Words by Team Rider Eric Lee O'Brien

Last season was something new for me. After the better part of a decade spending my winters in Tahoe, I headed north to Banff National Park in Alberta to check out the Canadian Rockies and SkiBig3 resorts, and they did not disappoint. Stunning mountains, loads of freeride terrain, cold smoke turns, and an incredible community await those who make the journey. Here’s what you need to know:

The Mountains

The first thing that strikes you when you show up in Banff is the mountains. There are a lot of incredible ranges out there, but the Canadian Rockies are some of the most stunning and majestic mountains in the world. You’ll spend a good portion of your time here staring up those peaks, drooling over all of the different lines you might ski.

The Terrain

The next thing that hits you is the terrain. This place is a freeride playground with almost 8,000 acres that offers a little something for everyone across three unique resorts. Hike-to inbounds zones, cliffs, side hits, wide open bowls with natural terrain features, and perfectly spaced tree runs.

The Snowfall + Season

Not only is there a seemingly endless variety of phenomenal skiing, but they get over 30 feet of the lightest cold-smoke pow you’ll find anywhere. On top of that, they are generally the first resorts to start spinning lifts in North America in early November, and the season runs into the middle of May. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys an endless winter, this is the place for you.

Here’s a look at SkiBig3 by the numbers: 3 Resorts, 29 Lifts, 362 Runs, 8,954ft Top elevation, 5,350ft Bottom Elevation.

The Town

It’s not just the skiing that makes this place special. The community in Banff is incredible, from the quintessentially friendly Canadian vibe, to the wide variety of restaurants, awesome local shops, and historic hot springs right in town, the time you spend off the hill is almost as fun as the time you spend on the hill.

The Skis we Recommend for the Trip