Insider Guide to Spring Events in Banff & Lake Louise

Travel to Canada - What to Expect

Insider Guide to Spring Events in Banff & Lake Louise

As the clocks jump forward, so do we with the excitement of spring events in Banff and Lake Louise finally hitting the calendar. If you want to show off the skills you’ve been honing all season, race and park events like the Bruno Engler Memorial Ski Race and Holy Bowly are can’t-miss comps. While Pride Ski Day and Mount Slushmore are better suited for those competing for best-dressed. Families, don’t worry, there are events for you too! From egg hunting to building race-ready cardboard sleds, there are spring events in Banff and Lake Louise for everyone.

Here are our top picks, listed by month. For more information or registration details, we recommend checking out each event’s official page and following @skibig3 on Instagram.

spring-events-in-banff-cocktail-festival
New this year, the Banff Food and Cocktail Festival happening this April! 

March  

For those in the know, March is one of the best months to plan a ski vacation in Canada. After five months of snowfall (yes, it starts snowing here in October), the slopes are at their best, with coverage that allows you to ski and ride almost all terrain. Plus, March is notorious for a spring snowstorm (or two), which, while loathed by local gardeners, is loved by ski and snowboard fanatics. From races to sampling small-batch spirits, here is what’s happening in March.   

Tales from the Village   

Get hyped for year five of Snowboy Productions’ partnership with SRD and Banff Sunshine. Tales from the Village is the first stop on the Space Creators Tour and it all goes down in one of Banff Sunshine’s famous terrain parks. Filming will take place March 22-24 and then the features will be open to the public on the following weekend. Come watch (or ride) this mind-bending park event.   

Where: Banff Sunshine  

When: March 22-24  

Bruno Engler Memorial Ski Race  

Back in its 55th year, the Bruno Engler Memorial Ski Race is the longest consecutively running ski race in Canada. The race is a two-run GS (giant slalom) held on Cascade, with the finish line in front of the Cascade Day Lodge.  

Where: Mt. Norquay  

When: March 25  

Register for this event here.  

Wild Life Distillery Sampling  

Hungry? Thirsty? Swing by Sunshine Burger Co. on March 29 and enjoy some smooth samples by Wild Life Distillery. They’ll be serving up cocktails with their small-batch spirits and bright, hand-crafted syrups. Wild Life Distillery is an award-winning craft spirit producer based in Canmore, Alberta.   

Where: Banff Sunshine, near Sunshine Burger Co. in Centennial Lodge  

When: March 29, 11:30am-2:30pm  

skibig3-spring-events-in-banff-wild-life-distillery
Photo by Wild Life Distillery

Pride Ski Day  

Mt. Norquay couldn’t be more excited to host its first annual Pride Ski Day on March 31. All abilities and identities are invited to this 2SLGBTQ+ ski day. Expect an entire rainbow of events including a Drag Race ski race, snow hosted mountain tours, s’mores around the campfire, and a cheerful apres session hosted by Banff Ave. Brewing Co. Free shuttles will be running to and from this event all day long to ensure everyone gets home safely.   

Where: Mt. Norquay  

When: March 31  

Temple Lodge Takeover  

Uh oh, it looks like someone took over Temple Lodge and that someone is Mountain Joe! Starting on March 18 until April 15, Drink Mountain Joe will be taking over the vibe at Temple Lodge with sounds from DJs Bunny Hops & Dougasaurus Decks and doling out tasty tacos. Oh, and did we mention there’s a (snow) beach volleyball too?  

Where: Lake Louise Ski Resort, Temple Lodge (near(ish) the base of the Ptarmigan and Larch Chairs)  

When: Every Saturday, 11:00am-3:00pm, March 18-April 15  

Nightrise  

It’s not too late to check out Nightrise, happening at the top of the Banff Gondola. Produced by Montreal-based Moment Factory and the Stoney Nakoda Nation (Îyârhe Îethka), Nightrise is an immersive art installation of vibrant lights, multimedia effects, and video projections at the top of Sulphur Mountain.   

Where: Banff Gondola, 100 Mountain Ave., Banff  

When: Until March 31, until 9:00pm Sun-Thurs and until 10:00pm Fri-Sat  

skibig3-spring-events-in-banff-pride-ski-day-norquay
The first annual Norquay Pride Ski Day is happening on March 31.

April  

Think the ski season is over in April? Think again. SkiBig3 has the longest non-glacial ski season in North America with 100% organic snow waiting to be carved up until the end of May! In April, spring events in Banff and Lake Louise are heating up with everything from retro ski-themed parties to cocktail festivals. Here is what’s happening this April.   

An evening with Shane Koyczan  

Don’t miss award-winning poet and spoken word artist Shane Koyczan, as we welcome him back for a performance in the Jenny Belzberg Theatre at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Moving, hilarious, provocative, inspirational, Shane’s words take listeners on a journey through heart and soul. Listen to Shane’s words in our SkiBig3 feature, Look Up 

Where: Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity  

When: April 1, 7:30pm  

Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Brunch  

Calling all kiddos! We’ve got thousands (yes, THOUSANDS) of eggs on the loose that we need you to find. Hurry up to Mt. Norquay for a fun-filled Easter morning that includes an egg hunt along the slopes of Cascade and a hearty Easter Brunch in the Lone Pine with all your big brunch favourites. Plus, kids under four eat for free! Book your table here 

Where: Mt. Norquay  

When: April 9, 10:00am Egg Hunt, Easter Brunch starting at 10:30am  

BOZO & Kinder Cup  

Time to dive into that tickle trunk and pull out your wackiest outfit. The BOZO & Kindercup at Mt. Norquay is one last chance to send it down the slopes of Norquay in full spring style! The weekend will feature head-to-head racing action, $10 000 in cash and prizes, crazy costumes and great views of all the action from the beer garden.  

Where: Mt. Norquay  

When: April 8 & 9  

Register for this event here.   

skibig3-spring-events-in-banff-easter-egg-hunt-norquay
Spend Easter Weekend at Mt. Norquay. On April 9, there will be an egg hunt and a special Easter Brunch!

Banff Food & Cocktail Festival  

Cocktail aficionados, listen up! You’re invited to the first annual Banff Food and Cocktail Festival. Featuring countless local bars, distilleries, and restaurants, the Banff Food and Cocktail Festival will run for just under two weeks with events including an Outdoor Cocktail Tasting, Bar Tending School hosted by Park Distillery, and a Wild Life Cocktail Competiton at the Fairmont Banff Springs.  

Where: Town of Banff, various locations  

When: April 10-23  

Coors Light Untracked Concert Series  

Ready to rock out in the Rockies? Starting on April 15th, every weekend until Sush Cup, Banff Sunshine will be jammin’ with bands from across Canada on their Coors Light Untracked Concert Series p/b Coors Light stage. Grab a jug, some friends, and soak up the spring vibes in the Coors Light Beer Garden in front of Mad Trappers. 

Where: Banff Sunshine, near Mad Trappers  

When: April 15-May22, live music 2:30pm-4:30pm every Saturday and Sunday  

Holy Bowly  

Back at Banff Sunshine, Holy Bowly features park builds like you’ve never seen before. Imagine scooping out the mountain and then snowboarding on it. First, the features will be reserved for the pros (for a few days of filming) and then the park will be open to the public. It’s wild, it’s fun, and it’s happening this April.   

Where: Banff Sunshine  

When: April 24-30

skibig3-spring-events-in-banff-coors-untracked-concert-series
Grab a jug, some friends, and soak up the spring vibes at the Coors Untracked Concert Series at Banff Sunshine. 

Mount Slushmore  

Ready to boogie one last time before the snow melts? Back again, Mount Slushmore, at Lake Louise Ski Resort, is a free spring party and pond-skimming event for anyone looking to send off the season with some sun and FUN. Dust off your finest one-peice – the dress code for this spring event is retro ski-themed. It’s all going down at Banded Peak Base Camp on April 29.  

Where: Lake Louise Ski Resort, Banded Peak Base Camp  

When: April 29  

Bikinis for Breast Cancer  

Also taking place on April 29 is Bikinis for Breast Cancer. Open to all ages, participants will ski, snowboard or telemark down an easy course in an “S” formation in their bikini tops and snow pants, meeting in a central location at the base of the mountain. Brrrrrrave the cold and support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  

Where: Lake Louise Ski Resort  

When: April 29  

slushmore-lake-louise-ski-resort-skibig3-events
Mount Slushmore is back at Lake Louise Ski Resort on April 29!

May  

Can you believe we’re still skiing in May? We can! May is when you’ll see a true taste of local culture on and off the slopes. Known as a “shoulder season” this month is ideal if you want to avoid other visitors and immerse yourself in local culture. Plus, accommodation is cheaper and the skiing is still top-notch! What better way to spend the tail-end of spring than soaking up spring events in Banff and Lake Louise? Here is what’s happening in May.   

Cardboard Box Downhill Debry  

On the last day of the Lake Louise Ski Resort season, things are getting extra fun with a family-favourite Cardboard Box Downhill Derby. Using only cardboard, string, tape and glue, the fastest three sleds to make it down the Learners Area win! Themed outfits and sleds are highly encouraged. To register, arrive at the Whiskey Jack Lodge on race day anytime from 10:00am-12:00pm.   

Where: Lake Louise Ski Resort, Learners Area  

When: May 7, starting at 10:00am  

Slush Cup  

And last but certainly not least is Banff Sunshine’s famous Slush Cup. Now in it’s 95th(ish) year, this world-famous pond-skimming event is one you don’t want to miss. The Coors Light Beer Garden will be vibing, the contestants will be flying (across a pond that is), and the outfits will be next-level outrageous. Come for the party or come to participate. Everyone is welcome to this final event of the SkiBig3 winter season!   

Where: Banff Sunshine, near Mad Trappers 

When: May 22 

skibig3-spring-events-in-banff-slush-cup
Everyone is welcome to Banff Sunshine Slush Cup – the final event of the SkiBig3 winter season!

SkiBig3 Resort Closing Dates  

While we never want the ski season to end, alas, it must… Here are the closing dates for the 22/23 SkiBig3 winter season.  

  • Mt. Norquay: April 22 (tentative)  
  • Lake Louise Ski Resort: May 7  
  • Banff Sunshine: May 22   

Got time for a spring getaway?  

It’s not too late to book one last spring skiing getaway in Banff National Park! Our friendly Reservations Team are always happy to share their local knowledge and experience to help you find the best vacation package for your style and budget. You can reach them via Live Chat or by calling 1-844-754-2443.