LAKE LOUISE
Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
Located in Banff National Park, Lake Louise is one of the most scenic and beautiful resorts in Canada.
Lake Louise Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
Lake Louise is naturally divided into three areas; the front side, the challenging powder bowl area and the Larch area. Between the three areas they offer long groomed linked trails, open powder fields, extreme steeps, treed terrain and gentle beginner areas.
The mountain is well laid out with almost every lift offering a beginner, intermediate and advanced trail, this makes Lake Louise a great choice for groups and families of differing abilities to be able to ski and snowboard together.
Advanced Skiing and Snowboarding
Advanced skiers and snowboarders do not want to leave the powder bowls, cliff drops, extreme steeps and fun trees at Lake Louise.
In the massive powder bowls area the ungroomed Ultimate Steeps and Hector Ridge terrain is all marked double black diamond. It is littered with cliff drops and natural gullies and is above the tree line.
In the Larch area the tree skiing and snowboarding is best on the right hand side of the Larch Express Chairlift on runs #88 and #69.
On the front side run #35 accessed via the Paradise Chairlift leads down to more treed terrain. For big moguls head to run #2 and #90 leading down to the base area.
Intermediate Skiing and Snowboarding
Intermediates can enjoy great long linked corduroy groomed cruisers across the entire mountain and test themselves on some of the steeper powder areas in the back bowls.
For some good GS turns on the front side catch the Summit Platter Chairlift up above the tree line to access trails #8, #9 and #91 they are fantastic cruising trails after a good snowfall.
Also accessible from the Summit Platter Chairlift is trail #30 in the powder bowls, it winds between double black diamond ungroomed areas before linking with trail #110 that continues through the Larch area.
Intermediates really enjoy the Larch area; the tree lined trails #25, #26 and #23 are steep for intermediate standards making them quite a challenge.
Beginner Skiing and Snowboarding
On the front side beginners learn to ski or snowboard in the base area on the gentle slope #6 serviced by the Sunny T-Bar and the magic carpet.
Once confidence grows catch the Glacier Express Chairlift up to access the green #1 trail back down to the base area. From the top of the Grizzly Express Gondola trails #15, #14 and #18 are long and winding.
On the backside of the mountain in the powder bowls area trail #15 and trail #29 will take you for a long ride back down to the front side base area. For an extra long run catch the Paradise Chairlift up from trail #15 before winding along the ridge on trail #34 and linking back with trail #15 and #29 leading down to the base area.
The Lake Louise Ski and Snowboard School has beginner programs, children’s programs as well as group and private lessons. They offer a ‘First Tracks Private’ lesson which enables you to ski or snowboard on the slopes with your instructor before the lifts open to the public.
The Lake Louise lift pass is valid for use at the surrounding ‘Banff Mountains’ of Sunshine and Norquay. inghtlife.
Lake Louise Terrain Park and Halfpipe
The Lake Louise Telus Terrain Park is located under the Glacier Express Chairlift it has over 30 jumps, table tops, hits and rails all of varying sizes and suited to differing ability levels. The halfpipe is located on the Marmot trail in the Larch area.
Lake Louise Heli Skiing and Snowboarding
rk heliski have access to 930 square miles of powder filled open bowls, forests and endless pistes in the Purcell Mountains. One, two and three day packages with professional guides are available for intermediate, advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders.
Other Activities at Lake Louise
Other activities at Lake Louise include dog sledding, ice skating, horse drawn sleigh rides and cross country skiing.
Shopping at Lake Louise
Lake Louise has a ski and snowboard rental shop, a repair shop and a sports store.
The Sports Alpine Ski and Sports Boutique have all your skiing and snowboarding requirements covered with the latest on mountain equipment and fashion.
More rental ski and snowboard shops, clothing boutiques and other shops are located in the towns of Lake Louise and Banff.
Lake Louise Restaurants
Lake Louise has 4 day lodges; the Lodge of the Ten Peaks, Whisky Jack Lodge, Temple Lodge and the Whitehorn Lodge.
The Lodge of the Ten Peaks, located in the base area has a large food court open from 7.30 am to 5pm, a coffee bar and a fine dining restaurant. Also in the lodge is the popular Powderkeg Lounge open until 6pm every day for après ski drinks serving a wide variety of beers and cocktails.
The original lodge at Lake Louise the Whisky Jack Lodge in the base area has a large viewing sundeck and cafeteria.
Temple Lodge, located in the Larch area has a cafeteria and is home to the Sawyers Nook restaurant serving cocktails and finger food, pizzas and hearty big burgers.
Every Friday night the Whitehorn Lodge, located halfway up the mountain has five course gourmet meals accompanied by live music before escorting guests down the mountain by torchlight.
New for 2007/2008 at Lake Louise
Snow making equipment and snow making equipment upgrades have been made throughout the resort, new portable gun towers able to be used in different locations have been added ensuring good snow depth throughout the winter season.
Two grooming snowcats have also been added to the grooming fleet.
More About Lake Louise
Your Lake Louise Ski & Snowboard Resort Reviews
Rene Richards, Sydney , April 2006 Lake Louise is TOTALLY THE TOPS. What a remarkable place, from the extreme steeps to the terrain park everything was awesome. The Larch Express Chair was one of our favorites, some of the trees underneath had some of the softest deepest snow I've ever ridden as were the absolute ENORMOUS back bowls. The Whitehorn Lodge was our daily lunch stop and on a sunny day it was like sitting in a post card, I have never seen better mountainous vistas. If you are looking for a place for your next mountain getaway go no further than the magnificent Lake Louise!
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150
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11 |
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Trails
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Halfpipe |
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3 |
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Resort
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