Ski Chalets in Lake Louise, Canada

Description

A world-class ski resort in a World Heritage site is a rare combination and the result is a satisfying and effective blend of wilderness and comfort. Located in the heart of Banff National Park, the backdrop is essential to the superior skiing experience for which the resort is famous.

Lake Louise’s unique design offers breathtaking scenery and an extensive experience that leaves riders coming back for more.

Lake Louise is one of the largest ski areas in North America. The unique layout allows families and groups of varying abilities to ski together; there are beginner, intermediate and expert runs down from every chair. Beginner and intermediate skiers have access to an abundance of gentle slopes and long cruising runs. Experts can explore endless chutes, glades, gullies and remote bowls in some of the Rockies' most challenging terrain.

Getting There

When to Go

Where to Stay

Getting around

Apres

Located within a National Park, the town of Lake Louise is not exactly known for its après scene or nightlife. Bars on the mountain close in the early evening, then most of the bars are located within hotels of the village. If you’re looking for big nights out, you’d be better off staying in Banff (45 minutes away) where there is a range of bars and pubs as well as a couple of nightclubs. That said, there are still a few good places to sink a pint or two in Lake Louise.

Kokanee Kabin

Kokanee Kabin is the only on-snow bar in resort and it’s situated just outside The Lodge of Ten Peaks, the main lodge at the base of the slopes. They often have live music and it’s really the only true après venue around so the atmosphere is always lively.

Powder Keg Lounge

The Powder Keg is located upstairs in The Lodge of Ten Peaks. It’s open until 6pm daily, so it’s the perfect place to kick back with a few beers after a hard day on the slopes, before heading back into town.

Lake Louise Village Grill & Bar
Known to the locals as The B&G, this modest-sized bar is the place to head for a few drinks and a game of pool after a day on the slopes. The bar gets quite rowdy later in the night when the resort staff descend upon it and it’s a popular joint for the locals so it’s great if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere. Open until 2am, The B&G is located above the Samson Mall in the centre of town, stumbling distance to most accommodation.

Explorers Lounge

‘Dance Night’ at Explorers is the closest thing you will get to a club in Lake Louise! Located in the basement of the Lake Louise Inn, Friday night sees a DJ set and dance floor in the bar until midnight. Other events at Explorers are Tuesday Karaoke Nights, and Thursday Jam Nights, where budding musicians can sign up to play a set. For the rest of the week, it is a relaxed and casual bar, good for a few drinks at the end of the day or a game scrabble by the fire. Children are welcome until 8.30pm.

Outpost Pub

A little quieter than Explorers, the Outpost Pub is located in the den of the upmarket Post Hotel. It is a cosy lounge-style pub that also offers good quality pub food.

Eating out

The majority of restaurants and bars in the town of Lake Louise are linked to the hotels in the area. If you’re looking for a place to dine out, check your hotel first to see what they offer.
Lake Louise Village Grill & Bar
One of the only eateries not connected to a hotel, the Lake Louise Village Grill & Bar offers affordable dining in a relaxed setting. There are plenty of child-friendly options including burgers and fish & chips, as well as steaks, lasagne and oddly, a range of Chinese specialities! Located above the Samson Mall in the centre of town, the Grill is walking distance from most accommodation.

Bill Peytos Café
Don’t be put off by the fact that this restaurant is connected the village’s hostel! The food on the extensive menu is excellent and prices are purse-friendly. The restaurant is popular with locals and season staff and is great for families looking for a more casual setting. The menu offers a great mix of pub-style food and hearty meals including plenty of vegetarian options and child-friendly dishes.

Timberwolf Pizza & Pasta Café
Located in the Lake Louise Inn, Timberwolf is a casual and family-friendly restaurant, serving a range of woodfire pizzas, calzones and pasta dishes at reasonable prices. Open Tuesday-Saturday, the restaurant can get quite busy but bookings are not possible, so be prepared to wait on the busier nights! They also do takeaway pizzas.

Explorers Lounge

Also in the Lake Louise Inn, Explorers Lounge features casual, pub-style dining. Choose from pub favourites including a range of burgers and wraps, fish & chips, nachos and the Canadian specialty Poutine – French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.

Wine Cellar

If you’re looking for sophisticated fine-dining outside of the Chateaux, the Post Hotel’s Wine Cellar is the place to head. With a selection of more than 2200 of the finest wines available, this is a wine-lovers heaven. Enjoy your drinks with an international menu featuring dishes such as caribou, lobster salad and foie gras.

Outpost Pub

Also located in the Post Hotel, this is pub-style dining but a little more upmarket than Explorer’s at the Inn. They serve a great range pub-style food including burgers, quesadillas and pizzas, and their Hungarian goulash is always a crowd-pleaser.

Chateaux Lake Louise

The Chateaux has a selection of restaurants to suit all tastes. For fine dining, head to the Edelwiess or for a family friendly menu, try the Poppy Room or the Glacier Saloon. There is also the Walliser Stube Wine Bar, which serves Swiss dishes such as fondue.

Activities

Located in the picturesque Banff National Park, Lake Louise could be easily be hailed as one of the most scenic ski resorts in the world. There are plenty of ways to get out there and see the park and have a bit of fun whilst you’re at it!

The Lake

You can’t go skiing in Lake Louise and not see the actual lake up close! If you’re staying in the luxury Fairmont Chateaux, you will of course have the lake at your doorstep. However, if your accommodation is in the village, you will need to get a bus or taxi around 15 minutes’ drive down the road. The glacial lake is ‘the most photographed lake in the world’ for good reason; framed beautifully by two mountains dotted with frozen waterfalls, and lined by pine forest, it is not to be missed if you visit the ski area.

Sleigh Rides

Sleigh Rides along Lake Louise are run daily by Brewster Adventures. You can book group or private sleighs and the horses will take you right to the back of the lake for a stunning view of the famous lake and surrounding scenery. You will be kept warm with the blankets provided and you can even order champagne to make a private sleigh ride extra special!

Ice Skating

Picturesque Lake Louise is the perfect setting to throw some skates on and try out your skills on the ice. A portion of the lake is groomed for skating and it’s a world away from man-made rinks.
There are several other places to skate in the village; Lake Louise Inn has its own rink just steps away from the accommodation, as does the Post Hotel. Skates can be rented from Wilson Mountain Sports at the shopping mall in the village centre, just 5-10 minutes’ walk away.

Snowshoeing

To enjoy the stunning mountain scenery at a slower pace, give snowshoeing a try! There are trails for all levels on the ski hill and in the surrounding area, including Louise Creek and Ross Lake.

Johnston Canyon

If you fancy discovering more of Banff National Park, do not miss Johnston Canyon. Located in between Banff and Lake Louise, it is just 30 minutes away by bus from Lake Louise Village. The ‘hike’ to the canyon is actually a relatively easy walk through snowy forest trails and across steel catwalks over frozen ponds. Snowshoes are recommended, though not essential and guided tours are available. The walk alone is beautiful but the final destination – a massive, icy-blue frozen waterfall – is spectacular. There are two trails you can choose between; the lower falls takes around 1-1.5 hours or allow 2.5 hours if doing both the lower and upper falls.

Ice Climbing

For the more adventurous, the exhilarating sport of waterfall ice climbing may appeal. Climb up stunning, near vertical frozen waterfalls and enjoy the amazing views from the top! Half-day and full-day tours are available for all levels with all equipment and training provided.

Ski School

Getting around

Family ski

Group Ski

Childcare

Though the town of Lake Louise is quite small and sparse compared to many ski resorts and villages, there are still plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained off the slopes.

Sleigh Rides

When visiting the stunning Lake Louise, kids will love the chance to sit in a traditional horse-drawn sleigh, whilst snuggled under blankets to keep warm. You will be taken all the way to the back of the lake for a spectacular view of the Chateau Lake Louise with the ski slopes behind. Sleigh rides run daily at the Chateaux and can be booked in advance or on the spot.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is available at several locations – the Lake Louise Inn and Post Hotel both have their own ice rinks and there is a groomed section on Lake Louise outside the Chateaux. Each year there is a big ice castle sculpted on the lake, making it even more fun for the kids! Skates can be rented from most hotels or from Wilson Mountain Sports, which is located in the Samson Mall, around 5-10 minutes’ walk from most village accommodation.

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is Canada’s national sport and the kids will love the chance to get involved themselves. There is a specially marked and groomed area on Lake Louise for hockey enthusiasts.

Dog Sledding

Dogsled tours are great fun for all the family. Take a short 35 minute ride or enjoy a scenic 1.5-2 hour session where you will travel from Banff national Park through to the Kicking Horse Pass. You may even get to “mush” your own dog team! The sleds are equipped with comfortable foam cushions and sleeping bags to keep passengers warm! Tours can be booked through Kingmik Dogsled Tours: www.kingmikdogsledtours.com

Swimming

The Chateaux Lake Louise, the Post Hotel & Spa and Lake Louise Inn all feature heated indoor swimming pools. If you’re staying elsewhere, most hotels in the area let you use their pool facilities at a small fee.

Trip to Banff

If the kids are up for the 45 minute drive to Banff, there are loads of activities to keep them entertained in the historic ski town. Banff has a cinema, bowling alley, waterpark, and natural hot springs which have shallow areas perfect for children.