Strap on your skis or snowboard and hit the slopes. The courses at Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Ski Norquay and Sunshine Village offer a combined total of 250 runs. Each resort has a range of runs, from gentle slopes geared toward beginners, to double black diamond runs. Rentals, children’s programs and ski lessons are available at these resorts. You can purchase an interchangeable lift ticket that will allow you to ski or snowboard at all three resorts (see Resources below).
Go for an ice walk in Grotto Canyon. Walking on a frozen creek, visitors can see Native rock art, rock formations and icefalls. Discover Banff Tours and Banff Adventures Unlimited provide tours of Grotto and Johnston Canyons. Both companies also offer an evening walk that ends with a campfire. Walkers are provided with hiking poles and ice cleats and are picked up and dropped off at their hotels (see Resources below).
Take a helicopter tour. Alpine Helicopers, Canadian Mountain Holidays and Icefield Helicopter Tours offer a variety of sightseeing and hiking tours in the Lake Louise Area. For the more adventurous skiers, Canadian Mountain Holidays and Icefield offer heli-skiing. Heli-skiers are taken to areas high in the mountains far from lift lines and other skiers and enjoy a true wilderness skiing experience (see Resources below).
Try your hand at dog sledding. Instructors at Howling Dog Tours, Kingmik Dog Sled Tours and Snowy Owl Dog Sled Guides will teach you how to harness and handle the dogs and drive the sleds. If you prefer, you can also take a tour as a passenger. Boots and appropriate winter clothing are required for dog sled tours (see Resources below).
Hop on a snowmobile for a guided tour of Lake Louise area scenery and even a visit to an old Silver Mining Camp. Both Paradise Valley and Kicking Horse offer guided snowmobile tours. Because the lake is located in Banff National Park, a protected area, tours are conducted outside the park gates. Tours are available for both novice and experience snowmobilers (see Resources below).
Take in the sights in the comfort of a horse-drawn sleigh. Sleigh rides are offered by Warner Stables and Brewster Lake Louise Stables and features upholstered seats and blankets to keep passengers warm. Passengers can choose to ride with others or book their own private sleigh rides (see Resources below).
Climb an icy slope or frozen waterfall. Chute High Adventures and Yamnuska Mountain Adventures off guided ice climbing expeditions. Both companies offer instruction on ice climbing and even provide private programs tailored to the abilities of the participants (see Resources below).
