Charlie Locke returned to Alberta from the ‘Oscars’ of the ski industry – The World Ski Awards – with two prestigious trophies. Lake Louise won Canada’s Best Ski Resort, and Locke was bestowed the tribute of Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism for the Americas.
“This is the high point of my career,” says Locke, “I was thrilled we won Best Ski Resort in Canada again, but this personal recognition in front of esteemed peers in an industry so dear to me – just an amazing surprise. I am feeling extremely grateful and honoured.”
The 2nd annual World Ski Awards welcomed 200 leading global ski hospitality representatives to Kitzbühel, Austria for a gala dinner hosted by UK television star Ms. Ela Clark.The World Ski Awards are a sister organization of the venerated World Travel Awards, celebrating their 21stanniversary. Well over 800,000 independent travel professionals and skiers from around the world voted to determine this year’s winners in the ‘Best Of’ categories.
Charlie Locke, born and raised in Calgary, was one of Canada’s leading climbers and ski mountaineers during the 1960s and 1970s, with achievements including pioneering the Great Divide Ski Traverse from Jasper to Lake Louise in 1967 and over 40 first ascents of Alberta and British Columbia peaks. He helped raise money for the construction of initial lifts at the Lake Louise Ski Area prior to purchasing the resort outright in 1981 and founded Resorts of the Canadian Rockies in the 1990s, which he sold in 2003. Today he is sole proprietor of The Lake Louise Ski Resort, which he operates with his wife Louise and two daughters.
The Lake Louise Ski Resort, nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers legendary, light, dry powder and awe-inspiring panoramas of endless mountain views, glaciers and frozen lakes. Just minutes from the village of Lake Louise and conveniently accessible from the town of Banff, the resort includes a large learners’ area and beginner and intermediate runs from every chairlift, so that all ages and abilities can explore the four mountain faces and sprawling resort together. There are also endless bowls, steep chutes, an impressive terrain park and a newly expanded tube park. Lake Louise is home of the World Cup Alpine season-opener speed events, which begin this Saturday November 29th with the men’s downhill races.
