Lake Louise skiing: The perfect break

By Nell Barr 1132AM GMT seventeen March 2010

Comments 6 |

Previous of Images Next "In summer, the meltwaters from the Victoria Glacier give the lake a extraordinary emerald hue; in the inlet of winter, a sweeping of sleet hides the fathoms solidified plain beneath" Photo CORBIS "With 139 runs and 9 rises over 4,200 acres trimming opposite 4 balmy towering faces, Lake Louise is the Canadian Rockies" largest and prettiest ski area" Photo CORBIS The five-star Fairmont Chateau Lake Louis, well well known as "the woman of the Rockies" Photo ALAMY

Why go…

Latest sleet reports Ski review guides Lake Louise ski guide the review Lake Louise ski guide the plateau Lake Louise ski guide hotels and place to live Lake Louise ski guide restaurants and party

Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and mother of the Marquis of Lorne, Canadas Governor General from 1878 to 1883, wasnt a fan of the good outdoors, and never saw the different lake in the forest of the Rockies that bears her name.

Her Royal Highness positively longed for out. Tom Wilson, a workman on the Canadian Pacific Railway who was one of the initial white men to set eyes on what would be christened Lake Louise wrote that it was "a alone scene". More than 120 years on, that outline still holds.

In high summer, the meltwaters from the Victoria Glacier give the lake a extraordinary emerald hue; in the inlet of winter, a sweeping of sleet hides the fathoms solidified plain beneath. And whatever the season, the surrounding glaciers, peaks and tree-covered slopes yield a overwhelming backdrop either you come to ski or suffer a host of pick outside activities, from dog-sledding to snow-shoe expeditions, showering in prohibited springs or hiking by ice canyons.

But skiing is the main pull in winter and spring. With 139 runs and 9 rises over 4,200 acres trimming opposite 4 balmy towering faces, Lake Louise is the Canadian Rockies largest and prettiest ski area, and matched to all levels, from shocked beginners to courageous powder hounds. There is a immature run from each of the chairs as well as perfectionist behind bowls, gullies and glades for the adventurous.

For boarders wearied with pistes and skiers desirous by the new Olympic competition of ski cranky one of the majority refreshing witness events of the new Vancouver Games there is an considerable turf play ground with ramps, jumps, rails and list tops to show off or clean out on.

The moody time from the UK might be an off-putting eight and a half hours but with the mountainous euro blighting holidays nearer home, Canada offers an tasteful mercantile pick right now, creation it preferred for family groups in poke of a last-minute Easter mangle in the snow. This year the deteriorate runs until May 3, and there are endless snow-making facilities.

Travel with...

British Airways (0870 850 9850, www.ba.com) flies each day from London Heathrow to Calgary, from �585 return. Alternatively, try Air Canada (aircanada.com). The community of Lake Louise is usually a dual and a entertain hour expostulate from Calgary airfield along the scenic Trans-Canada Highway; the Banff Airporter (001 888 449 2901, www.banffairporter.com) offers pre-booked door-to-door pick-ups and drop-offs. Inghams (020 8780 4447, www.inghams.co.uk) has a seven-night package, together with approach lapse flights from Heathrow and review transfers, from �1,224 per person.

Stay at...

The five-star Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (00 800 0441 1414, www.fairmont.com/lakelouise), that is well well known as "the woman of the Rockies" and situated on the eastern seaside of the lake, with the majority fantastic views of the Victoria Glacier and Mount Temple.

An ancestral venue, the repute for the idealisation in oppulance and use drew visitors from the easterly seashore of North America, and was key to the success of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 19th and early 20th century. Endorsed by kingship and countless celebrities, the Chateau requires low pockets but it is value each penny. The winter-wonderland vicinity have it the undiluted venue for a regretful break; bedrooms from �135 per night.

Deer Lodge (001 403 522 3991, www.crmr.com/deer-lodge.php) is a quieter and cheaper pick but is no less desirable and has a cosy, country quality. It is located usually dual mins travel from the Lake, five mins expostulate from the hamlet, and eight mins from the ski area. Dont miss the rooftop prohibited tub. Frequent convey buses run in between the hotels and the resort. Doubles from about �80.

Spend the initial day...

Getting to know the slopes. Take Canadas usually high-speed, six-person "Top of the World" chairlift to orientate yourself. Savour the steer of sufficient long, interesting runs to keep each piste cruiser happy, whilst over the "saddle" beckons an sea of the light, dry sleet for that the Rockies are famed.

Have lunch at...

The Ten Peaks Food Court (burgers, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and home-baked muffins), or opt for some-more upscale dining in the World Cup Alpine Room at Whiskyjack Lodge.

Spend the second day...

Skiing, of course. But you could try mushing along pine-scented trails in a dog sleigh (www.howlingdogtours.com), or consternation at the solidified waterfalls and torrents of circuitously Johnston Canyon (www.banfftours.com). Later, put on a span of skates and try out on your three times Salchow on the Lake, prior to recuperating with a prohibited buttered rum bubbly beverage in the Chateaus Lobby Bar where you can suffer the nightfall by the important Palladian window.

Dine out at...

The Walliser Stube grill at the Chateau Lake Louise and experience genocide by fondue cheese, beef and seafood (from �23), followed by the Toblerone, a speciality chocolate variant. Select your booze from the extraordinary ceiling-to-floor "wine library". Good, cost-conscious family transport is accessible at the Lake Louise Village Grill and Bar in the Samson Mall (001 403 522 3879).

Further information...

For sum of open skiing, go online at www.skibig3.com. For internal info, try the Banff/Lake Louise Tourism Bureau (201 Village Road, 001 403 762 8421, www.banfflakelouise.com).