There are few things more thrilling than flying down a snowy slope on a bluebird Alberta day. Whether you board or ski, you know what I’m talking about! If you just can’t get enough snow and speed in your life, it’s time to take the next step and commit to a season’s pass. Here’s what you need to know before saying I do:
- When does a Family Season’s Pass save you money?
- How to save money if you have little kids, post secondary students, or ski infrequently.
- Key Features of Nakiska, Norquay, Sunshine, and Lake Louise’s Family Season’s Passes.
This post was NOT sponsored.
When Does a Family Season’s Pass Save You Money?
A family season’s pass is the best deal for families with 2 adults and at least one child 6-17 years old* provided you ski at least 10 times a season (at sale pricing).
If you have 2 children 6 & up, your pass pays for itself in only 8 visits (at sale pricing)!* Single parents with 2 teenagers can save with a Family Season’s Pass at Nakiska, Norquay, and Lake Louise at sale prices (and at Nakiska and the Big 3 at regular prices).
*Exceptions
If you have 2 children 6 & up, your pass pays for itself in only 8 visits (at sale pricing)!* Single parents with 2 teenagers can save with a Family Season’s Pass at Nakiska, Norquay, and Lake Louise at sale prices (and at Nakiska and the Big 3 at regular prices).
*Exceptions
- If you only have one child who is eligible for the Grade 2 $20 Fun Pass (available at Nakiska, Sunshine and Lake Louise), it’s more economical to purchase Adult passes and a Grade 2 Fun Pass.
- The Nakiska Family Pass or Norquay 90 Family Pass pays for itself in only 4 visits at sale pricing!
- The Lake Louise Parent Pass allows 2 parents to share a pass and receive a complimentary Beginner Fun Zone ticket for the other parent. One parent skis while the other teaches the kids to ski in the learning area! A great option for families with kids aged 0-5!
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| Skiing is fun for the whole family! |
Family Season’s Pass FAQs
- What about kids under 6 years old? Kids under 6 ski free at our local ski hills, but if you are a frequent skier, you may wish to purchase a Tiger (0-5 yr old) Season’s pass so you don’t have to line up and get a lift ticket every time you ski.
- What if I have more than 2 kids aged 6 & up? Mount Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise Family Season’s Passes include all children under 17 that live with you. Nakiska’s pass includes only 2 children, so you will need to purchase an additional child/youth/student pass (but this still works out to less than a family pass at Sunshine or Lake Louise).
- What about kids over 17 years old? If you have Post secondary students (18-29 yrs old) at home with you as well as younger children, get a Student Add-On to your Family Season’s Pass for about the same price as Youth passes. Non-students will need adult season’s passes.
- How can I save money if I only ski a few times per season?
- The best deal by far is Mount Norquay’s Toonie Days. Ski all day for $2 !
- If you have a kid in Grade 4 or 5 and like to ski at different resorts during ski season, consider the Grade 4 & 5 Snowpass that lets your child ski 3 times at each participating location for $29.95.
- Purchase a discount card from your favorite ski hill. For little more than a daily lift ticket, you get your 1st, 4th, and 7th day of skiing free and discounts on other visits. Look at the Big Drop (Norquay), Lake Louise, RCR (Nakiska), or Sunshine cards.
- Take advantage of coupons, Groupons, and Costco deals. Costco sells lift tickets to Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine for 20-30% off.
- The ADmazing Savings Ticket Pack (formerly Student Union Ticket Pack) also has coupons for Nakiska (50% off lift tickets) and Mount Norquay (2 for 1 lift tickets and rentals).
- Look for hotel ski & stay deals. Several hotels in Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise bundle accommodation and lift tickets for great prices.
Season’s Pass Details for Nakiska and The Big 3
Now it’s time to look at our local ski hills – Nakiska, Norquay, Sunshine, and Lake Louise – and what they have to offer.
Nakiska – Calgary’s Closest Mountain
Nakiska is a family favorite due to its proximity to Calgary (<100 km!), great ski school, and beginner-friendly green runs. When you’ve mastered the basics, there are plenty of intermediate and advanced runs to carve. Adventurous skiers and boarders will love the Monster Glades and NaJibSka Rail Park! To see our favorite things about Nakiska, check out Why you need a Nakiska Season’s Pass.
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| Nakiska Ski Resort |
Nakiska Family Pass Details
- Family Size: For two adults and up to two children under 17 years old living at the same address.
- Blackout Dates: n/a
- Discounts: 20% off food, 10% off rentals and daycare (20% off high performance rentals), 10% off retail (some exclusions apply), Friends & Family Ticket Discounts (up to 25% off), hotel discounts, and lesson discounts. For a complete listing see RCR Member Benefits and Savings.
- Sale Price: $699 (until October 15). Regular Price: $1,999.
Mount Norquay – Banff’s Closest Mountain
Mount Norquay is a fun and friendly mountain just minutes from Banff. Enjoy great skiing, top-notch and affordable instruction, and short chairlift waits at this hidden gem, then hit the town for good eats and a soak at Banff Hot Springs. Did you know Norquay has 60 runs and glades skiing (Norquay 90 Glades off the Mystic Chair)?For more information on skiing and tubing at Mount Norquay, read these stories:
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| Sweet view of Mount Rundle from #MightyQuay Image Credit: Mount Norquay |
Norquay Family Pass Details
- Family Size: For two adults and children under 17 years old living at the same address.
- Blackout Dates: n/a
- Discounts: 10% off food and beverage, rentals, lessons, and tubing. Night skiing excluded. 50% lift pass discounts at eligible Leading Mountain Resorts of the World.
- Sale price: $1,269 (until October 31). Regular Price: $1,499.
Norquay 90 Family Pass Details
The Norquay 90 Family Pass is a great deal with the same perks as the regular Family Pass and only a few blackout dates! More than half of Christmas Break is included as well as Family Day long weekend, Spring Break and Easter weekend.
- Family Size: For two adults and children under 17 years old living at the same address.
- Blackout Dates: December 27 -30, January 7-8, January 14-15, January 21, January 28, February 11-12, February 25-26, March 4-5, and March 11-12.
- Discounts: 10% off food and beverage, rentals, lessons, and tubing. Night skiing excluded. 50% lift pass discounts at eligible Leading Mountain Resorts of the World.
- Sale price: $629 (until October 31). Regular Price: $799.
For complete details, see Banff Norquay Season’s Passes.
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| Mount Norquay Ski School Image Credit: Mount Norquay |
Sunshine – The Longest Ski Season
Ski for 7 months at Sunshine Village, home of North America’s longest non-glacial ski season! Ski amazing runs on three mountains, and enjoy Canada’s only high speed heated chair lift (TeePee Town LX). Fun for all levels. Those with avalanche training and gear will love making epic turns in Delirium Dive.
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| Beautiful Sunshine Village Image Credit: Shawna Hays |
Sunshine Family Pass Details
- Family Size: For two adults and children under 17 years old living at the same address.
- Blackout Dates: n/a
- Discounts: 20% off dining (some exclusions apply), 10% off rentals & tuning, 10% off retail over $20, 20% off Marmot Basin lift tickets, as well as Banff dining and accommodation discounts. Full details here.
- Sale price: $2,249 (until October 15). Regular Price: $2,575.
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| Big POG crushing the steeps |
Lake Louise – The Largest Ski Resort in the Rockies
With incredible views and super long runs off the front and back side (the longest run is 8 km), it’s easy to see why Lake Louise is so famous. Whether you’re just learning or are an expert skier, there is plenty of terrain for you to discover. You’d have to ski for over a week to do every run at Louise!Fun fact: There are a couple green runs off the back bowls. Worth checking out for a different view!
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| #JustLakeIt! Image Credit: Chris Moseley, Lake Louise Ski Resort |
Lake Louise Family Pass Details
- Family Size: For two adults and children under 17 years old living at the same address.
- Blackout Dates: n/a
- Discounts: In 2015/2016, members received one Free First Tracks private lesson per passholder, free summer gondola and Sunny Tube Park access, 10% off kids’ lessons, 10% off rentals (20% off high performance), 20% off Lake Louise Ski Resort branded merchandise, 10-20% off food and beverage, 2 Buddy Passes ($20 off regular adult lift ticket) per passholder, 4 Buddy Pass discounts per day per passholder during Bonus Days, lift tickets discounts at partner resorts, discounts on Banff and Lake Louise lodging, dining, and more. Complete Lake Louise Season Pass Benefits here.
- Sale price: $2,259 (until October 15). Regular Price: $2,579.
For more information, see Lake Louise Season’s Passes.
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| Beautiful views! Image Credit: Chris Moseley, Lake Louise Ski Resort |
When to Buy
No time like the present! Early bird deals for Calgary’s closest ski resorts will end on October 15th.
Where do you plan on skiing this winter?
Related Posts
- Why You Need a Nakiska Season’s Pass
- Experience Mount Norquay’s Sightseeing Chairlift and Cliffhouse Bistro
- Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola – Great for All Ages
- Falling for Winter – Winter Activity Guide for Calgary, Kananaskis, and Banff
- Keeping Kids Warm in Winter
- How Cold Is Too Cold? – How to Avoid Hypothermia
- Snow Fun for Everyone – no special equipment necessary!
