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It's possibly a quirk of Canada's size that 60km is considered a trifle when it comes to distances. So it is for the Lake Louise Ski Resort which lies 60km north-west of Banff, in the heart of the beautiful Banff National Park in the province of Alberta. Lake Louise is the largest of the trio of regional resorts known as the Big3. The other two are Mt Norquay and Banff Sunshine. All are covered by a common full-area lift pass and all are served by connecting bus services. All are also Ikon Pass destination partners.
There are two resort village clusters at Lake Louise where you'll find most of the Lake Louise hotels: the larger of the two is just off the Trans-Canada 'Icefields Parkway' Highway, around the site of the original Lake Louise railway station, about 2km from the slopes. The other is a further 3km away and centred on the renowned Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel, sited by the lake itself. The resort has reliably good snow and offers something for all abilities and age groups. In common with the other Big3 resorts, it's a day-ski operation (though Banff Sunshine does have one on-the-mountain ski lodge), meaning fairly soon after the slopes close everyone piles back into their cars or onto the ski buses and heads back to their accommodation. In the case of Lake Louise that's fine if you're staying nearby, but otherwise means a bit of a trek back to Banff.
If you are blessed with enough bucks, a stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a luxurious treat and an opportunity to experience all the gorgeous setting alongside the frozen Lake Louise has to offer.
Lake Louise - Ski Map & Pistes:
You can't come to the Banff area and not ski Lake Louise. The layout of the ski lifts and slopes has been designed to provide at least one run of each classification (novice, intermediate, and advanced) from every major lift, so mixed ability groups and families can explore the area together. On clear days, the views from the top of the Summit Lift in all directions across some of the many peaks and glaciers of Banff National Park are breathtaking.
The 4,200 acre Lake Louise ski area is spread over three well-connected principal sectors: The Front-Side South Face directly above the base area, on the slopes of Mount Whitehorn and Saddleback, and the West Bowl (reached by the Top of the World and Summit chairs), which contains most of the black diamond terrain, The Back-Side Powder Bowls on the far side of these peaks, plus the pretty Larch Area on a spur to the south-east on the slopes of Lipalian Mountain.
Its efficient lift system consists of 1 gondola, 5 quad chairs, 1 triple, 1 high-speed 6 seater heated bubble chair and 3 magic carpets.
Over two-thirds of the slopes here are forested and there are 164 named runs covering a good mix of descents of all categories, Lake Louise also boasts the largest terrain park in North America, located in the 'Juniper Jungle' area just above the base area.
The resort has an excellent beginners' zone and a dedicated children's area, with easy access to wide & gentle progression pistes on the sheltered wooded slopes closest to the base area. Childcare facilities are available in a separate dedicated day-lodge nearby. The impressive huge log-built main day-lodge complex houses a couple of bars and cafés and a selection of restaurants, alongside equipment hire and retail shops.
Go to skibig3.com for more extensive ski maps of the area.
Lake Louise - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring:
There are acres of ungroomed in-bounds and off-piste terrain. The back bowls in particular are a major draw for advanced skiers and snowboarders and are renowned for the quality of their dry & light deep powder following fresh snowfalls.
Lake Louise - Restaurants, Bars & The Town:
Lake Louise's resort villages - just seven minutes from the ski area - contain a fair selection of restaurants and bars, most of them in the larger hotel complexes, plus there are a couple of grocery stores and a small shopping mall. A free shuttle-bus service connects the villages, the various hotels and lodgings, and the ski area.
Après ski at the base-area Powder Keg Lounge and Bier Stube is fairly lively for a couple of hours around closing time at the ski area, especially at the weekends. There are also a handful of saloon-style bars and diner-bars down in the village areas at Lake Louise. The Glacier Saloon at the luxury Fairmont Lake Louise – famed for its lakeside setting and spectacular views of the Victoria glacier - offers occasional live music and dancing, but nightlife in Lake Louise is generally very low-key. If you yearn for more action - and have a car - head into Banff. After all, this is Canada...60km is nothing.
It's no surprise Lake Louise is such a year-round draw - the scenery and views of Banff National Park, really are incredible – and it is hauntingly beautiful in the winter months, so although there’s not a wide choice of off-slope activities in Lake Louise the big scenery more than makes up for any lack of other attractions and distractions.
A romantic way of viewing the area is to take a horse-drawn sleigh ride along the shore of the lake; dog-sled excursions are also available along the route of the summer access road, which is closed during the winter months. Ice skating is usually available on a small rink in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel, and is also possible on some of the nearby smaller frozen lakes.
The principal alternative daytime activity up at the ski area is guided snowshoe treks, either sticking to the flat wooded trails next to the area's cross-country ski circuit or hiking up to one of the local peaks (pedestrian access tickets are also available for the gondola lift).
Also recommended is a car ride or excursion to view the magnificent glaciers along the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper.
Lake Louise - Ski Hire:
You can hire skis from the Lake Louise Ski Resort base lodge area. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise also has its own ski rental service.
Lake Louise - Ski School:
The Lake Louise Ski Resort does lessons for all abilities.
