The Best Après Ski in Banff and Lake Louise

That highly anticipated sweet spot of the year is finally upon us - when the goggle tans are as crisp as the patio pints. Springtime in the Canadian Rockies.

These fleeting months offer the best of both worlds. With beautiful snowy conditions in the mountains offering dreamy turns on three local ski hills and warm weather to enjoy après festivities.

Whether celebrating with a local craft cocktail on a mountaintop, treating yourself to a pleasant evening of shopping on the mountain town streets, or unwinding with some time at the spa or a soak in the local hot springs, Banff and Lake Louise have activities for everyone to cap off a great day of spring skiing and snowboarding

Maximize your après time by leaving the car at home and hopping aboard our local transit and ski shuttles, with multiple pick-up and drop-off points throughout the Banff townsite. Plan ahead by leaving your car at your hotel or accommodation, take the driving off your hands, and enjoy the views on the way to the resort. Not only will you not have to worry about parking, but the drop-off and pick-up point for all ski shuttles gets you as close to the slopes as possible. Which means more time to ski, play, and après.

Here’s how to make the most of your après moments in Banff and Lake Louise.

Après Your Way Through Banff National Park

So, what exactly is “après ski”? Originating in the French Alps and translating to “after ski,” après is whatever you make it. See it as a choose-your-own-adventure after a “best day ever” in the alpine, whether that’s spring skiing, snowshoeing, or just taking in those beautiful views of the Rockies.

Everything hits a little bit better after a day in the mountains. Keep the vibes high and treat your “happy tired” ski legs with these après activities on and off the hills.

• Enjoy a pint and embrace the sunny spring ambience from a ski hill patio or eatery.
• Savour a delicious meal shared with friends and family.
• Soak under the stars at the local hot springs.
• Spend an evening shopping on Banff Avenue and Bear Street for that perfect souvenir.
• Treat your ski legs to a spa treatment.
• Spend a night on the town with friends at Banff’s local pubs and clubs.

With so many exciting après activities to choose from, the stories to create your favourite travel memories are waiting to be experienced.

Why Locals Get Après Started at the Ski Resorts (And Why You Should Too)

There’s no better time to begin the après festivities than the moment you unclip from your skis, lift the goggles off your face, and get that oh-so-sweet feeling of unbuckling your ski boots - if you know you know.

And locals know you’re guaranteed to find the highest spring stoke right on the mountain. In fact, it’s not uncommon to head up to the ski resorts just to enjoy that quintessential spring in the Rockies feeling. You’ll find your happy place without even hopping on a ski lift.

Don’t ski or snowboard? No problem! You can still get in on all the après action. Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay all offer ample mountain activities to enjoy during the day, including tubing, snowshoeing, and scenic sightseeing.

Once you’ve experienced the mountains to their fullest potential, all three resorts offer a variety of restaurants, pubs, and eateries to get the après action started.

How To Après at Mt. Norquay

The closest ski hill to the Banff townsite is one the locals love, with a rich history, quirky vibe, and small-town ski hill feel.

Here’s where to enjoy a drink and a bite at Mt. Norquay:

• Cascade Lodge
• Lone Pine Pub
• North American Lodge

Cascade Lodge

Located at the base of the ski hill, Cascade Lodge is the main two-story lodge with the best views of the mountain. With a grab-and-go cafeteria serving up home-cooked daily dishes, sandwiches, and pastries and the warmly inviting Lone Pine Pub upstairs serving up comfort food with a twist, there’s ample room to rest the ski legs.

Lone Pine Pub

On the top floor of Cascade Lodge you’ll find the Lone Pine Pub, a full-service après venue serving traditional dishes with a contemporary flair, like truffle and pork belly poutine. And with tasty local brews on tap, you’ll want to settle in and stay awhile here.

North American Lodge

Après isn’t just for skiing! Mt. Norquay offers a fantastic Tube Park for all ages, and the North American Lodge is the dedicated lodge for this area. The patio is where it’s at to witness all the action with a warm hot chocolate in hand.

How To Après at Banff Sunshine Village

With a season stretching well into May, spring skiing is synonymous with Banff Sunshine Village, which means the après game here is unparalleled. Come springtime, the Village base area transforms into an après ski wonderland. Picture high stoke, spring patios, goggle tans, and live music - the Untracked Concert Series is on most weekends in April and May, featuring bands from across Canada.

Here’s where to make the most of it:

• Mad Trappers
• Creekside Bar + Grill

Mad Trappers

This historical lodge is a great après-ski locale serving up southwestern dishes and applewood-smoked meats. Enjoy the sun on the outdoor patio and get a great view of all the ski hill action!

Creekside Bar + Grill

Après ski continues at the gondola base too at Creekside Bar + Grill. With happy hour specials and live music throughout the season, it’s a great spot to unwind after a day on the slopes and recount stories of the day with your ski buddies.

How To Après at Lake Louise Ski Resort

Name a spot at Lake Louise Ski Resort, and there’s a way to après there. From cozy pubs, outdoor patios, quaint restaurants, and full-on spring “beaches” on the back side of the mountain, après your way around Lake Louise Ski Resort.

Here's where to après:

• Banded Peak Base Camp
• Powder Keg Lounge
• Sawyer’s Nook
• Temple Cantina

Banded Peak Base Camp

Located at the base of Lake Louise Ski Resort, Banded Peak Base Camp is one of the best spots for outdoor dining. This massive patio comes complete with a campfire atmosphere, slopeside views, and slow-cooked pulled pork.

Powder Keg Lounge

Bring your après indoors at the Powder Keg Lounge, with oversized seats to settle into and a killer lineup of après bites on the menu, you’ll never want to leave.

Sawyer’s Nook

This “hole in the wall” ski hill nook in the historic Temple Lodge serves up the traditional après alpine meals, like fondue, charcuteries, and brisket. Top it with a frosty glass of beer or steaming mug of hot cocoa.

Temple Cantina

Every spring, the patio at Temple Lodge transforms to a spring ski party. From March 9th to April 6th, 2024 enjoy live music with the Temple Lodge Takeover, and enjoy Mexican fare with a variety of tasty tacos.

Getting There (And Getting Home) With More Time to Après

The joys of spring skiing is hardly a secret, which means weekends and powder days can come with some obstacles before first chair. Finding parking, walking through the parking lot with all your gear in tow, and keeping après celebrations conservative in order to drive home can all dampen an otherwise perfect day.

But these can all be rectified by hopping on a ski shuttle, conveniently dropping you off right at the ski hill base. And with convenient ski shuttle locations located throughout the Banff townsite near many popular accommodations, this service is essentially hotel-to-lift.

Find more information on the ski shuttles and local transit on the SkiBig3 website

Making the most of your spring ski and après getaway is as easy as one, two, ski, with these convenient shuttle and transit services.

Bring Your Après From The Ski Slopes to Banff’s Streets

Après locations are abound in the Banff townsite, with many just a quick walk from transit and ski shuttle stops.

You can go from the slopes to the streets in no time at all, and back to your hotel at night’s end with ease. You’ll find most of the action in Banff centered around downtown on Banff Avenue and Bear Street.

Après Hot Spots on Banff Avenue and Bear Street

Looking for a spot to relax and recount the best moments of the day? The following restaurants and pubs offer a warm and upbeat atmosphere to do so.

• Brazen at the Mount Royal Hotel
• The Rose & Crown
• Bear Street Tavern
• Hello Sunshine
• Three Bears Brewery
• Lupo

Want to pick things up a notch? Continue on the evening with high spirits at the following locations to keep the party going.

• High Rollers
• Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub
• Melissa’s Missteak
• Magpie and Stump

No matter your après style, there’s a place to match your energy for the night.

Unwind With Relaxing Après Ski Activities in Banff

Of course, après isn’t just about the patio drinks, comfort eats, and nightlife. A night on the town can just as easily mean unwinding with an indulgent spa treatment, a soak in the local hot springs, or a lively evening walk browsing Banff’s unique shops.

Outdoor Hot Tubs and Hot Springs in Banff

Many hotels in Banff offer sublime hot tub soaking experiences, and the Banff Upper Hot Springs is a must-do experience after a day of skiing. The following hotels offer outdoor hot tubs to guests, which you may want to consider when booking accommodation. Some are even located on the roof top, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

• The Moose Hotel
• Mount Royal Hotel
• Canalta Lodge
• Banff Aspen Lodge
• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
• Hidden Ridge Resort

Spas in Banff

Want to dig deeper into that rest and relaxation? Indulge in a little pampering with some post-ski spa treatments at any of these beautiful spas. All offer a serene atmosphere to truly tune in to your senses. A visit to a spa in Banff is the perfect complement to a day of spring skiing.

• Remedy - Skincare & Spa
• The Spa at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• The Rimrock Spa
• The Red Earth Spa
• The Meadow Spa and Pools
• Cedar & Sage Co.
• The Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Banff Springs

Shopping in Banff

Banff Avenue and Bear Street are also where it’s at for the best shopping in town. Locally owned and operated shops like Paper Den, Rocky Mountain Soap, and Banff Tea Co. are the perfect place to get your Banff souvenirs. Big Bear and Rocky Mountain Flannel are terrific for classic Canadian attire and trinkets, or head over to Cabin 108 for some trendy mountain apparel.

Banff & Lake Louise: Après Long into Spring!

For the ultimate spring skiing experience, it’s easy to see that you need look no further than Banff and Lake Louise.

All the ingredients for a sublime ski & après experience are found right here. With three stunning ski resorts, a vibrant mountain town scene, and one of the longest ski seasons in Western Canada, you won’t want to miss out on the lesser known spring skiing season.

End-of-season parties at the resorts like Slush Cup at Banff Sunshine Village and Mount Slushmore at Lake Louise Ski Resort make for a great winter send-off. Some years you can even ski into June, with occasional re-openings for skiing on Canada Day at Banff Sunshine Village.

Don’t miss your opportunity to partake in one of the best spring ski and après scenes around! This season doesn’t last forever – book your visit to Banff National Park today, or talk to one of our local travel specialists to learn more.