Adventourus Active Vacations

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.

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.

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.

Skiable Terrain: 4,200 acres

Elevations:
Top Elevation: 8,650 feet / 2637m
Base Elevation: 5,400 feet / 1646m
Total Vertical: 3,250 feet / 991m

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

Banff Ptarmigan Inn, 3 star

Banff Aspen Lodge,  2.5 star

Fox Hotel & Suites,  3+star

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

Fairmont Banff Springs, 4 star

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

Lake Louise Inn,   3 star

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, laundromat, 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.

Deer Lodge,  3.5 star

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.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 4.5 star

Sunshine Village Inn,  3 star

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.