Welcome to Lake Louise

If you’ve never been to Canada before, you usually have no idea what is in store for you at Lake Louise. If you’re heading back, you know EXACTLY how beautiful, how serene and how extraordinary this place truly is. Lake Louise never disappoints.

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise was often visited by the local Stoney people, until its location was shared with local legend Tom Wilson. If you ever want to read about an exceptional man, pick up a book on Tom Wilson. Lake Louise was then named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the daughter of Queen Victoria. It was originally called Emerald Lake and then changed with Emerald Lake now being an also beautiful lake nearby.

Whilst the unparalleled beauty of the Lake is almost unearthly, equally mind blowing is the fact that it is the spot for the Tri-Continental Divide. What’s that? Well, put it this way, if a drop of rain falls on the divide it will either roll to the Pacific, the Arctic, or the Atlantic. The three continental plates come together at this point.

When in Lake Louise, the best option (daylight second) is the Chateau Lake Louise. Known as the Diamond of the Rockies, the Chateau sits directly on the banks of Lake Louise, providing absolute access to Hiking and canoeing in summer, and ice-skating and snow-shoeing in winter. For those worried about the impact of all this tourism in such a pristine location, never fear as the Lake is in good hands. Fairmont keeps on staff three full-time Mountain Guides to inform and facilitate everyone’s understanding of this unique natural magnificence.

Head of the Mountain Guides is one of the most incredible characters of the Rockies, Bruce Bembridge. If you go to the Chateau Lake Louise, try above all else to do one of the activities with the mountain guides, and if you’re particularly lucky, you’ll get Bruce. And Bruce will warm you with his passion for this area as you laugh like with an old friend because Bruce is just that kind of hospitable type that you rarely encounter anymore. If you run into Bruce, say hi from us!

If you’re hiking through Lake Louise in summer, bring clothing for a variety of weather conditions, as weather in the area has its own microclimate and can be unpredictable as well as rewarding. If you’re ‘out and about’ – yes I know our Canadian cousins say it differently - remember the teahouse, halfway up the mountain, for a lovely cosy spot of afternoon tea. In winter, get your skates on because amid the ice sculptures you can skate over Lake Louise, and even sit around with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the local youth play ice hockey. Want to cap off a crisp winter day? Take a sleigh ride on the magnificent horse drawn sleigh.

Whilst there, one last tip, stop in to the bookstore. It’s a treasure trove of local knowledge with works from local authors that you may not ever see anywhere else, and the staff are very welcoming.

Call for a friendly chat about imagining yourself in Lake Louise on 02 4296 9822

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