Icon of Canadian Nature
One of the most used photos to promote Canadian nature around the world is undoubtedly Lake Louise and its turquoise color reminiscent of Caribbean water with a few dozen degrees Celsius less. This color comes from the friction caused by the movement of ice on the rock which produces sediments and which, when falling into the water, gives it this magnificent color.
The Fairmont Château Lac Louise Hotel offers a spectacular view of the lake and you can even book a lunch there when returning from hiking on the covered and heated terrace. To do this, and if you are not a hotel guest, you will have to register on the telephone waiting list from 11 a.m. in order to hope to receive a text message which will guarantee you a place for a few minutes. The menu is simple, but executed with refinement and the view is unbeatable!
After your meal, if you wish, you can take a canoe trip on the turquoise waters of the lake at the foot of the Victoria Glacier (which the Queen has never seen!), but for this you will first need to have made a reservation by contacting the staff at the Boathouse just a stone’s throw from the hotel to secure a place.
The cabalistic winds (winds caused by the glacier) which cool the air considerably and transform the most beautiful day of July into a chilly day are a particularity of the mountainous environment. You will appreciate having dressed according to the principle of multi-layering so that you can adapt and not be too hot or too cold. Don’t be like many of the tourists we encountered who arrived at the site in sandals, shorts and t-shirts. The weather can be very nice in Banff and the temperature can drop ten to fifteen degrees Celsius around the lake. The average temperature in July is thirteen degrees Celsius. Also bring good shoes to venture on the surrounding trails, which are numerous and varied and offer challenges for all types of hikers, from the curious sedentary to the experienced climber. The on-site park staff will be able to advise you on the hike that meets your current needs both in terms of its length and the altitude difference which varies greatly depending on the trail chosen. Breathtaking views guaranteed!
It should be noted that the site is also open in winter to practice cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, winter hiking or just enjoy the landscape snuggled up in the warmth by the fire.
Moraine Lake
The other unmissable lake, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Moraine Lake is located very close to Lake Louise. A moraine is the mark left by ice in the ground as it passes through and which is only visible once all the ice has melted. It was at the foot of the Wenkchemna glacier that Walter Wilcox discovered the lake one morning in August 1899 and described this moment spent admiring the lake as the most beautiful thirty minutes of his life.
The ultimate way to enjoy this place is to witness it at daybreak. The sunlight reflecting off the mountains and lake is magical and radiates a peace that is hard to explain. You can entrust the organization of this excursion to our favorite tour operator and just show up at the carrier’s meeting place or, if getting up in the middle of the night to get there is not your cup of tea, you can spend the night at Moraine Lake Lodge, whose restoration designed by the famous architect Arthur Erickson to integrate the complex into its environment while offering visitors an incredible experience is a total success. Don’t hesitate to enjoy a delicious meal at the Walter Wilcox restaurant which offers a breathtaking view of the landscape. The restaurant is renowned for offering a menu focused on fresh and local products and has a respectable wine list also composed of delicious Canadian wines which will introduce you to an unexpected terroir.
It should be noted that the surroundings of the lake offer spectacular hikes and that you can also rent a canoe to explore the lake and benefit from unique views in the center of majestic mountains.
The summer gondola at the Lake Louise ski resort
Another activity option is the gondola which will take you to the top of the Lake Louise ski hill. During the summer season, it is possible to access the summit at 6893 feet (2101 m) above sea level and the view along the way is magnificent. You can even see Mount Temple, Mount Victoria, Lake Louise and the Fairmont Hotel in the distance. You can book a package here. Once at the summit, an exhibition on the surrounding fauna with certain stuffed specimens is interesting to visit. Some hiking trails are accessible, but it is not recommended to venture there alone, again due to the presence of black bears and Grizzly bears and you should bring repellent available for rental on site. There is also a restaurant, the Whitehorn Bistro with extraordinary views. That said, it is also possible, as was the case for us, that the restaurant and the trails are closed on the day of your visit for various reasons. The gondola ride is nevertheless pleasant.
Reservations — a must
We had the chance to book 5 days in July at the Lake Louise campsite on the Parks Canada reservation site and we built our itinerary from these dates. What you need to know is that online reservations will open in January for 2024 (Parks Canada) and that the majority of dates sell out on the first day. So you have to plan carefully. However, cancellations are easy and inexpensive and sometimes you find a place a few days’ notice or even if you’re lucky, the same day, precisely because of the cancellations.
As for camping, I can’t say it was my favorite of the summer. It is good to know that it is divided into two distinct sections, one for hard-sided vehicles and the other, surrounded by an electric fence, reserved for tents. You will understand that we are in bear country and that they like human food! The sites are so narrow that I could have borrowed a cup of sugar from my neighbor through the window of our two respective vehicles. This was our first visit and we didn’t know what to expect. Our previous experiences of national parks had all been positive, but I must admit that here, between the train which whistles in our ears several times a day and the neighbors who literally share a site with us (because honestly and under all circumstances reservations, the administration seems to have said to itself: “We are so popular, why not take advantage of this and split the fields in two to double our capacity?”), the experience did not turn out to be the most pleasant and we left our place to others a day earlier than planned.
That said, the possibilities for activities in the park are so numerous that we spend little time in the campsite.
When making your reservation on the Parks Canada website, also remember to reserve the shuttle that will take you to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. You can, if you wish, do both in the same day, but reservation is essential since this year and for the entire summer season, no private vehicle is allowed on the Moraine Lake site and the number of places of parking (paid) for Lake Louise is really reduced. Another option if the Parks Canada system is wearing out your patience is a double-decker bus tour that also gives you the opportunity to do both lakes, with the height to take great photos en route and commentary from your friendly driver.
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