This trip is sold out. Wait list is open.
The SkiHawks' Destination Trip for 2024 will be to the beautiful Canadian Rockies of
Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Join the SkiHawks on our 2024 Destination Trip to Banff Alberta, Canada. The trip will run from March 16th to March 23rd, 2024. Banff is located in the beautiful Banff National Park and some of the greatest scenery in North America. Banff is Canada's oldest national park and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We will be staying in the town of Banff, and you will have access to ski and ride the three mountains of Banff known as the Ski Big3. The Ski Big3 mountains of Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mount Norquay combine to offer over 13,000 acres of skiable terrain. There is bound to be plenty of groomers, open bowls, steeps and bumps for everyone. Additional details on the Ski Big3 mountains follow.
The Trip
-
8 days, 7 nights (Saturday - Saturday)
-
6 days of skiing (Sunday - Friday)
-
Direct round trip flights from MSP to Calgary (YYC) and return.
-
Private motor coach transfers between the airport and the town of Banff. Travel time is about 2 hours.
-
7 nights lodging at the Ptarmigan Inn, Banff.
-
Daily choice of skiing Banff's Big Three. Banff Sunshine, Mount Norquay or Lake Louise
-
Daily full hot breakfast buffet.
-
Pre-trip introduction party.
-
Après ski events.
-
Complimentary ROAM transit pass.
-
7-day pass to Banff National Park
-
Trip capacity of 32.
-
Maximum air capacity is 28.
-
You must be a rostered member of the MN SkiHawks or another 
club to participate.
Banff's Big3 provides world class skiing and riding over 13,000 acres of skiable terrain. The links below will take you directly to the specific mountains for maps and additional detail. All three mountains are accessible by ROAM, the shuttle service of Banff.
Banff Sunshine
-
Location: 5 miles (15 minutes) from Banff
-
Summit: 8,954 ft. with 3,514 ft. of vertical drop.
-
Skiable terrain: 3,358 acres
-
Average Snowfall: 244 inches
-
Lifts: 12 including: 1 gondola, 6 high speed quads and 1 high speed heated bubble quad.
-
Runs: 137
-
Difficulty: 20% green, 55% blue, 25% black.
Lake Louise
-
Location: 5 miles (15 minutes) from Banff
-
Summit: 8,650 ft. with 3,250 ft. of vertical drop.
-
Skiable terrain: 4,200 acres
-
Average Snowfall: 212 inches
-
Lifts: 11 including: 1 gondola, 5 quads and 1 high speed 6 pack.
-
Runs: 164
-
Difficulty: 25% green, 45% blue, 30% black
Mount Norquay
- Location: 4.5 miles (13 minutes) from Banff
- Summit: 6,998 ft. with 1,648 ft. of vertical drop
-
Skiable terrain: 190 acres
-
Average Snowfall: 102 inches
-
Lifts: 6 including: 2 quads and 1 high speed quad.
-
Runs: 60
-
Difficulty: 31% green, 25% blue, 44% black.
Lodging
Trip lodging accommodations will be at the Ptarmington Inn in the heart of the town of Banff. The Ptarmington is a hotel, not a condo that the SkiHawks typically choose.
Accommodations are double occupancy in "superior" hotel rooms that have two queen beds and exterior views. Rooms are equipped with a mini fridge, coffee maker. Some rooms have balconies. Click on the above link for additional details.
A single occupancy option is available for those that desire more privacy.
Other hotel amenities include 2 indoor hot tubs, and an onsite restaurant. A full hot breakfast buffet will be served daily.
Restaurants, shopping and nightlife are just a short walk or ride on the ROAM shuttle to your destination in downtown Banff.
The ROAM shuttle stop is directly across the street from the hotel.
Trip Pricing*
Rostered SkiHawk members have registration priority until Sept. 15th, 2023.A minimum deposit of $500 will reserve your spot.
- $1,879 "Early Bird Special" if deposit is received by Oct. 10th
- $1,929 if deposit is received after Oct. 10th and by Nov. 10th.
- $1,979 if deposit is received after Nov. 10th.
*Fine Print
Payment Schedule
- Initial Deposit: $500 due upon registration, if before Oct. 10th.
- Second Payment: $500 due by Nov. 10th, 2023, for a total of $1,000 including the first deposit.
- Third Payment: $500 due by Dec. 10th, 2023. for a total of $1,500, including the initial deposit and 2nd payment.
- Final Payment: Remaining balance due by Jan. 15th, 2023
Lift Tickets
You can ski or ride up to six days on this trip. There are two options for lifts: Discounted group lift tickets or the IKON Plus pass.
Adults (<65): 3 days 4 days 5 days 6 days
$351 $432 $548 $656
Seniors (65+): 3 days 4 days 5 days 6 days
$274 $343 $424 $513
IKON Plus Pass: Purchase the IKON Plus Pass directly from IKON.
The Banff resorts are listed under SkiBig3.
Uncertain about your lift tickets? Contact your trip leaders with questions. Scroll down for their contact info.
Flight Information
We will be flying Delta Airlines. Delta has a policy of one free checked bag. (A ski bag and a boot bag count as one bag.) Generally, we have enough flyers in our group with Delta American Express cards to combine to allow a second free checked bag for the remainder in the group.
Here are the flight details. (Note flight changes. Correct as of 01/03/24)
Saturday Mar. 16,2024: MSP to YYC
Depart: Flight 1348 at 6:35PM. Arrive at 8:41 PM
Saturday Mar. 23, 2024: YYC to MSP
Depart: Flight 1403 at 7:45AM. Arrive at 11:39 AM
If you choose to book your own flight but desire to utilize the SkiHawks' bus transportation to and from Banff, you must be sure that your flight arrives in YYC prior to 1:50 PM. Your return flight to MSP must depart after 6:50 PM. If you are not able to coordinate arrival and departure times, you would have to arrange your own shuttle services at your cost.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended, which can be purchased on your own. The SkiHawks does not endorse any specific insurance provider. If you have to cancel, the SkiHawk cancelation policy would be in effect. If you have questions, please contact your Trip Leaders. Scroll down for Trip leader contact info.
Travel Documents
Entry into Canada requires proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S> passport, passport card or Nexus card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.
Reentry into the U.S. via air requires a valid U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card.
At present the routine processing time of a new passport is 13 to 15 weeks once the U.S. State Department has a new application. The timeline does not include mailing time. Please plan ahead.
Trip Leaders
Your trip leaders will be long time SkiHawk members Pat and Susan Pfau. The Pfau's have previously led a successful ski trip and hosted other events. Don't hesitate to contact them with questions.
You can contact the Pfau's using the following by phone, text or email. Click on either name to begin an email.
We are excited about this Destination Trip to Banff and hope that you can join us. Don't miss out.
Questions?
Contact your Trip Leaders Susan or Pat Pfau using their contact info listed above.
Ready to go?
Click on the "Register" button below. Once registered, you can make your deposit online via credit or debit card. Only online registration and payment are accepted.
Register.
