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Lake Louise Cross Country Skiing: Fairview & Tramline Trails
The Lake Louise area is wonderful for cross country skiing.
The snow comes early and stays late. And there’s lots of it. The backdrop for much of the skiing is world-class Rocky Mountain scenery. It doesn’t get much better than that.
At last count there were at least 17 cross country ski trails in the Lake Louise corridor. They range in difficulty from novice all the way through to advanced. A few days ago we chose to do a loop involving two of the easier trails – the Fairview and Tramline Trails.
Cross country skiing along the Fairview Trail
The Fairview Trail is actually a 7.5 kilometer loop though we didn’t do it as such. It’s a beautiful track-set trail that takes you through the forest but it opens up enough to provide some great views. There are no big climbs – just a series of small ups and downs – enough to make it interesting. The height gain in total is only 50 meters. It shouldn’t take you more than two hours to do it. Start at the far end of the furthest parking lot from Chateau Lake Louise. Look for signs saying Fairview Trail. It’s also called the number 2 trail. Once you’re on it, it’s very well signed and easy to follow.
Cross country skiing along the Fairview Loop
Skiing through the trees with a winter sun poking through
Snow in the shape of an owl – would you agree?
We chose to do part of the Fairview Loop and all of the Tramline Trail. It’s one of the trail combinations that allows you to ski from the lake down to the village. You can ski it in either direction. If you start in the village it’s a treat to have a rest and something to eat at Chateau Lake Louise.
Alternatively do what we did (because we were staying up by the lake).
From Lake Louise we skied the Fairview Loop until it intersected Moraine Lake Road. The road is used as a cross country ski trail in the winter. When you reach Moraine Lake Road turn left and ski down it towards Lake Louise Drive. Just before you reach Lake Louise Drive (which is the name of the main road between the lake and the village) you’ll see a sign for the Tramline Trail. Turn right and follow this trail all the way down to the historic railway station on the other side of the Bow River. There’s parking beside the Bow River should you decide to start down here.
We chose to warm up and get something to eat in Lake Louise Village and so continued along the Bow Trail. The Bow Trail follows the edge of the Bow River and does a seven kilometer loop. We skied down about half a kilometer, crossed a road and then continued for another half a kilometer under the railway bridge and past the Post Hotel. From there you can cross a small bridge over the Pipestone River to end at the Samson Mall. There are a few places here to warm up and get something to eat.
On the return you just retrace your steps – but it’s all uphill going back to Lake Louise. When you get to Moraine Lake Road you can continue on the Tramline Trail if you want the shorter option back. Otherwise you have to ski up Moraine Lake Road to the Fairview Trail and return that way.
All told we did approximately 15 kilometers. It’s a pretty quick trip down – less than an hour but it took us 1½ hours to return from the junction of the Tramline and Bow trails. If you just want to ski the Tramline Trail up and down its 8.8 kilometers.
Signs for the Tramline and Bow River Trails
Ski tracks in the light of a winter afternoon
Looking across to the Lake Louise downhill ski resort
Looking east up the Bow Valley towards Banff
Lake Louise at dusk
We’d had a lazy start to the day so by the time we finished the sun was setting behind the mountains. If we’d had the energy we could have opted to go skating on Lake Louise – but a hot shower and a glass of wine were calling. It had been a great day out on skis.
Other posts you might enjoy:
- Banff Area Cross Country Skiing: The Cascade Fire Road
- Slip Slide Your Way Up Johnson Canyon in Banff National Park
- Superb Snowshoeing to Mountain Lakes in Kananaskis Country
Have you done any cross country skiing around Lake Louise? Do you have a favourite trail to recommend?
Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel
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About Hike Bike TravelAvid world traveler. Craves adventure - & the odd wildly epic day. Gardener. Reader. Wine lover. Next big project - a book on 100 Canadian outdoor adventures.
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15 Responses to Lake Louise Cross Country Skiing: Fairview & Tramline Trails
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About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
Feel free to email me at
leighmcadamtravels at gmail dot com
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Ooooo!!!!! It’s a winter wonderland!! Gorgeous photos!
@Kaelani Thank you. It was cold but beautiful!
I’m so sick of snow right now, but your pictures still make it look pretty tempting. I totally didn’t get the owl though. Looked more like a bear balancing on the top of the tree to me.
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@Steve When was the last time you saw an owl in flight? And you’re sick of snow – only 3 more months to go. Hope you have something planned to get away from it all.
I’m not a skier, but this does indeed look like winter wonderland.
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@Mette It really is a winter wonderland and even more so in a fee weeks when they have an ice sculpture competition.
These are such beautiful photos. I have been there in May 2010 when there was still snow on the walking trail to the Tea House at the plain of the six glaciers. The snow in your photos is spectacular, and skiing through it would be so quiet and magical.
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@Jan I repeatedly pinched myself and had a big grin – especially first thing in the day when arms and legs were fresh.
Such lovely photos and I could feel the chill, as I sit here in a heatwave in Western Australia! The scenery looks amazing and the runs fantastic. Enjoy!
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@Johanna It’s hard to imagine a heat wave right now as I look out my door but at least it’s been pretty warm lately – above freezing.
I have never gone cross country skiing anywhere as breathtaking as the views in a few of those photos. And fresh snow!
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@Evan It was a magical few days we had up at Lake Louise and the snow conditions were amazing.
Lake Louise is another one at the top of our list to visit during the winter for skiing and snowboarding. It is winter wonderland and as always, you make snow scenery look so beautiful. I’d endure the cold for this scenery. Looks like another great trip!
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@Mary Lake Louise would be a fun place to take your kids. I know they’d have a good time -and so would you.
A great way to start the year in the fabulous winter wonderland of Lake Louise in Banff National Park. Just returned from snowshoeing the Elmwood Loop Trail past Marl Lake near Kananaskis Lakes. X-Country ski trails were all very busy. After the Xmas cold period, current balmy weather is bringing out all the winter sports enthusiasts. There is good ice to climb in the Ghost. BTW Outstanding photos from Lake Louise. I am using a handwarmer in my camera bag. Seems to help.
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