Banff’s Early Snow and Opening Dates

Banff’s ski season 2025-26 is taking shape under a welcome blanket of early snow, setting up the local Resorts for one of the stronger starts in recent years. Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort have both announced November 7 opening days, with Mt. Norquay following close behind on November 14.

October storms swept across the Continental Divide, coating the alpine with 30 to 40 centimetres of natural snow and locking in a solid freeze at higher elevations. With overnight lows well below –10 °C, snowmaking crews have been running around the clock—stockpiling a dependable base on key lower-mountain runs while nature fills in the rest.

“It’s shaping up beautifully,” said one Sunshine snowmaker earlier this week. “We’ve got cold temps, fresh snow, and more on the way—everything you’d want to kickstart winter.”

Skiers in Banff National Park can expect early-season laps on groomed corduroy and powder stashes in protected bowls by opening weekend. Lake Louise has already fired up lifts for staff training, while Norquay crews are busy fine-tuning their snowmaking network ahead of the mid-month launch.

Across the region, excitement is building. The early snowfall coincides perfectly with long-range forecasts hinting at a La Niña pattern—one that historically favours colder, snowier conditions across Western Canada.

If the trend holds, November could deliver one of the best early starts in recent memory for the Rockies.

So wax up, check your bindings, and get ready—winter has clocked in early, and Banff is leading the charge.

Photo: Bill Marsh/Fairmont Banff Springs