Christmas week is one of the busiest of the ski season around Calgary, and with good reason: five ski areas are within a couple of hours of the city.
| Ski area | Drive from Calgary | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| WinSport (Canada Olympic Park) | In the city | Beginners, lessons, night skiing |
| Nakiska | About 1 hour | Families, a short drive |
| Mt. Norquay | About 1.5 hours | Steep runs and night skiing above Banff |
| Sunshine Village | About 1.5 hours | Big terrain and reliable snow |
| Lake Louise | About 2 hours | Huge terrain and holiday festivities |
Christmas on the Slopes
The mountain resorts usually run holiday programming, from Santa skiing on Christmas Day to torchlight parades and New Year’s Eve parties. In 2025, Santa was spotted skiing at Lake Louise from December 23 to 25. See Christmas at Lake Louise.
Tips
- Buy lift tickets online in advance for holiday dates.
- Leave early: Highway 1 backs up on weekend mornings.
- You need a Parks Canada pass to stop in Banff National Park.
Related: Christmas in Banff, WinSport at Christmas.
Part of: Calgary Christmas Guide 2026
