Explore Locke's Resorts: Lake Louise, Alb.

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ake Louise has ranked as high as No. 4 in North America in SKI Magazine’s annual reader survey and has been rated No. 1 for Scenery and No. 6 for Value. The best game plan when skiing Lake Louise is to “follow the sun,” because the terrain stretches for 11 square miles and is sprawled over four mountain faces. There is something for everyone at this 3,250-vertical-foot area. Novices have top-to-bottom slow-skiing zones and intermediates have lots of long cruising trails. Steep, above-treeline faces and densely treed glades attract expert skiers. Experienced backcountry skiers can head out of bounds here. The federal government won’t allow lodging at the base of this area, located in Banff National Park, so skiers tend to stay in the tiny hamlet of Lake Louise or in the colorful town of Banff 35 miles east.

Insider Tip Explore the powder stashes on Brown Shirt and in Ptarmigan Glades. Start the day with a $3.50 all-you-can-eat breakfast at Whiskeyjack.

Great Deal Six nights’ lodging and five days’ lifts at Deer Lodge in Lake Louise for $338 during Feb. 1-April 12.

Vital Stats Skiable acres: 4,200; number of lifts: 11; vertical rise: 3,250 feet; average annual snowfall: 200 inches; lift ticket price: $36.

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