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It might be nicknamed “Lake Lindsey” after US ski great Lindsey Vonn, but Lake Louise is open to all as the jewel of Banff National Park in Canada.
The spectacular ski area west of Calgary lies amid the awe-inspiring scenery of the Rockies and has three times been voted Canada’s best ski resort in the World Ski Awards.
Vonn, the most decorated female skier of all time, is certainly at home here. Of her 43 World Cup downhill wins, 14 have come at Lake Louise, with four more victories in super G.
But with 4,200 skiable acres and 30ft of light, dry powder snow annually, Lake Louise is not solely the preserve of decorated Olympians.
Here’s what you need to know about Lake Louise:
Vonn is the most decorated American skier in history
Situated about 112 miles (180 kilometers) west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and 36 miles (60 kilometers) west of Banff. Calgary International Airport is just a two-hour drive from Lake Louise.
Lake Louise, which was developed by Canada’s first skiing pioneers in 1931, boasts 145 marked runs and 10 lifts with vast views across the stunning Bow Valley to the range that marks the boundary with British Columbia.
Lake Louise is one of Canadian skiing's crown jewels -- and it's also a favorite of U.S. ski great Lindsey Vonn.
Alexis Boichard/Getty Images
Vonn, America's most decorated skier, has won 14 of her 39 World Cup downhill titles at Lake Louise, prompting some to nickname the Alberta resort "Lake Lindsey."
Alexis Boichard/Getty Images
Lake Louise is not just the preserve of lycra-clad racers -- its 4,200 skiable acres feature 145 marked runs for all abilities in the stunning surroundings of Banff National Park.
Alexis Boichard/Getty Images
Lake Louise is split into three areas -- Front Side, with the bulk of the skiing on the slopes of Whitehorn Mountain, the smaller Larch area, and Back Bowls, mainly steep backcountry terrain favored by advanced and expert skiers.
Chris Moseley
Lake Louise is two hours west of Calgary and 35 miles from Banff in the spectacular Bow Valley on the border with British Columbia.
Chris Moseley
The base area, 15 minutes above Lake Louise village, features two lodges with a range of food and beverage options. The Grizzly Express gondola and Glacier Express chairlift whisk skiers and boarders up the mountain.
Chris Moseley
The resort's design is unique in that there are runs for all abilities off the top of each of the 10 lifts.
Chris Moseley
The iconic luxury Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel sits on the shore of the eponymous lake, which is snow covered in winter and a piercing emerald green in the summer.
JOE KLAMAR/Getty Images
An annual ice hockey tournament takes place on the frozen lake outside the Chateau Lake Louise.
Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
The famous old hotel lies across the valley from the ski area.
Chateau Lake Louise
Vonn, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, is bidding to compete against the men in a World Cup downhill race at Lake Louise in November 2018.
Alexis Boichard/Getty Images
Lake Louise, Canada: Resort guide
It offers everything, from gentle beginner slopes and intermediate tree-lined cruisers to glades gullies and powder bowls in a pristine setting.
Its unique design means there are runs for all standards off the top of every lift.
The ski area is split into three sections – Front Side, with the bulk of the runs, below Mt. Whitehorn (8652ft/2637m); the smaller wooded Larch area; and the chutes and steeps of experts’ favorite Back Bowls.
From top to bottom the ski area plunges 3250 feet (991 meters) with a longest run of five miles (eight kilometers).
Lake Louise offers skiing for all abilities in a spectacular setting amid the Banff National Park.
Chris Moseley
In all, the ski area features 25% of beginner runs, 45% intermediate and 30% advanced.
There are more than 11 food and drink outlets on the mountain, including the Lodge of Ten Peaks and Whiskey Jack Lodge in the main base area, Temple Lodge around the mountain in Larch and the Whitehorn Bistro off the top of the Glacier Express chair on Front Side.
A short drive from Lake Louise lies Banff itself, an historic mountain town known for its hot springs.
Above Banff lies the ski resort of Sunshine – with its infamous freeride zone known as “Delirium Drive” – and a short distance away is Mount Norquay. They combine with Lake Louise to make up the region’s “SkiBig3.”
Lindsey Vonn is a Lake Louise expert with 14 of her 39 downhill wins on the Canadian hill.
The iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel sits on the shore of the lake of the same name.
JOE KLAMAR/Getty Images
Deep-pocketed visitors will want to stay in the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a luxury resort hotel which began life as a one-story log cabin in 1890, overlooking the piercing emerald waters (in summer) of Lake Louise itself.
For everyone else there is a range of accommodation in and around the quiet village of Lake Louise – 15 minutes below the resort – from cozy bed and breakfasts to luxury lodges.
The Post Hotel and Spa is rated as the best restaurant in town on TripAdvisor, followed by the Walliser Stube at the Chateau Lake Louise.
Skoki Lodge is a remote backcountry boutique lodging with a main building and three cabins for up to 26, an authentic and historic base for skiing, climbing, hiking, climbing and fishing.
