Lake Louise Ski Resort Ski Vacation Guide

One of the biggest resorts in North America, the vast ski area offers about 4,200 acres of diverse terrain that includes gentle runs and long cruisers, challenging glades, chutes and some amazing open bowls.  No less than 10 lifts service approximately 145 runs spread among ability levels. Even the vertical rise at 3,250 feet is enormous. The mountain offers cross-country skiing, guided snowshoe tours, snow tube park, and terrain parks, as well as racing and ski clubs for locals.  A tri-area lift ticket allows free access and transportation to two other resorts within the area.

Ski & Ride Guide

The runs are rated 25% beginner, 45% intermediate and 30% expert.  While this type of exceptional terrain may challenge newbies, the ski school and beginner runs will give a foundation for any learner or young person, and runs of every ability level are accessible from every chair.  The bowls offer lots of choices for expert level skiing, and heli-skiing is available in the nearby Purcell Mountains.

Après Ski

The Mountain Restaurant and the Bison offer delectable and gamey eats within the village, or head over to the bustling Kokanee Kabin for live music, drinks and barbecue. You could try the horse-drawn dinner sleigh rides that start at the Fairmont and take you up to western bbq, live music and line dancing followed by a ride back with spectacular views of the Victoria Glacier. The Sitzmark Lounge offers a unique mid-mountain après dinner and entertainment, followed by first tracks with pro ski escorts down a freshly groomed run, or bus service back to your Lake Louise hotel.

Family-Friendly Activities

Lake Louise has excellent facilities for families and their children’s programs include a ski school, nursery and daycare. The ski school’s safe, kid-friendly instructions are provided in multi-day or multi-week group lessons. A non-ski nursery facility is available daily for babies as young as 18 days to children 6 years old. The resort will recommend babysitters you can hire for an adult night out. For women getting their ski legs back on, the resort offers a progressive women’s program that includes lift tickets, lessons, bus transportation, lunch, après-ski events such as wine and cheese, and ski demos.

There is so much for families to enjoy at Lake Louise that you probably won’t be able to cover it all in one trip.  Ice skating is exceptional on the magnificent lake surrounded by tree-laden mountains, the Victoria Glacier, and an ice castle crafted from giant ice blocks. You can also book horse-drawn sleigh rides available daily through the hotel. Guided snowshoe hikes and guided dog-sledding are other memorable activity options.


Lake Louise Ski Resort Snowboard Vacation Guide

Parks & Pipes

Lake Louise has one of the largest terrain parks in North America. The Showtime Terrain Park features tabletop jumps ranging up to 75 feet, more than 25 rails and funboxes, and two enormous quarter pipes. The behemoth superpipe has 15-foot walls and a 17-foot transition.

Out of Bounds

A trip to Lake Louise’s Powder Bowls with a bunch of blue, black, double black challenges is worth it for freeriders. You can access them from the Summit Platter and Top of the World Chair. Juniper Jumper and Larch Mountain are local favorites after a big snow. After, head over to Norquay for night skiing in their fully lit terrain park.

Hangout & Hookup

NIghttime is alive in Banff, just a 20 minute drive northwest.  Drive down for some late-night live music and dance at clubs like the Aurora, or partake in good ole Irish libations at the St. James Gate Olde Irish Pub, built in Dublin and assembled in Banff.

Lake Louise Ski Resort Ski Vacation Guide

Lake Louise Ski Resort Ski Vacation Guide

Stargazing at the lake with snowshoes strapped to your feet and a guide leading you to the best spots is a worthwhile and popular family activity.  On clear nights the area will be ablaze in moonlight and you could get lucky and see the Northern Lights. 

You can also stroll the village during the many festivals throughout the season, or take in a bit of the area’s rich history and culture at the museum and art galleries.  Stop by the Lake Louise Information Center in the Samson Mall for fun and affordable activities in and around the area.

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