Registration

2026 registration opens december 1, 2025 on zone4.ca

Cancellation

If you need to cancel your registration, please email lltobanffloppet@gmail.com. We can offer a partial refund of $35 up until January 10, 2026.

Race Day

10am start on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 on Lake Louise

The start line is on the frozen Lake Louise in front of the Chateau Lake Louise. This is a classic technique only race. Mass start. The finish line is 42km east down the valley at Castle Junction. Please review course information here

Where is Race Package Pickup?

In the Chateau Lake Louise “Trails Room”. 8-9:50am Race package includes: race bib for you and your team (if applicable), GoChip (one per person or one per team), souvenir custom zippered sandwich bag from EcoLogo out of Quebec. Race package also includes drink tickets for the banquet.

Is there a race meeting?

Yes. Race meeting is at 9h30 in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in on the lower level of the Mount Temple wing in the Beehive Lakeshore Room. We will review any recent wildlife sightings to be aware of and course info. Give yourself plenty of time to pickup your bib and timing chips before the meeting.

Where is bib pickup?

At the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the Bee Hive room. Bib pickup is with race package pickup: 8am-9:50am. You are responsible for picking up bibs for ALL relay members and a timing chip (one per team) by 9h50. Give yourself ample time for rack package pickup and make sure one of your teammates is at the 09h30 race meeting. The bibs MUST be returned after the race to a checkpoint or finish volunteer or face a fine.

What about timing?

Timing is done with a ‘Go Chip’ from Zone4 timing. You will pickup a chip that corresponds to your team/solo bib number at bib pickup (pickup 8-9:50am in the Bee Hive room at the Chateau Lake Louise). This is a velcro chip that attaches to your wrist or ankle and takes your time as you ski over a buried cable at the various checkpoints. This timing chip is your/your team’s timer! One timing chip per person. One timing chip per team. Relay members will need to pass their chip to their teammates at the relevant exchange station (think of the timing chip as a relay baton). Please return the chip when you finish. If you end the race early, hand in your chip to the closest volunteer station. You will be charged $75 per unreturned timing chip.

What about the feed stations?

You can expect food and drink at the Lake Louise Level Railway Crossing, Baker Creek Trailhead, Castle Lookout Trailhead and the finish line at Castle Junction. There will be warm Gatorade, bars and cookies at each station. Cups are provided, however, to limit waste we recommend carrying your own drink belt, water bottle or the collapsible cup included in your 2024 registration!! The earth thanks you!

What do I do with my warm layers at the start?

Either leave it with a teammate or label it and place it in the labelled bin of your finish line at the race package pickup/race meeting in Chateau Lake Louise Bee Hive room (8-9:50am). We have clothing transport to each exchange station and to the finish line.

Are there time cutoffs?

Yes. There is one time cutoff at Baker Creek by Basecamp (end of Leg 2, approximately 30km from the start). If you do not cross through this exchange by 13h45 (3.75hrs after the start) you will be asked to hand in your bib. This helps us keep racers both racers and volunteers within a manageable distance for safety.

What do I do If i see an animal?

Slow down and give them space! 300m for large predators and 100m for grazers when possible. Proceed when safe to do so. Report to the nearest volunteer check-point. They have radios and we have event protocols designed with Parks Canada to manage properly depending on the situation. We recommend skiers carry bear spray with them. You are travelling in a wildlife corridor. Predators (bears, cougars, wolverines, wolves) and grazers (mule deer, elk, moose) frequent the area. Please travel with a cellphone and the Banff Dispatch number entered: 403-762-1470.

Report concerning wildlife sightings to Banff dispatch: 403-762-1470. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1

Is there cell service on course?

It is patchy. Cell service is most reliable near Lake Louise and Castle Junction. It is patchy the rest of the way.

What if I get lost or hurt or want to end the race early?

Review course info as best you can. If you need emergency help, try to find the closest volunteer aid station (every 10-15km) or head to the Bow Valley Parkway (the course parallels this road and is frequented by public traffic). We recommend you travel with a cell phone to try to call for help yourself, however, the cell reception is patchy! Each aid station has a radio and can call for help as necessary. If you want to end the race early, let a volunteer know and hand in your timing chip at the closest aid station!

ARe there other skiers on course?

Yes. The course is open to the public. Please be respectful. Stay to the right when possible. Faster skiers should pass on the left.

What about road crossings?

Vehicles have right of way! There are volunteers to help you cross, but use your judgment. Take your skis off on Lake Louise Drive to cross. Along the Bow Valley Parkway, you can ski over the thread of snow if there’s a volunteer shovelling snow onto the road way.

What can I expect?

This is not a world cup course nor Canmore Nordic Centre race. Expect to be blown away by great views, grassroots skiing and maybe some willows poking through the trail. There are numerous sections where folks need to take skis off to walk over road crossings. We are 100% volunteer-run and appreciate the patience!

Where do I go?

If you are Leg 1 or a soloist, you begin on the frozen Lake Louise at 10am and proceed to valley bottom. The course is marked with orange flags as best as possible. We still recommend you review the course map here. We also recommend chatting through with your teammates to know who starts where and have a transportation and timing plan.

What about the costume category?

Important! There are now solo AND team costume categories. Submit your solo/team costume name and photo to lltobanffloppet@gmail.com by 4pm on event day to be registered! Winners will be announced at the Banquet.

Weather

What is the forecast?

Variable! Overnight lows are typically around -15 in Lake Louise. Daytime highs are anywhere from -1 in Lake Louise to +3 at Castle Junction. We recommend checking the weather on different sites for the best gauge. Here’s a good starting forecast.

What wax should I use?

Classic skis are waxed with both glide and grip wax. Glide wax is ironed on and you should aim for a 0 to -15 range). Kick wax should be applied closer to the event. We recommend checking the weather the day. Expect to have the conditions warm from a cooler start in Lake Louise to the finish line at Castle Junction (anywhere from 2-6 degrees Celcius difference). ProTip: applying and ironing in a base layer of cold grip wax and corking in the night before helps the top layers bind for the day-of wax decision. Additionally, applying grip wax outdoors and allowing it to cool in the snow beforehand will help limit the amount of moisture buildup that leads to clumping in warmer conditions. Check out Trail Sports in Canmore or Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise for more waxing info.

Parking

Where do I park In Banff?

If you are taking the shuttle, we recommend parking at the Banff Train Station (this is where the shuttle leaves from). There is free 24hr parking at the Train Station or alternatively along Bow Avenue. Ensure you have a visible and valid Parks Canada pass.

Where do I park in Lake Louise?

If you are leaving your vehicle at the Chateau Lake Louise, park your vehicle (with valid Park pass) at the public Chateau Lake Louise parking lot and walk to the Chateau.

Where Do I park for the Relay starts?

Please review the course maps here. The Google pins on the map will take you to the start of each relay leg. Park in designated parking lots and not on the Bow Valley Parkway. We recommend reviewing the maps and parking areas as a team and reviewing where each vehicle and participant will be and when.

Transportation

What are the shuttle details?

The morning shuttle is provided by Discover Banff shuttle. This shuttle has 24 seats available and registration for a spot is part of the event registration. You may bring your skis and poles with you on the shuttle. The morning shuttle is one-direction to Chateau Lake Louise. A huge thanks to Roam Transit, who have added a bus shuttle stop (one direction only) from Castle Junction (finish line) back to Banff townsite (Banff High School drop off) leaving at 12:47pm, 2:52pm and final bus at 4:27pm for the afternoon return shuttle.

Morning Shuttle Pick-up Location: Banff Train Station. The bus will be parking just beside the building. Railway Avenue at Lynx Street Banff, AB

Morning Shuttle Drop-off Location: Lake Louise lakeshore parking lot (5min walk to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise)

Morning Shuttle Departure Time: 7:30am. Arrive early and give yourself enough time to settle before the 7:30am departure.

Afternoon Shuttle Pick-up Location: Castle Junction (look for marked Roam signage near Castle Mountain Chalet gas station)

Afternoon Shuttle Drop-off Location: Banff Community High School

Afternoon Shuttle Departure Time: 12:47pm, 2:52pm and final bus at 4:27pm

We encourage solo and relay members to carpool!

what about my clothing?

You can place your clothing in a labeled bag (name, phone number) at race package pickup. A lovely Loppet volunteer will deliver it to the respective checkpoint labelled on your bag. Any unclaimed items will go to the Banff Centre banquet.

Washrooms

Where are the closest washrooms?

Lake Louise: Public parking lot washrooms or Chateau Lake Louise

Lake Louise Campground: no public washrooms open at this time

Baker Creek: Parks Canada maintains the outhouses at Baker Creek trailhead.

Castle Lookout: No public washrooms

Castle Junction: Parks Canada maintains outhouses at the Rockbound Lake trailhead.

Banquet

Sounds fun! Where, what time?

Join us for a social and fun awards banquet full of draw prizes, appetizers and you will receive one free Wild Life Distillery beverage at the The Rundlestone Lodge in the restaurant space. 5-7pm on Saturday, January 17th, 2026. The banquet is always a great way to share your Loppet journey, hear some stories, often leave with great prizes and hopefully connect with a new or familiar face.

Will there be food there?

Yes. Light snacks (e.g. bread rolls, cheese, cold cuts and fruit). Don’t count on it to fill you up - but do count on it being worth your while!

What about Drinks?

Yes! One delicious and refreshing Wild Life Distillery canned cocktail is included in your entry or volunteering role.

Prizes?

Of course. We have a large list of GREAT SPONSORS! Think: overnight accommodation at the Chateau Lake Louise and outdoor gear to keep you kitted! You must be present to win.

Souvenir

Pickup your awesome souvenir at race package pickup (8h00-9h50 in the Saddleback room, Chateau Lake Louise).

Additional

Questions can be sent to Heidi Widmer at lltobanffloppet@gmail.com