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Introducing Lake Louise
In a park full of stunning places, Lake Louise could very well take the top prize. Roughly 60km northwest of Banff Town, this picturesque tourist haven is often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Rockies.’ The lake itself is a robin-egg blue, surrounded by a mountainous amphitheater of overwhelming grandeur. The Victoria Glacier hangs at the far end, while Mt Temple and the surrounding mountains paint a natural picture that couldn’t have been engineered to be more aesthetically pleasing. The lake is where you will find the Chateau Lake Louise, which, depending upon your opinion, is the best thing since sliced bread or a lump of human intervention dropped into paradise. Nothing is perfect in this world, and the best time to see the lake without more people than you have ever seen before is likely after dark or during a snowstorm. Otherwise get ready for Disneyland.
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The town of Lake Louise isn’t much more than a few shops, a gas station and a line of hotels that charges like a wounded bull, but as long as you can put up with a few too many people and a stretch to the budget, you’re in for a treat.
The lake is 5km away from the town. In summer, Parks Canada runs a shuttle bus from the village to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. If you’d rather walk, it’ll take you about 45 minutes on the footpath from the village to Lake Louise.
The Lake Louise Visitor Centre (403-522-3833; beside Samson Mall, Lake Louise village; 9am-8pm May-Sep, to 5pm Oct & Apr, to 4pm Nov-Mar) is your local info hook-up.
The Bow Valley Parkway between Banff Town and Lake Louise is a slightly slower but much more scenic drive than Hwy 1.
Last updated: Aug 27, 2009
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