Sunday Special – Lake Louise, Alberta

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are a sight to see. I myself have only seen them briefly on a short break in Canmore, AB during a long long bus ride. It truly was one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. That being said, I should really see more of this incredible mountain range that shares itself with Canada and the US.

In the Western Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta you will find the Rocky’s Mount Victoria straddling the border. To the east, in Alberta, nestled at the mountain’s base is the glacial lake of Lake Louise sparkling like a turquoise blue gem. The waters shimmer blue due to rock flour that the glacier runoff transported to it. Known as Ho-run-num-nay by the Stoney Nakota First Nation, it means “lake of little fishes”. At 5 km / 3.1 miles east is the small hamlet of Lake Louise and nearby Lake Louise Ski Resort. As you can easily tell, the name can mean various places, though I see it as the overall area. Additionally, the resort town of Banff, which often goes hand-in-hand with Lake Louise, is a 57 km / 35 mile drive from Lake Louise. The closest major city and airport is Calgary at a 183 km / 114 mile drive to the east.

Lake Louise can be a year-round playground, based on what you enjoy and consider fun. The chilly winter months are popular for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Of course you can see the majestic mountain scenery in other ways. Gliding along the snow on cross-country skis is popular on the maintained trails. Get an outdoor workout with snowshoeing or winter hiking. Considered by some as one of the best ice rinks in the world, you can glide along Lake Louise’s frozen surface or have an impromptu hockey game (you are in Canada after all). The elegant Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise maintains the rink for all to enjoy as well as hosting the Ice Magic International Ice Carving Competition as part of the yearly Snow Days Festival. And at night you may be in luck and see the Northern Lights dancing for you in crisp, clear sky.

As the temperatures increase, the snow starts to melt (though not on all the peaks) and moves onward into the summer months bringing with it a continued time to relish the outdoors with numerous hikes and walks ranging from a couple hours to multi-day backcountry hiking adventures. With an abundance of areas to explore you can get your fill of Canadian nature. Taking to the blue waters is another way to drink in the area with activities such as kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding. After all this you can head over to Lake Louise Ski Resort and take their gondola to provide a bird’s eye view and maybe spot some wildlife.

Not to be left out, spring and autumn continue to offer the beauty of the area. Spring skiing & snowboarding is popular with some warmer climes yet still cold enough to swish down the slopes. Fall is a also a favourite season to hike as the changing foliage can be spectacular to view. And of course taking in the museums and sites of the hamlet can be enjoyed as well if the weather isn’t quite as you hoped.

It would appear that the popularity of Lake Louise and area is warranted. Beautiful scenery and an abundance of activities makes it one of Alberta’s popular spots.

Some area may be closed or have restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.