Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of the largest ski resorts to be found in North America, and it’s located in the stunning Banff National Park – which guarantees incredible landscapes and spectacular terrain for skiers and snowboarders.
Lake Louise also has the benefit of being just two hours from Calgary International Airport, making it easy to get to.
With the Northern Hemisphere ski season rapidly approaching, here are six reasons you need to put Lake Louise on your bucket list for places to ski and snowboard. Whatever your ability, level of adventure or budget, you will want bragging rights to say you’ve ticked off Lake Louise.
1. The terrain
There are 4200 acres (1670 ha) of mountain to explore when you arrive at Lake Louise, with 160 runs to cover everyone in the family, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. This includes endless chutes, gullies and bowls, along with four terrain parks and some really fun tree runs – so even if you ski Lake Louise every day for a week, there will still be new spots of untouched snow to discover.
With 10 lifts servicing the mountain, Lake Louise is also known for short lift lines – although you will want to be doing your leg workouts before you arrive on the slopes, with the longest run being a whopping 5miles (8km).
The best part is that Lake Louise is accessed by the SkiBig3 Lift Ticket, which also offers unrestricted access to the Banff Sunshine and Mt. Norquay ski areas. That’s a total of nearly 8,000 acres (3237.485 ha) of terrain to sink your teeth into, all accessible by a free shuttle bus.
2. The snow
With Lake Louise opening at the end of October, and closing in May, they have one of the longest seasons of any ski resort in Canada – and that’s thanks to the snow they receive. With almost 15 ft falling every season, there are plenty of untouched powder stashes to be found, or smooth corduroy groomers to enjoy if that’s more your vibe.
Snow How Tip: Head to the back bowls to find the most snow. The north-westerlies tend to land more powder here than anywhere else on the mountain, making for an incredible experience.
3. The views
Your Lake Louise lift ticket essentially pays for itself when you take the chairlift up to the top of the mountain and pause for a moment to take in the views. Being 10,000 feet (3000+m) above sea level, you’ll be able to spot the surrounding glaciers, peaks, lakes, rivers and scenic valleys –all of which are home to a rich history of mountaineering.
Once you’ve enjoyed the slopes, you might like to duck over to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and check out the world-famous hotel nestled among the Rocky Mountains. Even if you are not staying at this bucket-list hotel, there is ice-skating to be enjoyed on the lake, along with a number of hikes to see frozen waterfalls, before warming up in one of the lakeside cafes or restaurants, to take in the most incredible views.
4. The town of Banff
Banff is the mountain town that beats all mountain towns, and many flock here to enjoy the sights – making it perfect if you have non-skiers in your travel group, as it’s just 30 minutes down the road from Lake Louise. You will find everything here, including a wide number of shops, cinemas, ski and snowboard rentals, along with plenty of bars, restaurants and pubs to keep you entertained, and après in style.
It’s also worth stopping by the iconic Fairmont Banff SpringsHotel for a tipple at the Rundle Bar, or enjoying a meal or afternoon high tea in one of their restaurants. Legend has it that this hotel is haunted – discover the stories, or simply take a look around to enjoy the rich history, which dates back to 1887. Through our connections with the Fairmont concierge services we can arrange hotel tours during your visit. This place is steeped in history and no visit to Banff is complete until you have visited, what we affectionately call the hotel – The Castle in the Rockies.
5. The wildlife
While the wildlife is more prominent in the summer months, there’s a high chance you will still get to spot some of the famous animals while you are visiting in winter. Keep a special eye out for mountain goats, elk, deer and lynx; and, if you’re there in the springtime, you may even get lucky enough to see a black bear or grizzly. Deer are often seen grazing along Banff Avenue – the main street downtown. Quite the sight for international visitors.
6. The activities
If skiing and snowboarding is not quite enough, you are in luck; Lake Louise also offers a variety of snowshoe tours, which are an excellent way to learn more about the area, including the wildlife and the history. Little ones – and little ones at heart – will also love the tube park.
Beyond the mountain, there is plenty to be found when venturing around Banff. This includes the Banff gondola, which goes to the top of Sulphur Mountain for restaurants and short hiking trails; dog-sledding, where you can discover the best form of travel; or even the Banff hot springs, which have been enjoyed by visitors to the area since the 19th century. A perfect end to a physical day on the slopes!
Ready to book your dream Lake Louise ski vacation? We can organise everything – from your bucket-list accommodation to the best activities to entertain the entire family. Click here to enquire now.
