Family Fame

They call it the jewel of the Canadian Rockies for good reason—the views from the summit that roll across the snow-kissed peaks of the Bow Valley to the north face of Mt. Victoria are jaw-dropping. Though ski racers love this mountain, don’t be swayed by the resort’s black-diamond reputation; there’s a green run from the top of every lift, and families will find plenty of room to roam, especially on the Larch Chair.

Top Runs

With 1,688 ha (4,200 ac) of skiing, 140 runs and a 991-metre vertical drop, Lake Louise’s expansive terrain is divided into four major zones—the south-facing front side, the Larch area and the expert-oriented Ptarmigan and back bowls. For a peak-to-valley leg-burner on the front side, drop into Home Run, traverse to Grizzly Gully and then cruise into super-G turns on Cameron’s Way before hitting Easy Street. In the Larch area, test your bump-skiing skills in the Rock Garden before cruising into Larch Link and Marmot. After riding the precipitous Summit Platter to the top of Whitehorn, blast down the backside to the expert couloirs before spilling out onto the valley bottom-cruiser called Pika.

Family Eats

Affordable: Laggan’s Mountain Bakery and Delicatessen (Lake Louise’s go-to eatery for a cuppa and a sticky bun). Or, try Poppy Brasserie’s massive breakfast buffet in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise that will fuel you up for a day on the slopes. Splurge: The Post Hotel & Spa, a Relais & Chateaux timepiece, has a wine cellar that features more than 2,000 varietals.

Ski School

Enrol your three- and four-year-olds into the KinderSki program (two-hour ski and play), or sign up your ambitious teens (ages 13 to 17) for the Lake Louise Freeriders program (10 weekends), giving your kids the basics for steep skiing, terrain park riding, identifying hazards and jumping safely.

Real Deals

Check their website for a special family spring season ski pass for roughly $700, valid from mid-March until closing in May.

Après-ski, Family-style

Play shinny on a postcard-perfect outdoor rink on Lake Louise. Other popular getaways include an ice walk through Johnston Canyon, a guided snowshoe tromp with Great Divide and a soak in Banff’s Upper Hot Springs.   

This month, WestJet flies to Calgary 79 times daily from 34 Canadian, U.S. and international cities.

Related links:

Ultimate Ski Guide Survey