In this resort review, I’ll discuss the five aspects of a resort that distinguish good resorts from great resorts. These include conditions, terrain, resort quality, and location. I have a comprehensive list linked here if you are wondering what you should wear: snowboarding or skiing. I consider myself an amateur snowboarder, so keep that in mind during this review. I explored all of these resorts with my best friend Malachi, a skier; any feedback given on the resort is what we have collectively decided about the resort.
Conditions
The conditions for our ski days at Lake Louis were slightly overcast, but fortunately, there was enough visibility to see the mountains. This is one of those mountains you can visit just for the stunning views. From what I have heard from the locals, this mountain gets really good snow late season. The snow coverage was alright, but there were lots of icy spots. Make sure that you are bundled up; this resort was noticeably colder than the other resorts that we visited, so keep that in mind. Colder temps do tend to mean dryer snow, so that is a plus.
Terrain
Like I said, the views are absolutely stunning, and the terrain does not disappoint. There is something for everyone here: steep rocky terrain to get sendy, and cruisy runs for the family. There is just so much variety here that it’s impressive. The park was also excellent. The snow wasn’t perfect when we went, so we mainly stayed on groomed runs. Despite this, the trees looked very lovely.
Resort Quality
The resort quality is good for a larger resort. It isn’t as advanced as Sunshine, but that didn’t bother us. There is still a gondola and lots of chairs. Our favorite part of the resort was this super cool bar that was completely made of blocks of ice. This was a fully functioning bar with a fully ice shotput board and fireplaces. The lodge gives a more homey mountain vibe and has nice accommodation.
Location
The location is right next to Banff, so it’s an awesome vacation spot for outdoor enthusiasts and sight-seekers. You can get the same views you would inside Banff while bombing down the mountain. We stayed in Canmore (about 20 minutes from Banff), which was significantly cheaper than Banff.
Final Take
If you want to experience the beauty of Banff on the slopes, this is the place to do it. With a lovely warm vibe in the lodge and frigid temperatures ensuring the snow stays powdery, you won’t regret visiting Lake Louis. If you have any questions about other trip logistics or housing, shoot me an email.
