In this section, we try to answer some of the common questions about Banff-Lake Louise. If there’s anything we haven’t covered, please contact us for an answer.

• What is the average temperature here?
• How far is it to drive here?
• How long does it take to fly here?
• Do I have to pay to enter the National Park?
• You’re always talking about your snow being the lightest and driest’. How is it any different to anywhere else?

What is the average temperature here?

Approximate 30-Year Banff Daytime Average*
	Fahrenheit	Celsius
November	33 degrees F	+ 1 degrees C
December	24 degrees F	- 5 degrees C
January	21 degrees F	- 7 degrees C
February	31 degrees F	- 1 degrees C
March	37 degrees F	+ 3 degrees C
April	46 degrees F	+ 8 degrees C
May	57 degrees F	+ 14 degrees C

*Banff Weather Station

How far is it to drive here?

Driving Distances
CITY/TOWN	DISTANCE
Calgary to Canmore	103 km (64 miles)
Canmore to Banff	24 km (15 miles)
Calgary to Banff	126 km (78 miles)
Banff to Lake Louise	59 km (37 miles)
Lake Louise to Jasper	233 km (145 miles)
Calgary to Jasper	416 km (258 miles)
Banff to Jasper	292 km (181 miles)
Edmonton to Jasper	329 km (204 miles)

How long does it take to fly here?

Approximate Non-Stop Flying Times to Calgary International Aiport (in hours)
CITY/TOWN	TIME
Chicago, IL	4.0 Hours
Dallas, TX	3.75 Hours
Denver, CO	2.0 Hours
Los Angeles, CA	3.0
Newark, NJ	4.5 Hours
Seattle, WA	1.5 Hours
Orlando, FL	5.5 Hours
Montreal, Quebec	4.5 Hours
Ottawa, Ontario	4.25 Hours
Toronto, Ontario	4.0 Hours
Vancouver, B.C.	1.0 Hour
Winnipeg, Manitoba	2.0 Hours
Sydney, Australia	18.0 Hours
London, England	8.5 Hours
Manchester, England	8.5 Hours
Tokyo, Japan	12.0 Hours
Mexico City, Mexico	5.5 Hours

Do I have to pay to enter the National Park?

If you plan to drive into Banff National Park you are required to pay a user fee (as with most national parks and national historic sites). Most of the money raised through admission fees remains in the particular park or site where it is collected. This means that every time you visit a park or site, you’re investing in its future and in a legacy for future generations.

• $9.80 CDN per day for an Adult (annual $67.70 CDN)
• $19.60 CDN per day per group/family (annual $136.40 CDN) (up to 7 people)
• Anyone using their own or a rental vehicle should be prepared to pay this fee

You’re always talking about your snow being the lightest and driest’. How is it any different to anywhere else?

There’s science in this snow. The light, dry snow that falls in the Canadian Rockies is known around the world. The winter in this region is long and the density of the water in the snow is lower compared to other winter destinations around the world. The dry climate means comfortable conditions for skiers, producing the region’s famous light, dry powder.

These consistent winter temperatures provide dry natural powder which fills The Lake Louise Ski Area’s back bowls. On the sunny south slopes, one of the world’s most sophisticated and comprehensive snowmaking systems facilitates optimal conditions throughout the season.

As a result of the reliable conditions, Lake Louise is the permanent official “Winterstart” venue for the World Cup, hosting both Men’s and Ladies’ speed events every year in November and early December, and, routinely, is the home of the Canadian Powder 8 Championships in March.

The World Cup at Lake Louise has only once not been able to run—and, astonishingly, despite that the races here are so early season, this was because of too much snow, not too little.

Sunshine Village’s location on top of the continental divide provides the resort with an average of over nine metres (30 feet) of snow annually, which reduces the need for snowmaking to next to nothing.

For safety reasons, Sunshine Village operates two snow guns for the lower ski-out and the ski and snowboard school beginner areas, at the beginning of the season. Once a base is developed, the snowmakers are turned off for the remainder of the season.

Instead, Sunshine Village’s trail crew strings more than 30 kilometres of snow-fencing. Placed perpendicular to the prevailing winds, the fencing captures snow and builds the base without the need for artificial means.

Mt. Norquay is also a consistently snow-sure choice. In 2009 it was the first mountain resort in Western Canada to open, launching the season on October 31. Year after year Mt. Norquay hosts ski racing teams from across the world as they begin early-season training.