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Cross-Country Ski the Great Divide Trail
Mention the Great Divide Trail to a Banff or Lake Louise local and you might get a blank stare. Ask them about “the old 1A Highway” and they’ll instantly recommend you get on your skis for this approachable trail. This old road was once the route to Lake Louise. It feels more like wilderness than roadway now, but the open pathway makes for a great cross-country ski trail. All winter long it’s double trackset (with a skating lane) for 8 km down to the BC and Alberta border that it’s named after.
Good To Know
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1-3 hrs or 3-6 hrs
- When
- Nov - Apr
The Experience
- Length: 20 km return
- Elevation gain: 60 m loss
- Trailhead: Great Divide Trailhead
- Double trackset with skating lane
Location
- Distance from Banff:
- 58km
- Distance from Lake Louise:
- 2km
Parking
Limited parking is available at the Great Divide trailhead. Plan to arrive early and come prepared with an alternative plan in case parking is full.
When to go
Operating Dates
| Month | Operating Status |
|---|---|
| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
| Jul | |
| Aug | |
| Sep | |
| Oct | |
| Nov | |
| Dec |
Dates can vary based on conditions
Local Tips
Check trail conditions with Parks Canada before heading out to see when the trail was last groomed and trackset.
This trail is also used by dogsled tours, who kick up a lively and very entertaining fuss before setting out for their morning tours.
Park a car 15 minutes west of Lake Louise at Lake O’Hara and ski an extra 3 km to make this a downhill one-way trip.
New to cross-country skiing? Sign up for a lesson to learn the ropes.
Useful Links
Check the Parks Canada Trail Report for up to date conditions.
Let's do this
Cross-country ski rentals available from
