Banff & Lake Louise
Ski Vacation Guide

Historic fairy-tale castles set amid spectacular mountain scenery, like Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Breathtaking views from the luxurious Rimrock Resort Hotel, nestled in a pristine setting above the Banff Townsite. The Rundle Rock fireplace and soft chandelier glow of the Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge. Complete with award winning dining, spas and outdoor activities. Dare to dream.

Experience serene mountain settings while still enjoying all the comforts of home at places like Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, Hidden Ridge Resort and Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets. Enjoy wood burning fireplaces, full kitchens and patios or balconies, along with the privacy that comes with your home away from home.

Banff and Lake Louise both offer moderate hotel style accommodations at affordable prices year round. Clean, comfortable rooms, combined with our legendarily warm, friendly atmosphere are sure to appeal to any budget conscious traveler.

With dozens of options to choose from, many featuring amenities like pools, saunas and fireplaces, choosing the perfect Banff or Lake Louise hotel is easy. The Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa, with its hand hewn ambience, and Fox Hotel & Suites, with hot pool inspired by the original Cave and Basin Historic Site, are just two of many choices.

Nothing captures the essence of the Canadian Rockies quite like our signature mountain lodges. Iconic names like Emerald Lake Lodge & Baker Creek Lodge conjure romantic images of tranquil forest getaways surrounded by pristine wilderness. Serious powderhounds flock to the Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Banff's only ski-in, ski-out hotel in the heart of Sunshine Village Ski Resort.

APPROXIMATE 30-YEAR BANFF DAYTIME AVERAGE*

FAHRENHEIT CELSIUS
November 33 degrees F + 1 degrees C
December 24 degrees F – 5 degrees C
January 21 degrees F – 7 degrees C
February 31 degrees F – 1 degrees C
March 37 degrees F + 3 degrees C
April 46 degrees F + 8 degrees C
May 57 degrees F + 14 degrees C

Once you arrive in at the Calgary International Airport, Banff is just an easy 90 minute away.
Distances to Banff:

126 kilometers (78 miles) west of Calgary, Alberta (the closest international airport)
59 kilometers (37 miles) east of Lake Louise, AB
459 kilometers (259 miles) south of Edmonton, Alberta
850 kilometers (528 miles) east of Vancouver, British Columbia
292 kilometers (181 miles) south of Jasper

Yes, because Banff and Lake Louise are within the National Park boundary, you are required to pay a use fee for the duration of your stay. This means that every time you visit a park or site, you’re investing in its future and in a legacy for future generations. Passes can be purchased at the park gate as you enter or at a Park Canada info center in either Banff or Lake Louise.

$9.80 CDN per day for an Adult (annual $67.70 CDN)
$19.60 CDN per day per group/family (annual $136.40 CDN) (up to 7 people)
Anyone using their own or a rental vehicle should be prepared to pay this fee upon entering the park

While there is no guarantee you will see wildlife (the animals roam free here!), wildlife sighting are common sometimes even occuring within the townsite. You can tell who the locals are because they won’t stop or pause for an elk or deer sighting. It is simply too commonplace!

The most frequently spotted animals are elk, bighorn sheep, deer, and mountain goats. Bear, cougars, wolves and many other critters also call the park home.

Bringing your own gear can be expensive and cumbersome. With airlines charging extra for boot bags as well as skis or board bags, it is often more convenient and economical to rent gear once you have arrived. The Banff Ski Hub located right on Banff Avenue, in the center of town, has knowledgeable techs available to fit you to either mid-range or high-performance gear and will deliver it to you hotel once you have selected the equipment that best suits you.