Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Lovely, Luxurious and Legendary Lake Louise - #JustLakeIt


Pow Day pals on Lake Louise's Six Pack Jan 3 

Jan 3 - Skier credit: Kyle Armstrong at Lake Louise
Best pow day at Lake Louise ever! This was Thursday Jan 3. We’d skied there the day before in nice well-covered conditions, doing our fave bumps on Lynx and Larch Poma, and then after a bit of après at the hill - with knowledge of a significant storm in the air - we’d spent the night at the Lake Louise Inn rather than driving back to Canmore. Powder project: to be there at the first lift next day. One of our best-laid plans ever – from first chair we skied deep powder on the front of Louise, on groomers and on the World Cup Men’s Downhill that had been disguised by 43cm of overnight fresh! With snow falling all day filling in the troughs, it was just like heli-skiing with people whooping it up and total euphoria in the air. 

Lake Louise's Jan 3 pow by Will Lambert Photography
On a pow day, we usually rush up the Six Pack over to the Summit Poma to get to the pow in the back bowls but that day there was absolutely no need – it was everywhere, right down to the base, and there were few folks to fight for it with, being a Thursday. I don’t know if the back upper bowls off the Poma even opened. For once it didn’t matter! It was definitely our best pow day in 20 years of skiing Lake Louise. A great start to 2019 and a wonderful way to finish off our Canadian Ski Safari.
New Junior Suite kitchen at the Lake Louise Inn
Lake Louise Inn
Staying at the Lake Louise Inn was utter luxury! Both from the point of view of the quick access to all that powder perfection, and also because of the dazzling deluxe décor. Due to a major makeover, our junior suite was beautiful. In subtle shades of grey, marble, light wood, hexagonal tiles, and other funky, modern accents, just the kind of motif trending on HGTV reno shows right now. Go to the website, and you’ll see the ‘Before’ and ‘After’ pics as some of the different types of rooms and suites haven’t yet been revamped. Make sure to book one of the Afters! They’re so proud of their ritzy reno that they have a mood board set up in reception with all the lovely materials and colours used.

Junior Suite at the Lake Louise Inn
Inversion at Lake Louise - credit: Dennis Bannock
Dinner was decadently delicious at the Timberwolf which specializes in pizza and pastas. We’d had fun conversations with fellow Brits and Canadians while languishing in the muscle-massaging hot tubs. We were going to go out to the bar, but decided on drinks in our delightful suite, wooed by the wonderful décor. Later, wondering whether to wander out to another restaurant in the village, we found the allure of Lake Louise Inn pasta was irresistible. That’s the other beauty of the Lake Louise Inn: having three restaurants to choose from on site, especially when your legs are tired from a damaging downhill day. The Explorer’s Lounge turns into a late night spot most nights with events such as the Wednesday karaoke drawing in tourists and workers from all over Lake Louise Village.

 I connected with Banff’s Will Lambert this season, an avid skier at all of the SkiBig3 resorts. As you can see from some of my pics, he is also an accomplished photographer. A fellow Brit, he works at the Fairmont Banff Springs – with plenty of later shifts facilitating a full ski season. Future plans include getting residency in order to stay on in this beautiful outcrop of the Canadian Rockies.
His favourite double diamond at Lake Louise is Eagle Ridge 3 (ER 3): “Standing at the top of this hefty cornice and seeing the entire landscape drop beneath your feet is mind-blowing,” he says. “The pitch encourages big arcing turns and a wild ride down to the golden larches below.” 
Photo by Will Lambert Photography
Ski out from Lake Louise's Brownshirt hike and back bowls
For black he heads over to Brownshirt off the Summit Poma. “You have to hike to it which automatically reduces the traffic by 50 percent,” Will outlines. “Once you get there it’s a beautiful face that holds the snow well allowing you to really charge that line!” For a blue cruise, he favours Charlie’s Choice: “So many route options on this area. On a powder day, lapping the Summit platter and weaving your way through deep tree turns is unforgettable.” 

As a photographer Will focuses on finding photogenic spots. “Flight shoots is the best - there’s a rock that acts as a perfect kicker to jump off. Here in the photo you’ll frame Mount Temple, the entire Bow Valley and the resort below,” he says. Will’s lunch pick is Kuma Yama where he recommends the tasty ramen and healthy sushi followed by a dollop of their green tea ice-cream. You can follow his sensational season on Facebook and Instagram.

View of Mt Temple from Lake Louise by Will Lambert Photography
Mountain 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)
Number of Runs:
  145 marked + back bowls
Number of Lifts:
  10 (1 Gondola + 5 Chairs + 1 Platter + 3 Carpets)
Charlie Locke, owner of Lake Louise - photo credit: me!

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Hashtag: #JustLakeIt

Cheese fondue - part of the new Alpine-themed menu at Sawyer's Nook
What’s New?

Canada’s #1 Ski Resort: World Ski Awards 2018

Winter Interpretive Programs: Enriching programs weaved throughout multiple activities including an extended snowshoe and wildlife tour from the base of the resort, stories and resort history during ski lessons, as well as stop-in locations and information panels dotted throughout the resort. Night tours are also offered where guests can tour under a full moon and gaze at the stars – heavenly hot chocolate included.


Kuma Yama at Lake Louise
New Sushi Bar Après: Kuma Yama now serving international-style tapas with Japanese flair and no shortage of beer and sake. Located in what was previously the majestic Great Bear Room, the venue has seen renovations by a top regional designer, turning it into an incredibly unique ski resort dining experience. The Sushi Bar will continue to express the traditions set in creating quality sushi while concentrating on the individual presentations that utilize the elements of the Canadian Rockies such as wood and stone. The menu features ramen, AAA Alberta beef tataki, nigiri, sashimi and custom Maki rolls designed and named after the world-famous runs and terrain. Kuma Yama also caters to special diets with gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options available.

New Mountain Munchies at Sawyer’s Nook: stews, fondues, and raclette upstairs in Temple Lodge.

Me blending in with the purple table in my Alchemy of Ride jacket at  Lake Louise's Temple Lodge
Mountain Makeover: Temple Deck Beach BBQ and the Smokehouse Temple Lodge deck is refreshed with vibrant furniture in poster paint colours, creating a unique beach BBQ location deep in the mountains. Meanwhile at the Kokanee Kabin, The Smokehouse offers delicious meaty treats right on the deck using a state-of-the-art smoker.

Tube Park at Lake Louise
Snowmaking and Grooming: The resort’s ongoing program with the pioneers of snow grooming, Prinoth, sees the renewal of four groomers this season, bringing the resort total to nine. This program means the machinery is only ever two years old, resulting in the best quality conditions for guests. Additionally the resort's first-rate snowmaking infrastructure has been intensively maintained for the season ahead. The outcome: improved snowmaking in the existing pipelines and guns to ensure runs are in peak condition.

Early morning rush for Jan 3 powder at Lake Louise


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