Lake Louise Ski Resort

{{Infobox ski area

|name = Lake Louise Ski Resort

|logo =

|picture = 240px

|caption = Lake Louise in 2004

|location = Lake Louise, Alberta,
{{CAN}}

|nearest_city = Banff, Alberta
Calgary, Alberta

|coordinates = {{coord|51|26|31|N|116|09|38|W|type:landmark_region:CA-AB_scale:50000|display=inline,title}}

|pushpin_map = Canada#Alberta

|pushpin_label_position = right

|pushpin_relief = y

|map_caption = Location in Canada##Location in Alberta

|vertical = {{spaces|3}}{{convert|991|m|-1|abbr=on}}

|top_elevation = {{convert|2637|m|-1|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goski.ca/ski-resorts/Alberta/Lake-Louise-Stats.asp|title=Lake Louise - Statistics|author=Go Ski|access-date=2008-05-12|archive-date=2008-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421142300/http://www.goski.ca/ski-resorts/Alberta/Lake-Louise-stats.asp|url-status=dead}}

|base_elevation = {{convert|1646|m|-1|abbr=on}}

|skiable_area = {{convert|17|km2|abbr=on}}

|number_trails = 145 {{cite web|url=http://www.skilouise.com/the-mountain/mountain-stats.php|title=Mountain Statistics|author=Lake Louise Mountain Resort|access-date=2008-05-12}}

|longest_run = {{convert|8|km|0|abbr=on}}

|liftsystem = 9 lifts:
- 3 surface lifts
- 1 triple
- 1 fixed-grip quad
- 4 high-speed lifts
- 1 six-passenger gondola

|lift_capacity= more than 14,000 skiers/hr

|terrainparks = 4

|snowmaking =

|snowfall = {{convert|454|cm|in|-1|abbr=on}} per year

|external_link = [http://www.skilouise.com skilouise.com]

}}

The Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola is a ski resort in western Canada, located in Banff National Park near the village of Lake Louise, Alberta. Located {{convert|57|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Banff, Lake Louise is one of three major{{efn|With Banff Sunshine and Mt Norquay}} ski resorts within Banff National Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ski-holidays-lake-louise/public/en_gb |title=Visit Lake Louise | Flights, Holidays & Hotels |publisher=British Airways |access-date=2018-09-01}}

The resort is situated on the southern slopes of the Slate Range, with most of its skiable terrain on the slopes of Whitehorn Mountain, with additional skiable terrain to the east on the lower western slope of Lipalian Mountain. The overall ski area is between the heights of Mount Richardson, Ptarmigan Peak, Pika Peak and Redoubt Mountain, all around {{convert|3000|m|-3|abbr=on}} above sea level. The base of the slopes is defined by Pipestone River, a tributary of the Bow River, immediately north of the intersections between Highway 1A (Bow Valley Trail), Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), and Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway).

History

Lake Louise has been a home to skiing since the 1920s, as the gateway to the Skoki Ski Lodge. The first lift was constructed in 1954, and a poma was added in 1960.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fKURAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9-cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2892%2C3172956 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Williams |first=Dick |title=New Lake Louise ski area impressive |date=December 9, 1959 |page=11}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uFspAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IegDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5369%2C4306599 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Williams |first=Dick |title=Mount Whitehorn installs modern 3600-foot ski lift |date=December 12, 1960 |page=11}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PzNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1-cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4346%2C3219844 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Williams |first=Dick |title=Lake Louise area shined |date=December 27, 1961 |page=13}}

Until autumn 2008, the ski resort was owned and operated by the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) company. In 2008, Charlie Locke, a former owner of the ski area (1981–2003),{{cite news |title=New generation of women taking over at Lake Louise |date=29 November 2012 |last=Hudson |first=Louise |newspaper=The Calgary Herald |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/generation+women+taking+over+lake+louise/7627356/story.html |access-date=18 August 2016}} exercised a buy-back option to reacquire Lake Louise from RCR to return as the ski resort's owner, president and operator.{{Cite web |url=http://www.skicanadamag.com/Features/2009/BG2010/Louise.html |title=Charlie Locke |access-date=2011-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716081253/http://www.skicanadamag.com/Features/2009/BG2010/Louise.html |archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead }}

Events

File:Skilakelouise.jpg

The Lake Louise Ski Resort is the first stop on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, and the only place in Canada where this event is held.{{cite web |url=http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/majorevents/fisworldskichampionships/alpinewsc.html?category=&category=WC§or=AL&search=Search |title=FIS-Ski - Alpine World Ski Championships |access-date=2013-06-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629210752/http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/majorevents/fisworldskichampionships/alpinewsc.html?category=&category=WC§or=AL&search=Search |archive-date=2013-06-29 }} The event, also known as the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup, is described by Alpine Canada as "Canada's highest-profile alpine ski race",{{cite web |url=http://www.alpinecanada.org/winterstart |title=Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup | Alpine Canada Alpin |access-date=2013-06-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709015033/http://www.alpinecanada.org/winterstart |archive-date=2013-07-09 }} and attracts high-profile downhill skiers from around the globe - such as four-time World Cup champion, Lindsey Vonn.{{cite web|url=http://alpine.usskiteam.com/athletes/lindsey-vonn|title=Lindsey Vonn|website=U.S. Ski & Snowboard|access-date=2013-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115202233/http://alpine.usskiteam.com/athletes/lindsey-vonn|archive-date=2012-01-15|url-status=dead}} The races began at the resort in 1980 and ran consecutively from 1993 to 2020. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 races to be cancelled.{{cite news|last=Conboy|first=Marie|date=22 August 2021|title=Lake Louise Audi FIS Ski World Cup called off for 2020|website=Bow Valley Crag and Canyon|url=https://www.thecragandcanyon.ca/news/local-news/lake-louise-audi-fis-ski-world-cup-called-off-for-2020|access-date=27 June 2021}} The race is one of the select few that holds both the men's and ladies' speed events on the World Cup circuit and plays host to the first World Cup downhill and super-G races of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.winterstartevents.com/who-we-are|title=Lake Louise Audi FIS Ski World Cup – Canada's Premier Alpine World Cup|website=www.winterstartevents.com|access-date=2016-12-05|archive-date=2022-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109132827/http://www.winterstartevents.com/who-we-are/|url-status=dead}}

The Lake Louise Ski Resort hosted its first FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup in December 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.skilouise.com/things-to-do/events/2013-lake-louise-snowboard-cross-world-cup-2013-12-20.php |title=2013 Lake Louise Snowboard Cross World Cup |access-date=18 August 2016 |archive-date=2018-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012220/https://www.skilouise.com/things-to-do/events/2013-lake-louise-snowboard-cross-world-cup-2013-12-20.php |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.fissnowboard.com/uk/place/lake-louise,88.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011220/http://www.fissnowboard.com/uk/place/lake-louise,88.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 5, 2013|title=fissnowboard.com - Informationen zum Thema fissnowboard.|website=www.fissnowboard.com}}

The resort also hosts Shake The Lake: a freestyle and live music event held at the end of the snow season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.monsterenergy.com/ca/en/events/ |title=Monster Energy Drink® | Events |access-date=2013-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615120615/http://www.monsterenergy.com/ca/en/events/#!/events%3Aruckus-in-the-rockies-iii |archive-date=2013-06-15 |url-status=dead }}

File:Lake Louise 17092005.jpg.]]

Facilities

{{Wide image|Lake Louise 2017-03 ski 11.png|800px|Lake Louise Grizzly Express and Lodges, March 2017.|center}}

The 145 marked ski runs and back bowls on four mountain faces are 25% beginner, 45% intermediate and 30% advanced. The 'Terrain Park' is also designed for riders of all levels. Four full service day lodges are operational during winter. Snowboarders have access to all trails and the terrain park.

The Lake Louise sightseeing gondola is open year-round, offering panoramas of glaciers, natural springs, wildflowers and possibly wildlife (such as grizzly bears). Other activities in the resort area include dog sledding, ice skating, and cross-country skiing.

= Trails =

{{Wide image|Lake Louise 2018-03 ski.jpg|800px|View on the trails and on the mountains, March 2018.|center}}

-
style="width:25%; background:green; color:white;"\|Easier ! style="width:25%; background:blue; color:white;"\|Intermediate ! style="width:25%; background:black; color:white;"\|Advanced ! style="width:25%; background:black; color:white;"\|Difficult (Double Black) ♦♦
style="background:#eee; text-align:center;" \|17 \|25 \|54 \|43

style="width:25%; background:green; color:white;"|Easier

! style="width:25%; background:blue; color:white;"|Intermediate

! style="width:25%; background:black; color:white;"|Advanced

! style="width:25%; background:black; color:white;"|Difficult
(Double Black) ♦♦

style="background:#eee; text-align:center;"

|17

|25

|54

|43

= Lifts =

Lake Louise has 9 lifts, and 3 magic carpets.{{Cite web|url=https://liftblog.com/lake-louise-ab/|title=Lake Louise, AB|date=6 November 2015}}

Notes

References

External links

{{official|http://www.skilouise.com/}}
[http://www.lakelouisealpineskiworldcup.com/ Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup]
[http://www.skibig3.com/banff-lake-louise/3-banff-lake-louise-ski-resorts Ski Banff - Lake Louise - Sunshine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224154645/http://www.skibig3.com/banff-lake-louise/3-banff-lake-louise-ski-resorts |date=2011-02-24 }} - Tri-Area Joint Venture between the Lake Louise Ski Resort, Sunshine Village, and Mt. Norquay

Category:Ski areas and resorts in Alberta

Category:Banff National Park