Skiing in Banff/ Lake Louise/ Sunshine Valley - How difficult are the slopes?

We are considering going to Banff in Canada but have read contradictory reports on how difficult the slopes are. We were attracted initially by brochures that advertise the resort as having long gentle runs. We liked the sound of that as we are low to medium intermediate skiers and prefer to ski long gentle runs as opposed to steep challenging slopes that tire the old legs out after an hour. However, recently I read that the slopes in Canada tend to be a lot steeper than the slopes in Europe. Green and blue runs in Canada can often be equivalent to red runs in Europe.
What is the truth? I would be interested in hearing from anyone (not trying to sell holidays) who has been to Banff (inc Sunshine Valley and Lake Louise) and :?: is able to compare it to one of the popular European resorts (for example the three valleys in France of Soll in Austria).

hi just to let you know the slopes are ideal for you in snshine and lake louise never got to norquay ,they are all well signed and all have an easy way down there reds are equivalent to austrian blue,just got back from kaprun and zell,banf is great and the canadians,all resorts have ski guides you can follow for free just ask when you buy passes,enjoy

Thanks for the reply. I feel more confident in booking. However you said " (Canadian) reds are equivalent to Austrian blue". I was told the opposite "Canadian blues are equivalent to Austrian reds."

Could you confirm which way round it is?

i personally think the canadian blue and reds in sunshine and lake louise are nice and cruisy,compared to blues and reds in austria,but the diamond blacks a bigger step up,and they always have an easy blue alternative to get down,the piste maps are always at the top of each chair lift so no worries about getting lost,also as english is main language plenty off advise is available and plnty off gondola,chairlift chats,great place if you can go ,go.hope this helps.

Thanks for the advise. This definitely helps

The runs in Canada are definitely easier than Europe....ie a blue run in Canada would prob be classed as green in places like Austria, so you should get on some nice cruising reds!! ( steep blues over here!!) Have fun, Jo

Hi, just got back from Lake Louise, Sunshine. I'm a Canadian and have never seen red runs here. We use green, blue, black and double black. It depends on where you go but I think that the Blues in Alberta are equivalent to blues in Europe. You'll find lots of them in Banff . Now Fernie in B.C. is another matter .There I think that some of the blues are closer to European reds.You wont find the runs as long in Lake Louise as you do in e.g. Trois Vallees and the equipment at LL is not nearly as good as that which you find in the best resorts so be prepared to bundle up for some slow lifts as the weather can be bitterly cold. We've been to LL in Feb. and in March and both times it was minus 20C or colder.

Hi Alan,

I'm not sure if you've yet taken the plunge and booked but haing recently skied at Lake Louise & Sunshine I highly recommend both resorts and staying in Banff. The ski busses are highly frequent and are no trouble at all.

In my opinion the runs are easier than most European resorts if for no other reason than there are no crowds and you can often have the slopes almost to yourself.

The run classification is Green (easiest & can often involve some poling if you've not got enough speed going), blue (equivalent to Europes Red, but often far easier than a european red), then onto black and double black which by the sounds of things you'll probably stay away from. Some of the blacks though are really not that much harder than some of the blues.

One of the BEST things about both resorts is that they both run a "snow host" programme completely FREE OF CHARGE. The "snow hosts" are volunteers who basically operate as mountain ski guides. They ski with beginner and intermediate groups of no more than 6 or 7 (sometimes a few more at the weekends) and are simply invaluable in getting to know the mountain and the best runs. Plus of course it's a great way to get to meet fellow skiers.

You meet with the Lake Louise hosts at either 10am (for a 2 hour tour) or 1.15pm for an afternoon 2 hour tour. Meeting place right outside the main lodge and ski ticket office.

At Sunshine they operate from midday for a 3 hour tour and meet at the ski school meeting place right outside the mountain pub (can't remember the name of said pub!!).

If you PM me your email address I'll happily email you some pics of some of the runs at both resorts as reassurance and of course if you have any futher questions regarding this area of the world just let me know!!

Go ahead and book that holiday buddy!!

KP Ski

PS - I stayed in the Inns Of Banff which was a great hotel with reasonable prices. And Ski Stop in Banff were excellent for Ski hire.