When learning to cross country ski in Banff, the winter trails on Tunnel Mountain are some of the easiest trails to learn on. This winter I joined many, many others in buying my own cross country set up and have been waiting for the white stuff to fly in town so I can get out using it. After one very long, very snowy and not trackset cross country skiing mission to Lake O’Hara last year I knew I needed to learn some serious skills if I wanted my winter backcountry missions to be slightly less exhausting!
While I’m still learning to cross country ski, I wanted to find as many easy trails around Banff as possible. I personally don’t enjoy driving for longer than I’m skiing and I’m still very much building up my stamina. Anyone else have sore legs for days after cross country skiing? The cross country ski trails in Banff at Tunnel Mountain have been the perfect place to hone my skills and the fact they loop is an added bonus!
Location
The Tunnel Mountain winter trails are located just outside of downtown Banff and are an easy drive, with ample parking.
Head up Tunnel Mountain Road on the edge of town, when you get towards the top of the hill, there are housing developments and condominium hotels. Go straight across at the junction, once past the hotels a grassy, open area will be on the left. Take the first left hand turning into the Tunnel Mountain Campground. Turn left and go past the campground entrance booth, parking is on the right hand side as are the trails.
Rentals
For anyone who doesn’t own their own cross country set up, or merely wants to learn and try it out before they commit there are a number of places around Banff who rent equipment so you can learn to cross country ski in Banff. Snowtips-Bactrax is my go to place to rent, you can book online here.
Top Reasons Tunnel Mountain Is The Best Place To Learn To Cross Country Ski In Banff
1. Make the trail the length you want
The trail snakes along the roads through the campground loop making an exit back to the car easy any time you reach the end of one on the roads, so you can do one out, up and back or five! Making it easy to call it when you start to get tired or if you are short on time. Even for me, a beginner, it took about 1 to 2 hours to do all the trails! A perfect morning activity before I headed to work in the afternoon.
2. It’s very flat
No need to worry about those pesky hills on these trails, they are pretty much completely flat except at the end where you go road to road. This along with the fact the roads are long and straight, make it easy to find a rhythm and practice your gliding. Even once you get into the back loops, the terrain is mostly flat and easy going, the corners can be a little harsh and appeared to be worn so watch your ski doesn’t slide out of the track on these! Nobody wants to end up doing the splits!
3. It is lit up!
Part of the trail is lit until 10pm every night, making it the perfect spot to head to for some exercise and practice after work. Wrap up warm though everything I’ve been there it has been cold and specifically, pretty windy! The lit trails are pretty straight, luckily, as there are very dark areas, a headlamp perhaps wouldn’t go a miss on a dark night with no moonlight.
4. The views!
For such an easy trail it affords some pretty views on a nice day! From the car park you get incredible views of Mt Rundle when the trees open for a cross path. Once you enter the back, unlit loops, gaps in the trees allow for views of towering Cascade Mountain and a short way off the trail you’ll find snowy meadows with wide open views on some of the loops.
The Tunnel Mountain Trails have improved my confidence immensely and I can’t wait to get out and explore some more of the Banff cross country ski trails in the near future. I’ll definitely keep heading back to the Tunnel Mountain Trails, when I’m short on time or need some post work exercise! They really are great beginner trails to cross country ski in Banff. Happy skiing!
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