LAKE LOUISE OPEN FOR SNOW BUSINESS!!
 |
| First chair of the season at Lake Louise today! |
The
Glacier Express Chair launched lucky skiers and riders for their first runs of
the season at Lake Louise today. My man on the ground there, Fergus Hudson, will be reporting back to me
on conditions before I can get there myself. He is also hoping to write articles for the University of Calgary campus publication, The Gauntlet, about
his experiences with other ski-crazy students this season.
 |
Cross country skiing at Lake Louise by
Paul Zizka/Banff Lake Louise Tourism |
Although
only three runs – Bald Eagle, Wiwaxy and Easy Street – are open so far, it is
incredible just to get out there so early in the winter and absorb that
beautiful scenery during the endorphin rush of skiing again. And what a great chance to get ski legs
working, rekindling muscle memory and setting up ski fitness for the long
season ahead. This is also the time to think about getting instruction tips to
help you scale up the ladder of bumps, glades or powder prowess.
 |
| Temple Lodge by Paul Zizka/Banff Lake Louise |
LakeLouise is always the first venue on the World Cup circuit every year due to its
incredible early season snow records. The men’s events are scheduled for the
weekend before – Nov 30-Dec 1.
 |
| Photography: Paul Zizka/Banff Lake Louise Tourism |
It’s
also worth making accommodation bookings now in order to take advantage of
deals such as the early season $69 ski and stay package at The Great Divide Lodge. I’ve stayed at the Great Divide several times -
 |
| The Great Divide Lodge |
a lovely retreat
with gorgeous mezzanine-style rooms, cozy cast iron fires and leather sofa
nooks. The food in the posh end of the dining room is fabulous, too, and great
value for money. And there’s a casual après ski bar where you can mingle with
the cheerful, multi-national workers. There are also convenient – and free –
shuttles for the 10 minute drive to and from the ski slopes. Coffee, tea and
hot chocolate are free all day long at the Divide and kids under 5 stay and ski
for free (under 16s get free accommodation).
 |
View of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Paul Zizka
Courtesy Banff Lake Louise Tourism |
As
well as downhill and backcountry skiing and riding, Lake Louise offers cross
country, snowshoeing and a tube park. There is also an idyllic ice skating rink on the lake at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in full view of the Victoria
Glacier. At the hill there is a first tracks program, free mountain tours,
lessons and weekly programs and a sightseeing gondola for non-skiers. The lodge
experience is topnotch, ranging from packed lunch areas, self-service, coffee
stops, trendy bars for lunch and après, buffets for big breakfasts and
leisurely lunches, indoor and outdoor music venues as well as on-mountain
options near Lake Louise’s famous back bowls.
 |
Lake Louise's Lodge of the Ten Peaks
by Paul Zizka for Banff Lake Louise Tourism |
Lake Louise Stats:
Vertical
Rise: 991
metres (3250 feet)
Top
Elevation: 2637
metres (8650 feet)
Skiable
Area: 1700
hectares (4200 acres)
Longest
Run: 8
kilometres (5 miles)
No.
of Runs: 145
marked plus back bowls
No.
of Lifts: 10
.jpg) |
| Photo credit: Jason MacQueen |
Events Calendar:
November 2013
|
|
 | November 8: Opening Day! |
| November 23: TGR Lake Louise Film Premiere |
| November 30 - December 1: Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup |
December 2013
|
|
| December 6-8: Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup |
| December 7: Banff Santa Claus Parade |
| December 14: Demonstration Day 1 |
| December 15: Community Day |
| December 15: Heavy Metal Rail Jam |
| December 20-21: 2013 Lake Louise Snowboard Cross World Cup |
| December 23-25: Santa Family Photo Days |
| December 25: Torchlight Dinner & Ski - The Ultimate Apres Ski Party |
| December 31: Torchlight Dinner & Ski - The Ultimate Apres Ski Party |
January 2014
|
|
| January 11 - February 9: Banff National Park SnowDays |
| January 17-26: Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival |
| January 18-19: Avalanche Awareness Days |
| January 19: FIS World Snow Day |
| January 25: Demonstration Day 2 |
| January 26: Australia Day |
February 2014
|
|
| February 8: Ken Jones Classic - Ski Mountaineering Competition |
| February 8: Krowd Party |
| February 14: Torchlight Dinner & Ski - The Ultimate Apres Ski Party |
| February 17: Family Day |
| February 22: Demonstration Day 3 |
March 2014
|
|
| March 1: Canadian Powder 8's Championship |
| March 1: Billabong Flaunt It |
| March 2: CREAM Rail Jam |
| March 7-9: Junior Big Mountain Challenge |
| March 14-16: Big Mountain Challenge |
| March 14: Torchlight Dinner & Ski - The Ultimate Apres Ski Party |
| March 22-23: Lake Louise @ Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show |
| March 22: Krowd Party |
| March 22: Volcom Stone's Peanut Butter and Rail Jam |
| March 22: Demonstration Day 4 |
April 2014
|
|
| April 5-6: Mountain Takeover |
| April 5-6: Doug Meyers Memorial Cup |
| April 12: Ski Louise Stampede |
| April 12-13: Mountain Takeover |
| April 12 : Cardboard Box Downhill Derby |
| April 18-20: Easter Bunny Visits |
| April 19-20: Mountain Takeover |
| April 26-27: Mountain Takeover |
May 2014
|
|
| May 2-3: Monster Energy Ruckus in the Rockies |
| May 3: Bikinis for Breast Cancer |
.jpg)
