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Ski Trips in the majestic Rocky Mountains
Nestled in the heart of Canada's majestic Rocky Mountains, Banff and Lake Louise promise memorable skiing and snowboarding amidst some of the world's most awesome scenery and breathtaking slopes. Within the historic Banff National Park, the Canadian Rockies offer more than 7,500 acres of skiable terrain on one convenient lift ticket, which includes frequent and worry-free shuttle transportation between area hotels and resorts. The townsite is about 90 minutes from Calgary via the Trans Canada Highway, and less than two hours from Calgary International Airport. The Hamlet of Lake Louise is 50 minutes further west, also within Banff National Park.
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LAKE LOUISE
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One visit is usually all it takes for Lake Louise to make virtually everyone's top 10 list of mountain resorts. It doesn't have a glitzy Vail persona. Instead, Lake Louise is down home, warm and friendly. It's a wonderful destination for families and groups with different ability levels. Its vast terrain provides plenty of fun and challenge for everyone. Lake Louise has some truly steep terrain, but that's balanced nicely with groomed intermediate runs that are enough fun for experts to want to join their friends and family members who prefer this kind of terrain. That says a lot. Top that off with delightful beginner and first-timer terrain, and everyone's bound to be happy.
Lake Louise is comprised of four mountain faces that create three distinct areas: the Front Face, the Back Bowls and the Larch Area. The trail map has an excellent synopsis of where different ability levels should head. If you want sun all day and want to ski the whole area, go to the Back Bowls in the morning, Larch midday and end up on the Front Face. Or perhaps take a free guided tour by the Ski Friends, a volunteer group, two times daily starting at Whiskyjack Lodge.
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SUNSHINE VILLAGE
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Sunshine Village has long been known for its winding gondola ride that carries you almost 1,650 vertical feet from the parking lot-along the walls of a valley and box canyon-to the village base area and the rest of the lifts. On this 13-minute ride to the rest of the lifts (or 6 minutes to Goat's Eye mid-station), you have plenty of time to survey the slopes where the real thrill rides begin. Much of the skiing on Sunshine's three peaks is wide-open, bowl-type skiing, but the bottom half of the slopes are covered in evergreens for those who like their runs cut through trees. Though a restaurant and rental shop are near the parking lot at the gondola base, the real 'base area' for Sunshine is at the top of the gondola at 7,082 feet, where you will find a mountain village with a lodge, rental shop, general store, restaurant and the only slopeside lodging in the national parks.
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MT NORQUAY
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This small, but challenging, ski area is just a 10-minute drive from Banff and boasts some of the best grooming in Western Canada. It also has some of the gnarliest bump runs we've ever skied. There are virtually no lift lines here, so you can really rack up the vertical. The winding mountain road that takes you up to the base lodge can be fairly intimidating, but the views are incredible as you climb above the townsite of Banff. Be sure to look out for elk; we saw dozens of them.
The view of Banff and the Bow Valley from the North American chair is fabulous. This is the lift that takes you to those ribbons of bumps tumbling down the mountainside. It's an old slow chair that rarely has a line. Be positively sure you want to be here. This is very tough stuff, with no blue or green ways down. That said, we must tell you that these are quite possibly the most fun bump runs in all of skidom. And they are long! The bumps can get so big, folks of short stature can barely see over them.
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LAKE LOUISE STATISTICS
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SUNCHINE VILLAGE STATISTICS
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Average Annual Snowfall: 35 feet
Lift Capacity: 24,000 people/hr
Number of Runs: 139 named runs spreading out over 3 areas
Terrain breakdown: 25% beginner, 45% intermediate, 30% expert
Lift system: 9 lifts
1 High speed 6 Passenger Chairlift
1 High Speed 6 Passenger Gondola
2 High speed Quad Chairlifts
1 Quad Chairlift
1 Triple Chairlift
2 T-Bars
1 Carpet
Season length: Mid November to late May
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Skiable Terrain: 3,168 acres
Elevations:
Top Elevation: 8,954 feet
Base Elevation: 5,440 feet
Total Vertical: 3,514 feet
Average Annual Snowfall: 33 feet
Lift Capacity: 20,000 people/hr
Number of Runs: 103 named runs spreading out over 3 mountains and 2 provinces
Terrain breakdown: 22% beginner, 31% intermediate, 42% expert, 5% double black expert
Lift system:
1 high speed 8 passenger gondola
5 high speed quad chairs
2 quad chairs
1 triple chair
1 double chair
2 magic carpets
Season length: Mid November to May
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| BANFF LODGING |
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Banff Ptarmigan Inn, 3 star
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Located in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains, just a two-minute walk from downtown.
The Banff Ptarmigan Inn boasts 134 guest rooms with natural wood accents adding a warm glow to the Inn's interior design.
The fitness area is complete with Jacuzzis, steam room, sauna and spa services.
Other amenities include an exclusive ski school and the unique Caramba Restaurante. |
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Banff Aspen Lodge, 2.5 star
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The Banff Aspen Lodge hotel offers warm, friendly hotel accommodations in Banff National Park. All of the guest rooms at this hotel and lodge are spacious and tastefully decorated. Singles, couples and families can choose the hotel room type that suits their needs; most rooms feature private balconies and views of the Canadian Rockies. From its convenient location on Banff Avenue, the Banff Aspen Lodge is just a three-minute stroll to the fine shopping, dining, museums and galleries that make Banff an unforgettable destination in the Canadian Rockies. |
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Fox Hotel & Suites, 3+star
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Waterfalls and mountain springs are brought to life in the Fox’s design. Capturing the historic and natural elements of Banff National Park, the hotel’s centerpiece is the hot pool inspired by the original Cave and Basin Historic Site. The new Fox offers a unique accommodation style in Banff, with one and two bedroom suites and hotel rooms.
- 117 hotel rooms, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom suites
- Premier Loft Suites
- Complimentary daily continental breakfast with every room
- Located on Banff Avenue, a short walk to downtown Banff
- Chili’s Restaurant
- Cave & Basin Hotpools, fitness room
- Complimentary wireless internet access in all guest rooms
- Heated underground parkade with free parking (first come basis)
- Complimentary Roam Bus passes for the Banff transit system
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Fairmont Banff Springs, 4 star
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Styled after a Scottish baronial castle, the Fairmont Banff Springs offers all the amenities of a world-class resort, with 770 superbly appointed guest rooms and attentive, personalized service.
From cozy rooms tucked away in quiet corners of the castle to spacious suites with sweeping mountain views, The Fairmont Banff Springs has the perfect room.
The Fairmont Banff Springs offers timeless beauty and luxurious comfort in a pristine wilderness, stunning vistas, unparalleled skiing, classic cuisine and Willow Stream, a world class European-style spa.
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| LAKE LOUISE LODGING |
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Lake Louise Inn, 3 star
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Vacation in the mountains with all the comforts of home. The Lake Louise Inn is a modern mountain resort, nestled in a picturesque setting near the Pipestone River.
Situated in five buildings, the 232 tastefully-appointed guest rooms offer something to fit every style and budget. Most of the room types, which include economy, poolside, superior queen, executive, family lodges and superior lofts, feature a view of the outdoors.
Amenities include a heated indoor pool, whirlpool, steam room, gift shop/newsstand, arcade games, laun-dromat, ski repair area and ski storage and lock-up facilities.
If you're in the mood for shopping, the village of Lake Louise is a five-minute walk from our door, while the ski slopes are a 5 minute shuttle ride.
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Deer Lodge, 3.5 star
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Much of the original hand hewn log structure and decor of Deer Lodge are still in place. Many of the architectural features from the original building have been restored. All rooms have feather comforters and most are furnished with antiques from the era.
Deer Lodge is ideal for guests looking for a quiet retreat, with excellent and innovative cuisine and attentive staff. The views never fail to dazzle, making this jewel of the Rockies renowned, the world over. Deer Lodge, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, has it all.
- Deer Lodge offers 73 rooms, all with private baths and complimentary in-room safes.
- Lake Louise itself is only a few minutes walk from our front door. During the ski season, a complimentary shuttle bus operates between the Lake Louise ski area and the Lodge.
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Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 4.5 star
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The only Hotel on the shores of breath taking Lake Louise in the heart of pristine Banff National Park.
The luxurious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers unrivalled service in an adventure filled environment. Our eight restaurants, lounges, Aveda Spa and health club await your indulgence.
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| SUNSHINE VILLAGE LODGING |
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Sunshine Village Inn, 3 star
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Sunshine Village Inn's unique setting at the top of a 15 minute gondola system and at the base of the ski area provides Banff/Lake Louise's only ski-in, ski-out accommodation. Amenities include a giant outdoor hot tub, fine dining, lounge, sauna and massage service, and phenomenal views of the Canadian Rockies.
Rooms are simple yet comfortable, and the hotel features a large outdoor hot tub, a games room, scheduled nightly activities, choice of 2 restaurants, and a lounge. The lift tickets are included in the cost of the room and can be used anytime throughout your stay during lift operating hours. When you stay at Sunshine you only have lift tickets for Sunshine and NOT all three areas.
* Children 12 years or younger will stay free in the hotel, but a "Child Add-On" must be added to the package to cover their lift passes while atthe resort.
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