Lake Louise Gondola In The Winter
The Lake Louise gondola differs from the Banff and Jasper ones in that it is designed to take people up to the top of the ski hill. The other two are specifically in place to whisk people up their respective mountains. In the ski season at Lake Louise you are basically paying for a lift only ticket to ride the gondola for one return trip up the ski hill. The cost is $20.95 for adults and $13.95 for children, (children 5 and under are free).
The scenery on top of the Lake Louise ski hill is very pretty on a clear day. You can view the mountains through the west end of the Bow Valley. In the distance you can make out Lake Louise. The deep snow base doesn’t make it easy to walk around. The day we went it was a freezing temperature of -25C. or -13F. We couldn’t handle staying on top of the mountain for very long. We watched the snowboarders and skiers for a few minutes, snapped some photos of the views and then decided it was time to head back down the mountain to get warmed up. I think it’s safe to say that we wouldn’t be that enthusiastic about recommending this gondola when the temperatures are so far below freezing.
Lake Louise Gondola In The Summer Months
From Approximately May 15th to the beginning of October Lake Louise ski hill operates it’s gondola for sight seeing purposes.
There are two options available, a closed cable car or if it’s warm enough an open chair lift in the warmer months.
The total time to ascend to the top of the mountain at an elevation of 6850 feet or 2088 meters is 14 minutes.
- A pre-ride welcome orientation is given to each person.
- The cost is $26.75 for adults and $13.40 for children 6 to 15 (children 5 and under are free)
- On the Lake Louise Hill there is an award winning Natural Heritage Interpretation Program.
- You can sign up for various indoor presentations that talk about the wildlife and give information on the area.
- The interpretation visitor center is also open to view at your leisure.
- Once on the mountain there is access to many hiking trails that range from casual strolls to more strenuous and adventurous hikes. Due to bear activity there are some trails where hiking in a group of four is strongly recommended.
- You can register for guided walks for a cost of $5.
- From September 1st to the beginning of October there are lift, lunch and larch packages. (breakfast deals are available as well)
- Lake Louise is one of the lucky places within the Bow Valley, and Rocky Mountain area that has beautiful Larch trees. Their needles change to a brilliant yellow colour in the fall.
We consider ourselves privileged to be able to work and live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Banff National Park. We have created this site to share our photography and personal experiences of the park and the rest of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.