Lake Louise - World Snowboard Guide

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Lake Louise is widely rated as one of Canada’s best resorts and feels more like a European resort than most in Canada. Being a popular place and only 2 hours from Calgary has led to an area that is often unbearably busy, both on the slopes and around town. In the past year or two, the resort has endeavoured to address this with a lot of changes on the slopes including the inclusion of the new Glacier Triple Chair and the 6-person Grizzly Express Gondola which both start at the base area. The resort has also done much to improve the slopes with new piste groomers and a new Super Pipe Grinder.

The terrain on offer here is spread out over four mountain faces, Front Side/South Face, the Ptarmigan, Paradise and Back Bowls, and the Larch area that collectively provide slopes to suit all levels and styles of rider. The well-connected lift system includes a high-speed quad that can whisk you to the Top of the World in under ten minutes, from where you can access the Back Bowls with unlimited long tree-lined powder runs lying in wait at every turn, and with new runs and lifts planned for the Wolvern and Richardsons Ridge areas, there’s always new ground to explore.

Lake Louise is also located closeby to the smaller resorts of Sunshine and Mt Norquay, with all three sharing a joint lift pass.

New for season

2007/8:Winter Interpretive Program - Includes educational signage throughout the mountain, highlighting some of the wildlife and scenery in the area.
Kokanee Kabin Upgrades.
Enhanced Snowmaking - An additional $85,000 has been invested in new equipment and upgrades. Three new portable gun towers have been added, providing greater coverage and a higher rate of snow production.

2007/8:Winter Interpretive Program - Includes educational signage throughout the mountain, highlighting some of the wildlife and scenery in the area.
Kokanee Kabin Upgrades.
Enhanced Snowmaking - An additional $85,000 has been invested in new equipment and upgrades. Three new portable gun towers have been added, providing greater coverage and a higher rate of snow production.

05/06: 6-passenger "Grizzly Express Gondola" opened in February 2005 replacing the old 2 person chairlift

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Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Nov to May
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 10
Gondolas: 1
Chair lifts: 6
Drag lifts: 2
Other lifts: 2 Magic carpets
Max people per hour: 17,040
Board Leashes required: Yes

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 113
Total ride area: 4200acres/100km
Longest run: 5miles (8km)

Top lift: 2637m
Vertical drop: 991m
First lift: 646m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 25%
Red runs: 45%
Black runs: 30%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
Half-day pass $48
1 day lift pass: $60 CDN
5-day lift pass: $290 CDN
7-day lift pass: $406
Season Pass: $729
Lift times:9.00am to 4.00pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 4.54metres
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 40%

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: 2.5 hours group $59
5.5 hours group $89
Snowboard Hire: board and boots $39/day
Night Riding: : No

Other activities

Heliboarding: : full day 3 to 5 drops $700
20 Dec- 15 Apr
Snowmobiles: Yes

Further information

www.skilouise.com/
Email:info@skilouise.com

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Summary

Excellent freeriding on four mountain faces although slopes can get very busy. Facilities in Louise are a bit on the dull side, but overall with Banff as an alternative this is a great destination for all.

ON THE SLOPES: Very good
OFF THE SLOPES: Not bad
MONEY WISE: Very expensive lodging and eating out but extremely good value.

Terrain & parks

HALFPIPE: Yes - 2
TERRAIN PARK: Yes - 1
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:Yes
TREE RUNS:Yes