Skiing at Banff National Park is a bucket-list experience, yet the cost of window tickets can drain your travel budget faster than a double-black diamond run. If you are planning a Lake Louise ski resort trip this season, you likely know that daily rates are steep. The good news? You rarely need to pay full price.
Visitors generally have two primary options to save money: purchasing a Costco ticket package or getting the Lake Louise Plus+Card. Both promise savings, but their value fluctuates wildly depending on exactly how many days you ski.
This guide breaks down the math for the 2025 season to help you choose the right pass before you reach the chairlift.
At A Glance: The Quick Verdict
If you don’t want to crunch the numbers, use this simple rule of thumb based on your itinerary:
- Skiing 1 Day: The Plus+Card is rarely worth it for a single day due to the upfront card fee. Look for online advance tickets instead.
- Skiing 2 Days: Buy the Costco 2-pack. It typically offers a lower per-day rate than the Plus+Card for short trips.
- Skiing 3 to 7 Days: The Plus+Card is the clear winner. You get your 1st, 4th, and 7th days free, dropping the daily average significantly.
- Skiing 7+ Days: Consider a Season Pass or the SkiBig3 pass if you plan to visit multiple resorts like Sunshine Village or Mt. Norquay.
The Baseline: Window Prices
Savings are relative to your “pain price”—the amount you pay walking up to the window at the Lake Louise ski resort on the morning of your trip. This is always the most expensive option.
Market pricing fluctuates based on demand and seasonal peaks (Christmas, Family Day). Always use the official online advance rate as your baseline for comparison, as booking at least 24 hours ahead usually secures a discount off the window rate.
Option 1: The Lake Louise Plus+Card
This is the most popular discount product for locals and extended-stay visitors. It requires an upfront fee to buy the physical card, but compensates you with a “Free Days” structure.
- Free Days: You receive a complimentary lift ticket on your 1st, 4th, and 7th visits.
- Daily Discounts: On paid days (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th), you receive 20% off the full-day window price.
- Kids: Up to two children (under 12) can ski free on your free days.
The Math on the Plus+Card
Because the first day is included in the purchase price, you essentially pre-pay for Day 1. The real value unlocks on Day 4. If you ski four days, you are effectively paying for only two days of lift tickets (plus the card fee), while getting two days free. This drops your average daily cost lower than almost any other commercial option.
Option 2: Costco Ticket Bundles
Residents of Western Canada (and savvy travelers) can purchase Lake Louise ski lift ticket bundles at Costco warehouses or via their online platform. These typically come as a two-pack of adult lift tickets.
- Price Point: Bundles generally offer significant savings over window rates, often averaging closer to $100-$115 CAD per day, though prices vary by season. Check current stock at Costco.ca.
- Flexibility: These are usually physical tickets or vouchers, not a non-transferable ID card. You can often split the two tickets between two people on the same day, making this ideal for couples skiing just one day together.
Experience Note: These bundles are physical products. You typically must buy them in-store or order them by mail weeks before your trip. You cannot buy them at the resort ticket window.
Critical Comparison: Who Wins?
Here is how the cost per day shakes out for an adult skier planning a Louise Lake ski trip.
The 3-Day Trip Scenario
- Window Price: Paying daily is the most expensive.
- Costco: You would need one 2-pack and one single-day ticket. The savings are moderate.
- Plus+Card: You pay the card fee (Day 1), get 20% off Day 2, and 20% off Day 3.
Winner: It is a close call. The Costco route is often simpler, but if you might ski a 4th day, the Plus+Card is the smarter investment.
The 4-Day Trip Scenario (The Sweet Spot)
This is where the math changes dramatically.
- Plus+Card: You pay the card fee (Day 1 free). You pay discounted rates for Days 2 and 3. You get Day 4 completely free.
Winner: The Plus+Card is the undisputed champion for a 4-day vacation. The average daily cost drops drastically here, beating the Costco per-day rate.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even the best deal fails if you miss the fine print. Watch out for these common mistakes:
- Availability Windows: Retailers often stop selling the Plus+Card after the Christmas holiday period. Buy it early in the season.
- Pickup Lines: Buying a Plus+Card online often requires a visit to Guest Services to pick up your physical card. Lines at the base can be long at 9:00 AM on powder days.
- Physical Vouchers: If you leave your physical Plus+Card or Costco voucher at your hotel, you will have to pay full price at the window. They cannot look you up by name for Costco tickets.
- Blackout Dates: While the Plus+Card days generally work season-long, “Friend of a Friend” discounts may have restrictions. Always verify holiday dates on the official resort website.
Other Discounts: AMA and Mobile
If you are an Alberta Motor Association (AMA) member, check their travel centers. They often sell direct-to-lift tickets at a rate similar to the Costco bundle. This is a solid alternative if you don’t have a Costco membership. For those comparing multi-resort passes, you might also want to review our Ikon Pass breakdown, which includes access to SkiBig3 resorts.
Final Decision Framework
- Go Costco if you are a couple skiing one day, or a solo skier going for exactly two days.
- Go Plus+Card if you plan to ski between three and seven days, especially if you hit the 4-day sweet spot.
- Go Online Advance if you are skiing 1 day solo and lack a membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lake Louise Plus Card worth it for a 2-day trip?
Generally, no. For a two-day trip, purchasing a Costco 2-pack usually results in a lower cost per day. The Plus+Card’s significant value kicks in on the 3rd or 4th day when you unlock the second free day.
Can you buy Lake Louise lift tickets at Costco?
Yes, most Western Canadian Costco locations sell discounted 2-ticket bundles during the ski season. Note that these are physical tickets or vouchers, so you must purchase them in-store or online well before you arrive at the resort.
Does the Lake Louise Plus Card work at Banff Sunshine?
No, the standard Plus+Card is specific to Lake Louise. If you plan to ski both resorts, look into the SkiBig3 pass or check if your Ikon Pass covers both destinations.
What is the cost of a lift ticket at Lake Louise in 2025?
Window prices fluctuate based on regular and peak season dates, typically ranging between $140 and $160 CAD for adults. Always check the official Lake Louise website for the most current daily rates.
