Resort height: 1646m
The mountains
North American ski resorts tend to be much smaller than their Alpine counterparts, and Lake Louise is no exception. It offers about one-sixth of the terrain you'll find in the Espace Killy in France (which is formed by the union of the two resorts of Tignes and Val d'Isère). It also suffers from a rather dry climate, receiving on average about four metres of snow a winter, compared with 9.4m in Fernie, further south. So powder pigs and mileage-hungry intermediate skiers shouldn't consider Lake Louise for a whole week's holiday.
However, beginners and early intermediates who want to get a hold of their technique will love the uncrowded slopes (except at weekends), varied pistes, and stunning views. And although fresh snow doesn't fall that often, low temperatures keep what is already on the slopes in good nick.
More accomplished skiers should also consider Lake Louise as the most scenic stop on a road trip taking in several resorts in the region - including Kicking Horse, Revelstoke and Fernie. There's plenty of steep terrain on the back side of the mountain here, and if you hire a guide you can strike off into the wilderness to explore even more.
Getting there
It's a long flight to Calgary, but at least it's a direct one for most British travellers. Once you get there, the transfer to Lake Louise takes about two and a half hours.
Rating: 
4/10
Après-ski
The number of international visitors is small in Lake Louise, and roughly 50% of visitors drive in for the day or the weekend from Calgary and its suburbs. It's not a great recipe for nightlife - and most of the action takes place in two bars in the base area, the Powderkeg and Kokanee Kabin. Both are shut by 6pm each evening, so don't go expecting anything special! Afterwards, you'll be hanging out in your hotel bar.
Dinner is rather more interesting, with good food on offer at the Post Hotel, Deer Lodge and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the last of which is a vast, self-contained resort hotel set away from the main area of accommodation, in front of the eponymous lake.
Rating: 
5/10
Non-skiers
In the summer, non-skiers flock to Lake Louise in their tens of thousands to marvel at the mountains. But in the winter, we wouldn't recommend it, unless you're the hardy, outdoorsy sort. This part of Canada can be pretty frigid in the middle of the winter, and temperatures below -15C are quite normal. However, if you are prepared to work hard, you'll find plenty to keep you occupied - cross-country skiing, skating, snow-shoeing and dog-sledding.
Rating: 
8/10
Cost of living
Winter is low-season in the Banff National Park, so prices are lower than they are in the summer. Several British tour operators run fairly large programmes here to, so it's not hard to find late-booking discounts on holidays to Lake Louise. If you're careful, you could pick up a holiday here that will cost less than a week in the Alps.
Rating: 
9/10
Attractiveness of the resort
The main accommodation base is underwhelming and unfocused - a strip of motels, hotels and shops off the main highway. But there's no arguing with the scenery, or the sense of wide open spaces you get here.
