The continental climate that provides abundant light powdery snow to this region, along with spectacular vistas makes the ski vacation destinations here as attractive as anywhere in North America. The cost is very reasonable as well. The season runs from the middle of December to the end of May.
Banff National Park offers great variety among its ski areas. Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise have everything from steep, difficult, and challenging, to areas well suited to the intermediate skier. The snow is dry and provides excellent early season conditions. The conditions can be bitterly cold however, so visitors must be well prepared for this. Banff offers a lot of accommodations to travelers on their ski vacation.
Lake Louise is a very large ski resort second in size in Canada only to Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia. Being so large, it has extensive runs in all categories. The surrounding mountains are beautiful, but temperatures can be bitterly cold. This may make skiing later in the season a more attractive alternative. Banf is about an hour away, and is the logical place to stay.
Norquay has a long history and reputation as a mountain for advanced skiers. More areas have been developed for intermediate skiers and freestylers though. The slopes can be icy, and it is best to ski after a storm. The forested slopes do however provide some protection from the winds.
Sunshine Village has three mountains to ski, and is an exceptional ski area. It has abundant snow, long seasons, and wide open bowls as well as tree lined slopes.