When you think of vibrant, turquoise water, you probably envision somewhere tropical. Crystal blue waters surrounded by sand, palm trees and warm weather, right? Not necessarily. You can view the same beauty in Lake Louise, a small, quaint town just a short two-hour drive from Calgary and an even shorter 40 minutes from Banff.
I highly recommend spending two nights at the famous Chateau Lake Louise. It’s a Fairmount property situated right on Lake Louise, has a ton of amenities and is walking distance to almost everything in town. Upon my arrival, I checked into the hotel and decided to go canoeing. I rented a canoe at the Boathouse, and went off exploring every edge of this marvel and got close to the majestic Rocky Mountains. The vast mountain range stands tall in every direction you look. Behind these massive mountains is the Victoria Glacier named after Queen Victoria. The melting runoff of this glacier is what feeds Lake Louise. And even though there are quite a few tourists in the summer months, there is something very peaceful about being on the lake, whether you are canoeing or simply idling while taking in the crisp mountain air and jaw dropping views. (Visiting in the winter? Skate on the lake or enjoy the Ice Magic Festival.)
Next on my agenda was Lake Louise Ski Resort. Open in the summer months, it gives visitors an opportunity to climb high on the mountain. As you ascend, look out for grizzlies and stunning views of the Rockies and Lake Louise. It’s incredible that even in July, there is snow on top of the mountains. At this point, I needed to refuel, so I grabbed a spot outdoors at the Whitehorn Bistro, which featured stunning views of the mountains and lake.
Afterwards, I decided to end my busy day with a cocktail at the Lakeview Lounge. I took a seat by the large arched window overlooking the lake and enjoyed a view like none other. One could easily spend the whole day staring out into the blue oasis.
Day two of my adventure had me up early to make my way to the Columbia Icefields, a less than two-hour drive from Lake Louise. Summer or winter, the ice fields have a lot to offer. I was there at the tail end of summer.
I decided, upon many recommendations, to do a helicopter ride over the region. The ride was almost an hour and offered opportunities to see more aqua green bodies of water, gigantic glaciers and lush green landscape.
After the ride in the sky, I headed back to the hotel to make my way to the Lake Agnes Tea House. Open only from June to October, this tea house is a short, moderate 3.6km (2.2 mile) hike. I ordered from their extensive tea menu, grabbed some lunch and topped it off with a sweet treat. If the food incentive isn’t enough, know this hike will not disappoint in the sightseeing category either. After some much needed meal and R&R, I made my way back to the Chateau.
On day three, my last day before heading back to Calgary, I spent the majority of my time at Moraine Lake. I enjoyed even more green-blue lakes, mountains and beautiful scenery. The short 2.9km (1.8 mile) hike around the lake is good for all skill levels. But you really don’t go for the workout. You go for the unbelievable landscapes. I spent most of my day here taking my time soaking in the fresh air and snapping pictures. With fall around the corner, there had been a light snowfall but the temperature was mild. The water looked crystal clear and the mountains were grand. Moraine Lake did not disappoint. I was in awe of every angle of this place.
After my blissful day came to an end, I made a one last stop to eat at the Outpost Pub in the Post Hotel. There, I was treated to a good comfort food with an English pub feeling that eased the soul after three busy and wonderful days in Lake Louise. My time here was short, and I can’t wait to come back and experience even more of this beautiful Alberta hamlet.
Story & Photography By Alaa Razoky
**Due to Covid-19, the US/Canadian Border is closed to non-essential travel until July 21st, 2020. This date may be extended so check before crossing borders.**
