parkscanada.gc.ca Winter, the season to play in... Welcome to winter in Banff National Park, MAP C Canada’s first national park. Whether you’re Rockbound BANFF Lake BOW VALLEY AREA NATIONAL PARK here for a family adventure or a relaxing getaway, there’s no better way to experience Tower Lake WWINTERINTER TTRAILSRAILS the Lake Louise area’s pristine mountain landscape than on foot. Lace up your boots, Baker Creek Chalets Castle Mountain wax up your skis, strap on a pair of snowshoes 2766 m GUIDE 9076’ and enjoy one of our many winter trails. 12 Lake Louise 1A Castle Mountain Lookout Castle 13 Junction RIVER 1A BOW 19 Banff Smith Lake LAKE LOUISE 93 AREA 0 5 Également offert en français Kilometres Miles Taylor 0 3 Lake Radium Hot Springs Cross-Country Ski Trails Season Although snow can fall at any time of the year in Cross-country ski trails are groomed regularly, border at km 7. From here, you can continue into Trails on the Bow Valley Parkway Banff National Park, optimal skiing and snowshoeing especially after a fresh snowfall. Trails are classified Yoho National Park another 3.5 km (grooming runs from mid-November to early April. Lower as novice, easy, more difficult or most difficult based irregular) to the Lake O'Hara parking lot. elevations in the park may be available for hiking 12 Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground 13 Castle Junction (map C above): on the nature of the terrain and width of the trail. year-round. Please look at the map legend for trail difficulty ratings 7 7 Peyto (map A): (map C above): 8.7 km of trails, 20 m elevation gain 2.2 km one way, 45 m elevation loss as some trails contain sections of varying levels of 3.5 km one way, no elevation gain Single trackset Trail Report Double trackset difficulty. Actual difficulty can vary day-to-day Single trackset You can park for these trails (labelled #1, #2 & #3 Get the latest information on trail conditions by This trail has a tricky starting point, off the small depending on snow conditions. This trail (labelled “#2" on-site) runs parallel to the on-site) either near the hostel, or at the Rockbound checking trail reports online access road to the Brewster Stables behind Deer parkway, and starts across the road from the Baker Lake or Castle Lookout trailheads. Detailed maps are (www.pc.gc.ca/banfftrails) and at park information Lodge, but it offers a more gentle downhill to the Trails in Lake Louise Creek Chalets. available at Castle Mountain Village or the hostel. centres. The report is updated as conditions change Great Divide and Lower Telemark trails than trail #5. and trails are rated for their overall condition; cross 1 1 Moraine Lake Road (map A ): 8 Lower Telemark (map A): Hiking & Snowshoeing Trails country ski trails include a grooming report. 15.6 km return, 250 m elevation gain 4.0 km one way, 110 m elevation loss Double trackset with skating lane Trail Etiquette Double trackset Most of the hiking and snowshoeing trails outlined Climbing steadily, this trail includes both gently rolling MODERATE TRAILS • Skiers going downhill have the right of way Park at Great Divide trailhead, ski 700 metres, and in this guide follow summer hiking trails. They are and hilly stretches. Tracksetting ends at a viewpoint of 17 "Highline" Trail to Paradise Creek (map A): turn right at the #8 trail sign. After 4.0 km of twists not groomed or maintained during the winter • Keep to the right when meeting oncoming skiers Consolation Valley and the Ten Peaks. Beyond the 9 km return, 60 m elevation gain and turns, exit back onto the Great Divide trail, and season and may be slippery. • When resting or visiting, move off the trail viewpoint, the road crosses large avalanche paths. turn left to return to your vehicle. An excellent snowshoeing option. The trailhead is • When passing say “Track Please” and pass on left Weather can change quickly and dramatically in the same as Fairview Lookout, but at the Lookout side 2 2 Fairview (map A): 9 9 Bow River Loop (map A ): Banff National Park. Be prepared to adjust your turnoff, continue for another 40 metres on the main • Do not walk or snowshoe on ski tracks, travel 4.6 km one way, 60 m elevation gain 6.6 km or shorter versions of loop, no elevation gain activity based on current conditions. As a general trail, then turn left when you see the horse trail sign. Single Trackset Single trackset rule, if there is fresh snow, conditions may be better Avalanche risk: rated as Simple Class 1 terrain – at beside them A beautiful trail, the Fairview runs through sections of Mostly flat, following the river. To start, park near suited for snowshoeing; if the snow is old and km 1 the trail crosses the runout zone of an avalanche • Please respect pet restrictions open clearings and snow-draped woods. It’s also the Station Restaurant or just past the campground well-travelled, it may be better for hiking. path which rarely runs. • Pack out all garbage possible to make a 7.5 km loop (160 m total elevation kiosk, or use the connecting trail from the Post Hotel If you’re looking for trails not in this guide, consult Mirror Lake via Lake Agnes hiking trail Wildlife gain) using the Fairview trail, the Moraine Lake Road or the Samson Mall. with Parks Canada information centres for more trip 18 (map A): 5.4 km return, 295 m elevation gain and the Tramline trail: the recommended direction is planning assistance. Winter offers a unique glimpse at counter-clockwise. 10 Campground Loop (map A): From the Chateau Lake Louise, follow the main Lake wildlife as prints in the snow 2.2 km outer loop, 15 m elevation gain Agnes trail. reveal the story of their 3 Tramline (map A): Trails near Lake Louise Rob Moss Double trackset with skating lane Avalanche risk: Beyond Mirror Lake, the trail to movements. Learn how to 4.8 km one way, 195 m elevation gain This trail loops around and through the campground Lake Agnes is rated as Challenging Class 2 terrain for identify a few tracks and Double trackset Hiking Snowshoeing on gentle terrain. For access, park just past the avalanche exposure, and travel is not recommended. find out whose habitat This trail runs from valley bottom to Lake Louise at a campground kiosk. EASY TRAILS you’re sharing. It’s a steady 3% rise, following the old grade of the tramline DIFFICULT TRAILS 14 challenge for wildlife to that once connected the train station and the Chateau 11 Townsite (map A): Lake Louise Lakeshore (map A): 19 Taylor Lake (map C above): 0.7 km one way, no elevation gain 4 km return, no elevation gain survive through a Rocky Mountain winter, but you Lake Louise. 12.6 km return, 585 m elevation gain Double trackset Starting in front of the Chateau Lake Louise, this can help make it easier. Give wildlife lots of space and This challenging trail ends in a scenic hanging valley 4 4 4 Lake Louise Loop (map A): This short trail provides access to the northwest end trail features classic views and at lake’s end, a 100 m resist the urge to approach. Observe animals from a below Mount Bell. Start at the parking lot 18 km east 4.1 km loop, 15 m elevation gain of Village Road, near all the village hotels. tall frozen waterfall. distance with binoculars or a telephoto lens. of Lake Louise or 8 km west of Castle Junction on the Double trackset Dogs This loop features a wide open ski across frozen Lake 20 Pipestone Loop (map A): 15 Fairview Lookout (map A): Trans-Canada Highway. Louise, followed by a fun “up & down” trip back 13.3 km loop, 190 m elevation gain 2 km return, 100 m elevation gain Warning: Connecting trails to O'Brien Lake or Dogs on leash are permitted in the park – just not through the woods -- just 100 metres uphill from the Single trackset This steep trail ends at a viewpoint overlooking Panorama Ridge take you into avalanche terrain. everywhere. Dogs are not allowed on the following lakeshore walking path. Use the Fairview – Lake Louise Watch for the occasional tight corner and be cautious historic Chateau Lake Louise. Start by facing the groomed ski trails: (1) Moraine Lake Road, Connector trail to ski directly from the parking lot onto on the hills. The recommended direction for the outer Lake at the World Heritage Site rock. Look left and Trails in Bow Summit Area on Icefields (2) Fairview, (3) Tramline, (5) Upper Telemark, (6) the lake. Tracksetting ends at the back of the lake, as the loop is counterclockwise. follow the trail signs for Fairview Lookout. Parkway #93N Great Divide, (7) Peyto and (8) Lower Telemark. Warning: trail up the valley crosses large avalanche paths. return via the same path; the loop option Dogs can also add stress to wildlife; just the sight of 21 Hector (map A): is not safe in the winter due to avalanches. EASY TRAILS a dog can remind some animals of predators 5 5 5 Upper Telemark (map A): 3.0 km one way, 95 m elevation gain like wolves and coyotes. Keep your dog 1.4 km one way, 65 m elevation loss Single trackset 16 Louise Creek (map A): 24 Peyto Lake viewpoint (map B): on a leash at all times and restrain Double trackset This trail features good views at both a major fire 5.6 km return, 195 m elevation gain 1.5 km return, 25 m elevation gain it from chasing wildlife.