Banff vs Kicking Horse
Banff vs Kicking Horse compared side by side: 160 km vs 128 km of slopes, 26 vs 5 lifts, top elevation 2,730 m vs 2,450 m. See which resort suits you.
| Statistic |
 Banff
Canada
|
Kicking Horse
Canada
|
|---|---|---|
| Total slopes | 160 km ▲ | 128 km |
| Easy (blue) slopes | 40 km ▲ | 26 km |
| Intermediate (red) slopes | 80 km ▲ | 26 km |
| Expert (black) slopes | 40 km | 76 km ▲ |
| Share of easy slopes | 25% ▲ | 20% |
| Ski lifts | 26 ▲ | 5 |
| Snow parks | 3 | – |
| Base elevation | 1,635 m ▲ | 1,190 m |
| Top elevation | 2,730 m ▲ | 2,450 m |
| Vertical drop | 1,095 m | 1,260 m ▲ |
| Season | November – May | December – April |
| Ski area | SkiBig3 | Kicking Horse Mountain Resort |
| Known for | Scenic views · Snow-sure · Traditional charm | Off-piste · Scenic views |
The verdict
- Banff is the bigger ski area with 160 km of slopes versus 128 km (about 1.3× more).
- Banff goes higher: its top station is at 2,730 m compared with 2,450 m, which usually means more reliable snow late in the season.
- For beginners, Banff has the friendlier terrain mix with 25% easy slopes (40 km).
- Expert skiers get more black runs in Kicking Horse: 76 km of expert slopes.
- Banff has the larger lift network with 26 lifts.
Banff vs Kicking Horse: quick answers
Banff is bigger with 160 km of marked slopes, compared with 128 km.
Banff has the higher top station at 2,730 m versus 2,450 m.
Banff is the friendlier choice for beginners: 25% of its slopes are easy blue runs (40 km), versus 20% in Kicking Horse.