Lake Louise is a beautiful mountain lake in the middle of Banff National Park in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta, Canada. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and at the far end is a large glacier. The lake is quite isolated, but provides a magnificent setting for a luxury resort, the Chateaux Lake Louise. This resort is currently undergoing major expansion, and a large conference wing is being constructed on the 'inland' side of the hotel. There is a very small town of the same name at the base of the mountain.
Lake Louise Mountain Resort is a ski resort located in Banff National Park, in the village of Lake Louise, Alberta. It can be reached from Banff, from where it is almost a one-hour drive 57 km (35 mi) west on Trans-Canada Highway.
The resort is situated on the southern slopes of the Merlin Ridge of the Slate Range, between the heights of Mount Richardson, Ptarmigan Peak, Pika Peak and Redoubt Mountain, all around 3000 m (10,000 ft) high. The base of the slopes is defined by Pipestone River, a tributary of the Bow River, immediately north of the intersections between Highway 1A (Bow Valley Trail), Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), and Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway).
PLACE TO VISIT
The main attractions at Lake Louise are the vibrantly coloured glacial lakes and Victoria Glacier at the head of Lake Louise. The lakes to stop and explore are: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake.
On the shores of Lake Louise is The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. During the summer you can canoe on the lake and in the winter months they offer ice skating around the ice castle or horse drawn sleigh rides. Every January there is an international ice carving competition held called Ice Magic.
Also Lake Louise Mountain Resort changes with the seasons, a world class ski resort in the winter and a Sightseeing Gondola in the summer.
If you are interested in hiking or climbing you've got lots of access to all sorts of trails in this area.
WHAT TO DO
As a ski-resort and wilderness area, tourist activity varies according to the season. The primary form of spring and summer recreation in the area is walking around the lake on the lakeside path, hiking on mountain trails leading from the lake, and admiring the scenery. During the summer, canoes can be rented and fishing is a popular activity. The ski resort turns into an interpretive centre in the summer months and gives visitors a beautiful view of Lake Louise from the top of the Gondola.
Snowshoeing, cross country skiing and winter walking trails are abundant, rentals are available at the same places as the ice skates and Parks Canada will be more then happy to give you trail info, or guided tours do leave from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Ice skate on the lake, rental skates are available within The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and down in the village at Wilson Mountain Sports.
Sleigh Rides leave from in front of The Chateau Lake Louise with Brewster Lake Louise Stables.
Guided Hikes are available through The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or you can also check out Great Divide Nature Interpretation.
There is some great rock climbing in the area if interested.
Horseback riding, there are two companies which offer trail rides and pack trips in Lake Louise. Brewster Adventures and Timberline Tours.
HOW TO REACH
Lake Louise is 186 KM (120 miles) west of Calgary, and 56 KM (36 miles) West of the town of Banff.
Calgary International Airport is a 2.5 hours drive to Lake Louise. There are several car rental agencies at the airport or you can book one of the many shuttles which drop off at hotels in Banff and Lake Louise.
If you want to book your airport shuttle ahead of time check out these companies: Brewster Airporter & Resort Connector, Mountain Connector, Banff Airporter Inc.
Greyhound does a few different scheduled runs throughout the day from the Calgary Bus Terminal.
If you are driving and would like to check out the Parks Canada road report.
