Images courtesy of Ski Big3
Mt. Norquay Mountain Guide - Top Trails, Itineraries & Dining
Experience Mt. Norquay like an insider. Find out where to ski with top trails. We also show you where to eat on the mountain. Plus, check out the mountain stats.
Mt. Norquay Terrain Guides
Beginner
With nearly a third of its terrain dedicated to Beginners, Mt. Norquay is ideal for families and new skiers. Known as "Banff's backyard," Mt. Norquay is the closest SkiBig3 resort to Banff (~10 minutes away). Home to Canada's longest-running snow school, the resort offers lessons for students as young as 3 years old. Cascade is a great place to start. Beginners can then progress onto the Spirit Chair with steeper green runs located below its mid-station.
Intermediate
Known as the stomping ground of former and future Olympians, Mt. Norquay prides itself on impeccable grooming. The Spirit Chair offers a unique progression run, Abracadabra with a pitch that transitions from blue to green. For confident Intermediates, Mystic Chair has long, wide blue groomers. Monod's Legacy and Crosby's Run are steeper and more challenging underfoot while Crazy Canuck and Knight Flight are playful groomers.
Advanced/Expert
One of the best-kept secrets in Banff National Park is Mt. Norquay's black terrain, which amounts to a surprising 44% of the resort. On a powder day, while traffic rushes to the other SkiBig3 resorts, locals race to Mt. Norquay to ride its famous North American Chair, a two-seater, for the freshest tracks and zero lift lines. Here, you'll find the bumpy, leg-burner Lone Pine and the north-facing Gun Run, with untouched turns late into the day.
-
The ski-race standard for grooming and snow-making at Mt. Norquay creates perfect terrain for beginner and intermediate skiers to practice carving
-
Expect friendly lifties and warm, local vibes at Mt. Norquay. This resort is welcoming and down to earth
Top Trail Picks
On Mountain Dining Recommendations
Mt. Norquay's dining scene is a reflection of its resort atmosphere; laid-back, kid-friendly, and nostalgic. Their cafeteria and pub menus include hearty soups, flavourful curries, and fresh sandwiches that taste healthy and home-made. It's a refreshing and delightful alternative to deep-fried resort fare. Our top picks are below:
Cascade Lodge Cafeteria
Whether you're looking for something to grab and go on a powder day or sit down for an affordable meal with the family, the Cascade Lodge Cafeteria is an easy pit-stop. This cafeteria focuses on healthy alternatives that focus on homestyle, flavorful dishes cooked from scratch in-house. It's simple, real, and uncomplicated comfort food loved by kids and adults.
North American Cafeteria
Situated near the base of the North American Chair and Tube Park, the North American Cafeteria offers a quick refuel for advanced skiers lapping the bumps off Big Chair and a quick warm-up for families at the Tube Park. Here you'll find premade sandwiches, healthy snacks, chocolate bars, hot drinks, and diner classics like burgers and hot dogs.
Lone Pine
Located upstairs in Cascade Lodge, this quaint pub is a laid-back space for après or to grab a bite before night skiing. With low leather couches, kid-friendly tables, and high tops, the Lone Pine has an après vibe for everyone. Mt. Norquay's Executive Chef puts a spin on classic pub grub with small plates like pork & kimchi dumplings and pretzels & beer cheese, crafted with Norquay 96 Hazy Pale Ale.
Mt. Norquay Mountain Stats
Terrain Mix
Size / Elevation
-
Peak: 6,998 ft | 2,133m
-
Vertical Drop: 1,648 ft. | 503m
-
Base: 5,350 ft | 1630m
-
Total Area: 190 acres | 0.77 sq km
Terrain Overview
Mountain Range: Canadian Rockies
-
60 Trails
-
2 Bowls
-
1 Terrain Park
Peaks
-
Mount Norquay (8,274 ft)
Bases
-01.png)
Lift Stats
Uphill Capacity: 7,000 ppl / hr
6 Total Lifts
-
1 Express Quad
-
2 Quads
-
1 Double
-
2 Surface Lifts
-
1 Minimum lift to access peak from base