Lake Louise Ski Resort
Postcard views of a frozen turquoise lake, 4,200 acres of terrain, and grizzlies that outrank the patrollers.
Our Take
Lake Louise is the kind of place that breaks ski photographers. You're dropping a fast groomer on the Front Bowls and across the valley there's a literal frozen turquoise lake with Castle Mountain as the backdrop, and you have to stop skiing to take the photo that no one will believe is real. The terrain is enormous -- 4,200 acres across four mountain faces -- and runs from beginner-friendly front face cruisers to the serious chutes and bowls of the back bowls that require a traverse and a commitment. What makes Louise different from the US Rockies is the combination of size, scenery, and the Banff ecosystem. The back bowls are massive, often wind-affected, and utterly devoid of the crowds you'd find at comparably sized US resorts. The Larch area in particular is something special -- a mid-mountain zone with open glades and intermittent larches that lights up amber in the fall but skis like a dream in winter. The Ikon pass gets you six days here, which sounds like plenty until you're on day four and realize you haven't skied half the mountain.
Nerd Stats
Skiable Acres
4,200
Vertical Drop
3,250'
Avg Annual Snowfall
180"
Summit Elevation
8,650'
Fun Facts
- Lake Louise has 4,200 skiable acres -- that's bigger than Vail, which itself is considered enormous.
- The resort sits in Banff National Park. You need a Parks Canada permit to drive in, which costs less than one gondola ride at most US resorts.
- Lake Louise Ski Resort, Sunshine Village, and Norquay together form the Ski Big 3 area -- combined they offer 8,000+ skiable acres.
- Grizzly bears have been spotted on ski runs during opening/closing days. The resort maintains a bear activity log.