Banff 2026
Mon Valley is going to Alberta, Canada! We will be departing from the Greater Pittsburgh airport Sunday March 15, 2026 and returning Sunday March 22, 2026.
The trip elements come with choices:
Airlines(Pittsburgh to Alberta, Canada):
Research underway. Details will be posted as they become available
Hotel Options
Banff Ptarmigan Inn
7 Nights & All Taxes
Roundtrip Bus To/From Calgary Airport
Park Entrance Fee
In town walking to everything, the ski shuttle bus stops in front of the Hotel
PRELIMINARY Costs (Per person double occupancy):
Ptarmigan Inn Land Package $885.00
Adult Lift Tickets $400 for 5 days, Seniors 5/day only $320
Estimated Flight Cost $450 one stop
Ski Trip Total Package Cost: $1.735.00
Add Full Hot Breakfast for 7 days $168 = $1,903.00
Note: Superior Rooms (King or 2 Queens) face Outside not Inside. Indoor Hot Tub. In town walking to everything… the ski bus stops in front of the Hotel
Banff Ptarmigan Inn website: https://banffptarmiganinn.com/
Banff Moose Lodge
7 Nights & All Taxes
Roundtrip Bus To/From Calgary Airport
Park Entrance Fee
In town walking to everything, the ski shuttle bus stops in front of the Hotel
Rooftop: 2 hot tubs, firepits & sauna on the rooftop overlooking the Mountains & Indoor Pool
PRELIMINARY Costs (Per person double occupancy)
Moose Lodge Land Package $1,48400
Adult Lift Tickets $400 for 5 days, Seniors 5/day only $320
Estimated Flight Cost $450 one stop
Ski Trip Total Package Cost: $2,254.00
Add Full Hot Breakfast for 7 days $189 = $2,443.00
Moose Lodge website: https://moosehotelandsuites.com/
Free Shuttle to Lake Louise Ski Resort and Norquay Ski Resorts
Bus to Lake Louise ski area 45 min away. Norquay Ski Ares 20 minutes away. Lake Louise: From the ski area you will see the Chateau Lake Louise. Free vans will take you over to the Chateau. It is located on the lake & you will see a large frozen castle ice sculptures on the lake and other ice sculptures around the lake. They have sleigh rides, ice skating and snowshoeing on Lake Louise. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is well worth seeing inside. The Mt Stephens Hall Medevil room is unique. Behind the hotel is a trail to walk down to the waterfall
Additional Activities In and Around Banff
Gondola Ride and Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
You can take free bus transport or an inexpensive ($10) taxi to the Gondola entrance above Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Gondola takes you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain where you will find the Above Banff Interpretive Center, restaurants, 360 degree views from rooftop deck and mountain boardwalk… glorious Rocky mountain views day or night. After this experience, you can go back down on the gondola to tour the luxurious FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL (rates $500 to $1200/night) and enjoy the unique upscale shopping stores in this hotel & have Afternoon English High Tea at the hotel, or visit Banff Park Musuem a National Historic site.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Walk from the Gondola to the Large Hot Springs swimming pools. Senior Ticket only $15, locker token $1.50, towels $2.25, swimsuits $2.25 & change room. Mineral rich rejuvenating waters surrounded by snow capped mountains. Remember to bring your swimsuit!
Johnston Canyon Ice Crawl
They give you cleats with a guide and you hike in to see about 5 frozen waterfalls plus animals. The vans pick you up at your hotel. You can do an 8:30 a.m. morning tour or an afternoon 1:30 Tour www.banfftours.com/activities/johnston-canyon/
Other Possible Activities
Viewing the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis
Cross-Country skiing,
snowshoeing,
hiking,
ice skating inside rink in town,
snow tubing Mt Norquay Tubing Park,
sleigh rides,
dog sledding,
Helicopter tours,
Banff Gondola,
Banff Hot Springs.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Please check www.viator.com Viator Tours and search “Banff Winter Tours” Half Day & Full Day Tours
Go to www.thebanffblog.com to review “The BEST Banff Winter Tours To Book” blog created by Natasha Updated July 2024. Reviews all the unique winter places/tours to enjoy
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism www.banfflakelouise.com Locals will chat with you online.
“Chasing the Northern Lights in Banff’s Night Sky” see article by Fairmont Banff Spings Hotel @ www.banff-springs-hotel.com To track Northern Lights www.aurorawatch.ca
GROCERY ND LIQUOR STORE within a block of our hotels. Remember they do not sell liquor on Sundays.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Do I need to be a member of the Mon Valley Ski Club
Yes. Your membership dues will be added into your payment plan. You will also be eligible for all of the events, activities and discounts all members enjoy.
2) Can I use my Vail EPIC pass?
No. But you can use an Ikon pass or or buy the Banff-specific pass a a reasonable rate as described above
3) Do I need to buy an Ikon ski pass?
No, while Banff doesn't accept the Epic pass, you can buy a Banff-specific ski pass for
$400 adult 5 days
$320 senior price 5 days
These passes are valid for use at all 3 of the nearby ski resorts: Mount Norquay, Lake Louise, and Banff Sunshine Village. You don't need an Ikon pass unless you plan other trips. If you do buy the Ikon pass, you get either 5 or 7 free days at Banff depending on which Ikon pass you buy.
4) If my plans change, can I get my money back?
Possibly some, but it will require you making some phone calls. Airline fees are usually not refundable. Trip insurance is always a good idea but again has rigid guidelines
5) Are there mountain ski tours?
Yes there are locals who volunteer their time to be mountain tour guides and they have morning and afternoon tours. It is free or you can choose to pay for a private tour.
6) Are their guided tours available @ Banff National Park?
Yes there are guided tours available for 2, 4 or 6 hour tours. They are available through Banff National Park service call (850) 403-3534 or https://www.viator.com/
Booking early is highly recommended.
7) Will we be able to view the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis?
We hope so....it is always dependent on weather conditions. Go to www.aurorawatch.ca to monitor the possibilities during our ski trip.
8) Is there a shuttle service to take us to Lake Louise Ski Resort and the Norway Ski Resort?
Yes there is a FREE shuttle service to both ski areas. Lake Louise is 45 minutes away and Norway is 20 minutes away.
9) I've heard that we should visit the mineral rich rejuvenating waters of the Banff Upper Hot Springs.
Yes absolutely...the Hot Springs is a must do & see experience. There is a free shuttle bus ride from our hotel. Ticket $15, lockers $1.50, towels $2.25 & $2.25 swimsuits. Best done at night with a clear view of the amazing stars surrounded by white capped mountains.
10) I've heard the Johnston Canyon Ice Crawl is a must do experience.
Yes absolutely. Vans pick you up @ your hotel for a morning or afternoon tour. You wear cleats & you hike out to see 5 frozen waterfalls & animals along the way.
https://banfftours.com/activities/johnston-canyon/
11) What is the best way to find out about other non-skiing activities to enjoy during our Banff ski trip?
Go to Banff & Lake Louise Tourism and locals will chat with you online http://www.banfflakelouise.com
You can also call Banff National Park service at(403) 762-1550 and download their brochures on their website http://www.parks.canada.ca
12) Any other non-skiing activities you would recommend?
Yes ...the Gondola ride up to the summit of Sulfur Mountain to enjoy glorious 360 degree mountain views from the rooftop deck.
Then back down to tour the renowned Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, upscale shopping stores & enjoy Afternoon English High Tea. ...A British & Canadian tradition.
Reservations? Yes!