Banff Expert Terrain: An Advanced Skier’s Guide

The call of the Canadian Rockies is impossible to ignore: towering peaks, frozen glacial lakes and some of the most stunning alpine scenery on Earth. Nestled in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this iconic mountain town draws travelers from around the globe with its gorgeous natural beauty, vibrant après-ski culture, historic hot springs, and deep connection to wild, untamed nature.

But let’s not forget why we’re really here: the skiing. Banff is home to the “Ski Big 3” resorts – Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Banff Sunshine Village – each offering its own blend of epic terrain, deep powder, and jaw-dropping views. For advanced skiers, it’s nothing short of paradise. Think off-piste steeps, technical chutes, and sustained pitches up to 55 degrees at Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. This is where thrill-seekers come to push their limits.

To help you find Banff’s best expert terrain, we tapped Ski.com Mountain Travel Expert Anthony Luczkow, a frequent visitor to the Banff-Lake Louise area and a connoisseur of its most extreme lines. Read on for his insider tips on where to find the biggest drops, deepest snow and wildest runs.

Banff Sunshine Village Resort

Delirium Dive at Lookout Mountain

Sunshine Village offers something for everyone, from mellow groomers with panoramic views to one of the most legendary freeride zones in North America. Advanced skiers and riders come for Delirium Dive, a double-black-diamond, hike-to zone perched atop Lookout Mountain. First opened in 1998, Delirium Dive is the crown jewel of Sunshine’s expert terrain, featuring 55-degree pitches, cliff drops and no-fall zones that demand both skill and courage. You’ll need an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe just to get through the gate – literally. A locked chain-link entrance won’t open unless it detects a beacon.

From there, a short but heart-pumping 6–10 minute hike leads you to Bre-X, the first entrance into this 2,000-vertical-foot, 400-yard-wide freeride bowl. For those eager to test their limits, it’s a steep and technical dream. If you’re not quite ready to charge the gnarliest lines, head for Delirium Proper, a slightly more forgiving zone accessed via a metal staircase, offering 40-degree north-facing pitches and consistently soft snow thanks to low skier traffic and favorable exposure.

“It’s called Delirium Dive for a reason,” Ski.com Mountain Travel Expert Anthony  Luczkow warns. “It's wide open and steep as hell—you don’t want to ski it in flat light, you could become very disoriented.”

Goat’s Eye Mountain

Goat’s Eye Mountain is reserved for the experts. For those who crave steep, technical terrain, a 20+ minute hike from the top of the Goat’s Eye Express serves up big-mountain rewards, from narrow chutes and cliff drops to exposed alpine lines that’ll get your heart racing and legs burning. If the visibility is poor, Anthony recommends popping over to Hell’s Kitchen (located on the opposite side of the lift) for a spicy gladed run.

Wild West on Goat’s Eye Mountain

For a long, sustained gladed adventure, Anthony Luczkow points to one of Sunshine’s best-kept secrets: the Wild West freeride zone. Tucked off the sidecountry near Goat’s Eye Mountain, this zone is a hidden gem for skiers who love deep snow, playful pillow lines and steep, technical tree skiing. To get there, ride the Goat’s Eye Express to the summit, then follow Sunshine Coast until you reach Hell’s Kitchen. From there, it’s a short skate uphill to the Wild West sidecountry gate, and then the real fun begins.

Wild West delivers the goods: glades, cliffs, natural features and soft snow that often stays untouched. But before sending it into the unknown, Anthony recommends doing a recon lap first. Take your time to scope your lines, check snow conditions and plan your drops, especially if you’re eyeing any air. The run funnels back to the base area and takes about an hour round-trip, depending on conditions. Just a reminder: this is sidecountry terrain, which means avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, probe), knowledge, and a properly equipped partner are essential.

“An important note about Wild West is that it is lower than the rest of the area,” says Anthony. “ In the spring or any time the weather is warmer, you do want to be more careful.”

Banff Lake Louise Resort

Whitehorn Chutes

When it comes to extreme terrain at Banff’s Lake Louise Ski Resort, Anthony’s go-to zones are Whitehorn Chutes and Larch. These areas deliver high-alpine adrenaline, especially when the snowpack is stable and visibility is clear. The star of the show is Whitehorn II, a series of six steep, narrow chutes dropping over 1,000 vertical feet. Access is straightforward but not for the faint of heart: take the Summit Platter lift, then drop straight down the fall-line into terrain that’s as intense as it is exhilarating. For a slightly more approachable option, head skier’s right off the lift to explore Whitehorn I. These chutes are shorter and less committing, but still serve up plenty of action. Just keep in mind: the farther you traverse along the ridge, the more vertical you’ll sacrifice.

So how gnarly is it? In our Mountain Travel Expert’s words, “The gullies on Whitehorn are some of the steepest runs I’ve ever skied. It’s spine-tingling, it’s narrow and it’s true no-fall-zone territory.” This is Lake Louise at its most rugged, and a bucket-list zone for expert skiers ready to send.

Larch

Located in Lake Louise’s Larch zone, the Lookout Chutes offer some of the most underrated tree skiing on the mountain. Just a quick drop off the Larch Express, and you’ll discover playful glades, soft powder, natural pillow lines and a surprisingly consistent pitch that keeps things fast and fun from top to bottom.

For those looking to kick things up a notch, Anthony recommends making the hike to the top of the Elevator Shaft, a steep, high-alpine face rated double-black for good reason. Thanks to its shaded aspect, this zone holds cold, soft snow for days after a storm and is rarely tracked out. If the visibility is clear, this is a must-hit zone for expert skiers looking for a mix of adventure, airtime and fresh turns, all with quick easy lift access.

Exploring Expert Terrain in Banff

For advanced and expert skiers, Banff’s glorious peaks and expansive terrain offer a playground like no other. But before you drop into that no-fall zone or hike out to a sidecountry gate, it’s critical to know what you’re getting into and be prepared for it. Banff rewards those who come prepared, and staying safe means endless laps in this pristine territory. 

What is Freeride Terrain?

Freeride terrain refers to ungroomed, off-piste zones that are typically steep, technical and full of natural features like cliffs, couloirs, pillow lines and gladed steeps. It’s about choosing your own line and skiing the mountain in its most natural state. These areas may be inbounds, hike-to or accessed through sidecountry gates, but they often require strong skills, confident decision-making and a safety-first mindset.

Are You Ready? Know Before You Go

Here are a few baseline prerequisites before you venture into Banff’s more extreme zones like Delirium Dive, Whitehorn Chutes or Wild West:

• Advanced or expert ability: You should be completely comfortable on double-black terrain, have experience skiing in variable conditions (ice, powder, wind crust), and be able to make fast decisions on steep slopes.
  
• Avalanche awareness: For any hike-to or sidecountry terrain, avalanche education is a must. Know how to read the snowpack, understand terrain traps and check the Avalanche Canada forecast before every outing.
  
• Proper gear: If you're heading into zones like Delirium Dive or Wild West, you’ll need to carry – and know how to use – a beacon, shovel and probe. Some areas won’t even let you enter without a functioning transceiver.
  
• Buddy system: Never ski sidecountry terrain alone. Bring a trustworthy partner who’s also fully equipped and avalanche-trained.

• Scout your lines: Whether it’s your first time dropping in or not, it’s always worth doing a recon run or taking time to visually scope your descent before going big.

Where to stay in Banff and Lake Louise: Picks from a Ski.com Expert

Whether you’re skiing on a tight budget or treating yourself to a five-star getaway, Mountain Travel Expert Anthony Luczkow has the inside scoop on where to stay in Banff and Lake Louise.

Related: Browse Banff Lake Louise Lodging

Budget-Friendly & Ski Bum Approved: Lake Louise Inn

If you're chasing powder on a budget, Lake Louise Inn offers unbeatable value. “It’s perfect for ski bums,” says Anthony. Affordable, cozy and surrounded by stunning mountain views, this laid-back stay has a couple of solid restaurants nearby and easy access to the slopes.

Luxury & Elegance: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

For the discerning ski traveler, you can’t top the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, a Canadian icon nicknamed the "Castle in the Rockies." Just a mile from downtown Banff, it’s elegant, amenity-rich and perfect for those looking to pair world-class skiing with spa days and fine dining. “It’s got everything,” says Anthony.

Best Value: Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

Looking for comfort, charm and mountain luxury without breaking the bank? Check into the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa. “It’s reasonably priced and has that rustic mountain décor everyone loves,” Anthony says. Located in downtown Banff, it offers easy access to après, a large saltwater hot tub, and a relaxing onsite spa.

Ready to go full send at Banff and Lake Louise this ski season? Our Mountain Travel Experts are here to help you plan every detail. From lodging and lift tickets to gear rentals and insider tips, we’ll build your perfect ski vacation. Get started today with a free custom quote here.