Summer Hiking at Lake Louise Ski Resort: Summit Trails by Gondola

A ski resort in winter, Lake Louise Ski Resort doubles in summer as the starting point for short mountain hikes. The gondola climbs to 2,101 m (6,893 ft); the resort says the ride takes about 15 minutes each way. The trails start at the top of the gondola.

The summit trails

According to the resort, the summit trails are round trips of 1.7 to 2.5 km, located at the top of the summer gondola just above a wildlife corridor closure area. The resort also offers a trail map PDF.

No hiking on the lower mountain

The lower mountain is closed to hikers because of an active wildlife corridor. The resort says hiking is restricted to designated trails to protect the Whitehorn Wildlife Corridor, and that you cannot travel up or down the mountain on foot. Hikers take the lift to reach the trails, then ride it back down to the base lodges and parking area.

Bears, closures and safety

Trails may close at any time because of bears, and also for bad weather or construction. Hiking in closed areas is not permitted. The resort strongly recommends hiking in groups of four or more, reminds hikers that, as anywhere in Banff National Park, help may not be readily available, and asks them to be prepared for changing weather and trail conditions. Trail status updates are posted on its conditions page.

The resort describes the gondola as a good place to spot grizzly bears, black bears, lynx, moose, mountain goats, elk and deer. Mornings and late afternoons are best, when it is cooler and wildlife is most active. Do not feed the animals.

At the top: interpretive centre and bistro

The Wildlife Interpretive Centre is inside Whitehorn Lodge, a short walk from the top of the gondola. Admission is free, and it has interactive exhibits, life-sized wildlife displays and panels on the region's ecology. The Whitehorn Bistro serves lunch and patio refreshments. A valid gondola ticket is needed to get there, and the resort recommends reservations at peak hours, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Season, tickets and getting there

According to the resort's FAQ, the gondola runs daily from June 5 to October 11, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last ride down at 5:10 p.m.; weather can cause closures. In late October 2026, the resort's tickets page says summer and fall sightseeing are closed, announces a return in spring 2027 and asks visitors to check back for opening dates. Gondola tickets are round trip with unlimited rides on the day of your visit, and they are non-transferable.

According to the resort's FAQ, there is ample free parking for cars and RVs. It is 40 minutes (60 km) west of Banff on Highway 1 and about 2 hours (184 km) west of Calgary. From Banff you can take Roam Transit to Lake Louise Village, then the free village connector to the resort.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult on a chair or gondola; under 106 cm (42 in), they ride in an enclosed gondola with an adult. The resort says it is not 100% wheelchair accessible; gravel paths at the top can be steep, and courtesy rides link the lodge to the gondola and the top station to the Whitehorn Bistro.