APH Resort Guides at a Glance:
Banff Lake Louise

Overview
If you’re more interested in good skiing than crazy nighltlife, you’ll love it here. The ’resort’ is really just a few hotels dotted around a road junction - but the skiing is superb. Not to mention the views; head out to the back bowls and bring your camera.

Terrain
The slopes here are the largest in the Canadian Rockies. Long, languishing pistes that are wide enough to lay out some huge turns without worrying about getting in anyone’s way; awesome mogul runs over the back side of the mountain - and good beginners’ stuff.

Recommended run
Head to the Paradise area, on the back side, where you’ll have the choice of umpteen bowls (and some mellow greens if you’re legs aren’t up to it). Take a free guided tour with the ’Ski Friends’, which leave from the base station.

Ski-in, ski-out?
The only drawback about this place is the fact that it’s a bit of a schlep to get to. There’s a free bus to and from the hotels, which takes about 15-minutes.

Cost of living
The great thing about Canada is that, it’s cheap to be here. Expect to pay about £5-£7 for an evening meal.

Nightlife
There’s a good choice of apres ski venues. The Sitzmark Lounge at Whiskeyjack Lodge has an open fire and live band; head upstairs to The Lodge at the Ten Peaks for a more relaxed drink or hang around at the mid-mountain station at Whitehorn, where there’s a live band twice a week.

Alternative activities
The great thing about Banff is that there’s loads to do away from the slopes. Ice skating on the lake, snowshoeing in the forest, dog-sledding are just a couple of options.

Family friendly
The nursery slopes near the base station are very good, and the resort is very geared-up for youngsters. Unlike many resorts, there are good green runs located all over the mountain, so you don’t necessarily have to leave them at the base station.

Findout more about Lake Louise at Ultimate-Ski.com.