Lake Louise Ski Resort

The basics

One of Canada’s “Big 3,” Lake Louise Ski Resort sits in the world-famous Banff National Park, home to four peaks of roughly 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). All in all, there are 4,200 acres (1,700 hectares) of skiable terrain; 3,250 feet of vertical (991 meters); more than 160 runs served by 11 high-speed chair lifts; plus powdery chutes, glades, and bowls galore.

Beginner skiers and non-skiers will still find something to do here, beyond just gazing at views over the neon-turquoise Lake Louise (though that would be fine, too). Beginners can stick to the gentler slopes or hit ski school; others can snow-tube, Nordic ski, go dog sledding and snowshoeing, or simply grab a hot drink in one of the onsite restaurants.

Things to know before you go

• Book everything you can in advance, from tickets and gear to lessons. Come early, too—this is a popular spot.

• You can sometimes find deals by checking the resort’s website for early-bird or low-season specials.

• You might’ve seen photos of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the castle-like hotel on Lake Louise’s shores. That’s the resort’s lodging.

• If you’re not staying at Lake Louise, certain Banff-area hotels offer shuttles to the resort.

How to get there

To get to Lake Louise Ski Resort, most visitors fly into Calgary International Airport and make the 2-hour drive west to the resort—the route takes you along the magnificent Trans-Canada Highway. There are also shuttle services from the airport and various Banff-area hotels. What’s more, it’s inside Banff National Park, making it an easy addition to any national park trip.

When to get there

Rule number one: Come to Lake Louise Ski Resort early in the day. This is one of the continent’s most popular ski resorts, and you’ll want time on those mountains with a little elbow room. Other than that, it all depends on the experience you’re looking for—ski season typically runs from around early November to mid-May, though every year is different.

What to do when the snow melts

Lake Louise Ski Resort isn’t just a winter-weather gem—there are incredible outdoor adventures to be had here year-round. In summer, you can go hiking in the hills, ride the gondola, raft the Kicking Horse River, golf and fish, mountain bike those once snow-covered mountains, ride horses, kayak Lake Louise, go rock-climbing, settle in at a spa, and more.