Enjoy wintertime in Canada! Join us for cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, and/or snowshoeing. We will stay in three locations for three nights at each, with two days for winter activities at each spot: Lake Louise, Radium, and Golden. 

Leaders will organize cross-country ski outings (classic or skate ski) at each location and also a snowshoe route, if desired by the group. Alpine skiing is available nearby to all three locations.

Here are the ski locations:

• Lake Louise – groomed x-c ski = Lake Louise, Pipestone, or Bow Valley Parkway areas https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/skidefond-xcski/lakelouise; alpine ski = Lake Louise Ski Resort

Lake Louise, one of Banff National Park’s best-known destinations, is completely transformed in the winter, and some locals would tell you they like it better this way. The views over the Valley of the Ten Peaks are stunning with a snowy layer on top. The Great Divide trail makes for a great cross-country ski trail. All winter long it’s double track set (with a skating lane) for 8 km down to the BC and Alberta border that it’s named after. 

Snowshoeing is another great way to explore the area’s famed hiking trails – especially one that offers such a high return as the Fairview Lookout. You’ll head into the trees where the sounds of the thickly forested slopes take over from the lively lakeshore. Emerging from the trees 1 km later, you’ll step onto a spectacular viewing platform poised above the frozen turquoise waters that offer reflection and inspiration.

• Radium – groomed x-c skiing = Nipika, Lake Windermere Whiteway, or Panorama Resort; alpine ski = Panorama Resort or Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Nipika

Nipika is surrounded by a magnificent trail network, the Cross River Canyon Recreation Site, spanning nearly 1,500 acres. The trails are set along the Kootenay and Cross River valleys with scenic vistas, waterfalls, and wildlife viewing. A cross-country skiing mecca with 50km of groomed trails. They are professionally groomed on a regular basis for both classic and skate skiing. 

Nipika also has a variety of dedicated snowshoe trails that run on singletrack through the trees, along clifftops, and beside the rivers.

Interested in fat biking? There are 30km of dedicated groomed fat bike trails. Ride the south loop for a scenic expanse with panoramic views. Ride the north loop for forested trails with views of the canyon and rivers, and to ride across the Natural Bridge. 

Nipika rents out snowshoes, fat bikes and helmets. 

Lake Windermere Whiteway

In 2014 the Lake Windermere Whiteway was named the world’s longest skating trail by Guinness World Records. At over 30km in length, this multi-use trail offers groomed skate and classic cross-country ski trails, as well as ice skating.

Panorama

Downhill skiing 1,300 metres of vertical makes Panorama a top 10 in North America, across nearly 3,000 acres of terrain to explore. 

Panorama’s multi-use trail network also offers more than 20 km of groomed trails. Through the forest and along Toby Creek, the network provides an uncrowded experience in spectacular mountain scenery to cross-country ski, fat tire bike, and snowshoe. Different routes are available for all levels of skiers and snowshers from beginners to advanced. 

• Golden – groomed x-c skiing = Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park; alpine ski = Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers 1314 meters of vertical descent – the 5th biggest vertical in North America! Situated only 1km from the popular Kicking Horse Resort, Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre has 33 km of groomed trails (classic & skate) and a 4km snowshoe loop to enjoy.

Emerald Lake

About 40 minutes’ drive from Golden is Field. There is easy access to trails from within the village itself. The Tally Ho/Connector trail winds its way 12km around Mount Burgess from Field to Emerald Lake, where some of the best cross-country skiing in the area is found. For snowshoers, Emerald Lake Trail is an easy 5km trail around picturesque Emerald Lake. 

What else?

There’s more to do than skiing and snowshoeing too. There are opportunities for enjoying hot springs, shopping, tea at the Fairmont Chateau hotel, curling up with a good book, or just lazing about. 

• Lake Louise Inn, 3 nights, January 6,7,8 – Hotel rooms with two persons to a room. Nice hotel with great central location. Three restaurants on-site, swimming pool and hot tub. Mini- fridge in rooms. Deluxe rooms have a King or two Queen beds.  https://www.lakelouiseinn.com/

• Radium, 3 nights, January 9,10,11 – VRBO condos with full kitchens and with a mix of 1-bed and 2-bed rooms. Share condos with 6 persons to a condo. We will need to share bathrooms.

• Days Inn, Golden, 3 nights, January 12,13,14 – Centrally located. Fridges and microwaves. Some rooms with kitchenettes. Hot breakfast included. On-site dining. Indoor swimming pool. https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/en-ca/days-inn/golden-british-columbia/days-inn-golden/overview 

Ski Terrain

The primary focus of this tour will be cross-country skiing, provided there is sufficient snow. We will be skiing primarily on groomed trails, which are groomed for Classic skiing, and some of the trails will also be groomed for skate skiing. Cross-country ski outings will vary in difficulty, but most will be at the Intermediate level. Skiers should be able to climb hills, control their skis going downhill, and ski distances of between 10 and 20k. Leaders will attempt to group people up based on ability and speed to try to ensure that no one skis alone. But, there won’t be an official leader or sweep for ski outings.

Snowshoeing outings will be planned as a backup in the case that there is insufficient snow and for those who prefer to snowshoe on some days. Most snowshoe outings will be Intermediate level. Snowshoers need to be able to climb and descend moderate hills and to keep going for several hours. There will be both a leader and a sweep for all snowshoe outings to ensure no one is left behind.

Alpine skiing is available at each of our locations and tour members are free to pursue this activity independently or with others. 

All tour members should bring their own equipment or possibly be prepared to rent some (e.g., alpine equipment), when available, for a day or two.

Getting There 

Drive your own car that is suitable for driving in snow and can carry skis. Lake Louise is about a 9-hour drive from Vancouver and a 4 ¾ hour drive from Edmonton. Or, if coming from further away, you can fly to Calgary, rent an AWD car, and drive 2 hours to Lake Louise. When we finish in Golden, BC, it is only 2 3/4 hours to get back to the Calgary airport. 

If you are a solo traveler and don’t want to drive in the snow, we will attempt to find a ride for you.

The weather can be quite cold and snowy in January in the Golden Triangle area. Temperatures average about -7 Celsius for the highs in January. Come prepared with layers of warm clothes, hats, and gloves. And, come prepared with a car with the appropriate type of engine coolant.

• Lodging in hotels and condos for 9 nights based on two persons sharing a room. (If you are traveling solo and would like a roommate, we will attempt to find one for you. If you are traveling solo and would like your own room and will pay the Single Supplement fee ($775 CAD), please notify the leader about this when you register since it affects the number and type of rooms needed.)
• Meals, as follows:
  • Initial group dinner at Lake Louise
  • Groceries for group-prepared raclette dinner at Radium
  • Final group dinner in Golden
  • Three breakfasts at Golden hotel
  • Three Happy Hours with tasty snacks (alcohol not included)
• Group visit to Radium Hot Springs
• Credit card stripe fee (3%) of money paid through CCCTS website  

• Transportation to, from, and during the tour
• Ski passes and lift tickets
• Park entrance fees and parking passes
• Meals other than those noted above
• Rental fees for skis, boots, and any equipment
• Fees for hot springs other than Radium group outing 

• Tour Leader fees (waived)

Meals provided indicated as B/L/D/H (Happy Hour but alcohol is BYOB)

• January 6, Tuesday – Lake Louise – Meet at Lake Louise Inn at 6 p.m. to sign waiver, tour meet and greet, and group dinner at one of the restaurants on-site. Specifics TBD. D
• January 7, Wednesday – Lake Louise – Outing day. Group Happy Hour with tasty snacks. H

• January 8, Thursday – Lake Louise – Outing day.

• January 9, Friday – Drive to Radium – Drive is 1.5 hours. The rest of the day is free. Group Happy Hour with tasty  snacks. H
• January 10, Saturday – Radium – Outing day. Group outing to Radium Hot Springs in late afternoon.
• January 11, Sunday – Radium – Outing day. Group-prepared dinner – Raclette night. D

• January 12, Monday – Drive to Golden – Drive is about 1 hour. The rest of the day is free.
• January 13, Tuesday – Golden – Outing day. Group Happy Hour with tasty snacks. B/H

• January 14, Wednesday – Golden – Outing day. Final group dinner in Golden. Restaurant TBD. B/D

• January 15, Thursday – Depart for home – or more ski adventures. B

Registration will be on the CCCTS website on the date shown. A computerized lottery system and waitlist will be utilized in the event that the ride is over-subscribed. A $100 CAD payment is required at the time of registration. The lottery signup will run for 7 days, after which the Leaders will review the results.

The selection process will consider the following criteria in evaluating candidates:

• fitness and skiing ability and experience required for the tour,
• a history of demonstrating safe skiing practices,
• acceptable social behavior.

The leaders may interview riders or others who know them to verify their suitability for the tour.

The leaders also have the option to prioritize 30% of the tour applicants up to a maximum of 6 people.

• Tour member selection is done primarily by lottery results but the leaders will have the final decision on who is accepted or not for the tour.
• The leaders will notify registrants of their selection status. If the ride is not filled to capacity, registration will continue until the closing dates shown.
• After you have been notified you are selected for the tour, the tour fee deposit of $500 (CAD) is due on September 30, 2025, with the remaining amount of $425 CAD due on November 30, 2025. The Single Supplement Fee is due November 30th, as well, if you are traveling solo and want your own room. 

Cancellation and Refund Policy

In the event of cancellation – The registration fee is non-refundable when a member withdraws from a tour.  If a replacement can’t be found, we will refund any fees for costs that could be avoided. However, if there are costs that cannot be avoided, these will not be refunded. 

Communicable Illness Information:

• • The CCCTS Communicable Illness Policy takes into consideration regulations and recommendations from Public Health Authority of Canada, BC Centre of Disease Control, and Public Health Ontario. In the case of illness while on tour, it is expected that all participants will follow the procedures outlined in this policy. Please refer to https://cccts.org/club-document/communicable-illness/ for details on the club’s Communicable Illness Policy.

• CCCTS strongly encourages all participants to be up-to-date on their vaccinations for COVID and all other communicable diseases.  

• Everyone should bring 3 COVID test kits with them on the tour and take responsibility for self-testing if they feel ill.