Banff’s closest ski hill, Mount Norquay is very family-friendly. It’s the kind of place where parents can ditch their kids in the terrain park and head off to ski some bowls or bumps. I remember Norquay as being mogul central. Long, steep runs of giant bumps are not for everyone but they have their own devout set of followers. There may be more groomage these days, but when I was a tot trying to make my way down beside the North American chairlift in bumps bigger than I was, it was one bronco of a ride.
Norquay has always been a little famous for kicking people’s asses by forcing them down, one-way-out runs. I hear however that these days, there are “ways out” and that Norquay is more encompassing of all ski levels. If you measure your skill by how many bumps you can fly through and not powder you can crush, than take your friends here and strut your stuff.
Not to say that there are not some opportunities for powder. This whole area gets a lot of snow and as Norquay is spread across three mountains, you will have a good chance of finding powder within the tucked away bowls. Chances are, there will be fewer people fighting for the powder lines on this mountain as well.
The Norquay terrain park is one of the only ones left near Banff and luckily, or unluckily to those parents who finished après ski hours ago and yearn for a hot shower, the park is lit up and keeps humming into the night. Maybe the kids can walk the 6 kms back to Banff???
For those of you nordically inclined, Norquay is tops. Located within the infamous Kananaskis Country, you can cross-country ski your way through absolutely breathtaking scenery. There are also trips you can do and huts you can sleep in if you want to surround yourself with wintery wilderness for a few days. But a heads up: you need to book these huts well in advance.
Much smaller and cozier than Lake Louise and a little gentler than Sunshine, intermediates and then some could really crank out some great ski days on Mount Norquay. You can get a lift ticket and ski all three mountains. A good deal because they are all so different.
Check Norquay out. Don’t let the bigger names get all the attention. And bring your ski pants with the florescent knee patches with you.
