Lake Louise
1,700 hectares, 160 runs across four faces in Banff National Park. Striking alpine views, Ikon Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
1 Nov 2026
Closes
2 May 2027
Days open
182
Annual snow
7.3m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Lake Louise's summit reaches 2,637 metres, dropping 991 vertical metres to a base at 1,646 metres across 160 runs spread over roughly 1,700 hectares within Banff National Park, Alberta. Terrain splits 45 per cent intermediate, 25 per cent beginner, 19 per cent advanced and 11 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 7.3 metres. The resort carries Ikon and Mountain Collective affiliation. Ten lifts, including four quad chairs, one six-person chair and one gondola, serve the mountain alongside one triple chair and three surface lifts.
Lake Louise holds a genuinely distinctive place among Canadian Rockies resorts, spread across four separate mountain faces that give the resort exceptional terrain variety for a single connected ski area. Its considerable scale, combined with sweeping views over the turquoise lake and surrounding glaciers, has built Lake Louise's reputation as one of the most visually striking ski destinations in North America.
Skiing history at Lake Louise dates to the 1930s, when Temple Lodge was built in 1938 on what is now the resort's Larch side, following the earlier construction of the nearby Skoki Lodge. A rope tow was built behind Temple Lodge in 1952, replaced by a detachable Poma lift in 1954, before the area's various slopes were formally amalgamated as the Lake Louise Ski Resort in 1971.
Charlie Locke became a primary investor in the resort in 1974 and sole owner by 1981, operating the mountain for two decades before Resorts of the Canadian Rockies assumed sole ownership in 2003. Locke reacquired a 50 per cent share in 2008, and the resort remains family owned and operated by Locke, his wife Louise, and their daughters Robin and Kimberley. Adult daily tickets run from 145 to 175 Canadian dollars.
991m
Vertical
160
Runs
4,201 acres
Skiable
7.3m
Annual snow
Ikon / Mountain Collective
Pass
The Terrain
160 runs across 4,201 acres skiable
Lake Louise is among the largest ski areas in the Canadian Rockies, covering about 1,700 hectares with 160 runs across four distinct faces. The summit is at 2,637 metres and the base at 1,646 metres, a vertical of 991 metres. Intermediates dominate with 45% of the terrain, followed by 25% beginner, 19% advanced and 11% expert. That mix makes it welcoming for mixed groups, with cruisers on one side of the mountain and committing lines on the other. The grading keeps most skiers well inside their comfort zone, yet there is plenty to grow into.
The Front Side carries the long groomed runs, including the Men's Downhill, and the bumps beneath Ptarmigan are a decent workout. Larch has gentle tree-lined pistes and good tree skiing. Over the back, the Back Bowls and West Bowl hold the real test: Whitehorn, Paradise Bowl and the cliff bands and couloirs around them demand strong skills. Beginners find wide, easy slopes close to the base. Lake Louise suits families, intermediates after variety and expert skiers who want sustained in-bounds steeps, and the day is best planned by face, starting on Front Side before moving over to the Bowls.
Terrain split
160
runs
160 runs across 4 grades
Beginner40 runs · 25%
Intermediate72 runs · 45%
Advanced30 runs · 19%
Expert18 runs · 11%
Time it right
When to visit Lake Louise
The 2025-26 season at Lake Louise ran from 4 November 2025 to 4 May 2026, a roughly twenty-six-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 7.3 metres. This extended season reflects Lake Louise's considerable elevation and reliable early and late-season conditions within Banff National Park.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across Lake Louise's four mountain faces. As an Ikon and Mountain Collective resort, Lake Louise draws substantial visitation from pass holders alongside destination travellers drawn by the resort's renowned alpine scenery.
Lake Louise's considerable scale supports strong visitor capacity during peak weekend and holiday periods, with terrain spread across four faces helping distribute crowds relative to the resort's popularity. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's varied terrain across all ability levels.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since the Locke family regained majority ownership in 2008, Lake Louise has continued building on nearly a century of skiing history since Temple Lodge's 1938 construction. The resort's considerable scale and striking alpine setting remain central to its enduring international reputation.
Season 2026 - 2027
1 Nov 2026
Opens
2 May 2027
Closes
182
Days open
7.3 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Lake Louise
Daily snow reports at Lake Louise go back to 2025, 3 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
38 cm
Snowiest day
13 Jan 2026
0 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
817 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Lake Louise, and where to stay
Lake Louise sits within Banff National Park, Alberta, with a base elevation of 1,646 metres and a summit at 2,637 metres across a 991-metre vertical drop over roughly 1,700 hectares spanning four mountain faces. This setting places the resort beside the renowned Lake Louise and surrounding glacial peaks.
The village of Lake Louise, a small national park hamlet, offers lodging and dining within a short drive of the resort, while the larger town of Banff provides more extensive services roughly 45 minutes away.
The Trans-Canada Highway provides direct access to the resort from both Banff and Calgary. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled highway is regularly maintained given the resort's status as a major national park destination.
Calgary International Airport, roughly a two-hour drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into the Canadian Rockies, with Lake Louise's considerable international profile supporting substantial destination travel alongside more local Alberta visitation.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Stays map loads when you scroll here
Hotels and lodges near Lake Louise, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Lake Louise's ski season?
Lake Louise's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 1 through May 2. That window is roughly 182 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Alberta, Canada often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Lake Louise have?
Lake Louise lists about 4,201 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 160 named runs (1,700 hectares alongside 4,201 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Lake Louise?
Trail grading at Lake Louise breaks down roughly as 25% beginner, 45% intermediate, 19% advanced, 11% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Lake Louise have?
Lake Louise operates 10 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 4 quad chairs, 3 surface lifts, 1 gondola, 1 6-person chair, and 1 triple chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Lake Louise?
Base elevation at Lake Louise is about 1,646 m (5,400 ft), with the summit around 2,637 m (8,652 ft), giving roughly 991 m (3,251 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Lake Louise get each season?
Lake Louise averages about 731 cm (288 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Lake Louise accept the Ikon / Mountain Collective?
Lake Louise is affiliated with the Ikon / Mountain Collective. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ikon / Mountain Collective, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Lake Louise lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans CA$32 to CA$185, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Lake Louise before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 5 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Lake Louise so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Lake Louise have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Lake Louise. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Lake Louise located?
Lake Louise sits in Alberta, Canada. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026