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Lake Louise resort information & après-ski
Après-ski
Lake Louise is not the place for wild partying, but there are a few options for fun après-ski.
The Kokanee Kabin at the mountain base is usually a lively spot at the end of the day with cold beer, hot drinks, a barbecue and live music. Legends bar, below the Lake Louise Inn, can get pretty lively later in the evening, with bar games and a cosy fireplace.
For an après-ski activity with an Albertan twist, Brewster Lake Louise Stables (tel: +1 403 762 5454; www.brewsteradventures.com) transfers customers in a horse-drawn sleigh and whisks them to a cowboy barbecue, complete with live country and western music and line dancing (departs from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise).
Most dining options beyond the slopes are situated in the resort’s larger hotels, with a few small cafes in the Samson Mall, in the centre of the village. All in all there are roughly 20 places from which to choose.
For breakfast and snacks, both Laggan’s Mountain Bakery & Deli (tel: +1 403 522 2017) and the Trailhead Café (tel: +1 403 522 2006), located in the mall, are popular for freshly baked goods, sandwiches and wraps.
Other options include the Mount Fairview Dining Room in Deer Lodge (tel: +1 403 522 3991; www.crmr.com/deer), which serves up such treats as buffalo and caribou, and Timberwolf Pizza and Pasta Café in the Lake Louise Inn (tel: +1 403 522 3791; www.lakelouiseinn.com), a great choice for families. For unique fine dining, The Station (tel: +1 403 522 2600; www.lakelouisestation.com) provides the opportunity for guests to dine in a 1910 railway station and vintage dining car.
Resort Information
Lake Louise has no base slopeside village, and the main accommodation base a mile or so away is an intimate affair, with a scattering of a dozen or so shops and cafés. That said, there is an ample offering of off-slope activities to keep visitors entertained.
One of the resort’s most magical experiences is ice skating on frozen Lake Louise itself; while part of the lake is also cleared for hockey. Another memorable activity is the famous torchlight parade and dinner, held several times throughout the season.
On the snow, there are snowshoe walks from the top of the Grizzly Express Gondola, cross-country skiing trails, dog sledding, snowmobiling excursions and a snow-tubing park (open from January to April).
Heli-skiing trips are also available for advanced skiers, operated by a number of companies in the area.
For those who may feel a little underwhelmed by Lake Louise’s après-ski offering, the famous ski town of Banff, with its shops, restaurants and natural hot-springs, is about 45 minutes away by car.
Childcare is available at the daycare centre next to the main lodge for children up to six years; tots can also try a little skiing. Then, from age five (or seven for snowboarders) to 12 years, children can join ‘Kidski and Shreddies' classes, meeting at the Wilderness Adventure Park. Private ski lessons are also available for children as young as three.
Fun activities for kids at Lake Louise besides skiing include the Sunny Lane tubing park with four runs for children to sample, as well as outdoor ice skating (when the ice is thick enough) and dog sledding.
Shopaholics are better off in Banff, but there are a few places to flex the plastic in Lake Louise.
Shopping in the resort is mostly limited to ski stores, boutiques and gift shops – the majority of these shops are either in the compact Samson Mall at the heart of the village or at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (tel: +1 403 522 3511; www.fairmont.com/lakelouise).
Stay in a luxurious secluded wilderness cabin at Emerald Lake Lodge (tel: +1 800 663 6336; www.crmr.com/emerald) in Yoho National Park, 40km (25 miles) west of Lake Louise. The first lodge was built here during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1902. Visitors can follow the cross-country skiing trails around the lake, ice skate, or try the more adventurous pursuit of waterfall ice climbing.
Hotels
There are a number of different accommodation options in Lake Louise to suit every budget. For those looking for self-catering facilities, Lake Louise has plenty of rustic cabins and chalets in quiet, secluded locations. Alternatively, the various lodges suit larger groups and often boast great amenities and communal relaxation areas. There are also numerous hotels in Lake Louise, from luxury 5-star offerings to cheap and cheerful motels.
The historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is set in a stunning location on the shores of Lake Louise. This luxury option boasts a choice of restaurants and a spa.
111 Lake Louise Drive,
T0L 1E0,
Lake Louise,
Canada
The Post Hotel and Spa has an excellent standard of fixtures and fitting, a first rate spa and a highly regarded gourmet restaurant with extensive wine cellar.
200 Pipestone Rd,
T0L 1E0,
Lake Louise,
Canada
This modern and comfortable hotel features several room types catering to different budgets, and it has an indoor pool, hot tub and regular shuttle service to the slopes.
210 Village Road,
T0L 1E0,
Lake Louise,
Canada
This well situated, family-run facility offers charming wooden cabins to hire, based in the beautiful greenery surrounding the shores of Lake Louise.
105 Lake Louise Drive,
T0L 1E0,
Lake Louise,
Canada
This clean and airy Hostelling International accommodation offers low-cost private and shared rooms. Amenities here include free Wi-Fi, a well-equipped kitchen and an on-site café.
203 Village Road,
T0L1E0,
Lake Louise,
Canada
Well located in the main village close to the shops and petrol station, the Mountaineer Lodge benefits from large rooms with kitchenettes and houses an on-site sauna with hot tub.
101 Village Road,
T0L 1E0,
Lake Louise,
Canada
Getting there and around
Nearest airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC).
Distance to resort: 196km (122 miles).
Driving time: 2 hours.
A free bus service connects the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise Inn and Post Hotel with the ski area. Shuttles also run between Lake Louise and the nearby ski areas of Sunshine Village and Mt Norquay. Taxis are also available within the resort.
Those with a car can drive over to Kicking Horse ski resort in British Columbia, which makes a perfect day trip.
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