Lake Louise Ski Resort smashes December snowfall record as it aims for whitest Christmas ever

Lake Louise Ski Resort opened Tuesday. Here is a photo from the slopes courtesy of Brent Chapman.

Lake Louise Ski Resort got its Christmas present early in the form of a record setting December snowfall.

The popular Banff ski spot celebrated with a Christmas Eve media release, announcing that a Wednesday snowfall had sealed the deal on what is shaping up to be one of the best ski seasons ever.

“The numbers say it all,” the release said. “Sixteen cm (centimetres) over the last 24 hours. 72 cm over the past seven days, 266 cm so far this December -- and an incredible 463 cm this season.

“And the fun isn’t over yet,” they added, “with snow expected to continue tonight (Christmas Eve) and Friday.”

All 149 runs are open, along with three terrain parks and a tube park.

Last weekend, visitors to the resort got a surprise visit from a grizzly named Split Lip, who briefly appeared to be checking out the Santa Slalom ski race before disappearing into the backwoods.