Discovering the Beauty of Lake Louise: A Stay at the Lake Louise Inn

10/27/20242 min read

Welcome to Lake Louise

When you think of natural beauty, Lake Louise should be at the top of your list. Nestled in the heart of Banff National Park, this iconic lake boasts mesmerizing turquoise waters, towering mountains, and lush forests that will take your breath away. With a stay at the Lake Louise Inn, you can immerse yourself in the serenity and grandeur of this beautiful environment.

On the bus to Lake Louise we had one further reminder of the Jasper fire and its impact. A couple were on the bus to Calgary and going back to the UK. They had moved to Canada to live with their son and daughter in law but the house was completely destroyed by the fire. The son had been given temporary accommodation until their house is rebuilt but this couldn't fit the parents so they were heading back to the UK to stay with their own parents. Incredibly moving they said the 2 cases and 2 carry on bags represented all the possessions they had, everything else destroyed by the fire.

Your Home Away from Home

The Lake Louise Inn offers cozy accommodations that feel like a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We travelled in October so no crowds which also meant we got another free upgrade. We had live music last night and a bonfire in the gazebo which added to the atmosphere. As a super plus they did amazing veggie food.

Exploring the Area - a bridge too far

On arrival day we decided to explore the area. Matthew had found a hike from our lodge, along Bow river, over the bridge and back the other side. Unfortunately, the bridge on the map just wasn't there. We walked along the river for a few kilometres looking, passing lots of lovely lodges and (empty) campgrounds before turning around to use an alternative bridge....this was closed to road traffic and when we got to the other side there were warnings and an electrified fence warning about bears. As no-one was around and we didn't have any bear spray with us we decided to head back. I'm sure most bears have hibernated but you never know.

Yesterday we took the free shuttle from the hotel up to Lake Louise itself. When we first arrived reception told us about a bus you can catch near the petrol station that costs $2 each way but failed to tell us about the free shuttle ??? Not sure why and luckily we spotted the freebie. Wow, lots of people there which was a shock to the system. People queuing to get the money shot around the edge. Luckily, most congregate near the Fairmont Hotel side and don't venture along the lake shore. We did, around to the other side which was starting to freeze over. The iconic Lake Louise is without a doubt the main star of the show, but there’s so much more to discover nearby, we didn't venture further but looked to be good places to visit further on the trail. \we did see a couple of people take a dip - lasting about a minute and coming out very red from the freezing waters.

Conclusion

A visit to Lake Louise is a must do when visiting this area. The breath taking beauty cant ever be justified on picture, it has to be seen to be believed.