Beyond the slopes: Why Banff is the best winter base for your Canadian working holiday

Hey I’m Freya, a 25-year old from London who moved to Canada for the beautiful summers in the mountains.

But ended up loving winter on the slopes just as much. In this blog, i'll tell you why Banff was the perfect spot for me and why it could be for you too!

Firstly, where is Banff?

Banff, located about an hour and a half from Calgary, is a small town in Alberta. It’s a major tourist destination, with a lively main street full of restaurants and hotels. The town’s tourism-driven economy makes it an excellent choice for people on working holiday visas, as there are plenty of job opportunities—many of which come with staff accommodation. Banff National Park is home to three ski resorts, all of which are easily accessible from town.

Why Banff?

After spending a summer in Banff and falling in love with it, I decided to stay for the winter season. Previously, I had assumed that embracing a ski season meant working on the resort itself. However, as a city girl born and raised, that felt isolating—I worried that if I didn’t love skiing, I’d be stuck at the bottom of a mountain with little to do. Living in Banff and keeping my hospitality job meant I could work evenings in town and spend my days on the slopes.

Ski seasons have a stereotype, but they don’t have to

Many people are drawn to the picturesque Canadian winters for the endless opportunities to ski and snowboard, but it can be daunting to embark on a ski season if you’ve never skied before. Or maybe you have some preconceived ideas of what season life should look like—I certainly did. I pictured it as questionable housing, constant partying, and sleep deprivation. As someone in their mid-twenties, I felt like I’d already done all that in my student days, and maybe it was too late for me to learn to ski. That’s why living in Banff was the perfect way to ease into skiing while also maintaining a healthy routine.

Where to ski

I mostly skied at Sunshine Village since I bought a midweek pass, and there’s a free shuttle that takes just 25 minutes. Mount Norquay is even closer—a ten-minute shuttle ride—and offers late-night skiing on Fridays. Lake Louise is another popular ski hill, just under an hour away via the free shuttle. The journey through the Rockies alone makes the trip worth it. I only skied at the other hills a few times, but if you want flexibility, you can purchase a Big 3 ski pass, which includes all three resorts.

I recommend thinking about your priorities for the winter season beforehand, as everyone’s experience in Banff will look different. Do you want to become an exceptional skier? What’s your work schedule—will you only be able to ski on weekends? These factors will impact the jobs you apply for, as well as the ski pass you choose.

I was happy with my midweek pass because it was cheaper, and I worked weekends. But for my friends chasing powder days, a full-week season pass gave them more flexibility. Conditions can also vary between Lake Louise and Sunshine, so some people prefer having access to both.

Banff beyond skiing

There’s so much to do in Banff beyond skiing—many activities that aren’t as accessible at other resorts. The Fenlands Recreation Centre has a fantastic activity pass that’s free for those under 26 and only $10 if you’re older. This meant I could join netball games and even use the ice-skating rink, all for free. If you’re living in Banff, I highly recommend signing up, as they run a full calendar of free events throughout the year. It’s also a great way to meet other people in the community.

You can also get a complimentary ambassador pass while living in Banff, which offers free and discounted activities. Go up the Banff Gondola for free, or enjoy a reduced rate to go tubing at Norquay. Other must-do experiences I ticked off my bucket list included ice skating and snowshoeing at the iconic Lake Louise—not to mention seeing the northern lights three times!

The social life

Banff still has the social atmosphere of other ski towns, but you can dip in and out as you please. Most bars and restaurants have local nights, like Karaoke Tuesdays and Sunday Funday, along with happy hour deals. While I loved the social scene, I also appreciated having housemates for wholesome movie nights.

As a Londoner, another plus was that Banff isn’t too remote. On days when I wanted a change of scenery, it was nice to be able to take a trip to Calgary to shop or watch a hockey game with friends.

The Best Winter of My Life

This was, hands down, the best winter of my life. I learned to ski while keeping a balance in my routine—going to the gym, enjoying quiet nights in, and embracing everything Banff had to offer.

There’s no age limit for doing a ski season, nor is there a “right way” to do it. Canada offers so many options—it’s just about finding what works best for you. If you want the ski life but also crave variety and a sense of routine, I couldn’t recommend Banff enough as part of your Working Holiday Visa experience.