BRSC Western Carnival

Jan 31 - Feb 7, 2026

$2,370

Price shown includes round-trip air.
An IKON Pass resort with a lift ticket available as an extra-cost option.

Why ski in Banff?  Step foot into this picturesque resort town, nestled between the peaks of Canada’s oldest national park, and the answer is easy:  Skiing in Banff offers up some of the most incredible terrain and remarkable mountain vistas in North America.  Tap into a combined 8,000 acres of world-class skiing in crystal-light snow at the three Banff-area resorts – Mount Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine Village.  With a season that runs from November to May, skiing in Banff offers maximum choice skiing and riding. 

Our trip package includes 7 nights (Sat-Sat) in Banff Park Lodge (hotel rooms) (sleep at 4,500 ft) with daily buffet breakfast, RT air from Washington to Calgary (details below), and the several Blue Ridge Ski Council Western Carnival events (more below).

Banff Park Lodge

Nestled in the Town of Banff, the architecture and location of the iconic Banff Park Lodge have been a staple to the Banff skyline since the 1970s.  Just steps away from the Bow River, it's a full-service resort hotel and conference center. Guests experience the best of both worlds: the peace and tranquility of a quiet location, yet walking distance from downtown Banff’s vast array of shops, restaurants, outdoor activities and cultural events.

QQ Superior Room

Explore the extensive amenities of the Lodge's bright and spacious rooms.  Each of our QQ Superior Rooms includes a private balcony or patio for enjoying the fresh mountain air and spectacular views of Banff National Park.  King-bedded rooms may be available, upon request and subject to availability.

• All rooms have coffee maker/kettle, in-room safe, mini fridge, satellite TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, iron & ironing board, and a private bathroom with full bath & hair dryer.
• Indoor pool, steam room, hot tub and fitness center.
• Three on-site dining options with in-room dining available (La Terrazza, Terrace Lounge, & the Crave Mountain Grill where we'll enjoy the included daily breakfast buffet.
• Black Tie Ski Rentals located in the Lobby.  Discounted pricing available as a sign-up option (more below).
• Ski shuttles to Mount Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village pick up in front of the hotel and drop off across the street.

Single Rooms:  Listed price is for double occupancy; add $695 for the single supplement if you want a room to yourself.

BRSC Western Carnival:  Events include:

• Welcome Reception on Sunday at High Rollers Bowling and Beer Hall in Banff.  High Rollers is a modern bowling alley and beer hall featuring a bright vintage interior, extensive craft beer menu, six ten-pin bowling lanes, three pool tables, and two distinct dining spaces.  The evening includes hot and cold appetizer and beverage offerings (Cash Bar), a complimentary drink (cash bar after that), DJ, and full access to the venue’s entertainment.
  
• Après Ski Event @ Lake Louise Ski Resort on Tuesday
  Dedicated Lake Louise Ski Day with après ski event from 2:30-4:30pm.  Food Stations will be set up and passed hot and cold appetizers throughout event.  Dedicated Cash bar stations.
• Nightrise – Farewell Dinner Experience on Thursday
  

  An incredible ride on the Banff Gondola will take us to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for an exclusive after-dark multimedia experience, created by Moment Factory in partnership with the Stoney Nokoda Nation.  We’ll experience the sounds, lighting, video projections, and other immersive elements that will turn the peaks into something new, and dine atop the mountain as we watch the summit transformed.  The evening includes a buffet dinner, cash bar, band, and private motorcoach transfers to and from the event.

Ski Rentals:  Equipment rentals are available from Black Tie Ski Rentals, located conveniently in our hotel's lobby.  Discounted package prices are being offered as a signup option at two performance levels (prices are for a 6-day rental):

• Their Premium Performance Package ($240/$190 with/without boots) is by far their most popular and is designed for skiers of all ability levels; not just experts.  They offer the best skis and boards from the best brands like Atomic, K2, Salomon, Nordica, Blizzard, Head and Faction.  Women’s-specific models are available in this package. 
  
• Their less-costly Sport Performance Package ($170/$150 with/without boots) is also available.

For more information, check out the shop's FAQ page.  If you select rentals as a signup option, your trip leader will collect your statistics (ht, wt, ability) as the trip gets near.  The shop also has helmets available to rent.

Optional Day Trip to Ski at Kicking Horse:  Participants can sign up for an optional ski day at Kicking Horse – the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada – with stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and easy access to alpine ridges and bowls.  $195 cost (estimated; to be confirmed in the fall of 2025) includes round-trip bus and adult lift ticket (no senior discount available).  Holders of a full Epic Pass are afforded seven days of skiing at the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, which includes Kicking Horse, and save $95 (estimated; to be confirmed) without the lift ticket.

Ikon Pass Benefits:  If you're planning to ski at more than one "Ikon" resort this winter, an Ikon Pass may be a better value than the available group lift tickets (see below); it may depend when you buy your pass as prices will increase as winter gets closer.

• A Full Ikon Pass gives you 7 days at Banff/Lake Louise-Sunshine/Norquay
• An Ikon Base Pass gives you 5 days.

Ikon Passes must be individually purchased (not through the club).  You may purchase Ikon Passes directly from Ikon (including discounted pricing available to military members and their dependents), but we suggest that you visit our Epic & Ikon Pass page to explore the promotional offers that may be available from our tour operators.

If you'll be using an Ikon Pass, we must provide your pass number to the resort so that it counts towards our group lift ticket minimum purchase requirements.  Please enter your Ikon Pass number into your membership profile before registering for the trip, or provide it to the trip leader if you purchase (or renew) your pass subsequent to signing up.

Group Lift Tickets:  Group lift tickets are available as an extra-cost option for skiers without an Ikon Pass:

Trip Insurance:  Emergency medical, evacuation & repatriation insurance (not cancellation insurance) is included.  Note that this is not cancellation coverage and will not provide any relief if you have to cancel from the trip before it begins, whether for medical or other reasons.  You may upgrade your coverage to include cancellation insurance by clicking on this link. It will take you to a flyer describing the options available through Myra Altschuler of Travel Protectors LLC:

To upgrade to “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance, you must contact Myra Altschuler at  myra@travelprotectors.com within 14 days from the date you write your first deposit check or make your first deposit by credit card.

Air Schedule:  Flights on Air Canada (Subject to Change):

Save $760 on the package without air

Air Canada is in the Star Alliance.  Provide your United Airlines Mileage Plus frequent flier number to have your miles credited to your account.

Membership Requirement:  Your club membership must be current when signing up for the trip and throughout the duration of the trip.  The trip has been "sanctioned" through the Blue Ridge Ski Council.  Current members of other BRSC member ski clubs may register for the trip beginning August 1.

Payment Schedule:

We’ll confirm your registration after you've signed up (registered) for the trip and we've received your payment:  Pay online by going to our Partial Payments Page where you can make initial deposits &/or interim payments for one or more trips, and for one or more members, in a single transaction.  You may also make partial payments with credit cards at club meetings.  Note:  If you wish instead to pay for the entire trip (or to pay your remaining balance), you should make your payment directly against your trip invoice.  You can find your invoice(s) from your profile page by selecting your name in the upper right corner of the website when you are logged in.

If you prefer to pay by check, make it payable to the Pentagon Ski Club and mail it to our treasurer:  Tom Gallagher, 8203 Lazy Point Lane, Lorton, VA 22079.  Indicate which trip, and what skier(s), it is for.  Or give it to the trip leader (or to Tom) at a club meeting

Trip Leader:

Brian Sundin

sundin4@yahoo.com

503-828-2841