Fairview Loop XC Ski Trail

The Fairview cross-country ski trail is a wonderful trail, with great views, a fun meandering course, and for some reason very few people. Being at a high elevation also means the snow is often the best in the area.

You can do the Fairview XC ski trail starting at one of two points. We like to start in the parking lot and walk down to the left of Chateau Lake Louise, and take trail #4, a blue trail, that eventually connects with Trail #2, Fairview. This route has some up and down, but allows us to ski down and have a look at Lake Louise at the start.

You can also start at the back of the lower Lake Louise parking lot if you want an easier xc ski trip, as it avoids the climb and descent at the start from the other starting point. We show this as the end point on the map for this route.

To ski the blue trail at the start, start at the winter washroom in the Lake Louise parking lot and walk towards Lake Louise. Once near Lake Louise, head to the left, in the direction of the Canoe Cabin. This will be a different direction then you are used to, as you probably follow the trails to the right towards the Chateau.

Follow the signed trail #4. We like to head down and check out the view over Lake Louise from the Canoe Cabin, and then return and follow the track set xc ski trail as it goes around the upper Lake Louise Parking lot. At the end of the upper parking lot the trail goes left and heads down, connecting with the trail that comes in from the end of the lower parking lot (Look at the map if this doesn’t make sense).

Once on the Green #2 Fairview trail the skiing is incredible. This is usually a great, track-set xc ski trail, meandering through the trees with big views across the valley to your left or up at Mt Fairview, Saddleback Mountain and eventually Mount Temple on your right.

The route is fairly flat, though slightly uphill on the way out. So, you may find your skis aren’t gliding that well on the way out.

Eventually you reach a point where the green circle #2 Fairview route turns into a blue square at the base of a hill. This change in route colour and shape signifies a more challenging ski ahead. We like to continue to the top of this hill, as it makes for a fun return. For beginners it may be worthwhile to turn around at the base of the hill if you don’t like descending yet.

Once at the top of the hill, you have the choice of returning the way you came (as we show on the map) or skiing down the hill to connect with the cross-country ski trail on Moraine Lake, which makes an excellent day out. The descent to Moraine Lake Road is not suitable for novices.

We love the views going back on Fairview, so it’s a worthwhile ski to retrace your ski tracks back to Lake Louise.