Alberta’s SkiBig3 Resorts are Offering Free Lift Tickets and Rentals for Kids This Winter

SkiBig3 is offering free lift tickets and rentals for kids up to the age of 12 with the purchase of an adult package of at least five days this winter. The kids’ lift tickets and rental packages will match the number of days booked for the adults, with a minimum of five ski days. Kids Ski Free is only applicable for bookings including lodging and is subject to blackout dates. For rental packages, a five-day or longer adult rental must be purchased. One adult package qualifies for up to two child packages, and blackout dates apply for Christmas and the February long weekend. The offer ends September 30, and is available during Spring Break (March) and Easter weekend 2026.

The towns of Banff and Lake Louise offer three different resorts across six mountains. In total, the SkiBig3 mountains feature 7,748 acres of skiable terrain to explore across Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay. Now, SkiBig3 is removing barriers for children to learn to ski and ride. The goals are to help the next generation discover a lifelong love for the sport and give parents even more reason to choose Banff and Lake Louise for their winter getaway.

“At SkiBig3, we know that the magic of skiing often begins with a family trip to the mountains. Our Kids Ski & Rent Free offer makes it easier than ever for families to experience the joy of Banff National Park together,” Rachel Wilson, Marketing Director, SkiBig3, wrote to SnowBrains in an email.

• Related: The ‘Vision 100’ Resort Improvement Plan Aims to Improve the Next 100 Years of Operation at Mt. Norquay, Alberta

For season passes, SkiBig3 offers two products: a regular season pass and the Rocky Mountain Passport. Notably, the Rocky Mountain Passport gives unlimited access to seven resorts across Alberta and British Columbia (Fernie, Kimberly, Marmot, Nakiska, Lake Louise, Norquay, and Sunshine).  The pass is popular among locals and racing families who frequently travel between the resorts during the winter. Both passes fall rate sale ends on October 15.

Mt. Norquay is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and they are adding a new surface lift that will double its learning area. The resort plans to celebrate the anniversary all season long. In anticipation of this milestone, Norquay is planning to replace the North American Chairlift, aka the “Big Chair.”

Looking at this season, there are new things and upgrades at the three mountains that skiers and riders will enjoy. Last season, SkiBig3 launched its two six-seater, heated bubble chairlifts at Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise Ski Resort, which are Canada’s only heated bubble chairlifts. 

Another project that is in progress is Phase One of Lake Louise Ski Resort’s Richardson’s Ridge addition, with a debut planned for the 2025-2026 season. This all-new area will feature four new beginner and intermediate trails, gladed terrain, and a high-speed quad chairlift on the resort’s backside.

Just in time for the start of the ski season, a new, state-of-the-art thermal wellness experience at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is scheduled to open September 15, 2025. BASIN Glacial Waters is a consciously designed, contemporary indoor-outdoor lakeside thermal bathing facility expected to revolutionize wellness in the Canadian Rockies.

Banff and Lake Louise are nestled inside 1.6 million acres of unspoiled wilderness that is Banff National Park. Skiers and riders are treated to views and vistas stretching as far as the eye can see, untouched by resort development. The mountains offer pristine snow, jagged-edged crags, and an unfathomable number of trees. The ski area is a backcountry gateway where skiers and riders can sample mounds of untracked powder. 

Ski and snowboard season lasts seven glorious months in Southern Alberta. Banff National Park is located north of the 51st parallel in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and boasts one of the longest seasons around. The season usually starts in November, and skiers and riders are traditionally still hitting the slopes until May. SkiBig3’s Kids Ski and Rent Free offer, combined with Banff and Lake Louise’s world-class resorts, makes this an ideal family-friendly winter destination.