Cross-Country Skiing at Lake Louise: Where to Ski and Stay this Winter

Lake Louise is always a safe bet for a cross-country ski weekend from mid-November through early April. The Moraine Lake Road and the Great Divide Road are usually trackset by the third weekend of November (earlier if we're lucky) and you can safely plan a spring break trip to Lake Louise, knowing you'll still have great snow to ski on. (Sometimes we're even able to ski at Louise for Easter!)

Book a room at the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre and you won't even have to break the bank for your overnight ski getaway.

Cross-country Skiing at Lake Louise in gorgeous Banff National Park

Table of Contents for this Guide

1. Early Season Skiing on the Moraine Lake Road

2. Early Season Skiing on the Great Divide Road

3. Our Favourite Ski Trails at Lake Louise

4. Other Ski Trails from the Great Divide Parking Lot

5. Skiing the Pipestone Trail Network at Lake Louise

6. Where to Stay for a XC Ski Getaway at Lake Louise 

Cross-country skiing around Lake Louise is Magical! 

Early Season Skiing on the Moraine Lake Road

If you want early season grooming, Lake Louise is your best bet. The Moraine Lake Road is not plowed or open to vehicles in winter. Instead, it is usually groomed and track-set by mid-November and is a popular ski trail throughout the winter.

The Moraine Lake Road is double trackset for classic skiing (with a skating lane) for 9 km to a viewpoint where you can see the peaks that surround Moraine Lake. You can't see the lake, and proceeding past this point puts you into avalanche terrain. Regardless, it's a great workout even if you can't reach the lake, and it's an easy intermediate level trail with no big hills to climb or descend.

The road climbs ~ 275 metres at a gentle angle and you can usually climb/descend much of it by staying in the tracks. Newer skiers may feel more comfortable getting out of the tracks on a few steeper sections to descend.

Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

Cross-country skiing on the Moraine Lake Road early season

Moraine Lake Road Parking:

There is a small parking lot at the entry to the Moraine Lake Road. If it's full, you can park above at Lake Louise and ski down the Upper Tramline Trail. This adds 2 km (one way) with just under 100 metres of height loss as you ski down the trail to the Moraine Lake Road. The challenge comes at the end of the ski when at least one person has to ski back up for the vehicle.

If you have children with you, send one adult back for the vehicle while a second adult skis the Lower Tramline Trail with the kids down to the old train station beside the Bow River. It's fun to get picked up at the bottom and it's downhill the entire distance for ~ 3 km.

** See the resources after the Great Divide section below for map and trail conditions links.

Early season skiing on the Moraine Lake Road 

Early Season Skiing on the Great Divide Road

The Great Divide is also normally groomed and track-set by mid to late November and is another early-season favourite. Being an old road, it doesn't take much to cover up the pavement for skiing (as is the same with the Moraine Lake Road.)

Unlike the Moraine Lake Road, the Great Divide Road is not open to vehicle traffic at any time of the year. It's always a hiking, biking, or ski trail.

Ski from the trailhead at Lake Louise to the Divide where you'll see the big arch on the Alberta / British Columbia border. It is a 7 km ski to the Divide. You can also continue for an additional 3 km to the Lake O'Hara parking lot in Yoho National Park. 

The trail is double trackset for classic skiing with a skating lane. Expect to see dogsled teams along the one side of the trail and the occasional hiker.

The Great Divide Trail is relatively flat with one large hill down to the arch. The trail does trend downhill though as you head towards the BC border so you may feel like you're slowly climbing most of the way back. The trail loses 100 metres of height heading towards BC.

Dogs are not allowed on the trail (other than the ones that belong to the guided dog sled operation.)

The Great Divide on the AB / BC Border 

Ski the Great Divide Trail One-Way Alberta to BC:

If you have two vehicles, consider setting up a shuttle and skiing one-way from Lake Louise to the Lake O'Hara trailhead. You want to start at Lake Louise to enjoy more downhill skiing and less climbing.

Alternately, start at the Lake O'Hara parking lot and ski out and back as far as you want. This way it will definitely feel more downhill on the way back to the  car. (And as a bonus, it's usually easier to find parking on the BC side when the Lake Louise parking lot is full.)

See the two trailheads with the trail on Google Maps. 

Skiing this trail with children:

With young children, ski out and back from the Lake O'Hara parking lot to the arch at the AB border for a pleasant 6 km return ski. It's relatively flat and easy skiing. 

Another fun option with two adults and kids: Start out with the kids + a parent at Lake Louise and start skiing towards O'Hara one-way. The second adult will drive to the O'Hara parking lot and ski back to meet you. This allows the kids to ski the full 10 km distance one-way in the downhill direction. Parents can fight over who gets to ski with the kids. (I always win in our family.)

Early season skiing on the Great Divide Road

Resources:

Current Trail Conditions for Banff and Lake Louise

Parks Canada Trail Brochure for Lake Louise - scroll down to find the "Winter Trails at Lake Louise Brochure." You can pick up a hard copy at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre in the Village too.

Cross-country skiing at Lake Louise

Our Favourite Ski Trails at Lake Louise

Skiing the Tramline Trail 

This is the absolute BEST ski trail for families with young children because you can ski it one-way from the lake down to the village, and it's relatively all downhill. And except for one hill, it's all very gentle, double polling, stay in the tracks, skiing. You won't be descending crazy hills or having to snow plow for kilometres on end. The entire trail is basically rail grade and perfect for teaching kick and glide with a bit of gravity in your favor.

The trail is double trackset for classic skiing. Expect to see the occasional hiker on the trail as well. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.

Our fav. scenic bridge on the Tramline Trail at Lake Louise

My family always skis this as a shuttle. My husband drops us off at the top and then drives down to the old train station parking lot in the Village. He skis up to meet us (getting a good workout) and we benefit from a family-friendly outing that my son loves.

Tramline is only 4.8 km one way and you'll lose 195 metres of height on your descent down to the Village. 

See the Tramline Trail on the Parks Canada Trail Brochure for Lake Louise- scroll down to find the "Winter Trails at Lake Louise" Brochure. You can pick up a hard copy at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre in the Village too.

And you'll want to have this map open as you look at the extensions below.

The only intermediate section on the Tramline Trail at Lake Louise

Tramline extensions for a longer outing:

• Tramline + Lakeshore Loop - Start at the bottom and ski up to the lake for a good workout. Then turn around and enjoy coasting back down. While you're at the lake, add on the Lakeshore Loop for an additional 4 km distance. Tramline + Lakeshore Loop total distance would be approx. 14 km. - Note you'll have to remove your skis to walk from the top of the Tramline Trail over to the lakeshore trailhead, but it's a short walk.
  
  
• Tramline + Fairview Loop - Start at the bottom and ski up to the lake. On your descent, ski around the Fairview Loop before hopping back on the Lower Tramline Trail. The Fairview Loop starts at the lake and ends on the Moraine Lake Road, a short distance up from the Tramline junction. (Check out the map before completing this one so you know where you're going.)  The Fairview Loop is ~ 6 km in distance and more intermediate in nature than the easier Tramline Trail. Total distance for both Tramline + Fairview Loop would be approximately 10 km. 
  
  Families not wanting to climb Tramline can start at the top, ski the Fairview Loop, and then one adult would descend Lower Tramline with the kids while the other adult climbs back up the lake. Meet up at the old train station. We've definitely done this and it's a lot of fun.
  
  
• Tramline + Bow River Loop - Add on the Bow River Loop from the bottom of the Tramline Trail. The loop is ~ 7 km long and relatively flat, so it's a great extension. We always add on this loop after skiing down the Tramline Trail.

Once you get comfortable with the map and the trails around Lake Louise, you can continue adding trails to make bigger loops. Tramline from the bottom up to the lake + the Lake Louise Loop + the Fairview Loop + Lower Tramline down + the Bow River Loop would be a great ski day! 

Easy skiing on the Tramline Trail at Lake Louise 

Skiing The Bow River Loop

This is one of my favourite beginner-friendly trails for scenery, diversity, and general easy skiing with no hills to speak of.

The complete loop is ~ 7 km with shorter options possible. It is single trackset only which creates a more natural "classic" experience. There is no skating lane. Expect to meet up with the occasional hiker as well. 

** And this is one of the rare trails at Lake Louise where dogs are allowed (on leash.) **

We always start at the old train station parking lot in the Village where there's ample space for parking. From here we follow the trail along the village-side of the river (not crossing the bridge from the parking lot.) You have a couple of unpleasant road crossings near the Village Centre (take your skis off and carefully cross the roads) but then you get into the Lake Louise campground area where there are no more road crossings.

Powder day on the Bow River Loop 

Follow the river through the trailer campground until you reach two beautiful bridges at the far end. This is your turnaround spot as you ski back on the other side of the river, skiing through the tenting campground. One more road crossing returns you to the first section of trail (on the other side of the river.) Cross the final bridge and you're back at your car.

For a shorter ski, you can start at the Village Centre and just loop the campground (trail 10 on the map.) There's also another small parking lot near the campground which shows up on the trail brochure. This would eliminate the need to cross any roads.

See the Bow River Loop on the Parks Canada Trail Brochure for Lake Louise- scroll down to find the "Winter Trails at Lake Louise" Brochure. You can pick up a hard copy at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre in the Village too.

Scenic bridge crossing on the Bow River Loop

Skiing The Lake Louise Loop

Skiing could not get any easier than this one! You'll be skiing straight across Lake Louise, on the frozen lake itself. There is absolutely no height gain, not a single hill, and you'll enjoy grooming with tracks to ski in.

The loop is classic trackset (no skating lane.) Follow the ski tracks across the lake until you reach Louise Falls, a beautiful set of frozen waterfalls, approximately 2 km down the lake. There is also a snowshoe trail that crosses the lake but the two trails should be separate.

For your return trip, either retrace your steps and ski back across the lake, or climb up to the forested trail above the lake to complete a 4 km loop. The forest trail starts by the waterfall.

The forest trail is not overly technical,  but it is narrower than the wide open lake. Regardless, it is definitely considered a beginner trail.

Save this outing for a sunny day for the best experience! And to extend your outing, bring sleds and skates for the Lake Louise skating rink and sledding hill (both located at the lakeshore.)

** Dogs are allowed on this loop (on leash.) **

A glorious bluebird day at Lake Louise

Skiing The Fairview Loop 

This is a more intermediate trail and you'll definitely have to be comfortable at descending a few steep twisty hills. The reward is beautiful meadows that you'll traverse through. One year we even found a sofa built out of snow in the middle of one meadow.

The Fairview Trail traverses beautiful meadows 

The full loop is 7.5 km if you start at the lake, ski the Fairview Trail to the Moraine Lake Road, ski down the road back to the beginning, and then climb the Upper Tramline Trail back to Lake Louise. There is ~150 metres of climbing overall. 

The loop is best done counter clockwise so that you climb the Tramline Trail at the end. This allows you to enjoy the steepest hills on the Fairview Trail in the downhill direction. 

The Fairview Trail is double trackset for classic skiing. Dogs are not allowed on the trail. And you should not see hikers on the trail. This is a ski-only trail.

When we ski the trail as a family, my son and I continue down the Lower Tramline Trail to the Village rather than climbing back to the lake at the end. My husband climbs the Upper Tramline Trail to get the vehicle, and then meets us at the Village. 

See the Fairview Loop on the Parks Canada Trail Brochure for Lake Louise - scroll down to find the "Winter Trails at Lake Louise" Brochure. You can pick up a hard copy at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre in the Village too.

Snow sofa in the middle of the Fairview Trail

Other Ski Trails from the Great Divide Parking Lot

If you've parked at the Great Divide Trailhead at Lake Louise, there are a few options for additional loops you can ski.

Lower Telemark Trail - As per the Parks Canada trail description: "Park at Great Divide trailhead, ski 700 metres, and turn right at the #8 trail sign. After 4.0 km of twists and turns, exit back onto the Great Divide trail, and turn left to return to your vehicle." The full loop will be approx. 8 km. 

This is an easy beginner-friendly trail. It is double trackset for classic skiing, is a ski-only trail, and dogs are not allowed.

Beautiful skiing near the Great Divide along Upper Telemark and Peyto

Upper Telemark and Peyto - Starting at the Great Divide, ski 700 metres on the groomed road until you come to the junction with both the Lower and Upper Telemark Trails. Turn left and follow trail # 7 up to the lake. It's easiest to take the "green" bypass trail up.

The trail ends by the Chateau if you want to do a lap around the Lake Louise Loop.

Starting up the Upper Telemark Trail from the Chateau Lake Louise

On the way down, the trail is divided into green, blue, and black sections. We always descend the black section but it is very steep with twisty winding hills. The Upper Telemark Trail is also a narrow trail (even though it is double trackset) so beginners will find the hills intimidating.

Take whichever division of the Upper Telemark Trail you want to take back down towards the Divide Trail. Add on a short section of the Peyto Trail if you want heading west (left) for a longer ski back along the Great Divide. If you follow Peyto to the right, you'll end up back closer to the lake and nowhere near your car.

See the Great Divide Trails on the Parks Canada Trail Brochure for Lake Louise - scroll down to find the "Winter Trails at Lake Louise" Brochure. You can pick up a hard copy at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre in the Village too.

Starting the descent down the Upper Telemark Trail where snow plow skills are imperative

Skiing the Pipestone Trail Network at Lake Louise

2025-26  update: There will be trail closures in the Pipestone area for Lake Louise fire guard work. Check updated trail reports to see which trails are affected. 

The Pipestone Trail Network is located across the TransCanada Highway from the Village of Lake Louise. You can see it here on this Google Map link. 

There are several trails here but the largest loop is the Pipestone Loop, an intermediate 13 km loop that is very hilly and requires a strong ability to climb and descend hills. The loop is typically skied counter clockwise. 

The Pipestone Trail Network is great for intermediate skiers

For an easier loop start on the Pipestone Trail (#20) going counter clockwise and then turn off onto trail #22 (Drummond.) This relatively flat trail takes you to Pipestone Pond where you can connect to trail #21 (Hector) to return to the parking lot.

Drummond is 2.7 km one way and is a beginner-friendly trail. Hector is 3 km one way and is also beginner-friendly though it does descend 95 metres from Pipestone Pond back to the parking lot (so don't choose it as your first ever ski trail.)

One final trail that has proven useful for us on occasion is the beginner-friendly Merlin Trail (#23) which works as a good shortcut trail off the top of the Pipestone Loop, heading down towards Pipestone Pond. Merlin is 2.3 km and it descends gently from the top of the Pipestone Loop. Watch out for the old cabin along the trail.

All trails in this network are single trackset classic. There is no skating lane and the trails are designated for skiing only so you should not meet hikers. 

** Dogs are permitted on these trails (on leash.) **

See the Pipestone Trails on the Parks Canada Trail Brochure for Lake Louise - scroll down to find the "Winter Trails at Lake Louise" Brochure. You can pick up a hard copy at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre in the Village too.

Climbing skills are imperative for the intermediate Pipestone Loop 

Where to Stay for a XC Ski Getaway at Lake Louise 

For affordable ski getaways at Lake Louise, we like to stay at the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre located centrally near the Village with ski in/out access to the XC trails.

The alpine centre is a joint venture between Hostelling International Canada and the Alpine Club of Canada. Members of either club get discounts to stay here. The Centre has two buildings and each one has its own kitchen and lounge area. We usually get a room in the larger main building where the check in desk and restaurant are located. This is also the building with the biggest lounge area where you'll find a beautiful fireside room with pool table.

The kitchen in the main building is very big and great for large groups. There are plenty of tables, stoves, fridges, and even ovens in the industrial sized kitchen so that everybody can cook together at the same time.

The Lake Louise Alpine Centre has ski in/out access to the XC trails 

Accommodations at the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre 

There are options for both shared and private rooms at this luxury hostel, so don't worry if you value your privacy. We always get a private room here and it's generally a very quiet place to spend the night. The hostel is always clean and well managed, and we've never had a problem with other guests. 

Private rooms sleep 2-6 people and many have their own private bathroom included. Other rooms have access to shared bathrooms located on the same floor as each room. Note private bathrooms do not include showers, but they are a short walk down the hall from all rooms. 

We like the family rooms which sleep up to 6 people, some with separate sleeping lofts to give parents/kids a bit more space.

We've also booked a regular dorm room when we have a group of 4-6 people in the past. While not technically a "private" room, it's an affordable way to create your own exclusive room if you book all of the beds in the room.

From the Alpine Centre you can access all XC Trails and Snowshoe Trails around Lake Louise

And still feeling nervous about staying in a hostel or worried that it won't be family-friendly, or that you'll feel really "old" surrounded by college students having après-ski parties? 

My experience with most hostels here, especially the mountain hostels associated with Hostelling International Canada, is that you'll be surrounded by a very diverse group of guests. This isn't backpacking through Europe.

Expect to be sharing the Alpine Centre with other families, groups of active seniors traveling for a ski weekend together, young international travelers visiting ski resorts across the Canadian Rockies, couples who've booked a small private room for a night or two, and even groups of Scouts or Girl Guides. We've seen it all. You'll find everybody very friendly though, and full of exciting stories to share.

Read more: Affordable Ski Weekends at the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre

Ski out the door of the hostel on to the Lake Louise trail network

Additional Resources

The Best Beginner Cross-Country Ski Trails near Calgary

The Best Early Season Trails for Cross-Country skiing near Calgary

Cross-Country Skiing along the Highway 1A in Banff: Baker Creek to Castle Junction 

Discover the BEST Cross-country Ski Trails near Calgary this Winter 

Disclaimer: We have worked with Hostelling International Canada for several years and support them regularly. We often receive hosted trips at their hostels.

First Summits - Mt. Allan and Centennial Ridge, Kananaskis

Centennial Ridge is the highest maintained trail ever built in the Canadian Rockies and is one of the best ridge walks in all of Kananaskis. Strong hikers can continue to the summit of Mount Allan which looms high above the Nakiska Ski Area. This is a very long day hike but it should go on every local hiker's "someday" list. Families will appreciate that there are few technical challenges and it's largely just a long scenic hike on a well built trail.

Hiking Centennial Ridge, the highest maintained trail in the Canadian Rockies

Hiking through the Rock Garden is a highlight on Centennial Ridge

Stats for the Hike 

Distance:  16 km round trip from Ribbon Creek to the summit of Mt. Allan according to my guide book. (I tracked 17 km.)

It's also possible to do a one-way traverse from Ribbon Creek to Dead Man's Flats but then you'd need two vehicles, you have an extra 2.5 km of hiking, and you also have an extra 200 metres of height loss at the end because Dead Man's Flats is lower than Ribbon Creek (so whatever you do, don't start at Dead Man's Flats!) 

All in all, it's just much easier to do the trip as an out and back hike starting and ending at Ribbon Creek.

Height gain: 1300 metres height gain from Ribbon Creek to the Mt. Allan summit. (I tracked 1400 metres including all ups and downs.)

Time it took us to complete the return hike: It took us just under 9 hours for this one (like I said, long day!) This was a solid moderate pace and we were faster than several adult groups on the trail so plan for 8+ hours depending on your personal pace.

Best time to do this hike: Wait until late June when the snow will be clear on the route. This is a beautiful summer hike when everything is very green and there are lots of marmots playing around in the rocks along the ridge.

Fall is another good time for this hike because there are larch trees along the ridge. The peak for golden larch hiking is the third weekend in September.

Annual Seasonal Closure: April 1 - June 21 for the protection of bighorn sheep during a sensitive birthing period

And don't forget to purchase your Kananaskis Conservation Pass!

Mount Allan Summit looking over the Wind Valley

Rating: This is an easy scramble or an advanced hike. You won't have to use your hands at all on the trail to Olympic Summit. There is one small cliff band after that which requires some hands-on scrambling to reach the summit of Mt. Allan. 

There's a fairly decent trail the whole time and much of the trip is just steep hiking. Route finding is also generally easy once you get off the ski trails from Ribbon Creek.

And best of all, there is no bad scree on this hike nor is there any real exposure (other than the one small cliff band mentioned above.)

Recommended Guide Book: Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, Volume 1, Gillean Daffern - Amazon affiliate link

All Trails Link: Mount Allan from Centennial Ridge 

Note to download the map, you'll need to have a premium paid subscription. I find it to be worthwhile, even just so I can see how far I am from the summit every time somebody asks "how much further?" 

Having a downloaded map will also help you navigate through the ski trails down below.

Map of our Route: 

And should you want to navigate using my routes, you can follow me on All Trails.

You can also follow me on Strava. 

Looking down over the Nakiska Ski Area from Centennial Ridge

Ribbon Creek to the Centennial Ridge Trail

You'll park at the Ribbon Creek trailhead (google maps link) and start by hiking up the Hidden Trail, a wide cross-country ski trail. Within 300 metres there is a junction with the Coal Mine Trail where you turn left on another ski trail. Stay on this trail until you come to the official "Centennial Ridge Trail" sign and the trail becomes more narrow resembling an actual hiking trail.

That was your warm up. Now the climbing begins. The Coal Mine ski trail takes a more gradual approach but the Centennial Ridge trail climbs straight up between switchbacks on the Coal Mine Trail.

The first section of the hike is approximately 2.5 km in length and you'll climb a very gradual 250 metres of height until you cross the Coal Mine Ski Trail for the final time.

After this, it is straight UP until you reach the Olympic Summit.

The end of the ski trails at the Coal Mine site

Climbing to the top of the Olympic Summit (and the beginning of the ridge walk)

From the end of the Coal Mine Trail where you leave all ski trails long behind, it is a steep climb to your first summit (and you won't be alone if you decide that Olympic Summit is as far as you can make it.)

The trail to Olympic Summit is well maintained and easy to follow, but it is steep! There are many switchbacks (thank goodness) but you will be tired when you reach the top of the first summit.

The trail to Olympic Summit is relentlessly steep but well switchbacked

It is a 700 metre climb to the top of Olympic Summit overlooking the Nakiska Ski Area (plus the 250 metres you already climbed to get to the end of the ski trails.) This means you'll have already climbed 950 metres just to get to the top of Olympic Summit! And you still have 350 metres to go! - Like I said, it's a BIG day.

It's a gorgeous hike to Olympic Summit (even if you call it a day here!)

Distance to the top of the Olympic Summit is 3 km (So you'll climb 700 metres in 3 km.) And then add on the initial 2.5 km for 5.5 km of total distance just to reach the first summit of the day. - Good news, you only have 2.5 to 3 km left of hiking along Centennial Ridge to reach Mt. Allan.

Just a tad steep!

Climbing, climbing, climbing!

Simply put:

Ribbon Creek to the end of the ski trails and Coal Mine site: 2.5 km (250 metres climbing)

Coal Mine to Olympic Summit: 3 km (700 metres climbing)

Olympic Summit to Mt. Allan along Centennial Ridge: 2.5 to 3 km (350 metres climbing)

All numbers are approximate! Every guide book/website varies slightly from the All Trails app, and then my own personal stats were different yet.

If you do nothing but Olympic Summit, it's still a rock star hike! 

You'll know you've arrived when you reach a weather station and then a small cairn with a flag. This is your first summit and the Nakiska ski area is far below you now.

So far, you have climbed almost 1000 metres so be gracious with your bodies (and energy levels.) If you turn around here, it's still a fantastic hike!! (One of the best.) And Olympic Summit definitely counts as a mountain!

Reaching Olympic Summit above the Nakiska ski area

If only Nakiska ran chairlifts in the summer! 

Hiking across Centennial Ridge to the Rock Garden 

The next 3 kilometres are the most spectacular part of the hike as you walk across Centennial Ridge. Most of the big height gain is done and while technically there is still 350 metres of climbing, it's spread over a long distance and you won't notice much of it until the final summit push.

Easy hiking along Centennial Ridge,  the rock garden and the final summit of Mt. Allan ahead

The big highlight along the ridge is the rock garden or the "mushroom garden" where you'll hike through giant conglomerate rock pillars, the largest named the "Claw." 

Striking a pose in the rock garden (watch for playful marmots here)

The giant "Claw!"

Beyond this, there is a short section that requires some brief down scrambling at a cliff band, but it's generally easy and there are lots of good hand holds. Remember, this is an official hiking trail.

The short cliff band that you have to down climb to reach the summit

Hiking to the Summit of Mt. Allan 

Once you pass the down climb, it is a short but steep push to the summit. Fortunately the rock is solid and there is no bad scree.

Hiking to the summit of Mt. Allan (closer than it looks)

There's a good trail to the summit

The ridge is never overly airy or exposed and the summit should feel big enough for most people. Enjoy the views over the Kananaskis Valley and the Wind Valley, and then return the same way (unless you've set up a car shuttle for a one-way hike to Dead Man's Flats.)

Mt. Allan Summit 

On the Mt. Allan Summit looking down over the Wind Valley

The Return Hike to Ribbon Creek 

By now you're probably really tired so it's not comforting to know that you have an 8 km hike left to reach your vehicle!

Climbing back up the cliff band to the rock garden

My family passed the time with loud singing and trail games (partially because we'd seen a bear on the way up)  and I'm sure anybody who passed us would have thought we were completely crazy with some of our song choices ("I want to be sedated" by the Ramones was just one of the fun tunes we sang loudly off key running down the trail.)

Hiking back through the rock garden

Read about more great first summits in my complete guide below! 

Read: First Summits for Families in the Canadian Rockies 

Powderface Ridge - Family Hiking and First Summits in Kananaskis

There are very few hiking trails that I would repeat annually, but Powderface Ridge is one of them. We keep finding new and creative ways to hike this trail, and it never really gets old as a destination. It's the perfect first summit for families, and there are several options to make the trip as short or as long as you want it to be.

Powderface Ridge sunset hike in June (photo: Joyce Cortes)

The Official Trailhead and Route up Powderface Ridge

This official trailhead for this ridge starts at the end of highway 66 in the Elbow Valley where the pavement ends (right before you drive into the Little Elbow Campground.) From this parking area it's a steep 600 metre climb (13 km round trip distance.)

You can read about the official trail and see a map on the Kananaskis Trails website. And if you have a copy of the Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, Volume 2, by Gillean Daffern you can read all about the trail there (Trip 31.)

And note, the highway only opens on May 15th each spring so while this is a great spring hike, wait until the road is open past Elbow Falls. 

This large boulder begs to be climbed while hiking up or down the Powderface Ridge trail

My personal opinion about the official trail for Powderface Ridge can be summed up in one word: DOWN. This is a great way down from the ridge. It sucks as a climbing route. I like doing a one-way shuttle for this hike, starting high and ending low.

I have hiked Powderface Ridge many many times, but I've never climbed up the official trail because I don't seen a point in starting at the lowest point possible to access the ridge, especially when there are two other routes that both start much higher!

Powderface Ridge is a beautiful ridge in the Elbow Valley

Powderface Ridge via Three Trail Pass 

For an easier outing, we always do a traverse (with a car shuttle) via Three Trail Pass allowing us to gain only 400 metres of height, hiking across the ridge, and descending the official trail in a complete distance of approximately 8 km.

To access this shortcut trail and by far the easiest access for the ridge, turn right on to the gravel Powderface Trail (road) when you get to the Little Elbow Campground and the end of the paved Highway 66.

You'll enjoy a long meadow traverse to the summit of Powderface Ridge from Three Trail Pass

Drive up the Powderface Trail road for approximately 6 km until you reach Sacramento Pass. You can see the Google maps location for the Three Trail Pass trailhead here. 

You can also see the complete traverse on All Trails here. 

Note the All Trails link above has you starting at Highway 66 but this is where you want to END. You want to start high, finish low. You should be starting from the Powderface Trail road and then ending on Highway 66 at the entrance to the campground.

Because the All Trails version of this hike is done in reverse, the numbers for height gain will be off. The distance is also a bit high.

Follow this link to a good description from the Alberta Parks website (where there is a good map showing both trailheads.)

There are lots of fun scrambly rocks at the summit of Powderface Ridge

Route Description for the Powderface Ridge Traverse

From Powderface Trail, you'll begin by hiking a kilometre on an old road /double track trail to a three-way junction, climbing a gradual 150 metres of height. This is Three Trail Pass and here you'll turn right to climb up to the ridge. Don't go straight or you'll find yourself heading along the Powderface Creek trail which ends by Elbow Falls! It's a great mountain biking trail but not too fun as a hike.

The trail climbs a rocky wide road to Three Trail Pass

From Three Trail Pass the hike starts to get more beautiful as you climb up and through grassy meadows to gain the ridge  and official summit for Powderface Ridge. This section is approximately 2 km in length and you'll gain another ~ 150 metres of height. The hiking is never steep and the ridge is not narrow.

Three Trail Pass with the ridge visible above

Either turn around once you reach the summit or (if you've set up a vehicle at the far end) continue hiking towards the exit trailhead on Highway 66.

Powderface Ridge is a beautiful hike in the Elbow Valley

And this is where I mention that all distances and height gain references in this guide are approximate numbers! I've used several different guide books, websites, and apps to create this guide, and every single one is slightly different!

Early season snow on the ridge crest 

From the ridge, drop down off the opposite side of the ridge, following the trail that descends from the summit. You don't have to traverse the ridge very far before you'll see the trail leaving the ridge.

If you hike this trail early season there may still be snow on this section requiring you to kick steps as you descend off the ridge (or follow steps others have made.) Once below the ridge crest, the snow disappears.

Descending the ridge on early season snow

The trail loses 100 metres of height over the next couple of kilometres as you descend through trees without views. At the bottom, you'll arrive in another large meadow and you have the option of climbing up to the East Summit. It's a quick "run up and down" with less than 50 metres of climbing to reach this summit, and in my opinion it is highly worth it for great views over the Elbow Valley. This summit also feels more like an official summit than the one on the ridge top.

Tag the East summit if you want, or continue your hike through the meadow and down the official Powderface Ridge trail to the trailhead on Highway 66. This is where you'll lose another 400 metres of height over 3.5 km.

The trail down from the meadow travels through trees much of the time without views. It is never overly steep, and the trail is good, but those with bad knees will definitely know they are descending!

East summit of Powderface Ridge

Easy Peasy Shortest Hike Possible for Powderface Ridge 

Start and end your hike via Three Trail Pass for the easiest hike (6 km round trip.) 

This is a great one with young kids or as a half day hike.

It's only 6 km round trip to tag the official summit via Three Trail Pass

Powderface East Ridge Trail from Rainy Creek Summit 

For an alternate (shorter route) to the East Summit, you can start from Rainy Creek Summit and take the East Ridge Trail off Highway 66 for a short 4 km round trip outing with 400 metres of height gain.

The East summit feels most like a real "summit" and it's a great evening hike. Note the East Ridge Trail is steeper than the route via Three Trail Pass. You'll also be hiking along a rocky ridge for a bit where the terrain could feel a bit scrambly for some.

Hiking up the Powderface East Ridge Trail

To extend your hike, drop a small amount of height and then climb up the regular Powderface Ridge Trail to gain the official summit for a double summit day. Return the same way via  the East Ridge Trail.

Tagging both summits from the East Ridge Trail would amount to ~ 150 metres of extra climbing and 4 extra kilometres of hiking.

See the Google Maps location for Rainy Creek Summit where you'll park here. 

Youth hike up the Powderface East Ridge Trail to the East Summit

Alternate Traverse: Three Trail Pass to Rainy Creek Summit 

This traverse is still on my list for the next time I head out to hike Powderface Ridge. Start high on Powderface Trail and approach the ridge via Three Trail Pass. Then end high as well by finishing at Rainy Creek Summit (which sits at a much higher elevation than the regular trailhead on Highway 66 at the end of the road.)

You can see the entire route here on All Trails including both summits. 

This route is only 9.5 km long with an easy 450 metres of climbing! (SCORE!)

Girls night out on the East Powderface Summit

Read more about Hiking in the Elbow Valley 

Read: Wild Adventures in the Elbow Valley, Kananaskis

Read: White Buddha and Vents Ridge - Family Hiking in Kananaskis 

Read: First Summits: Prairie Mountain, Kananaskis

Read: Top Ten Favourite Spring Family Hikes in Kananaskis 

Read: Ten Day Trips for Spring Adventures Close to Calgary