Town of Banff

World Cup Ski Races

Each year, Lake Louise Ski Area is home to the first World Cup alpine ski races of the season in North America. The world’s best downhill and slalom ski racers converge on Lake Louise in November and December to compete in a series of thrilling races.

With the Vancouver 2010 Olympics just a couple of months away, the Lake Louise World Cup is the first race of the season on Canadian snow, and a chance to see to see the Olympic contenders - including our own Canadian racers - in action before they hit the slopes in Whistler.

If you can't get to Lake Louise to cheer our athletes on in person, the next best way to experience all the racing action is at Banff Avenue Square (200 Banff Avenue), where the big Jumbotron screen will be showing the races live, as they happen.

The 2009 WinterStart World Cup races include:

Men's World Cup

November 28 and 29, at Lake Louise Ski Area, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Nov. 28, Bombardier Winterstart Men's World Cup Downhill
• Nov. 29, Bombardier Winterstart Men's World Cup Super G
• Race awards follow each event at 1:30 p.m.

Ladies' World Cup

December 4 - 6, at Lake Louise Ski Area, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Dec. 4, Bombardier Winterstart Ladies' World Cup Downhill
• Dec. 5, Bombardier Winterstart Ladies' World Cup Downhill
• Dec. 6, Bombardier Winterstart Ladies' World Cup Super G
• Race awards follow each event at 1:30 p.m.