If you’ve heard of Banff or Lake Louise, you probably know about Moraine Lake – one of the most famous lakes in the park, with its stunning turquoise water and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. But here’s something most people don’t get to experience: Moraine Lake skiing in the winter. Once the snow starts falling, Moraine Lake Road shuts down to vehicles because of avalanche risk, and the only way in is by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
In summer, it’s a completely different story – no private cars are allowed, and everyone has to take a Parks Canada shuttle or book a tour. But winter? That’s when you get the place to yourself. No crowds, no noise, just you, the snow, and the mountains. If you want to truly experience Moraine Lake in peace, skiing in is the way to do it!
Moraine Lake Skiing
Overview
- Location: Moraine Lake Road, Banff National Park, starting near Lake Louise.
- Distance: About 10 km one way from the parking lot to the lake, though the ski route typically stops short due to avalanche risk.
- Road Closure: Mid-October to late May.
- Best Skiing Season: Mid-November to April.
- Trail Details: Moraine Lake Road is double trackset with a skating lane and has an elevation gain of 230 meters over a 17.8 km return distance.
- Trail conditions: Parks Canada’s trail report
How to Get to Moraine Lake
Summer Access
From June 1 to mid-October, private cars are not allowed on Moraine Lake Road. Visitors must book a shuttle through Parks Canada or a private tour company. Private tour shuttles are more flexible with their schedules, making them a better option for photographers who want to catch sunrise or sunset – but they do cost more.
Winter Access
In winter, Moraine Lake Road is closed to vehicles, but Moraine Lake skiing is still possible for cross-country skiers and snowshoers:
- Drive to the trailhead: From Lake Louise Village, drive about 2 km along the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) and park at the Moraine Lake Road entrance. There’s a small parking lot with space for about 10 cars and a basic pit toilet.
- Ski or snowshoe in: Parks Canada grooms the road for skiing, maintaining both classic and skate-skiing tracks.
Our Moraine Lake Skiing Experience
It was a Tuesday March 11th, when my son Kevin and I set off from Cochrane. We arrived at the parking lot around noon. The lot is small, fitting about 10-12 cars, and when we got there, it was almost full – luckily, we snagged a spot! We saw a couple overflow cars were parked along Lake Louise Drive.
We noticed three cars unloading snowshoes, and a group of girls gearing up with ski touring equipment. This made us wonder – was there a ski touring route here?
There’s a pit toilet at the parking area, and thankfully, Parks Canada clears a path to it when they plow the parking lot.
Hitting the Trail
The ski tracks were in great condition – someone in a Facebook group had mentioned that the grooming was done just before a big weekend snowfall. It seems to me that Parks Canada doesn’t groom as frequently as Alberta Parks, but the fresh snow still made for a smooth glide, even if it was a bit slow.
Not long after starting, we met two older women on ski touring gear. Curious, we asked them where they were headed. Turns out, they were just training for an upcoming multi-day ski trip to Skoki Lodge!
Moraine Lake Skiing Route
The first part of the trail is a gentle, continuous uphill climb. It doesn’t take long to start sweating! The journey was incredibly peaceful – just vast snow, towering spruce forests, and almost no human sounds except for the friction of ski poles against snow. Occasionally on the left side, there were lookout spots with views of distant mountains.
Around the 4 km mark, we could see some peaks of the Valley of the Ten Peaks – a stunning view. Unfortunately, it was mostly cloudy that day, so the distant mountains appeared and disappeared.
When we reached the turnaround point, we took off our skis to take photos before heading back. Signs warned that avalanche training and equipment were needed to continue to the lake. My son mentioned the avalanche risk was “high” that day, and since I had no experience or equipment, we decided not to proceed further. From the tracks in the snow, it was clear some skiers had continued.
The Return Trip of Moraine Lake Skiing
The way back is mostly gentle downhill, but fresh snow slowed us down I didn’t pick up much speed or get the thrill of a fast descent. On our return, we ran into the group of ski touring girls we had seen at the parking lot. who told us they had brought the wrong equipment – heavy downhill ski boots. There aren’t really any mountain skiing routes here, just gentle slopes, so their gear was making things difficult for them.
We tracked our trip on AllTrails: our total skiing time was 3 hours 20 minutes. Plus extra for waxing our skis, taking photos, and snack breaks, the whole trip took 3 hours 50 minutes.
Avalanche Risk & Safety Tips
Moraine Lake Road crosses several avalanche paths, so Parks Canada only grooms the safe sections. Skiers should be aware of:
- The 500-meter warning sign: This marks the start of avalanche terrain. Only those with avalanche safety training and equipment should continue.
- Avalanche season: November to late April is peak avalanche season in this area.
- Safety guidelines:
- Stay on groomed trails.
- Carry basic first aid and enough water.
- Check avalanche forecast before heading out.
- If entering avalanche terrain, bring a beacon, probe, and shovel—and know how to use them!
- Avalanche training: I compared two local companies specializing in outdoor activities, both offering Avalanche AST1 training (affiliate link). Among them, 10Adventures offers the best value for money. The two-day course is typically scheduled on weekends. They also organize ski touring and ice climbing trips.
Is Moraine Lake Skiing for You?
Wondering if you can handle skiing on Moraine Lake Road? Here’s who it’s best for:
- Beginners: The route is smooth and mostly gradual, making it a great challenge for fit beginners.
- Intermediate skiers: A solid workout with rewarding views.
- Endurance training: If you want a longer route, you can connect this trail with the Lake Louise cross-country ski tracks.
Extra Tips for Moraine Lake Skiing
- Gear rentals: Cross-country skis can be rented in Lake Louise Village or in Banff town.
- Best time to go: Mornings can be very cold, so starting after 10 AM is ideal.
- What to bring:
- Warm, windproof clothing, gloves, and sunglasses.
- Sunscreen.
- High-energy snacks like chocolate or granola bars.
- A thermos with hot tea or coffee.
Post-Ski Treat: Trailhead Café
After skiing, we stopped by Trailhead Café for a well-earned meal. Their Classic Reuben Sandwich was absolutely delicious!
Moraine Lake skiing in winter is a unique experience to us. Without the summer crowds, you get to enjoy the quiet beauty of the Rockies all to yourself.
If you’re interested in cross-country skiing in the Banff area, besides Moraine Lake Road, you might also want to try:
