Comparison
Banff Sunshine vs Lake Louise: which has more reliable snow?
Banff Sunshine or Lake Louise? Natural snow month by month, at the village, mid-mountain and summit, from thirty winters of weather data.
The season at a glance
Each cell is one month: the share of days with 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow at mid-mountain over the last 30 winters, from brown (often thin) to deep blue (snow-sure). Blank means almost none.
The short answer
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 5 months of the year, but Banff Sunshine has had the edge more often. Month by month, Banff Sunshine has the edge in November and May.
Month by month
November: Banff Sunshine 18 of 30, Lake Louise 14 of 30 snow-sure winters (85% and 75% of days).
December: Banff Sunshine 29 of 30, Lake Louise 29 of 30 snow-sure winters (98% and 98% of days).
January: Banff Sunshine 30 of 30, Lake Louise 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
February: Banff Sunshine 30 of 30, Lake Louise 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
March: Banff Sunshine 30 of 30, Lake Louise 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
April: Banff Sunshine 30 of 30, Lake Louise 29 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 99% of days).
May: Banff Sunshine 20 of 30, Lake Louise 11 of 30 snow-sure winters (83% and 65% of days).
A snow-sure winter is one where mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on at least 90% of that month’s days.
Height and terrain
Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise are 45 km apart as the crow flies. Banff Sunshine first, then Lake Louise: Village 1,660 m against 1,646 m; Mid-mountain 2,195 m against 2,142 m; Summit 2,730 m against 2,637 m. Mapped downhill runs: Banff Sunshine 77 km, Lake Louise 80 km (OpenStreetMap).
In February, the village had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days at Banff Sunshine and 100% at Lake Louise.
Questions
Which has more reliable snow, Banff Sunshine or Lake Louise?
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 5 months of the year, but Banff Sunshine has had the edge more often. Month by month, Banff Sunshine has the edge in November and May.
Which has better snow down to the village, Banff Sunshine or Lake Louise?
In February, Banff Sunshine: its village had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on 100% of days, against 100%.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.