mark your calendar:

Sunday, January 19, 2025

(backup date January 26, 2025)

Course Description

OVERVIEW

• The Lake Louise to(wards) Banff Loppet starts at 0900h on Sunday, January 19th, 2025

• 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 Tramline trail. It crosses over the Bow River, through LL Campground, over 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 trails maintained by Parks Canada, Baker Creek by Basecamp, Castle Mountain Chalets and Loppet 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]

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

• New: descend the Tramline Trail, hard right hand turn, out and back on Moraine Lake Road (2.25km each way, 4.5km total)

• 2 road crossings on LL Drive

• Finish at LL railway crossing

The Loppet starts on the iconic Lake Louise in front of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The trail proceeds behind the Lake Louise public parking lot then takes a hard right hand turn to link onto the Tramline trail groomed by Parks Canada. After descending along the Tramline, the course takes a sharp right hand turn onto Moraine Lake Road. The course proceeds along the right hand side of Moraine Lake Road for a gradual climb of 2.25km until the Paradise Creek Parking Lot turnaround point. Skiers will turnaround here (marked by orange flags and a stationed volunteer, no feed station here) to return the same 2.25km; this time its a gradual downhill. Then, the course takes a hard right hand turn to link back onto the Tramline trail. Skiers continue downhill to the first road crossing. Skiers must take their skis off and cross when safe to do so. There will be no snow shovelled onto the road, volunteers are there to help you cross but vehicles maintain the right of way.

Once over the road crossing, skiers descend further on a new section of Parks Canada trail to the lower Lake Louise Drive road crossing. Again, skiers must take their skis off and cross when safe to do so. There won’t be any snow shovelled onto the road here. Skiers then parallel the Bow River to a footbridge, cross into the Lake Louise Campground and meet the first exchange/checkpoint at the Level Rail Xing. If you are skiing Leg 1, you exchange your timing chip to Leg 2 here.

Leg 2 of 4 [10km]

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

• Run/walk/ski in ditch over Morant’s Curve

• Cross over the Parkway at Baker Creek Chalets

• 12:45pm cutoff at Baker Creek Chalets (3.75hrs after start)

• Finish at Baker Creek Trailhead

Leg 2 starts at the Lake Louise level railway crossing. You can drive close to the start through the Lake Louise Campground, please park on Campground roadway to avoid congestion near railway crossing. There is a striped black and yellow gate; go left here to access start. The exchange station is on the Lake Louise campground side of the railway. If you’re only skiing Leg 1, do not cross the tracks until you exchange your timing chip. There will be volunteers at the railway crossing helping with parking, food, drink etc. After crossing the railway tracks, the course travels under the TransCanada Highway and up onto the iconic Morant’s Curve. Depending on the snow year and grooming ability, skiers may need to run/walk this section until the xc ski trail begins again! After cresting Morant’s Curve, you parallel a long stretch beside the railway and finish across the Parkway 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 Day Use Area to Castle Lookout Trailhead

• 2 road crossings (Protection Mountain campground and Castle Lookout)

Leg 3 is arguably the best combo of approachable terrain and beautiful scenery. This leg starts at Baker Creek Lot and proceeds towards Protection Mountain Campground. For those waiting for their teammates, the Baker Creek Day Use is a good place to station yourselves. There is parking lot parking and public washrooms. There is also a volunteer feed station at this exchange. There is a road crossing at the Protection Mountain Campground, typically serviced by none other than longtime volunteer, Back Swamp George. Once crossing the parkway and saying ‘hello’ to George, skiers continue east towards Castle Lookout Parking lot. This leg boasts great views of Pilot Mountain and you’re on the original Parkway route! There is a road crossing with snow across the Parkway right before a short and steep pitch up to Castle Lookout. The exchange station is the Castle Lookout trailhead.

Leg 4 of 4 [6km]

• Castle Lookout to Castle Junction (finish)

The final Leg 4 starts at Castle Lookout Trailhead. The course continues east under a power line until a final descent among the narrow Lodgepole Pine; mind your speed on this section! No road crossings on this leg. The final skier/soloist finishes at Castle Junction! Use the public parking lots, enjoy a post-race refreshment and treat yourself to a snack at the Castle Mountain Chalets shop.