Industry News
The 2025–26 season in Banff and Lake Louise is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with major on-mountain upgrades, new terrain openings, milestone celebrations, a new in-room rental fitting service, and world-class wellness experiences. From Canada’s only heated bubble chairlifts to the debut of Richardson’s Ridge and Mt. Norquay’s 100th anniversary, SkiBig3 continues to elevate the ski experience in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Here’s what’s new across Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, Mt. Norquay — and beyond.
Tentative Resort Opening Dates 2025-26*
Banff Sunshine: November 7, 2025
Lake Louise Ski Resort: November 7, 2025
Mt. Norquay: November 1, 2025
*All resort opening dates are tentative and weather permitting.
New On-Mountain at Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort & Mt. Norquay
LAKE LOUISE SKI RESORT
Lake Louise Ski Resort’s Richardson’s Ridge addition is well underway, and the project’s first phase is slated to open by early spring 2026. Later this season, skiers and riders can access 200-acres featuring five new beginner (green) and intermediate (blue) trails, as well as beginner and intermediate gladed terrain, via a new chairlift on the resort’s backside. The new terrain is being constructed off the existing Pika trail, with a wide natural area up top. The new Richardson’s Ridge Express Chair, a detachable high-speed quad lift, will provide easy access to the area’s new trails and gladed terrain, perfect for skiers and boarders to explore. The base terminal will be situated near the junction of the Pika trail and Corral Creek, and the top terminal will rest just below treeline on Mount Richardson.
BASIN Glacial Waters, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s highly anticipated indoor-outdoor thermal bathing destination, officially opened on September 15, 2025. BASIN is a modern interpretation of a traditional bathhouse inspired by natural springs, thermal waters, and Nordic sauna culture. The curated thermotherapy experience is a healing practice using varied water temperatures to stimulate and restore the body and mind. Guests move through a self-guided circuit of traditional Finnish and Bio saunas, an Aufguss Sauna, steam rooms, a hot stone massage room, and the Silent Salt Relax Room with its Himalayan salt wall. A series of temperature-diverse pools—including a Reflexology Pool, Infinity Pool, and Kneipp Walk—further enhance the ritual. Five curated wellness “Trails,” such as the calming Stillness Trail, guide guests through intentional sequences designed for restoration.
During its opening phase, BASIN Glacial Waters will be available exclusively to overnight hotel guests of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Daily access passes will be open to guests outside of the hotel at a later stage, bookable on a pre-reserved basis when available.
MT. NORQUAY
While the resort will be celebrating all season long, a big anniversary event is in the works for March, with more details to be released soon. The resort will also debut its 100thanniversary short film, created by Sherpa’s Cinema, at the 50th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival November 1-9, 2025. Additional film showings will be released soon.
A brand-new magic carpet lift will debut at Mt. Norquay this season, more than doubling the current learning terrain. The new surface lift will ensure an even better first-time skier and alt-adventuring experience by granting access from the Main Lodge to the tubing park.
BANFF SUNSHINE
On-Mountain Improvements for the upcoming 2025-26 season include:
- Fleet Expansion: Two brand-new snowcats are joining the mountain crew: a Park Pro snowcat to enhance terrain park grooming, and a Winch Cat to improve grooming on the resort’s steepest slopes.
- New Retail Space: A new retail store will open on the first level of Creekside, giving guests more options for gear and souvenirs right at the base.
- Tech Upgrades: Sunshine has rolled out extensive new point-of-sale systems across its food and beverage outlets — expect quicker service and a smoother guest experience.
In addition, Sunshine Mountain Lodge has undergone a multi-phase refresh, with updated guest rooms, conference facilities, and common areas, all designed to enhance the slopeside stay experience
NOTABLE ON-MOUNTAIN 2025-2026
Last season, SkiBig3 debuted two new 6-seater, heated bubble chairlifts at Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise Ski Resort. Along with Banff Sunshine’s existing Teepee Town LX Chair, installed in 2014, SkiBig3 is home to all three of Canada’s heated, weather protection bubble lifts.
NEW IN TOWN 2025-26
New this winter, guests staying in Canmore can enjoy a premium rental service right in the comfort of their hotel room courtesy of SkiBig3. Ski and snowboard rental gear is delivered, fitted and teched at your hotel or rental accommodation with our expert team. No rental shop lines, no hauling gear, just more time on the mountain. Choose from our extensive fleet of skis and snowboards for adults and kids, with premium gear options.
Opening this November 2025, Everwild Nordic Spa will be Canmore’s first Nordic spa, brought to life by the team at Basecamp Resorts. Attached to the MTN House luxury hotel, this 43,000+-square-foot outdoor oasis will offer a premium hydrotherapy experience, complete with spa amenities and an on-site restaurant.
The property’s design will draw from native materials and traditions, while its spa experiences will harness the healing essence of the surrounding environment. Guests can expect a holistic journey that invites reflection, renewal, and a deeper connection with nature.
Every January, Banff and Lake Louise come alive with the vibrant SnowDays celebration. New this year, the festival will extend into a fourth weekend of fun. The festival takes place from Jan. 17 through Feb. 8, 2026. The streets of downtown Banff transform into a winter wonderland, showcasing larger-than-life snow sculptures, while Lake Louise and a public Banff installation dazzles with its stunning ice sculptures during Ice Magic. The thrill of skijoring electrifies the atmosphere, with excited onlookers lining Banff Avenue to catch the action. Don’t miss the lively Play Zone, Bear Street Hub and evenings at SnowNights where even more exciting experiences await.
A brand new indigenous-inspired winter festival called Flying Canoë Volant will debut in Banff February 26-March 1, 2026. The creative and interactive cultural celebration is designed to engage local history and everything that is great about a long winter’s night. Inspired by the legend of The Flying Canoe and French Canadian, First Nations and Métis traditions, the Flying Canoë Volant experience is a magical, interactive light show with live music, races, and games. Originating in Edmonton, Flying Canoë will be adapted to Banff to incorporate local Indigenous stories and practices.
Formerly the High Country Inn, this newly transformed addition to downtown Banff has been locally owned and family operated for more than 60 years and promises a place where “luxury meets legacy.” The Kenrick is ideally located on Banff Avenue in the heart of this storied Canadian mountain town. Relax between adventures in a Classic Guest Room or Kenrick Suite, take a dip in the salt water pool – The Nora Pool, cozy up by The Library fireplace with a immersive read, tuck into heaping plates of Nonna-approved, alpine-inspired Italian favorites at one of Banff’s hottest restaurants, The Fat Ox, and then step outside and experience all that Banff has to offer.
Saddle up, settle in—0pening December 2025, The Dusty Boot Saloon & Dance Hall is Banff’s newest nightlife landmark. A dive bar at heart, designed with weathered charm and modern edge, the space channels the tongue-in-cheek spirit of classic cowboy country; faded signage, boot-scuffed floors, and nostalgic saloon energy reimagined for today. Inside, you’ll find a lively main hall built for good times: a dance floor for boot-scootin’ nights, a stage for live bands and country DJs, and karaoke “singing sheds” where friends can let loose. The bar pours whiskies, cold beers, cocktails and more while the Dusty Parlour downstairs and tucked-away lounges offer spots to settle in between rounds. It’s equal parts cowboy saloon, high-energy dance hall, and Banff après roadhouse.
