10 Banff Cross-Country Ski Trails: Easy & Moderate Routes

Cross-country skiing is one of our favourite ways to get outside in Banff during winter. As Canmore locals, we spend a lot of time exploring the Banff cross-country ski trails, from short, beginner-friendly loops to longer routes around Lake Louise and the Banff townsite.

There is an excellent variety of cross-country skiing in Banff National Park, with groomed trails for different ability levels and everything from flat campground loops to longer, hillier outings. Some of the best Lake Louise cross-country ski trails are especially scenic, while others are simply great places to practise your technique or get in a good winter workout.

We came to cross-country skiing after years of winter hiking and snowshoeing in Banff, so we know what it feels like to be a beginner trying to figure out which trails are actually manageable. Parks Canada difficulty ratings are useful, but they don’t always tell the whole story. Distance, elevation gain and sustained climbing can make an “easy” trail feel much harder than expected.

In this guide, we share the Banff cross-country ski trails we’ve enjoyed ourselves, along with practical details on distance, difficulty, terrain and what to expect on each one. We’ve included both easy and moderate trails, with several excellent options for cross-country skiing in Lake Louise, plus a bonus trail in nearby Yoho National Park.

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Easy Banff Cross-Country Ski Trails

Lake Louise Campground Cross-Country Ski Trail

Lake Louise Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 2 km loop
Elevation gain: Minimal

The Campground Loop in Lake Louise is one of the easiest cross-country ski trails in Banff National Park and a great option for beginners or families. The 2 km trail loops around and through the Lake Louise Campground on mostly flat, gentle terrain, making it a good place to practise your cross-country skiing without worrying about any significant hills.

The Campground Loop is double trackset, with a groomed skating lane between the classic tracks. At only 2 km, it’s also a nice choice if you’re looking for a short ski or want to do a few laps without committing to one of the longer Lake Louise cross-country ski trails.

There’s an extension to this trail that we love where you leave the Lake Louise Campground Loop and follow the Bow River Trail south along the Bow River. The trail crosses the river before turning back north on the opposite side, eventually bringing you back toward the campground.

This section is mostly flat and is a great add-on when the 2 km Campground Loop feels a little too short. The Bow River Loop is 7 km in total, so you can use as much of it as you like to make your ski longer.

Need a trail map? See the Lake Louise Campground Loop on AllTrails for the route map, trailhead location and directions.

Great Divide Cross-Country Ski Trail

Lake Louise Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 10 km one-way
Elevation: 60 m loss

Banff National Park is incredibly beautiful with its mountain scenery, but the mountains make it hard to find a long & flat stretch of land for an easy cross-country ski trail. The Great Divide cross-country ski trail in Lake Louise (also known as “Old Highway 1A”) is remarkably flat, making it a nice and easy cross-country ski trail in Banff for beginners or families.

The Great Divide cross country ski trail is really wide with many shared uses. This easy Lake Louise cross-country ski trail is groomed with set tracks for classic skiing on each of the outer edges. The wide area between the two set tracks are for skate skiers, fat bikers, snowshoers, etc.

The Great Divide XC ski trail is an excellent option for an early season outing. While Canmore and the Town of Banff are waiting for enough snow on the ground for cross-country skiing, the Lake Louise area often has a decent snow pack. We’ve enjoyed the Great Divide cross-country ski trail as early as November.

Fun Fact: The southern section of the Alberta / BC border follows the Continental Divide. Water in BC flows toward the Pacific Ocean, while water from Banff in Alberta flows to the Hudson Bay. The Great Divide XC ski trail gets its name as it crosses the Continental Divide from Alberta into Yoho National Park in British Columbia.

Need a trail map? See the Old Highway 1A Trail on AllTrails for the route map, trailhead location and directions.

Hector Cross-Country Ski Trail

Pipestone Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 3 km one-way
Elevation: 95 m gain

Banff’s Hector Trail is a rewarding, easy cross-country ski trail in the Pipestone area just minutes west of the Lake Louise interchange.

The beautiful Hector cross-country ski trail begins by passing a historic settlement with wooden house, barn etc. The trail then continues through a snowy evergreen forest which is wide enough to offer some nice mountain vistas, yet close enough to still feel like you are in a forest.

It’s a short 3 km XC ski on the Hector Trail to Pipestone Pond. The cross-country ski to this frozen, snow-covered Banff lake is slightly uphill the entire way, with only two short hills which may present a challenge to beginners to cross country skiing.

Once you arrive at the Pipestone Pond, you are nicely rewarded with views of Whitehorn Mountain (2,637 m) and Hector Point sitting proudly across the lake. The return trip on this easy Banff cross-country skiing trail is great fun with minimal effort required as you slowly glide down the gentle downhill track to the beginning.

Within the Pipestone cross-country ski area, you’ll find three easy Banff cross-country ski trails, all under 3 km one-way. We enjoyed the Hector XC ski trail so much, we’re itching to come back to ski the rest of the Pipestone cross-country ski trails.

Need a trail map? See the Hector Lake Trail on AllTrails for the route map, trailhead location and directions.

Cascade Valley Cross-Country Ski Trail

Lake Minnewanka Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 12.6 km return to Cascade River bridge
Elevation gain: 135 m

The Cascade Valley Trail is one of the longer easy cross-country ski trails in Banff National Park, but the gradual terrain makes it manageable for skiers who are comfortable covering a bit more distance. The trail starts at the Lake Minnewanka Day-use Area and follows a wide route through the Cascade Valley to the Cascade River bridge.

The first 6.3 km to the bridge is double trackset with a skate-skiing lane, making this a good option for both classic and skate skiers. The terrain is rolling rather than completely flat, with 135 m of elevation gain on the way out, so beginners should expect a steady workout rather than an effortless ski.

One of the nice things about skiing Cascade Valley to the bridge is that most of your climbing is done on the way out. That means you’re rewarded with an easier and more enjoyable return trip, with more downhill skiing back toward Lake Minnewanka. If you want to add a little more distance, you can add on an additional 2 km return side trip to Upper Bankhead (discussed next).

Need a trail map? See the Cascade Valley Trail on AllTrails for the route map, trailhead location and directions.

Lake Minnewanka Road to Upper Bankhead

Lake Minnewanka Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 4.6 km out-and-back

From November to May each year, Parks Canada closes the western section of the Lake Minnewanka scenic drive. With no cars and no snow removal, this leaves the road open for winter recreational activities, such as cross country skiing.

The most popular cross-country ski trail in Lake Minnewanka area is Cascade Valley (discussed above). Most skiers park at the main Lake Minnewanka parking lot and ski the Lake Minnewanka Road for about 1 km until they turn north onto the Cascade Valley cross-country ski trail.

But, you have another choice. You can continue cross-country skiing on Lake Minnewanka Road all the way to the Upper Bankhead parking lot. While you may find that the trail isn’t groomed or track-set past the junction to the Cascade River Bridge, it usually has skier tracks that you can follow.

The benefit is that cross-country skiing on Lake Minnewanka Road is often much quieter in this direction. There are some hills this way, but it’s an easy cross-country ski even for kids. You’ll also be rewarded with some impressive mountain views along the way!

Stop at the Upper Bankhead parking lot for a quick hot chocolate before the return trip!

Moderate Banff Cross-Country Ski Trails

Tramline Cross-Country Ski Trail

Lake Louise Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 4.3 km one way via the new route
Elevation gain: 220 m

The Tramline is a moderate cross-country ski trail in Lake Louise that connects the Bow River valley with the Lake Louise Lakeshore. With 220 m of elevation gain over 4.3 km, this is a much hillier ski than the flatter trails around the Lake Louise campground and is best for skiers with some experience.

From the Bow River parking lot on Sentinel Road, cross the bridge and follow the Bow River Loop Trail until you reach the junction with the new Tramline route. You can also ski the trail in the opposite direction starting from Lake Louise. The new section is not trackset and includes a steep hill, sharp turns and narrow sections.

Optional extension: This can also be incorporated into a longer Lake Louise cross-country ski outing. One option is a 7.5 km loop using the Fairview Trail, Moraine Lake Road and Tramline.

Need a trail map? See the Tramline Cross-Country Ski Trail on AllTrails for the route map, trailhead location and directions.

Fairview Cross-Country Ski Trail

Lake Louise Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 4.2 km one way
Elevation gain: 80 m

The Fairview Trail is a beautiful cross-country ski trail in Lake Louise that travels between Moraine Lake Road and the Tramline Trail near Lake Louise. Parks Canada rates Fairview as both easy and moderate, but with its rolling terrain and several hills, we think it fits better in the moderate category for beginner cross-country skiers.

We skied Fairview starting near the Moraine Lake Road parking area and followed it all the way to the Tramline junction, finishing just short of the Lake Louise Lakeshore. The trail is single trackset and travels through a mix of forest and more open clearings. With 80 m of elevation gain and 110 m of elevation loss over 4.2 km, there are enough ups and downs to make it more interesting than the flatter Lake Louise ski trails without being overly difficult.

If you want a longer outing, Fairview can also be combined with Moraine Lake Road and Tramline to create a 7.5 km loop with 110 m of total elevation gain. Most skiers do this loop counter-clockwise.

Need a trail map? See the Fairview Loop Trail on AllTrails for the route map, trailhead location and directions. (The attached AllTrails map shows the trail as a loop, but I prefer to turn back at the lake and return the way I came).

Moraine Lake Road Cross-Country Ski Trail

Lake Louise Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 8.9 km one way
Elevation gain: 335 m

Moraine Lake Road is one of the most popular cross-country ski trails in Lake Louise, and while Parks Canada rates it as easy, we would put this one firmly in the moderate category. We’ve skied the full 8.9 km route, and the trip out is essentially one long, steady climb. It isn’t technically difficult, but the distance and continuous uphill make it a much bigger effort than the easy rating might suggest.

The road is double trackset with a wide multi-use lane between the ski tracks. The grade is generally manageable, but with 335 m of elevation gain over 8.9 km, you definitely feel the climb. The good news is that your effort is rewarded with a much faster and easier ski on the way back down.

Tracksetting ends at a viewpoint overlooking Consolation Valley and the Ten Peaks. This is the turnaround point for recreational skiers. The views may tempt you to continue on, but please don’t. Beyond here, Moraine Lake Road crosses large avalanche paths, and travel past the viewpoint requires avalanche training and equipment.

Need a trail map? See the Moraine Lake Road Trail on AllTrails for the route map, trailhead location and directions. It’s important to note that the AllTrails map is a summer map which includes the entire length of the road, including the dangerous avalanche areas. In winter, do not proceed past the avalanche warning sign.

Pipestone Loop Cross-Country Ski Trail

Pipestone Cross Country Ski Trail
Distance: 13.1 km loop
Difficulty: Moderate

The Pipestone Loop is one of the longer cross-country ski trails in the Pipestone area of Lake Louise and a good choice for skiers looking for more of a workout. At 13.1 km, this is a significant step up from the shorter beginner trails around Lake Louise.

The loop travels through the Pipestone area north of the village of Lake Louise. The longer distance makes this best for skiers who are already comfortable on cross-country skis and are prepared for a few hours on the trail. It’s a good option when you want a quieter, more substantial ski than the shorter groomed routes closer to Lake Louise.

The Pipestone area also has several shorter connecting trails, including Hector, Drummond and Merlin, which can be used to create different route options when they are open.

Need a trail map? See the Pipestone Loop Trail on AllTrails for the route map, trailhead location and directions.

Bonus Cross-Country Ski Trail Near Banff

Kicking Horse Fire Road Cross-Country Ski Trail

Yoho National Park
Distance: 3.8 km one way to the rest area, 7 km one way to the end
Elevation gain: 60 m

The Kicking Horse Fire Road is in Yoho National Park, just west of Banff National Park, making it a great bonus option if you’re staying around Lake Louise and want to explore another nearby cross-country ski trail.

The trail starts from the Natural Bridge parking lot and initially descends gradually for about 2.4 km, passing the Emerald River before reaching the bridge over the Amiskwi River. From there, cross the bridge and continue left along the old fire road toward the Otterhead River. The route travels through mature forest, with river sections and mountain views along the way.

You can turn around at the rest area at 3.8 km for a shorter outing, or continue to the end of the trail at 7 km. Since the first part of the ski is downhill, keep in mind that you’ll have more climbing on the return trip.

Need more information? See the Kicking Horse Fire Road on Parks Canada for the route map, trailhead location and directions.

Banff Cross-Country Skiing Tips

Cross-country skiing in Banff is relatively easy to plan, but winter conditions can make the same trail feel very different from one day to the next. Before heading out, take a few minutes to check the weather, trail conditions and grooming reports.

Check Trail Conditions

Freshly trackset trails are much easier and more enjoyable to ski than trails that haven’t been groomed recently. Snowfall, warm temperatures and wind can quickly change conditions, so don’t assume a trail will be in the same shape it was a few days earlier.

Check Parks Canada Trail Conditions Report

Consider More Than the Difficulty Rating

An “easy” cross-country ski trail isn’t necessarily an easy outing. Distance and elevation gain matter too. Moraine Lake Road, for example, is rated easy by Parks Canada, but skiing 8.9 km steadily uphill is still a significant workout. Consider the distance, elevation and your own experience when choosing a trail.

Check the Banff Weather Forecast

Winter weather in the mountains can change quickly. Temperatures can also be significantly colder early in the morning or in shaded valleys, so be prepared for conditions to change while you’re out.

Environment Canada Town of Banff Weather Forecast
Environment Canada Lake Louise Weather Forecast

Dress in Layers

Cross-country skiing generates a surprising amount of heat, especially when you’re climbing. You want to be warm when you start without becoming soaked with sweat once you get moving. We cover clothing, layers, winter footwear and the other gear we recommend in our Banff winter packing list.

Start Early

You may notice a lot of the pictures in this post are dark or have long shadows in them. This is because we try to start our cross-country ski outings early in the day. Winter days are short in Banff, and it can feel dark even earlier when the sun disappears behind the mountains. Give yourself plenty of time to finish your ski before sunset, especially on longer trails.

Bring Food and Water

Longer cross-country ski trails can take several hours. Pack easy-to-eat snacks and keep your water somewhere it won’t freeze. Hydration reservoir tubes can freeze surprisingly quickly in cold weather.

Watch for Avalanche Terrain

Many groomed cross-country ski trails stay away from avalanche hazards, but that doesn’t mean every winter route is safe. Pay attention to Parks Canada warnings and turnaround points.

For example, the groomed portion of Moraine Lake Road ends before the road enters significant avalanche terrain. If you plan to travel in avalanche terrain, you need the appropriate training, equipment and current avalanche information from Avalanche Canada.

Carry Bear Spray

Bears are much less active in winter, but they are not the only wildlife you may encounter in Banff National Park. Keep bear spray somewhere you can reach it quickly rather than buried in your backpack. If you’re flying to Banff, you’ll need to buy or rent it after you arrive since bear spray cannot be taken on commercial flights. Parks Canada has helpful information on how to use bear spray.

Turn Around When Needed

There’s no reason you need to complete the full distance listed for an out-and-back trail. If you’re getting cold, tired or uncomfortable with the terrain, turn around early. This is especially useful for beginners who aren’t sure how far they’ll comfortably ski.

Don’t Forget Your Banff Park Pass

A Banff Park Pass, also known as the Parks Canada Discovery Pass, is required for exploring Banff National Park. You can pick it up as you enter at the Banff Park Gates.