Researched route, Lake Louise
Lake Louise (Skoki)
A long day from the Fish Creek lot: up the ski-out to Temple Lodge, over Boulder Pass and across Ptarmigan Lake to the crest of Deception Pass.
Ptarmigan Lake and Deception Pass are the two big steps on the winter trail from the Lake Louise ski area into the Skoki valley, in Banff National Park near Lake Louise. From the Fish Creek lot it's 11.2 km to the crest of Deception Pass and 22.4 km there and back, with about 810 m of climbing that counts the small rises on the way. You climb about 4 km up the resort's ski-out to Temple Lodge, then 7.2 km on the Skoki trail: mostly gentle forest, then Boulder Pass, a kilometre and a half across Ptarmigan Lake, and the climb to the pass. From the trailhead above Temple Lodge you're outside the ski area. The route ends on the crest of the pass. It's a long day for the view and, in the right conditions, a few easy turns on the Skoki side, not a steep ski objective. We built this route from research and haven't skied it ourselves.
We built this route from our own extensive research. All resources are cited on the dashboard. We haven't skied it ourselves, the routes illustrated may not be the best line choice, use your own judgement when planning. Remember you are still responsible for your own tour.
Last checked October 20, 2026.
| Distance | about 22.4 km round trip, 11.2 km to the pass from the Fish Creek lot: about 4 km up the ski-out to Temple Lodge, then 7.2 km on the Skoki trail |
| Elevation gain | about 810 m on our line, counting the small rises; the pass is about 755 m above the lot |
| Slope angles | 21 degrees at most on the line, 12 degrees typical; steeper ground within 200 m, up to 37 degrees on south-facing ground and up to 48 degrees on west-facing ground; terrain data reads low |
| Fish Creek lot | 1,696 m on terrain data |
| Trailhead above Temple Lodge | 2,015 m on terrain data |
| Boulder Pass | 2,325 m on terrain data |
| Ptarmigan Lake | about 2,320 m on terrain data |
| Deception Pass | 2,450 m on terrain data; a trip report gives 2,510 m for the high point |
| Nearest town | Lake Louise |
| Pass required | Parks Canada national park pass |
| Skied by us | Not yet |
Our line starts at the Fish Creek lot. Take the right turn off Whitehorn Drive short of the ski hill, signed for the Fish Creek parking lot, and from the lot follow the Skoki Lodge and Hidden Lake signs.
Up the ski-out. From the lot you climb the resort's ski-out (number 155 on its trail map), about 4 km and 320 m to Temple Lodge. Uphill travel is allowed on the ski-out. A snowshoe guide puts the climb at about an hour, and a December 2023 Avalanche Canada report describes the same climb. Skiers come down the same run, fast near the end of the day, so keep to the side. Near the top, ski runs cross the track below Temple Lodge, and reports say to watch for skiers. From the lodge, go about 100 m uphill past the ski racks to a large sign at a break in the trees, where the Skoki trail leaves the ski area. From there on it's backcountry.
By the lifts. Skoki Lodge's own guests ride the gondola up and the Ptarmigan chairlift down to Temple Lodge instead. A 2010 trip report describes a one-way gondola pass for this, and the lifts only run in the resort's operating hours.
People climb the ski-out to Temple Lodge, but the resort's FAQ says it doesn't allow any uphill traffic. It also says that anyone heading from the resort into the backcountry must buy a Backcountry Access Pass at Guest Services. Its page gives no price, dates or terms. The ski-out is the long-used way in from the Fish Creek lot. Check the signs at the lot and the resort's current rules on the day. In April 2024 a report describes the ski-out closed for a grizzly and a party sent up the lift instead. Parks Canada and the resort set wildlife closures.
Parks Canada requires a national park pass for a vehicle left at the lot. We found no Skoki, Ptarmigan or Boulder Pass entry on Parks Canada's seasonal closure list, which says closures can be added at any time.
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