mark your calendar:

Saturday, January 20, 2024

(backup date January 27, 2024)

Course Description

OVERVIEW

• The Lake Louise to(wards) Banff Loppet starts at 0900h on Saturday, January 20th, 2024

• Start line is on the frozen Lake Louise

• Finish line is at Castle Junction (NOT Sawback Day Use area)

• This event is approximately a 46km

• This event is semi-wilderness. Expect twigs, willows, small stones.

• Please note the IMPORTANT changes to Leg 1 and Leg 2 below

• Generally speaking, the Loppet begins on Lake Louise and proceeds to valley bottom via the Telemark, Great Divide and Tramline trails. It crosses over the Bow River, the CP Rail, under the Trans Canada Highway east of Lake Louise and proceeds east, paralleling the Bow Valley Parkway until Castle Junction. It is a stunning journey for all souls (soles?)!

• The course is comprised of Parks Canada and volunteer-groomed ski trails

• There is one time cutoff at 12:45am at Baker Creek (3.75hrs after the start)

• The event can be completed solo or in a groups of 2-4 people

• This event is a classic technique style only

Leg 1 of 4 [20km]

• Start on Lake Louise (9am). Finish at Lake Louise railway crossing (in Lake Louise Campground)

• Marked in red line on the map above

• 2 road crossings

• 2 foot bridge crossings

The Loppet starts on the iconic Lake Louise in front of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The trail proceeds along the Upper Telemark (NOT the Tramline) groomed by Parks Canada. After descending from Lake Louise, the course links onto the 1A Great Divide trail. The course takes a hard left hand turn onto the 1A, proceeds west towards the AB/BC Border for 3 kilometres, turns 180 (marked by flagging) and returns back to the 1A Great Divid Parking Lot. There will be a feed station and volunteers in the Great Divide parking lot. From the 1A Great Divide Parking lot, skiers traverse the parking lot and connect onto the Lake Louise Creek trail for 700m. Proceed with caution! This is a sustained descent and there may be snowshoers on the trail! Trails remain open to the public. The course takes a tight left hand turn and connects to the Tramline trail. Course proceeds to valley bottom and east towards the a checkpoint at the Lake Louise Campground.

Leg 2 of 4 [10km]

• Lake Louise railway crossing (in Lake Louise Campground) to Baker Creek

• Run/walk over Morant’s Curve

• Finish at Baker Creek Trailhead (cross street at Baker Creek Chalets)

Leg 2 starts at the Lake Louise public railway crossing. You can drive close to the start through the Lake Louise Campground. There is a striped black and yellow gate; go left here to access start. We recommend parking along the campground roadway. Walk to the start. The exchange is on the north (far side) of the railway crossing. There will be volunteers at the railway crossing helping with parking, food, drink etc. This leg travels under the TransCanada Highway and up onto the iconic Morant’s Curve; skiers will need to run/walk this section until the xc ski trail begins again! You parallel a long stretch beside the railway and finish across the street at the Baker Creek Trailhead (not the Chalets!). Despite the stunning scenery, you must make it to the Baker Creek exchange by 12:45pm in order to proceed!

Leg 3 of 4 [10 km]

• Baker Creek to Castle Lookout

• 1 road crossing Protection Mountain campground

• Time cutoff at 12:45pm at Baker Creek (3.75hrs after the start). The only course time cutoff.

The exchange station is the Castle Lookout trailhead. Leg 3 continues along the Bow Valley Parkway (1A) and is the quintessential route :) Nice views of Pilot Mountain and you’re on the original Parkway route! Follow trail across one road crossing to Castle Lookout trailhead. If you do not make it to the start of this exchange by 12:45am, you will be asked to forfeit your bib.

Leg 4 of 4 [6km]

• Castle Lookout to Castle Junction (finish)

  Start at Castle Lookout. Continue travelling east on behalf of your team for the haul home! No road crossings on this leg.