Mt. Norquay is officially 100 years old this season, and if you’ve ever spent a day there, you know why it’s stuck around. It’s not the biggest resort in the Rockies, but it’s got a long history, and a whole lot of ways to enjoy winter without overcomplicating things.

In the Beginning

Mt. Norquay got its name in 1904 – a few years after John Norquay, premier of Manitoba from 1878-1887, took a stab at climbing the mountain. Reports vary on whether or not he actually reached the summit, but the name stuck. When Swiss and Austrian mountain guides arrived in Banff in the early 1900s, they brought with them a strong passion for downhill skiing. Ski pioneer Gus Johnson was known for teaching children to ski, and he started seeking out a good place to establish a ski camp. Norquay’s steep slopes and proximity to town made it the perfect place, and in 1926, people were officially skiing at Mt. Norquay. The rest, as they say, is history.

Norquay had its first ski cabin in 1927 and its first rope tow in 1941. The ski hill was just the second in Canada to install a chairlift in 1948. The North American Chairlift, or “Big Chair,” is still bringing people up the mountain to this day.

Steep Slopes and Speedsters

Norquay quickly became a locals' hub for ski activity. Not only is it close to town, making it a great spot for locals to catch a few runs on their days off, or on an extended lunch break, but it also attracted skiers with the need for speed. The mountain hosted the Dominion Ski Championships in 1937, and again in 1940 and 1948. This was only the beginning of a long history of racing at Norquay. For 25 years, major intercollegiate ski competitions for universities from across North America hosted alpine racing and ski jumping competitions at Norquay. In 1972, Norquay hosted a World Cup in giant slalom and slalom.

Bruno Engler – a mountain guide, photographer, ski instructor, stunt double, and filmmaker based in Banff – started the Bruno Engler Ski Race in 1968. That race is still running in 2026, making it Canada’s longest-running ski race.

Mike and Bonnie Wiegele founded the Banff Alpine Racers Ski Club in the late 1970s, a club dedicated to guiding young skiers entering and training for competitive skiing. The club has turned out some excellent talent, including Canadian National Alpine Ski Team members Erik Read and Trevor Philp, as well as Olympic Bronze medalist Jan Hudec and World Cup winner Thomas Grandi.

Norquay Today

Today, Mt. Norquay continues to be a major player in the ski scene, but it hasn’t lost its laid-back, welcoming vibe. The hill hosts events that are popular with locals and visitors alike (check out the annual Valentine’s Day Lifts of Love event, the Magic on the Mountain events, Easter egg hunt, ski races, and more). It has one of the largest tube parks in Alberta, with the longest tube lanes.

The hill features a vertical rise of 503 m/1,650 ft, and the longest run is 1,167 m/3,828 ft. There is a terrain park with jump lines to suit all abilities. A new lift this winter triples the beginner terrain, opening up new easy runs and making Norquay a great place to learn to ski. Later this season is the debut of the Norquay 100 Glades, a brand-new terrain expansion in the Mystic area. Norquay also hosts the only night skiing and tubing in Banff.

Over the years, Norquay has seen a lot, but it’s still doing what it does best: keeping things simple and seriously enjoyable. This is the season to be part of the story.

Here are three reasons to check it out Norquay’s 100th season:

1. Tubing That’s Fun for Adults

Let’s be honest: tubing parks can be hit or miss. Norquay’s is a hit. With six long lanes and a magic carpet to get you back up, it’s fast, smooth, and surprisingly thrilling. You don’t need gear and you don’t need skills. Just show up and hang on. Bonus: night tubing is a thing, and it’s as fun as it sounds.

2. Snow School That Doesn’t Feel Like School

Whether you’re brand new to skiing or just want to sharpen your turns, Norquay’s Snow School is low-key and effective. The instructors are friendly, patient, and know how to make learning feel like fun. There are options for kids, adults, and multi-week programs if you want to commit. Plus, the learning area has tripled in size. No pressure, just progress.

3. Lone Pine Pub: The Chill Spot You Need

After a few hours outside, The Lone Pine Pub is exactly where you want to end up. It’s got solid food, local beers, and a relaxed vibe that makes it easy to hang out. Whether you’re warming up or winding down, it’s the kind of place that feels like part of the mountain, not just a stop on the way out.