Skiing Banff or Lake Louise?

[GreigR]

Hi,

I've started planning our ski trip for Feb next year, I know they are fairly close to eachother but where should we stay, Fairmont Banff or Lake Louise?

Thanks

[chrisj_abz]

id stay in Banff, theres not much else to do at Lake Louise so its better off being in town, loads of shuttle buses run to lake louise and sunshine all day.

[Gnits]

Yeah go for Banff, stay there and then if you like you can have a look around Louise (as it were!) for an hour or so.
I stayed at the Ptarmigan three or four times and can recommend it.
Would like to try out the Banff Springs at some point though.

[mcgus]

I'd stay 2/3rds of the time in Banff and then go and luxuriate in the Hotel Post in Lake Louise (much nicer than the Chateau!).

[fatboy b]

chrisj_abz said:

id stay in Banff, theres not much else to do at Lake Louise so its better off being in town, loads of shuttle buses run to lake louise and sunshine all day.

I'd agree with this. Lake Louise is beautiful, but night life is limited.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

banff, then you get all the nightlife and the buses are regular to sunshine and LL anyway.

minus 45 when I was there last...brrrr

[Don]

Definitely Banff.

If you ever go to the area outside of ski season the Lake Moraine Lodge is fantastic - but closed in winter as the access road becomes impassable, apparently.

Nightlife. Banff. Hmmmmmn.

Some nice restaurants IIRC...

[Silver993tt]

Try and get a day trip to Kicking Horse. We did that from Banff a couple of years ago, very nice.

[Pvapour]

Banff definately, Fairmont is good with a good Spa & gym, town is 3/4 mile walk which can be a pain with shopping on the way back, taxis a plenty though, springs & waterfalls are worth a visit as are the skidoo trips a little out of town.

If you decide on dog sledding, its far better at Bannf (or just outside) than at Lake lousie, plus we adorn the cover of their brochure so you can say hi

LL is a good day trip and lunch at the fairmont is quite romantic, a walk across the lake is fun plus you can ice skate there (at christmas anyway)

[Puggit]

Definitely Banff

[Fidgits]

yep, stay in Banff...

you can go skiing in either Sunshine and Lake Louise, the former is much better if the snowfall is lacking.

But theres nothing to do in Lake Louise, whereas Banff has loads, regardless of your tastes..

Oh, and thanks for the opportunity to post some pics from my last visit in January (3rd time ive been)..

Powder on Sunshine..



top of the world..



more powder..



dont you hate it when the runs get busy..

[rah1888]

Another vote for Banff here.

Didn't stay in Banff, but at at a friends place in Canmore nearby, but ate at the Fairmont a couple of times, looked good to me!

[Fidgits]

noooooooooo...

Salt Lik...

and personally, i dont rate the Fairmont, big faceless buildings where your just a number... stay somewhere like the Caribou Lodge, get a suite for half the price and you'll have a much better experience!