Lake Louise Information

Apres-ski

Lake Louise is not the place for wild partying, but there are a few options for fun après-ski.

The Kokanee Kabin at the mountain base is usually a lively spot at the end of the day with cold beer, hot drinks, a barbecue and live music. Legends bar, below the Lake Louise Inn, can get pretty lively later in the evening, with bar games and a cosy fireplace.

For an après-ski activity with an Albertan twist, Brewster Lake Louise Stables (tel: +1 403 762 5454; www.brewsteradventures.com) transfers customers in a horse-drawn sleigh and whisks them to a cowboy barbecue, complete with live country and western music and line dancing (departs from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise).

Eating out

Most dining options beyond the slopes are situated in the resort's larger hotels, with a few small cafes in the Samson Mall, in the centre of the village. All in all there are roughly 20 places from which to choose.

For breakfast and snacks, both Laggan's Mountain Bakery & Deli (tel: +1 403 522 2017) and the Trailhead Café (tel: +1 403 522 2006), located in the mall, are popular for freshly baked goods, sandwiches and wraps.

Other options include the Mount Fairview Dining Room in Deer Lodge (tel: +1 403 522 3991; www.crmr.com/deer), which serves up such treats as buffalo and caribou, and Timberwolf Pizza and Pasta Café in the Lake Louise Inn (tel: +1 403 522 3791; www.lakelouiseinn.com), a great choice for families. For unique fine dining, The Station (tel: +1 403 522 2600; www.lakelouisestation.com) provides the opportunity for guests to dine in a 1910 railway station and vintage dining car.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Lake Louise has no base slopeside village, and the main accommodation base a mile or so away is an intimate affair, with a scattering of a dozen or so shops and cafés. That said, there is an ample offering of off-slope activities to keep visitors entertained.

One of the resort's most magical experiences is ice skating on frozen Lake Louise itself; while part of the lake is also cleared for hockey. Another memorable activity is the famous torchlight parade and dinner, held several times throughout the season.

On the snow, there are snowshoe walks from the top of the Grizzly Express Gondola, cross-country skiing trails, dog sledding, snowmobiling excursions and a snow-tubing park (open from January to April).

Heli-skiing trips are also available for advanced skiers, operated by a number of companies in the area.

For those who may feel a little underwhelmed by Lake Louise's après-ski offering, the famous ski town of Banff, with its shops, restaurants and natural hot-springs, is about 45 minutes away by car.

Family fun

Childcare is available at the daycare centre next to the main lodge for children up to six years; tots can also try a little skiing. Then, from age five (or seven for snowboarders) to 12 years, children can join 'Kidski and Shreddies' classes, meeting at the Wilderness Adventure Park. Private ski lessons are also available for children as young as three.

Fun activities for kids at Lake Louise besides skiing include the Sunny Lane tubing park with four runs for children to sample, as well as outdoor ice skating (when the ice is thick enough) and dog sledding.

Retail therapy

Shopaholics are better off in Banff, but there are a few places to flex the plastic in Lake Louise.

Shopping in the resort is mostly limited to ski stores, boutiques and gift shops – the majority of these shops are either in the compact Samson Mall at the heart of the village or at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (tel: +1 403 522 3511; www.fairmont.com/lakelouise).

Splashing out

Stay in a luxurious secluded wilderness cabin at Emerald Lake Lodge (tel: +1 800 663 6336; www.crmr.com/emerald) in Yoho National Park, 40km (25 miles) west of Lake Louise. The first lodge was built here during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1902. Visitors can follow the cross-country skiing trails around the lake, ice skate, or try the more adventurous pursuit of waterfall ice climbing.

Hotels

There are a number of different accommodation options in Lake Louise to suit every budget. For those looking for self-catering facilities, Lake Louise has plenty of rustic cabins and chalets in quiet, secluded locations. Alternatively, the various lodges suit larger groups and often boast great amenities and communal relaxation areas. There are also numerous hotels in Lake Louise, from luxury 5-star offerings to cheap and cheerful motels.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap