left in the early afternoon for Lake Louise. The three-hour drive took us back through Rogers Pass, where the snow-covered landscape was stunning and the roads were thankfully clear. By the time we reached Deer Lake Lodge at Lake Louise, the sun had set, and we were ready for the next leg of our journey.
Key Highlights from Revelstoke:
- Terrain Variety: Offers something for all levels, with friendly blue and green runs alongside challenging black diamonds.
- Scenic Views: Stunning vistas from the summit and gondolas, especially during powder days.
- Efficient Lift System: Two gondolas and one chairlift efficiently take you to the top.
- Dining Options: Limited but cozy dining at Revelation Lodge and nearby spots in town.
Revelstoke lived up to its reputation as one of the best ski resorts in North America, blending challenging runs with family-friendly options, making it a true gem for any skier!
Day 9: Ski Lake Louise
On our last full day, we headed back to Lake Louise, but this time for sightseeing instead of skiing. The frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks was absolutely magical. We spent the afternoon exploring, snapping photos, and soaking in the beauty of the Rockies. Later that evening, we drove to Calgary and stayed overnight near the airport to make our travel day easy.
Tip: Taking a day to sightsee adds variety and gives you a break from skiing—plus, it’s a great way to appreciate the Rockies beyond the slopes.
Day 10: Back to Toronto
With our bags packed and memories made, we returned our rental car and caught our flight back to Toronto. Reflecting on Canadian Rockies Ski Trip, we realized that smart planning—choosing the right ski passes and staying close to the resorts—helped us make the most of every day.
Why Our Itinerary Worked
- The Right Ski Passes:
- The Ikon Pass gave us access to Ski Banff Sunshine and Kicking Horse, saving us money and avoiding ticket lines.
- The Mountain Collective Pass was perfect for Revelstoke, offering free days and discounted extras.
- Smart Accommodation Choices:
- Staying in Banff, Golden, and Revelstoke reduced our travel times and lodging costs.
- Booking early and looking for deals helped us stick to our budget.
- Maximized Ski Time:
- Planning ski days strategically meant we spent less time driving and more time on the slopes.
Summary of Ski Passes Used
| Ski Resort | Ski Pass | Days Skied | Mountain Collective Pass | Day Lift Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ski Banff Sunshine | Ikon Pass | 1 | 2 Free Days + 50% Off 3rd Day | C$174 |
| Lake Louise | Ikon Pass | 1 | 2 Free Days + 50% Off 3rd Day | C$149~ C$169 |
| Kicking Horse | Ikon Pass | 2 | 2 Free Days + 50% Off 3rd Day | C$134~C$189 |
| Revelstoke | Ikon Pass | 4 | 2 Free Days + 50% Off 3rd Day | C$187 |
Final Tips for Planning Your Rockies Ski Trip with the Ikon Pass
- Book Early: Flights, car rentals, and accommodations fill up fast during ski season.
- Choose the Right Pass: The Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective Pass are perfect for multi-resort trips.
- Stay Smart: Pick accommodations near the resorts to cut down on travel time and costs.
- Pack Well: Bring layers, and don’t forget gear for deep powder days.
- Be Flexible: Rockies weather can be unpredictable, so have backup plans ready.
Our 10-day Canadian Rockies Ski Trip was an unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re a powder hound or a casual skier, the Ikon Pass and a well-planned itinerary can help you make the most of your winter escape. Start planning today and hit the slopes!
