Family Guide to the Lake Louise Ski Resort

We had planned a relaxing cross country ski weekend at Lake Louise at the end of January with accommodations set up for us at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre in the Village. Somehow in the weeks leading up to the trip though, plans evolved and we ended up spending most of our weekend at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. We went on a guided snowshoe tour, we went downhill skiing, and we even tried out the tube park. Add the cross country skiing we still wanted to do along with skating at Lake Louise, and it was a fairly busy weekend!

Lake Louise Ski Resort - Base for skiing, snowshoeing, and tubing

Below is an overview to the activities that we enjoyed over three days at Lake Louise this winter along with an introduction to the Lake Louise Alpine Centre, a great place for families to stay with affordable accommodations.

Ski Weekend at Lake Louise

Snowshoeing at the Lake Louise Ski Resort

My son and I headed out to the Lake Louise Ski Resort Friday morning for a guided scenic snowshoe tour. We chose the noon tour so that we'd have plenty of time for the drive and lucked out being the only people signed up for our tour. This gave us a private tour and plenty of time to play in the powder stashes we found on the ski hill.

Our guide pointing out the mountains in the distance to my son

We began our tour by riding the gondola up to the ridge top where skiers would begin their descent back down to the village or descend off to the back side of the resort. We then spent roughly an hour exploring the ridge, searching for powder to play in, and taking in the beautiful views around us. (They don't call it the scenic tour for nothing!)

Taking a rest break on the Scenic Snowshoe Tour

The tour was very interpretive and we learned a lot about the animal tracks we saw, the various kinds of trees on the ridge top, and the surrounding mountains. Our guide also gave us some history on the Lake Louise Resort and pointed out the route that skiers would take into Skoki Backcountry Lodge. Overall, the tour was extremely interesting and we walked at a gentle relaxed pace that would match all fitness levels.

Interpretive lessons on the Snowshoe Tour

We stopped for hot chocolate in the ski patrol cabin after about an hour of playing in the snow and walking about. The views from the cabin were gorgeous and this was a lovely spot to rest for 20 minutes or so.

Looking over to Lake Louise from the Ski Patrol Hut

I know that most people think of skiing or snowboarding when they plan a trip to Lake Louise but the scenic snowshoe tour is a great alternative for those who don't ski, but would like to enjoy the same views from the top of the gondola. It's also a great tour for family members joining you for the day who would prefer to hike while you go off skiing. Parents carrying babies or toddlers would enjoy this easy tour as well with little elevation gain or distances required to walk.

My son and I on our snowshoe tour looking over to some of the ski runs on the back side of the mountain

The scenic snowshoe tour we took would also be great for families spending several days in the Louise area and not wanting to ski every day. We enjoyed a variety of sports on our 3 day trip and I think we actually got a better appreciation for the Lake Louise Resort after trying multiple activities at the hill.

Snowshoes are provided as well making this a good activity for visitors to the area who may not have a lot of personal gear with them. (I know I appreciated not having to pack our snowshoes along with our skis, skates, and other outdoor equipment.)

Mount Temple in the background and an explorer who will one day climb it

The resort offers other snowshoe tours as well for adults wanting a longer tour. Ours was 2 hours including gondola rides both up and down. The full day tour takes you down to the back side of the mountain to Temple Lodge for lunch. Wildlife tours are another option along with night tours which the staff rave about. For full information on all tours, pricing, and times, please visit the Lake Louise Ski Resort website.

There were plenty of opportunities to play in the snow on our tour making it very family-friendly

Skiing at the Lake Louise Ski Resort

The moment I remember most vividly from our ski day at Louise was a run I did down Pika on the back side as I headed towards Temple Lodge where we planned to warm up and grab a coffee. I was flying down this perfectly groomed run making fun swoopy turns, the sun shining over me, and I though, "I'm really happy right now." As simple as that. Nothing spectacular but the moment stands out because it hit me that it had been a long 8+ years since we'd last skied at Lake Louise and I'd really missed it here.

Family Ski Day on top of the world at Lake Louise

Another moment that stands out was our lunch break on the patio of the lodge at the base of the hill. It was warm enough that we were sitting outside and it felt like spring. I sat there looking out at the resort and thought, "life is good." "Life is really, really good." Again, simple stuff, but it was a beautiful day and we stayed until close to 4:00 before finally packing it in for the day - the longest we've ever spent at a ski hill as a family.

Preparing to drop off the Paradise Chair down the back side at Lake Louise Ski Resort

Below are some tips for skiing at Lake Louise that I wrote up in my previous Gotta do THIS story for February.

Skiing down the easy groomers on the front side

• Unload all skis and gear in the skier drop off area and then send an adult back to park the vehicle. Bags can be carried into the Whiskey Jack Day Lodge and placed on shelves there. Skis can be carried down to the base area.
  
  
• If  bringing lunch, consider packing it into a backpack and hanging your pack at Temple Lodge on the backside. It's an easy ski down to the lodge from the top of the gondola on my son's new favourite run, Pika. (And Pika has tons of jumps/bumps along the edges for kids to play on.)
  
  
• Make sure at some point, you seek out Jerry's Jungle (#30,) a green run accessed from the Top of the World Express Chair. It was the ultimate kids' run with fun open trees to ski around, a gully, and plenty of bumps or jumps - all on a groomed run. Other runs we enjoyed were Marmot (#143) off the Larch Chair, Juniper and Juniper Jungle (intermediate runs off the gondola or Glacier Express Chair,) and we had to try Saddleback (#109) one time off the Paradise Chair (even though it was completely flat light and kind of scary.)

Temple Lodge on the backside of the ski resort (the first lodge built at the resort)

I'd always thought of Lake Louise as a "harder" hill and more suitable to families with older children. This trip showed me how wrong I'd been though and we found something for each member of our family to enjoy. We were able to ski off every chair together as a family and there would always be a groomed green or blue run for my son and I to enjoy. My husband found many optional trails he could check out, always meeting us down at the next chair lift again. My son also enjoyed all the bumps and jumps along the sides of many runs and loved finding little paths through the trees next to the groomed runs.

Kids Terrain Park at Lake Louise

The only word of caution I would give families is that you really need to communicate well on this hill! Start down Pika for example from the top of the gondola, and there are three chair lifts you could end up at. It's important that each member of your family knows where you are meeting at the bottom of a run. I kept losing my boys when they'd duck into the trees and was once waiting at the wrong chairlift for them. Oops! There are also many junctions and intersections on the hills so make sure each family member knows the route you plan to take down your run so you don't accidentally split ways. (yes, that happened once or twice to us.)

For full information on skiing at Lake Louise, to see trail maps, and to find out about passes, visit the Lake Louise Ski Resort website.

Big mountain skiing at Lake Louise

Lake Louise Tube Park

The Sunny Tube Park was a fun "add on" after our snowshoeing adventure. It extended our time on the hill for an extra hour and would be a fun way for parents to wrap up the day with kids after skiing as well.

Sunny Tube Park at Lake Louise

I appreciated that helmets were included and available right at the tube park (ours way back in the vehicle and not necessary for snowshoeing) and I liked that the tube park is located right beside the beginner ski area. You could easily fill a day with young children tubing, practicing a few turns off the magic carpet, and even playing around in the kids' terrain park just above the tube park (accessible via magic carpet as well.)

Tickets are sold for the entire day so that you can mix and match your activities on the hill. Discounts are available if you ski or snowboard the same day that you want to visit the tube park and children ages 3 -5 are free. For more information, visit the Lake Louise Resort website.

Family Fun at Lake Louise

Staying at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre

With two days planned at the Lake Louise Ski Resort we definitely couldn't drive out and back from Calgary. We also wanted to try some of the cross country ski trails, go skating, and check out the ice sculptures from the recent Ice Magic festival.

Fortunately, accommodations can be found at Lake Louise without breaking the bank. No, you won't be staying at the Chateau on the lake itself, but you'll still enjoy ski in/out lodging on some great cross country trails and will be a short 5 minute walk away from the Village.

The Lake Louise Alpine Centre

The Lake Louise 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 had a room in the main building where the check in desk and restaurant are located. This is also the building with the biggest lounge, a beautiful fireside room with pool table and plenty of room for kids to play in.

The kitchen in our building was very big and great for large groups. We shared it with a school group the first night and with a group of scouts the second night. Fortunately, there were plenty of tables, stoves, fridges, and even ovens in the industrial sized kitchen so that everybody could cook together at the same time.

Fireside room at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre

Rooms come in a few different configurations here. We had a private room that slept 3 people in a single over double bunk. It wasn't anything fancy but it did the trick for allowing us to stay at Lake Louise. We had a shared bathroom just outside our room which we shared with one other private room. Showers were further down the hall and each shower had its own private room.

Friends that went with us got a "family room" which had two bunk beds and a loft, sleeping a total of 6 people. It had its own private bathroom and was much bigger in size. Families can also rent the regular shared dorm rooms too which sleep between 4 - 6 people.

Small private room at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre

Tips for Staying at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre with Kids:

•  Our bedroom in the main building was on the 3rd floor and the kitchen was in the basement. That's a LOT of stair climbing and there are no elevators. I'd suggest packing in a way that you can get your stuff to your room easily (large hockey bag with wheels that weighs 60 pounds maybe not a good idea.) You'll also be carrying your food down a flight of stairs so make sure you can easily do so.
  
  
• If stairs and climbing are a problem for you, request a ground floor room and you'll be placed in the other building which has private rooms on the bottom floor. It's also closer to the parking lot. AND, if you request to be placed in this building, there's a good chance you'll have the kitchen and lounge to yourself because they fill the main building first before using this "overflow" building.
  
  
• Expect to be sharing the Centre with groups. If you don't like crowded or noisy places, this might not be the quiet alpine retreat you were looking for. I was told though that the second building (not the main building) is quieter and that it helps if you don't plan your stay over a major festival at Lake Louise. (We were there over the Ice Magic festival so the hostel was packed.) Apparently the beginning of ski season is also busy.
  
  
• Bring snowshoes or cross country skis if you want to enjoy the trails right outside the door from the hostel. I enjoyed skiing the Bow River Loop with my girlfriend later in the afternoon Saturday while the kids were resting. We also skied from the Lake down to the village earlier in the day and skied right up to the door of the Alpine Centre.
  
  
• You'll have to drive up to the main Lake Louise area for skating and to access the trails around the Chateau. It's a short 5 minute drive though.
  
  
• Finally, if you want to book a shared dorm room for your family rather than a private room, just tell the person you make your booking with that you'll have kids with you. They'll try to make sure you get your room to yourself.
  

To read about all room options here, follow this link to rooms and packages.

Follow this link for full information on the Lake Louise Alpine Centre.

Kitchen area at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre

Reasons we'll definitely return:

 - Affordable accommodations in a premier area of the Canadian Rockies

- Ability to cook our own meals in a shared kitchen rather than having to eat out the entire weekend (And there is a restaurant on site should you wish to eat out at times.)

- Ski in/out accommodations for cross country skiing (and the trails are great for biking in the summer)

- Cozy rooms that allowed us to sleep in privacy as a family rather than sharing a large dorm room with people we don't know (which you'd have to do at many other hostels)

- We loved the big fireside room for hanging out in together with our friends and their children. This is harder if you stay in hotel rooms where you have no common area to visit.

- Because it's Lake Louise and it's a 5 minute drive from the Lake Louise Ski Resort. It's also a short drive to scenic hiking trails that we enjoy year round and world class scenery around every corner.

Ski in/out Accommodations at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre

 

Other Winter Activities to Enjoy at Lake Louise 

The beauty of planning a weekend at Lake Louise is that the activities we did are just a sampling of what a family could enjoy over a few days in this magical place. Dog sledding would have been another fun option and we barely skimmed the surface of snowshoe and ski trails in the area that we wanted to explore. My son has also made it very clear that he wants to do a sleigh ride next time we visit Lake Louise to see the waterfall at the far end of the lake. (I told him we could just hike or ski across the lake to see the waterfall but that didn't quite cut it.)

Ice Magic Festival at Lake Louise

Below are just some of the many things you can do at Lake Louise with links if you're curious to check the activities out. (Note we have not done all of these activities and companies did not pay to have links placed in this story. I'm just seeking to be a good "source of information" here.

Skating on Lake Louise - cleared rinks for both recreational skating and hockey. Ice is cleared of snow by staff at the Chateau so you can skate here all winter long. There's an ice castle on the ice too by January and it will be there until it melts.

Skating at Lake Louise

Cross country skiing - We love the Tramline Trail which descends down from the lake to the Village with roughly 200 metres of elevation lost. It's a great trail for teaching kids to glide with gravity in their favour. This year we also tried the Upper Telemark Trail from the Village down to the Great Divide Parking Lot. Then we hopped across the road, climbed a short hill, and got onto the Tramline Trail to finish our descent to the Village. (Note that you'll need a vehicle shuttle for these options or an adult will have to ski back up at the end to fetch the vehicle from the Lake Louise parking area.)

Other great trails for kids are the Bow River Loop, the Fairview Loop and the Lake Louise Loop.

Skiing at Lake Louise

Snowshoeing - While we chose to snowshoe at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, there are many great trails around the Village. I've heard that the Louise Creek Trail is nice if you have a shuttle so that you can hike down from the lake to the village.

Ice castle at Lake Louise where many people start their snowshoe adventtures

Sleigh Rides - Brewster Adventures operates daily sleigh rides across Lake Louise to see the frozen ice falls at the back of the lake. As with most "tourist" activities, there is a high price that goes with this activity. It is a great trip though for those with limited mobility who can't walk or ski to reach the far end of the lake - but still want the experience and the views. It would also be one of those special "treat" activities that visitors to Louise would not forget anytime soon.

Dog Sledding - Another one of those "life experiences" and "bucket list' activities that comes with a price. Worth every penny though. I have never done the tour at Lake Louise but I've done another tour in Kananaskis and it was incredible! 

Sleigh Rides at Lake Louise (photo: Karen Ung, Play Outside Guide)

Disclaimer:  We received complimentary accommodations at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre from Hostelling International Canada. We also received complimentary snowshoeing, skiing, and tubing from the Lake Louise Ski Resort. As always, all words and opinions are my own and I wasn't paid to write this story.

Parting Shot: Cross country skiing at Lake Louise

Family Weekend at Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park

My family had an awesome opportunity to stay at the magical Emerald Lake Lodge recently in Yoho National Park, across the BC border near Lake Louise. We spent the weekend snowshoeing through beautiful soft powder and cross country skiing on one of the most beautiful trails we've ever skied. We hiked up to a frozen waterfall. visited a natural rock bridge we got to walk under into a secret hidden cave, enjoyed the amazing outdoor hot tub at the resort, and feasted on gourmet meals.  All in all it made for an incredible weekend we won't soon forget.

Incredible scenery at Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park

Background on Yoho National Park 

Yoho National Park is located in British Columbia and is accessed via a short 10 minute drive from Lake Louise, Banff National Park.  It can also be accessed via the Town of Golden on the other side of the park. The small Town of Field is the “hub” for Yoho National Park and offers simple accommodations in guest houses, hostels, or B&Bs.  Nearby Emerald Lake Lodge, where we stayed, offers lakeside accommodations with gourmet dining and trails on site for skiing or hiking.

Snowshoeing across gorgeous Emerald Lake

Spotlight on Emerald Lake Lodge

Emerald Lake is a popular destination for both day trips and overnight trips with lodging at the luxurious Emerald Lake Lodge. Visitors to Emerald Lake Lodge enjoy ski or hike in/out lakeside cabins at a front country lodge you can access by vehicle. Think “backcountry lodge” that you can drive to.

A shuttle bus transports you and your luggage up to the main lodge from the guest parking lot. Once you arrive at the lodge, you’ll feel as if you have travelled back in time to an era where families planned winter ski vacations to the grand lodges of the Canadian Rockies, arriving by train or even wagon in the early days.

The view you'll first see when you arrive at Emerald Lake from the day use parking area

I still find the “character” of the lodge has not changed much since it was built in 1902 and I appreciate that cars have to park down below the lodge, keeping the pathways clear for guests to walk between their room and the main lodge. The only “wheels” you’ll see rolling around the property belong to the shuttle bus dropping visitors off at the main lodge. Beyond the main lodge building, access to all guest rooms is on foot unless you’ve requested a ride with your luggage with the bell boys in one of their small carts.

Lake front cabins at Emerald Lake

The main lodge building is home to a gourmet restaurant where you can feast on local Rocky Mountain cuisine that rivals the menus at any of the decadent restaurants in Banff or Calgary. There’s also a casual family-friendly lounge where you can order snacks and drinks while warming up by the fireplace after hiking around the lake. I personally could spend an entire weekend sitting by the fireplace playing games and drinking Irish coffee.

Lodge rooms at Emerald Lake Lodge

Whether you’re staying at Emerald Lake Lodge or down in the Town of Field, I recommend making a reservation at the lodge for dinner one night, stopping in at the lounge after you day hike at the lake, or popping in for a weekend brunch. The brunch buffet is amazing and my child is a huge fan of their cinnamon pancakes.

Hanging out in the cozy lounge at Emerald Lake Lodge

Dining at Emerald Lake Lodge with Kids:

• Yes, the lodge looks all "fancy" but the dining room does have a kids' menu with amazing food that children will love. And the chicken fingers are a far cry from what you'll get at a fast food restaurant.
  
  
• The weekend breakfast buffet is great for children, even if you choose to order off the menu as adults. The buffet has the traditional breakfast items kids will appreciate including pancakes, bacon, and cereal.
  
  
• The lounge is very casual and great for an afternoon snack or cup of hot chocolate. We brought a board game into the lounge and hung out by the fire for an hour or so Saturday afternoon before dinner. You can also eat dinner in the lounge if you want something simpler than what you'll find in the dining room.
  
  
• Dinner reservations for the dining room are highly recommended and you can make them in advance before you head out for your trip to the lodge. If you wait until you arrive, you might not get the seating time you want. Breakfast does not require reservations nor does the lounge.
  
  
• We brought a cooler with us so that we could make our own lunches. This cut down on costs for the mid-day meal and allowed us to make simple sandwiches and snacks for the trail.

The main lodge building at Emerald Lake Lodge

Snowshoeing around Emerald Lake

Visitors to Emerald Lake will definitely want to start with a hike around the lake on the 5.3 km Emerald Lake Loop. It’s easiest to hike straight across the lake until you reach the far side (as long as the lake is well frozen) and then you can join the summer hiking trail for the remainder of the trip as you make your way back to the lodge completing your loop in a clockwise direction.

Snowshoeing Across Emerald Lake

If you tire of hiking through the trees at any point on your way back you can easily hop back out onto the lake and head cross country back to where you started from.

Snowshoe and ski rentals are available at the lake, and the circuit of the lake is easy on either cross country skis or on snowshoes.

Scenery doesn't get finer than this!

Another beautiful trail at Emerald Lake is the Hamilton Falls Trail which is approximately 2 km return with a small amount of elevation gain. We chose to just hike the trail without snowshoes because it was well packed down and the climb up to the falls was easier without snowshoes on our feet.

Trying to climb the ice at Hamilton Falls

I wasn’t expecting “much” from the falls but was pleasantly surprised by these small waterfalls. They are now on my annual “winter ice chasing list” and the hike was a lot of fun as a family.

Hamilton Falls, Yoho National Park

Follow this link for a full list of hikes, maps, and information on hiking in Yoho National Park.

Playing on a snowy picnic table at the back of the Emerald Lake Circuit

Cross Country Skiing at Emerald Lake

If choosing to ski, you can continue past the end of the lake onto the Alluvial Fan Loop (4.3 km in distance from the back of the lake,) one of the most beautiful trails I’ve ever skied in the Canadian Rockies.

Skiing the Alluvial Fan Loop, Emerald Lake

Note that this is a “ski specific trail” so if you choose to snowshoe it, please respect the ski trails and stay well to the side of all tracks. The same should be said for snowshoeing across the lake or at the back of the lake when you will be paralleling the ski trail.

Skiing across Emerald Lake

There are other ski trails in the area but most families will be happy to ski across the lake or to check out the Alluvial Fan Trail. Other trails can be found here on this full list of winter trails in Yoho National Park.

Stunning scenery at the back of Emerald Lake

Visiting Emerald Lake’s Natural Bridge

You’ll see a small pull out with a sign for the Natural Bridge as you drive up the road from the TransCanada Hwy to Emerald Lake. We’d never stopped here before so decided to finally see what all the fuss was about on a recent visit.

Standing under the Natural Bridge, Yoho National Park

I was completely blown away and surprised by how amazing this “tourist site” is in winter. The Emerald River was frozen so we were able to descend down to the river and walk under the pedestrian summer bridge that you’d normally use for viewing the natural bridge.

We even got to walk under the natural bridge which was surreal and definitely on our “must do again” list for future trips.

Standing on the frozen Emerald River as we walk to the Natural Bridge

Special Tips if Visiting Emerald Lake as a Family

I already mentioned some tips and suggestions above about dining at the lodge. Other than those ideas, here are a few more things to consider before you plan a trip to Emerald Lake Lodge.

• Pack everything into as few bags as possible. We used a large hockey bag with wheels. You'll have to load everything into the shuttle bus to get to the main lodge building. From there, you'll have to either transport everything to your room on foot or load your gear onto a cart that will drive up to your room. Either way, you don't want to be traveling with ten bags.
  
  
• Consider bringing a Chariot or Stroller if traveling with small children because it is a good walk between some of the lodge rooms and the main lodge building. The paths are cleared and easy for walking on but you'll still want something with big wheels rather than an umbrella or mall stroller.
  
  
• Leave skis and snowshoes in your vehicle unless you really want to haul everything up to your lodge room. Then, before heading out to ski or snowshoe, take the shuttle bus down to the guest parking lot and drive your vehicle up to the main day use parking lot. Your family can meet you here and you'll be ready to head out across the lake for your day adventure. When done, load your gear back into your vehicle and take it back down to the guest parking lot. (I would recommend bringing boots up to your room though so that they are not freezing cold.)
  
  
• Don't forget your swim suits for the hot tub. There are change rooms there so you won't need a house coat or sandals. Just change out of your winter clothing in the change room.
  
  
• The lodge has several games but if you have a family-favourite game, bring it with you to play in the lounge after skiing or snowshoeing. There is also a games room on the upper level of the main building which has a large antique billiards table, board games, and plenty of room for kids to play with toys you may have brought with you. This is also a great place to hang out with friends if you travelled with another family.
  
  
• The lodge rooms get chilly if you don't have the fireplace going at all times so bring slippers or warm socks for the cool floors. The bathroom floors are heated but the floors in the main room are not. I also recommend bringing warm pajamas and clothing for when hanging out in your room.
  
  
• If you get a lodge room that's close to the main lodge building, you could bring baby monitors and hang out in the main lodge while the kids are sleeping. We didn't so had to hang out in the room by the fireplace trying to be as quiet as we could while our son fell asleep.

Kids will find plenty of snow to play in at Emerald Lake

Video of Snowshoeing Around Emerald Lake

 

Additional Resources for Trip Planning

The Town of Field

Yoho National Park / Parks Canada

Kootenay Rockies / Destination BC

Hiking around Peaceful Pond behind Emerald Lake Lodge

 

Disclaimer: We received complimentary accommodations at  Emerald Lake Lodge for a weekend so that I could gather content for this and other stories. As always all opinions and words are my own and this story is not sponsored. 

Parting shot: Emerald Lake Lodge at night

Tips and Tricks for Downhill Skiing with Kids

Every time we hit the ski hill as a family we learn something new or pick up a trick that would have made the day so much more easier, more enjoyable, and more fun. Each time we go skiing I feel a little more successful and I've decided that I'd like "More GOOD ski days" rather than just "more ski days."

We can all use a new tip or trick for family downhill ski days

I've collaborated with other outdoor families to compile the tips and tricks for this story.  There are also several links to other useful stories spread throughout that you can check out for even more ski wisdom. Happy skiing and I hope you will find at least one new idea or suggestion in this story that you can take with you to the ski hill next time you head out as a family.

Tips for a Stress Free Morning 

For me, this is one of the hardest parts about downhill skiing! I hate having to get up so freakin' early to be at the hill by 9am ready to ski. I'm also the antithesis of a "morning person" and don't move very quickly before I've had at least one cup of coffee. This makes packing the car and getting out of the house very hard for me.

Given that nobody really wants to wake up at 6am to load the car with skis and haul sleepy kids off to the ski hill, here are my best tips for making ski mornings as "stress free" as possible:

Stay where you want to ski and this will be your home for the weekend (Featured: Kimberley Alpine Resort)

1. Stay where you want to ski. 

Stay on hill at a ski in/out resort and you'll be able to wake up, make a nice breakfast if you've booked a condo with kitchen, and still make it to the front of the lift line for first runs. Last year in Kimberley we were first in line and actually had to wait for the lifts to open because we were there waiting to go before 9! How often does that happen??

Stay at a Ski in/Out Resort and be first in line for the lifts

2. Ski close to home and arrive early

Save the long drives for the overnight trips. In Calgary we like to ski at either Winsport's Canada Olympic Park (a 5 minute drive from my house) or at Nakiska Ski Area (roughly an hour door to door from the west end of the city.)

If the drive is more than an hour, I find it hard to justify driving out to ski for a few short hours (and with young kids you are not going to be at the hill for a full day.) We always aim to be at Nakiska by 9am ready to ski so that we get the best snow, the best conditions, we can find good parking, and we can enjoy crowd-free runs. By noon the ski hill is getting busy and we are ready to go home having already completed at least 6 runs.

To read more on why we love skiing at Nakiska, check out my previous story: 5 Reasons to Make Nakiska Your Local Ski Hill This Winter.

The photo below illustrates why we like to be on the hill first thing in the morning after a short drive. Count the number of people on the perfectly groomed run!

What you can expect if you get to the hill early

3. Be organized with your morning routine

Check out the wise words from Calgary ski mom, Romy below:

"What we find really helps and has become our tradition is that one person packs the car while the other gets the kids ready.  All we do is dress the kids in base layers and then we get breakfast at Tim Horton's on the way. I find it SO much faster and less frustrating because there's no time for the kids to start making messes or to take forever to eat etc."

Another ski mom, Sarah, says "I try to have everything packed so that all I have to do is put on whatever everyone is wearing in the car, grab the food bag from the fridge and leave. We lay out what we're wearing in piles. Depending on temps, we may store boots and helmets inside so they're not freezing when we arrive."

And Annika echos Sarah's words with:  "Stress free morning = prep food the night before and if possible pack up the car as much as possible. We now can wake up and get out the door after being up for only 30 minutes if we want with our two girls."

Our morning routine is always easy when we stay overnight on the ski hill

4. Try to get direct-to-lift passes for all family members

Getting a seasons pass with direct-to-lift access will always save time in the morning. If you have to buy lift tickets when you arrive you'll want to arrive extra-early to avoid long lift lines.

Calgary ski mom, Coleen, recommends getting a direct to lift Tiger Pass for kids 5 and under at RCR Resorts. The pass is $20 and allows you to skip the ticket booth each time you visit the ski hill. Otherwise, you'll have to stand in a long line to get the free kids pass.

Save time with direct-to-lift passes for the little ones (Photo: Emily Mcknight)

5. Be organized about how you handle the ski drop off process

My family's drop off system looks like this: My husband pulls into the 10 minute loading area and we take all gear, boots, helmets, and clothing out of the car.

Hauling Gear into the Lodge (photo: Jennifer Walker)

We carry the skis and poles over to the nearest ski rack, put helmets on our heads, stuff everything else into a big duffel bag (including lunch,) and then I slowly start making my way over to the day lodge with our gear while my husband goes off to find parking. He meets us in the day lodge where we are getting dressed and starting to put on our boots.

Usually my husband carries his own ski boots back with him and brings his own helmet. When he arrives at the day lodge he moves our skis and poles closer to the hill before coming inside to meet us.

A lot of families will also tell you about how important it is to bring a sled if you have young children. You can pile gear and kids into the sled as you transport everything to the day lodge. While I've never chosen this method myself, I see a lot of families doing it at ski hills and it definitely makes things easier if you have a lot of gear to bring in from the vehicle.

Eventually you get on the hill and it's all worth it!

 6. Book ski lessons for the start of the day

My most relaxed ski days have always started with lessons. When my son was just learning to ski, we would arrive at the hill by 8:30am, focus on getting him to his class with his boots and skis on, and then take care of our own gear/skis. My husband would usually still try to get out the door in his own skis as soon as my son's class would start but I'd go grab a coffee, spend half an hour relaxing, and then slowly make my way out the door to get a couple runs in before the lessons ended.

Starting the day off with ski school at Nakiska Ski Area

Organization

Organization is key if you're going to be a ski family and I love Emily's advice below.

"We keep all the extra clothes (snow pants, extra socks, hats, gloves, hot packs, etc in a roller bag we can bring into the lodge with us so once we have that in the car we are ready to go and we don't need to pack winter clothes for everyone. Also we keep a sled in our vehicle that we use for transporting skis  to lodge."

A photo of Lindy's gear room (photo: Lindy Bowler)

Like Emily, I also try to store as much gear as possible in my car, in the rafters of the garage, on storage shelves in the garage, or beside the garage door so that it's easy to leave the house quickly. Usually we can have the car packed and the family ready to go somewhere within half an hour if we're well organized. I also store all of our mittens, hats, buffs, and outdoor accessories in a large bag that sits beside the door. When we are going somewhere I just grab the bag and I know that everything is there ready for our outing.

Other parents echo the same advice on organization. Michael says he keeps all of his family's ski gear in Rubbermaid bins all in one place. He also keeps extra gloves and socks in there.

Lindy says she has a "gear room" in her basement with a bookshelf for ski boots, hooks for helmets, and a rod where they hang snow pants and jackets. "We put goggles, gloves, neck warmers in each helmet and hang up passes on a hook too."

Organization eventually gets you here - On the hill skiing!

Tips for Skiing with Kids of Different Ages

I've always had it easy because I only have one child so we just ski at his pace/ability and sometimes take turns doing family runs Vs. solo runs. And these days it's usually me doing the solo runs because I can't keep up anymore to my husband and son when they want to take off into the glades.

For those of you skiing with more than one child though, below are some tips that could be useful when dealing with different ages and abilities:

• Plan a ski day or ski vacation with friends and extended family. The bigger the village or tribe, the more adults to divide up and ski with kids of different abilities.
  
  
• Plan a ski weekend and stay at a ski in/out resort on hill. This way, when the younger child/children tire, a parent can take them back to the room (or to the hotel pool) while a second adult skis with older child/children. It even works well if you only have one child. I'll often stop skiing earlier in the afternoon with my son while my husband goes back out for a few more runs.
  
  
•  Look for resorts that offer more than skiing. We love Nakiska Ski Area in Kananaskis because of its proximity to the Village down below. On one trip this winter I was injured and couldn't ski so I dropped my boys off at the hill, and then retreated to the fireplace and coffee shop at the Delta Lodge in the village. Families with younger children or babies can also escape to the village when done skiing (and it's easy to make a trip back to the hill to pick anybody up who decided to stay longer.) Also at the village, you'll find a skating pond and sledding hill for children who finish skiing earlier than other family members. You can read more about Kananaskis Village here: Ten Reasons to Spend Time at Kananaskis Village this Winter.
  
  
• Bring toys and books. Bring a small bag of toys or some books in your ski bag for kids who finish skiing early. 

Stay on the ski hill and this is how you can end your day (Featured: Fernie Alpine Resort)

Ski mom, Lindy, recommends putting one child in a lesson while you ski with the other child. The same could be done with daycare on the hill. She also suggests dividing up so that one parent takes the older child up the chair lift while the other parent stays on the beginner hill with the younger child.

And I love Jenn's advice: "We have two little girls ages 3 and 4 and then we also have a baby.  We take the baby in the sled and take him up and down the magic carpet, pulling him around while we help the other two ski. It's lots of fun!"

Jenn with her ski girls (photo: Jenn Robinson)

Handling the Crowded Day Lodge

This is one of the biggest reasons that I love ski vacations where we stay on the hill. When we get hungry for lunch or need a break mid-day, we retreat to our cozy condo, enjoy some crowd-free down time and then return to the hill for a few more afternoon runs (or head straight to the swimming pool and hot tub instead.)

When your own private condo isn't an option for lunch, try these tips instead:

Cirque Restaurant and Bar,  Lizard Creek Lodge, Fernie

One. Stagger your lunch so that you eat at 11:00am and then return to the hill at noon (when everybody else is coming in to eat.)

Two. Arrive early when the ski hill opens, spend the morning skiing hard with few breaks, fill your pockets with snacks, and then eat lunch in the vehicle on your drive home. This is a favourite technique for us because we can easily get 6 to 7 runs completed in the morning and be off the hill by 1pm. We snack on granola bars while skiing and then eat after we leave the hill. (We bring lunch from home and just leave it in the vehicle.)

Three. Splurge and find a restaurant on the hill for lunch. An actual "sit down" restaurant (not the cafeteria in the day lodge) will always be quieter and less busy. In Fernie we like heading over to the Cirque Restaurant and Bar in the Lizard Creek Lodge where we can have lunch (or even just coffee and snacks) in front of the beautiful fireplace.

Four. Carry a backpack with you (with your packed lunch in it) and eat a mid-mountain lodge (usually less crowded.)

Five.  Eat outside if it's sunny and warm out. 

And finally, if at all possible, plan trips to the ski hill mid-week when the day lodge (and entire hill) will be deserted. Skip the crowded weekends and find a local hill that you can visit when the kids get off school at noon or have a PD day.

Enjoying lunch outside on a sunny day at the hill

Keeping Track of People on the Ski Hill

Many parents recommend carrying walkie talkies on the hill if you have kids old enough to use them. Even with younger kids, I've found myself separated from my husband and son on the hill and could have used an easy way to find them again.

Ski mom, Melinda, recommends bright clothes or safety vests to keep track of family members. (and I have to agree, there's nothing worse than trying to find somebody on the hill when they are dressed all in black or in other dark colours.)

Melinda also has some other wise advice for us below:

"Make sure the kids understand the rule (reinforce at every lift if necessary) that at every intersection they must wait for you and that you will decide together which way to go (or whatever rule you have to keep everyone together if splitting up.) Keep a whistle in your child's pocket in case they get lost in the woods and need help. Point out ski patrol people, the first aid place, and the area for lost children (or a muster point) in case you lose each other. Make sure school aged kids know how to ask for help and that they know your phone number. Finally, don't let your phone freeze by taking pictures!  Keep it for emergencies."

All good suggestions above! Communication is key so whatever you choose to do on the hill, make sure everybody in the family is on board and understands your personal system so that you stay together.

Communication is key with older kids to ensure nobody gets lost on the ski hill (photo: Karen Phillips)

Ski mom, Yvonne, also recommends labeling all equipment and writing phone numbers on ski poles (not necessarily for lost poles but for lost children.)

For more advice, check out this great story from our friends at the Kid Project Blog:

Stay Safe on the Slopes - Safety Tips for Families

Nobody's losing us with the bright red jacket and helmet

 

Downhill Skiing - as "Affordable" as Possible

We all know that downhill skiing will never be a "cheap" sport and if you're looking for something that won't break the bank, there are much better options. That being said, there are ways to make it "more" affordable and to save a few dollars here and there.

• Bring you own lunch, drinks and snacks. Most day lodges have microwaves and hot water taps for instant noodles. You can also bring your own cups and hot chocolate or coffee mix to save money on buying drinks at the hill. Many families pack a thermos with their favourite hot beverage to the hill as well and I recommend bringing your own water bottles rather than paying for water at the resort.  Finally, if you are staying in a hotel and can't make a lunch, make a quick trip to a grocery store or a Subway to pick up some sandwiches.
  
  
• Rent skis off the ski hill. You'll save up to $15 per person if you rent a ski package in Calgary before hitting the slopes. You'll also save time when you reach the hill because you won't have to wait in the long rental line. Most rental companies in Calgary also offer discounts for multi-day rentals and many places will allow you to pick up your skis the night before at no extra cost (Sports Rent for example does this and is located on 16th Ave for easy drop off on your way home from the mountains.)
  
  
• Look for discounted lift tickets. The cheapest option is to buy a seasons pass (when they go on sale in the fall) or a discount ski card (usually on sale before Christmas) for your local hill. If you didn't buy any passes or cards though, you'll want to find discounted lift tickets for the few times you head out to a ski hill.
  
  

• Costco sells lift ticket bundles for most of the major resorts in the Canadian Rockies.
  
  
• The ADmazing Savings Coupon book has coupons for 2 for 1 lift tickets for some resorts along with 50% off savings at other resorts.
  
  
• AMA has discounted ski lift tickets along with discounts on rentals and lessons for some hills.
  
  
• Many vacation rentals with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies include lift tickets. Several hotels in Banff also offer lift tickets included with your hotel room. Follow this link to see current vacation packages for RCR ski resorts.
  
  
• Purchase lift tickets 7 days in advance off the RCR website and you'll save up to 20% at Nakiska, Fernie, Kimberley, or Kicking Horse Resorts.
  
  
• Half day tickets are available at many ski resorts if you want to ski for an afternoon. Half day pricing begins at 12:30pm at Nakiska Ski Area.
  
  
• Most mountain resorts offer free foot passes for parents just helping kids in the beginner areas serviced by magic carpets. Note at Winsport's Canada Olympic Park in Calgary you'll have to pay for a foot pass but it's valid for the entire season and is pretty affordable.
  
  At Nakiska Ski Area and at Kimberley Alpine Resort, adults can ski with their children for free in the beginner area as long as you get a special pass from the ticket office.
  
  At Fernie Alpine Resort, adults can ski on the beginner platter lift, the Mighty Moose, for $18.95 + GST. Kids 17 and under are free. This lift is an excellent progression from the magic carpet and most beginners would do well spending their day learning to ski here before heading up the chair lift.
  
  And remember, kids 5 and under are free at most hills if accompanied by a paying adult on the hill.

Never "cheap" but always rewarding!

Budget-friendly Ski Vacations

I love going away for a weekend and staying right on the ski hill at Fernie or Kimberley Alpine Resort. I find it to be much more relaxing when I can pretty much ski out the door of my condo in the morning and I enjoy having a place to retreat to mid-day to avoid the crowded day lodges.

You can read about our ski vacations to these resorts here:

Family Guide to Fernie Alpine Resort

Family Guide to Kimberley Alpine Resort 

While a ski vacation is never "cheap," you can make it more affordable with these following tips:

• Consider hostelling if planning a ski weekend at Nakiska Ski Area. The HI Kananaskis Hostel is located just a few minutes away from the ski hill and has private rooms for families. Read more here at Affordable Family Ski Vacations in the Canadian Rockies. There are several other hostels located near ski hills in Banff as well.
  
  
• Rent a two or three bedroom condo or house on a ski hill and share with friends. The Fernie Lodging Company  or the Kimberley Lodging Company websites are good guides if searching for a larger property to share.
  
  
• Look for vacation specials at RCR resorts which usually include lift tickets along with your condo or hotel room.
  
  
• Book hotel rooms with Air Miles, look for Groupon deals (or similar deals from other websites,) or find discounted lodging from the school coupon book you probably have at least one of.

Slope Side Swimming Pool at Kimberley Alpine Resort

Special Tips for keeping the kids Happy

Consider this the "random list of everything else I wanted to add to this story. And thanks to all the Calgary ski moms who helped contribute to this section.

• Frequent Snacks!!!! (I learned this the hard way when my son came down with a serious case of the "hangries" a week ago on the ski hill.) Stuff your pockets with granola bars, nuts, or other snacks.
  
  
• Candy! Stuff your pockets with candy for those "difficult moments" or as rewards after a good run.
  
  
• Frequent Bathroom Breaks! (another one I've learned the hard way. And don't trust kids to tell you that they have to go. Just make an executive decision after a few runs that you're all going inside to use the bathroom.)
  
  
• Load everything you need in your pockets for random stops. (this saves you from constant trips into the day lodge)
  
  
• Ski with friends. It's always more fun.
  
  
• Good Clothing! And special items I recommend: One-piece snow suits to keep snow away from the skin when kids fall down, gloves that fit over the ski jacket (again to keep snow away from skin,) and buffs under helmets that come up to cover the child's chin, mouth, and nose if necessary

Having fun in the junior half pipe at Winsport's Canada Olympic Park

• Go early, leave early. (always my motto!) You'll get the best snow, the shortest lift lines, the best runs with the fewest number of people, and have the most success

• Pack entertainment items for the car ride home (books, a tablet with games on it, small toys...)

• Plan something to do to unwind after skiing before heading home. (If skiing at Nakiska, we like to go to the Village after for coffee at the Delta Lodge. It's a nice reward for us adults and there's plenty of room for kids to run around.)
  
  
• End the day on a high note rather than pushing for that one final run (that will always end in disaster.) Plan for short days with young kids and ski close to home so that you can leave if things just aren't going well.
  
  
• Start young kids in strap on skis that go over regular boots on the bunny hill. At this point they are just working on balance and getting a feel for the whole "ski thing."

Learning to ski with strap on skis over normal winter boots (photo: Robin Zielke)

• Get a whole box of hand and toe warmers from Costco - Melinda
  
  
• Pack extra gloves, hats, and even jackets - Yvonne
  
  
• Bring a change of clothes and extra socks for the end of the day - Melinda
  
  
• Make your ski day super special with dinner out after. Lindy says they like to go to the Banff Hot Springs after skiing in Banff and then they stop in Canmore for dinner after.
  
  
• Look for resorts that offer special "fun" features for kids, My son loves the junior half pipe at Winsport's Canada Olympic Park and LOVES the kids tree runs at Fernie and Kimberley.
  
  
• And final wisdom from Natalie: "We ski at Winsport's Canada Olympic Park and love having our local resort 15 min. from home! It's so nice to have seasons passes and to be able to go for 2-4 hrs. depending on the day. It's also great for teaching a 2 year old because if they just aren't having it, then we go another day and try again! Some days they love it and others not so much because, well, they are toddlers!"

Kids Tree runs at Fernie and Kimberley are always a highlight of our ski vacations

For more inspiration check out these great stories:


Keep Family Skiing Fun - Brave Ski Mom

Starting young! (Photo: Emily Mcknight)

Four Things Not to Do when Skiing with Kids - Liftopia


Ski School - Our Number One Way to Teach Toddlers to Ski - Bring the Kids


Skiing with Infants and Toddlers in Tow - Bring the Kids


Five Tips for Beginner Skiers and Snowboarders
- Brave Ski Mom


Ski Schooling - Teaching a Kid to Turn - Kid Project


Five Positions for Teaching Your Young Kids to Ski
- Kid Project


Teaching a Toddler to Snowboard - Born to be Adventurous


Teach your Kids to Ski - Brave Ski Mom


100 Tips for Teaching Kids to Ski - Mountain Mom and Tots

Teaching the kids to ski at Fernie (photo: Candace Truman)

 

Keep up a Good Attitude

I'll end this story with a couple good quotes and two more stories to check out.

"To all the skiers out there raising little kids on the hill, this is a huge sacrifice to one day, be able to have them out-ski you. There will be days when you don't set foot on a chair lift or even a green run, but I know this will pay off in the long run." - Yvonne

"Don't beat yourself up if you drove all the way out and you go skiing once and the rest of the day the kids just wanna play in the snow. It's about being outside and enjoying yourself, not to prepare for a race." - Melinda

It's all worth it! (photo: Andrea Binder-Lechi)

Recommended Reading:

The Tears on the Bunny Hill are an Investment in Our Future - Rain or Shine Mama

In Praise of Family Skiing - Brave Ski Mom


Parting shot below of my own little ski buddy. This was one of his first ski days at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, still skiing on the magic carpet runs and definitely not able to ride up the chair lift. He now skis runs I'm too scared to follow him down and follows his dad through the glades off the Gold Chair at Nakiska. Meanwhile, I stick to the groomers down below, content with the fact that my kid definitely out-skis me.

Start young and they'll grow up to be mighty skiers

Disclaimer: This story was not sponsored by any ski resorts and I wasn't paid to write it. I have chosen to partner with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies this winter though and have received free skiing at their resorts. As always, all opinions are my own (or belong to the ski moms quoted in this story.)