Of the Banff-Lake Louise area's three ski resorts, Lake Louise is the biggest, weighing in at a whopping 4,200 acres. It posts some other impressive stats, too, including a summit elevation of 8,650 feet, a longest run of five miles, ten lifts to take you to all corners, plus two mid-mountain lodges that should mean you don't have to go back to the base-level Lodge of the Ten Peaks until it's beer time. But don't let the big numbers here intimidate you. Lake Louise has something for everyone and is probably the best place to start if you're a newbie or need to get back into the groove. As you'd expect from those ever-smiling Canadians (and the resort's share of snow-chasing Antipodean ski bums), the hospitality here is excellent. Lake Louise offers a free "Lake Louise Ski Friend Program" to allow you to tour the mountain with a local and discover the best sections. Of course, there's a whole lot to discover down 139 marked runs, plus some off-piste steeps in the back bowls. For those seeking a champagne moment at Lake Louise, look no further than the sweeping, black-diamond Men's Downhill and Women's Downhill runs, a glorious ride through the showpiece terrain of the 1988 Alberta Winter Olympics as well as more recent World Cup ski races. Try not to pretend you're Lindsey Vonn.

What's New for 2012-13 Season: Lake Louise's new Learning & Adventure Centre offers magic carpets and other beginner-friendly amenities. Non-skiers can also enjoy the sweeping Rocky Mountain views with the new Tri-Area Sightseeing Pass ($39.95 Canadian for adults), offering access to Ski Banff at Norquay's chairlift as well as the two gondolas at Sunshine and Lake

Of the Banff-Lake Louise area's three ski resorts, Lake Louise is the biggest, weighing in at a whopping 4,200 acres. It posts some other impressive stats, too, including a summit elevation of 8,650 feet, a longest run of five miles, ten lifts to take you to all corners, plus two mid-mountain lodges that should mean you don't have to go back to the base-level Lodge of the Ten Peaks until it's beer time. But don't let the big numbers here intimidate you. Lake Louise has something for everyone and is probably the best place to start if you're a newbie or need to get back into the groove. As you'd expect from those ever-smiling Canadians (and the resort's share of snow-chasing Antipodean ski bums), the hospitality here is excellent. Lake Louise offers a free "Lake Louise Ski Friend Program" to allow you to tour the mountain with a local and discover the best sections. Of course, there's a whole lot to discover down 139 marked runs, plus some off-piste steeps in the back bowls. For those seeking a champagne moment at Lake Louise, look no further than the sweeping, black-diamond Men's Downhill and Women's Downhill runs, a glorious ride through the showpiece terrain of the 1988 Alberta Winter Olympics as well as more recent World Cup ski races. Try not to pretend you're Lindsey Vonn.

What's New for 2012-13 Season: Lake Louise's new Learning & Adventure Centre offers magic carpets and other beginner-friendly amenities. Non-skiers can also enjoy the sweeping Rocky Mountain views with the new Tri-Area Sightseeing Pass ($39.95 Canadian for adults), offering access to Ski Banff at Norquay's chairlift as well as the two gondolas at Sunshine and Lake Louise. The pass also includes a $12 food-and-beverage voucher, plus complimentary transportation from downtown Banff and Lake Louise hotels.