Lake Louise snowed into the history books

It was the Tuesday afternoon snowfall warning issued by Environment Canada that confirmed it for me. Mid-afternoon, I'd decided to jump in the rig and hit it—and within 45 mins I was on the road. 

A couple hours later, driving through a freak precipitation event near Revelstoke, it was plus four and pouring rain at 6pm. That left me questioning my call to drop everything. 

But by the time I pulled into the lot at the Lake Louise Inn, any of my fears were quickly put to rest.

Lake Louise's ski season has started with some serious vigour through December, now smashing a record for most snowfall by mid-December. 

To top it off, Richardson Ridge made its debut on Dec 17, timed with this major snow storm-three months ahead of schedule! Home to a great array of beginner to intermediate terrain, it's giving even more options to now head to Lake Louise's backside. 

The results of these record-breaking conditions were extremely obvious moving through the day, which felt more like a time warp.

It's only Dec 18 and already Lake Louise is eyeing 10-year records for total snowfall to date and the month of December. 

Let's break it down.

Second deepest snow in 10 years... so far!

• The Lake is just 5cm away from breaking the 10-year record for December snowfall (for any year in the past decade)
• Only 40cm more to break the 10-year year-to-date snowfall record
• New Richardson's Ridge area opened 3 months ahead of schedule

Historic? No doubt. And with almost two weeks to go, keep an eye on those records.

Winds on the frontside were bracing in the morning, a result of the Alberta clipper passing through—however when you dropped into the backside, you were met with clouds to surf on. The white bottomless GOLD that gives you the feeling of flying! 

Winds closed down the backside later morning, only for it to reopen mid-afternoon.

Dropping into Whitehorn 1, as this video clips speaks to, was met with way better visibility and the sounds of the mountains alive with the hooting, hollering and cowbells you might associate with a rock concert!

Post a day that went from 9 to 4:30 in a heartbeat, I was at the Powder Keg Lounge for après, onsite at Lake Louise, where I met Jeff and Jenny. Both from the States, both who also made the call to visit the Lake with only a few day's notice. 

"I followed this system, and wow, did it turn out to be the right call, one of my all-time days on skis, ever," said Jeff Narrows of San Francisco, over a Banded Peak Pilsner.

Spontaneity is not dead, your challenge is laid to call in "well" the next storm cycle, drop everything and head to the hills. Ullr appreciates it and the payoff is HUGE. 

When you go 

Chasing POW means your rig needs to be in top shape. Your ski or ride adventure does not need any unexpected surprises when you are in the middle of a blizzard. 

Getting there (safely)

Make sure to have bomber snow tires and a membership to BCAA or AMA. 

Where to stay 

Lake Louise Inn offers up comfort and the option for some active recovery, in the middle of winter in a pool that just works so well.

Where to eat, play and apres

Should you really send it at the Explorer's Lounge (on site at the Lake Louise Inn), or in the Lake Louise Bar & Grill, a stop in the morning at the Trailhead Café for a Cure Breakfast wrap might just be in order. 

Gear up at Wilson's Mountain Sports right in Sampson's Mall, Lake Louise. 

Eat at Bill Peyto's within the Alpine Hostel Lake Louise for a local vibe that won't break the bank. 

Immerse in history with an overnight ski adventure into Skoki Lodge.

Get social 

Let us know what you discover, include @snowseekers in your posts so we might be able to share your story on our channels!