Lake Louise

Canada

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 Châteaux Lake Louise, and a conference wing on the 'inland' side of the hotel.

There is a very small town of the same name at the base of the mountain.

The lake, a major tourist attraction, can be crowded during the day as coach tour groups arrive. Before 8AM, you can see the lake with few people around; at dawn, the light shines onto the back wall of the glacier lake. Just before dusk is also reasonably quiet.

  • Lake Louise Visitor Centre, 201 Village Road (near Sampson Mall Lake Louise, +1 403-522-3833. Jan 1-Apr 29: 9AM-4PM; Apr 30-Jun 21: 9AM-5PM; Jun 22-Sep 8: 9AM-8PM; Sep 9-15:very 9AM-7PM; Sep 16-22: 9AM-5PM; Sep 23-Apr 30: 9AM-4PM; closed Dec 25.

Lake Louise Visitor Centre, 201 Village Road (near Sampson Mall Lake Louise, +1 403-522-3833. Jan 1-Apr 29: 9AM-4PM; Apr 30-Jun 21: 9AM-5PM; Jun 22-Sep 8: 9AM-8PM; Sep 9-15:very 9AM-7PM; Sep 16-22: 9AM-5PM; Sep 23-Apr 30: 9AM-4PM; closed Dec 25.

View of the lake The main attractions at Lake Louise are the vibrantly coloured glacial lakes and Victoria Glacier at the head of Lake Louise. Other lakes to stop and explore in the area (all within Banff National Park) are Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake.

  • Lake Louise. Spectacular example of a glacial lake. Best seen first thing in the morning before the hoards of other tourists arrive.

Lake Louise. Spectacular example of a glacial lake. Best seen first thing in the morning before the hoards of other tourists arrive.

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. View along hike to Victoria Glacier

  • Lake Louise Ski Resort, 1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise (45 minutes from Banff, +1 403-522-3555. Lake Louise hosts men's and women's World Cup ski events every November, making it the best-known ski area in Banff National Park. As such, it is also the busiest and most touristy. It is located close to the Lake Louise town site. The scenery is fantastic, as is the terrain when there is fresh snow. Snowshoe tours and Sunny Tube park (next to the magic carpet) for those who don't ski or board. Excellent all you can eat buffet breakfast served in the Whiskey Jack Lodge ($12). If you're on the Club Snowboard/Ski program get the early bus! $85 for full day adult ticket.
  • Kingmic Dogsled Tours, +1-877-919-7779. is the oldest dog sled tour company in the west, and goes along the Continental Divide
  • Ice skate. on the lake, rental skates are available within The Fairmont Château Lake Louise and down in the village at Wilson Mountain Sports.
  • Sleigh Rides. leave from in front of The Château Lake Louise
  • 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 than happy to give you trail info, or guided tours do leave from The Fairmont Château Lake Louise.

Lake Louise Ski Resort, 1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise (45 minutes from Banff, +1 403-522-3555. Lake Louise hosts men's and women's World Cup ski events every November, making it the best-known ski area in Banff National Park. As such, it is also the busiest and most touristy. It is located close to the Lake Louise town site. The scenery is fantastic, as is the terrain when there is fresh snow. Snowshoe tours and Sunny Tube park (next to the magic carpet) for those who don't ski or board. Excellent all you can eat buffet breakfast served in the Whiskey Jack Lodge ($12). If you're on the Club Snowboard/Ski program get the early bus! $85 for full day adult ticket.

Kingmic Dogsled Tours, +1-877-919-7779. is the oldest dog sled tour company in the west, and goes along the Continental Divide

Ice skate. on the lake, rental skates are available within The Fairmont Château Lake Louise and down in the village at Wilson Mountain Sports.

Sleigh Rides. leave from in front of The Château Lake Louise

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 than happy to give you trail info, or guided tours do leave from The Fairmont Château Lake Louise.

Gondola -, 1 Whitehorn Road (at the Lake Louise Ski Area. Lake Louise Mountain Resort runs one of the chairlifts with gondolas in the summer up to an interpretive centre giving you a great spot to take breathtaking photos and learn about the local wildlife.

Canoe. rentals are available on Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Guided Hikes are available through The Fairmont Château Lake Louise or you can also check out Great Divide Nature Interpretation

There is some great rock climbing in the area. Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise rents all the climbing gears except rope and harness.

Horseback riding, there are two companies which offer trail rides and pack trips in Lake Louise. Brewster Adventures and Timberline Tours

There isn't a lot of shopping in Lake Louise. There are some stores at The Fairmont Château Lake Louise as well as in the hamlet at Samson Mall.

There are two gas stations in the village providing fuel and basic supplies.

Wilson Mountain Sports. You can rent sporting equipment here

Most of the restaurants are located within the hotels in the hamlet of Lake Louise. Dining at the Post Hotel is simply amazing. Additionally, ask at your hotel or camp-ground where they would recommend.

There are a couple of restaurants located at Samson Mall, also the Station Restaurant which was converted from the heritage-listed train station and another at a gas station. There are also a few restaurants located just outside of Lake Louise at the various other hotels just off the beaten path. Bill Peyto's Cafe in the hostel serves good basic food.

  • Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant, 200 Sentinel Road, +1 403-522-2600. Interesting building and a few exhibits for rail enthusiasts. Reasonable food but the number of tables exceeds the kitchen capacity, so expect a long wait at peak times.
  • Bill Peyto's Cafe, 203 Village Road (In the hostel, not easy to see from the road.. Excellent food (burgers, chili, salads) at a reasonable price.
  • Whitehorn Bistro. Very good food, if a little pricey, with a patio at 2042 metres providing probably one of the best views from a restaurant you will ever see. Be aware can be cold outside even in June.

Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant, 200 Sentinel Road, +1 403-522-2600. Interesting building and a few exhibits for rail enthusiasts. Reasonable food but the number of tables exceeds the kitchen capacity, so expect a long wait at peak times.

Bill Peyto's Cafe, 203 Village Road (In the hostel, not easy to see from the road.. Excellent food (burgers, chili, salads) at a reasonable price.

Whitehorn Bistro. Very good food, if a little pricey, with a patio at 2042 metres providing probably one of the best views from a restaurant you will ever see. Be aware can be cold outside even in June.

Most hotels in the hamlet of Lake Louise have a bar or pub.

  • Lake Louise Medical Clinic, 200 Hector Rd, +1 403-522-2184.

Lake Louise Medical Clinic, 200 Hector Rd, +1 403-522-2184.

Escape the crowds of tourists at Lake Louise and travel up the Icefields Parkway Highway 93 North - Banff to Jasper Highway, one of the most scenic drives in North America with sites such as: Bow Lake, Bow Glacier, Crowfoot Glacier, Mistaya Canyon, Waterfowl Lake, Parkers Ridge, Wilcox Pass, Into Jasper National Park, Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Falls, and eventually Jasper.

Along the Icefields Parkway there are numerous opportunities to camp or stay in a rustic wilderness hostel.

For the adventurous you can get to Banff from Lake Louise on foot via the Saddleback Trail. It is an easy to moderately difficult 4-5 day hike complete with empty camp-sites. The trail is passable from July through to October. Check with the Park Canada Information office in town for up to date trail conditions, the disposition of any local Grizzlies and advice.