How big is Lake Louise?
Lake Louise has 145 trails served by 11 lifts — 2nd for trails of the 15 resorts we track in Canada. On lifts it ranks 6th of the 15.
Lake Louise resort guide
Alberta, Canada
Stunning scenery in Banff National Park
Lake Louise at a glance
145
Trails
11
Lifts
8,652ft
Top
5,400ft
Base
3,251ft
Vertical
YYC
Nearest airport, 96 mi
25% beginner45% intermediate30% advanced
Lake Louise offers stunning scenery in Banff National Park, excellent terrain, and world-class skiing with iconic mountain views.
Your questions about Lake Louise, answered
How high is Lake Louise?
The lifts run from 5,400ft at the base to 8,652ft at the top, a vertical of 3,251ft. Of the 15 resorts we track in Canada, that is the 2nd highest, with the 6th biggest vertical.
Is Lake Louise good for beginners or experts?
The trails at Lake Louise split 25% beginner, 45% intermediate and 30% advanced, against an average of 20% beginner and 34% advanced across the resorts we track in Canada.
On those numbers it suits intermediates and confident skiers and riders looking for steep terrain.
For backcountry and off-piste, our guide documents 3 zones at Lake Louise, with the lift to take and the avalanche risk for each.
When is the ski season at Lake Louise?
Over the last ten winters Lake Louise has typically held skiable snow at mid-mountain from around October 29 to June 11, about 227 days.
March is the best all-round month on the record, with an average base of 51in, 16in of new snow and 1.9 bluebird days.
Month-by-month snow history →What is the nearest airport to Lake Louise?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Calgary (YYC), 96 mi away in a straight line. Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies (YXC) is 127 mi, Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional (YCG) is 160 mi. Road distances are longer, often much longer in the mountains, and the nearest airport is not always the one with the most flights.
How much is a lift ticket at Lake Louise?
A 6-day adult Banff Sunshine / Lake Louise lift ticket costs CA$1,130 for 2025/26, or CA$188 a day. For value it ranks 1st of the 15 resorts we price in Canada.
Full lift ticket prices and history →Airports near Lake Louise
Airports with scheduled flights, nearest first. Distances are straight-line; by road they are longer, and in the mountains often much longer.
- CalgaryYYC96 mi · major airport
- Cranbrook/Canadian RockiesYXC127 mi
- Castlegar/West Kootenay RegionalYCG160 mi
Travel time to Lake Louise
Pick the airport you fly from for an estimate of the journey to the resort.
- Fly to Calgary (YYC)Quickest
- Flight
- 4h 45m · 2,036 mi
- Ground transfer
- 3h 15m · 130 mi
- Total
- ≈ 8h
- Fly to Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies (YXC)
- Flight
- 4h 50m · 2,109 mi
- Ground transfer
- 4h 15m · 171 mi
- Total
- ≈ 9h 5m
- Fly to Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional (YCG)
- Flight
- 5h · 2,192 mi
- Ground transfer
- 5h 20m · 216 mi
- Total
- ≈ 10h 20m
Estimates from straight-line distances, not timetables: flights at typical cruising speed plus taxi and climb, ground transfers at an average 40 mph. They leave out check-in and baggage time, and mountain roads in snow can take much longer. Check with airlines and transfer companies before booking.
Lake Louise lift ticket 2025/26
CA$1,1306-day adult Banff Sunshine / Lake Louise lift ticket · ≈$807
CA$188 per day · 1.5 km of trails per € · #1 of 15 for value in Canada
Dynamic pricing — book early for lower prices
47value scoreAverage value
Lake Louise trail map 2025/26
2025/26 seasonThe official Lake Louise trail map, published by Lake Louise Ski Resort. This map covers Front Side, West Bowl and Larch. It shows every run, lift and sector across 145 trails served by 11 lifts, from 5,400ft at the base to 8,652ft at the summit.
Always check the resort's live trail status before setting off. Runs shown on a map are not necessarily open, and backcountry terrain is never patrolled unless the map says so.
Why go to Lake Louise
- Stunning scenery in Banff National Park
- Excellent terrain
- World-class skiing
- Iconic mountain views
- Great facilities
- Great for all skill levels
Things to know
- Can be expensive
- Can get crowded
- Weather can be extreme
- Remote location
Skiing and snowboarding Lake Louise by ability level
Beginners
Lake Louise offers good beginner terrain, particularly in the lower mountain areas. Beginners should stick to the designated beginner runs and consider taking lessons.
Intermediates
Lake Louise is excellent for intermediate skiers! The resort offers extensive intermediate terrain with stunning mountain views. Intermediate skiers will love the variety and scenery.
Advanced
Lake Louise offers excellent advanced terrain! The resort has challenging expert runs, powder stashes, and great off-piste opportunities. Advanced skiers will find plenty of challenging terrain to explore.
Our take on Lake Louise
Food & dining
Après-ski
Price level
Luxury
Facilities
Official resort website: skilouise.com
More on Lake Louise
- Lake Louise snow reportLive conditions, snow depth and the 7-day forecast by elevation
- Lake Louise snow historyTen seasons of snowfall, snow depth, powder days and when the season ends
- Lake Louise lift ticket pricesDay and multi-day ticket prices, how they have changed, and value for money
- Lake Louise backcountry & off-piste guideWhere the powder is, which lift to take and the avalanche risk
- Ski resorts in CanadaLive snow reports and a map of resorts, cities and airports in Canada
Ski resorts near Lake Louise
Distances are straight-line, not by road.