Three Steep Ski Resort Runs in Banff National Park

Canada has some of the best inbound skiing in North America and some of it is found in Banff Nationals Park.

While there are countless world-class off-piste runs to chase, there are some classic resort runs to bag first.

Conditions will vary throughout the year, but if you’re looking for some lift-access steep skiing then check out these five lines.

Mount Norquay: Lone Pine

Mount Norquay has some of Canada’s oldest runs and its position close to the town of Banff makes it a popular destination.

Lone Pine drops from the North American Chair, the biggest at Norquay, and follows a steep line of moguls that will leave your legs burning something fierce.

The ski run was once the host of the Mountain Smoker competition. The best skiers in the area would see who could get the most laps in three hours.

“It’s not that you can’t ski moguls, it’s that you can’t ski and the moguls just prove it.”

Lake Louise Ski Resort: Eagle Ridge 3

Lake Louise has some amazing terrain and Eagle Ridge is a go-to for many seeking challenging turns.

There are seven chutes known as the ER Chutes 1 to 7. The alpine bowls have steep drops, rocky cliffs, chutes and more.

There are a number of fun runs, but ER3 has everything advanced skiers are looking for. One of the must-do cliffs is the Eagle Air. Enjoy the pockets, deep powder and remote vibes.

Sunshine Village: Delirium Dive

Easily one of the most well-known ski runs in Canada, Delirium Dive isn’t always open and when it is, you better be prepared for what it offers.

From the top of the Continental Divide Chair you enter the gate that will only open if you have an avalanche transceiver.

With ski patrol watches over the skiers hiking to the summit of Lookout Mountain, you get the feeling you’re about to drop into something intense.

The large cirque has cliffs, chutes and steep sections that will keep even seasoned veterans on their toes.

The most simple lines involve a rocky face traverse into a 45-degree slope. The most serious will have you hucking from a cornice exposed 50 degree slopes.

During high winds, the “Dive” can have metres-more snow than the rest of the resort.

So, have you skied the Dive?