Lake Louise Holidays

Best time to visit Lake Louise

Lake Louise is located in Banff National Park, and it has a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers. It has been said that the most reliable characteristic of Banff and Lake Louise’s weather is it's unpredictability.

In the Summer (July-September) you can expect warm and sunny weather with the warmest month being July (average highs of 22°C).

Autumn arrives in October and by the middle of the month you can start seeing frost on the ground and snow starting to cover the mountain peaks.

Winter (January-March) is when the peaks and ski hills around Lake Louise and Banff receive large amounts of snow.

In Spring (April-June) you can expect to enjoy summertime temperatures during the day, but there is still a good amount of snow lingering on the ground.

Highlights of Lake Louise

What is Lake Louise famous for?

• Picture-perfect turquoise lake, Lake Louise
• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• Banff National Park
• Canadian Rockies
• Moraine Lake
• Outdoor activities
• Top ski destination
• Lake Louise Gondola
• Wildlife

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Lake Louise, Canada

The moment you catch sight of the turquoise water of Lake Louise, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about. It is located in the heart of Banff National Park, near the border of British Columbia, and is one of the most photographed lakes in North America and the world. Being a Rocky Mountain town, you can enjoy some spectacular scenery during your visit and this ranges from the lake, which is fed by the Victoria Glacier, to mountain scenery.

You can go on holidays in Lake Louise all year round as there are incredible hiking and kayaking opportunities on offer in the summer and one of the largest ski resorts in North America in winter. You can stop here on Rocky Mountaineer train holidays or any Western Canada holiday to the Canadian Rockies with us and stay at the spectacular Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise on the lake shores.

Lake Louise in the summer

Lake Louise is possibly the most relaxing place in the world to stroll, walk or hike and during the summer months, you can experience it all for yourself. The hiking in the Lake Louise area is some of the most scenic and spectacular in the world. Ranging from walks and easy hikes to multi-day backcountry epics, experiencing this jaw-dropping landscape by foot will be an unforgettable experience. To get up-close to the iconic Lake Louise, you can rent a canoe and take in the breath-taking views from the water.

The summer months are your best chance to spot some of the local wildlife which includes grizzly bears, moose, cougars, lynx, mountain goats, wolves, elk and more. Take the scenic Lake Louise Gondola and keep your eyes peeled for foraging grizzly and black bears under you. To see Lake Louise and its surrounding areas in another unique way, you can opt to see it on a guided horseback tour. If there are any activities or experiences that you want to add to your summer trip, you can speak to our experts about the different Lake Louise holiday packages we offer.

Lake Louise in the winter

Lake Louise transforms into a magical playground in winter and being part of the Ski Big 3 you can enjoy the Lake Louise Ski Area, Mt Norquay and Banff Sunshine Village all with one lift ticket. All three ski resorts are perfect if you want to go on family ski holidays to Lake Louise as there are beginner, intermediate and expert runs whilst at the same time you can enjoy spectacular views of the Rockies.

If you want more than just world-class skiing and snowboarding conditions on your holiday, then Lake Louise offers you this in abundance as you can try ice skating on Lake Louise, have a go at snowshoeing, enjoy dog sled tours and sleigh rides, and go cross-country skiing on one of the groomed trails.

Lake Louise Village

The Lake Louise area is divided in two: Lake Louise Village and Upper Lake Louise.

The village is the highest town in Canada, located at elevation of 1,540 metres and comprises of hotels and a small selection of restaurants, bars and shops so you have everything you need during your Lake Louise holiday. It is just a 45-minute drive away from the vibrant town of Banff so if you want a fun-filled night out or are looking for a wider selection of restaurants, you can travel here.

The Upper Lake Louise is where the iconic lake is along with the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and amazing hiking and horse-riding trails.

Things to do in Lake Louise

When you think of the Canadian Rockies you think of Lake Louise. In the summer this place is an adventure playground where you can explore the countless walking trails, peaceful lakes, and dramatic peaks.

During the winter, Lake Louise is one of Canada’s top ski resorts, world famous for its great runs, snow, and the magnificent surroundings – there is nowhere better to take a ski holiday.

For those of you looking for Canada lake holidays, you don’t just have the world-famous Lake Louise on your doorstep, but you can visit the beautiful Moraine Lake during your trip.

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Iconic Lake Louise experiences

From canoeing to a gondola ride, there are some incredible experiences you can enjoy during your Lake Louise holidays.

One of the most popular activities you can try is canoeing on Lake Louise. It is a hugely popular thing to do in the summer as you can detach yourself from the crowds on the shoreline and paddle across the turquoise waters and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains and the Victoria Glacier. For the perfect start to the day, we’d recommend canoeing on Lake Louise at sunrise as you can enjoy some spectacular views.

For a birds-eye-view of the lake and the surrounding mountain scenery, you must ride on the Lake Louise Gondola. As well as the views, it is famous for being one of the best places in the Canadian Rockies to safely view grizzly bears and other wildlife. Just make sure you take your camera along to snap the views of the peaks and glaciers.

Hiking around Lake Louise

Being surrounded by mountains, glaciers and picturesque lakes, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that people are drawn here each year. One of the best ways to experience the sheer beauty of Lake Louise and Banff is to go hiking and there are guided hiking tours that we can book for you. There are trails available for all fitness levels and abilities, including:

• Lake Louise Shoreline Trail – This easy hike to the Victoria Glacier takes just over an hour to complete and you can expect to enjoy some beautiful lakeside views and mountain scenery.
• Lake Agnes Teahouse – This hike takes you through forest and when you get to the historic teahouse you can enjoy views of a waterfall. You can then carry on the trail for views of the Bow Valley and Lake Louise.
• Plain of Six Glaciers – This hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House leaves from the Fairmont Chateau, a luxurious Lake Louise hotel, and leads you around the shoreline of the lake and up the valley ridge. You can expect a birds-eye view of Lake Louise and great views of mountains during the hike.
• Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail – This path takes you alongside the turquoise hues of the lake before ascending to a viewing area that offers great views of the lake and its beautiful scenery.

More summer activities in Lake Louise

If you want to explore the natural beauty in a traditional way during your Lake Louise holidays, then seeing it on horseback is a must. At Banff National Park and around Lake Louise there are some excellent horseback riding trails that lead you to some of the area’s best natural attractions. Popular trails you can follow on horseback include the Lake Agnes Tea House and the Plain of Six Glaciers.

If you are an adrenaline junkie, then another must-try summer activity in Lake Louise is white water rafting on Kicking Horse River. You’ll raft through class 4 rapids, finishing 20km downstream, as well as having the chance to relax and take in the stunning beauty of the mountain scenery. Other activities you can try to include on holidays to Banff and Lake Louise are fishing, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

Lake Louise to Jasper tour

Another great quality of Lake Louise is that it’s surrounded by other beautiful mountain towns and one of these places is the popular town of Jasper. You can travel from Lake Louise to Jasper with a guide and learn all about the famous local characters that made their mark on one of the world’s most amazing mountain highways.

During the luxury motor coach trip, you can enjoy mountain wildlife viewing and visits to scenic viewpoints, including stopping at the Columbia Icefield where modern-day explorers can take an Ice Explorer out onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier for a spectacular ice age adventure. You can also visit the Glacier Skywalk, a 277m high glass platform overlooking the Sunwapta Valley.

Skiing & snowboarding in Lake Louise

Just East of the Lake Louise village is the Lake Louise ski resort, and this is part of the SkiBig3, one of the largest ski resorts in North America and the world that you can access with just one lift pass.

Lake Louise and SkiBig3 offers something for everyone as there are both gentle slopes for beginners alongside some of the most challenging terrain of the Rockies. The quiet slopes also have the added extra of the spectacular views over the Canadian Rockies which are unmatched by any other Ski resort.

The Lake Louise Ski Resort, Banff Sunshine Village and Mt Norquay resorts which make up the SkiBig3 are great no matter whether you are in a couple or a large family. Speak to our knowledgeable experts for everything from flights to ski hire and we will help organise the perfect Lake Louise ski holiday packages for you.

More winter activities in Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a winter wonderland and whilst it is famously known for its world-class ski resorts, there is so much you can do on winter holidays in the area. How about trying ice skating on Lake Louise itself and experience what has been dubbed as one of the most beautiful outdoor rinks in the world. Instead, you can try snowshoeing as you walk through the stillness and quiet of snow-covered woods.

There are fast-paced dog sled tours that travel the Great Divide, sleigh rides around Lake Louise or you can try your hand at cross-country skiing and follow the groomed trails. Winter also marks the start of the winter festival season as you attend the Ice Magic Ice Carving Competition and watch incredible ice carvings take shape under the precise hands of an all-Canadian cast of skilled artists.

Lake Louise holidays

Lake Louise is a picture-postcard-perfect Rocky Mountain town that is home to one of the world’s most famous lakes and dramatic scenery that will leave you breathless. It is a popular destination to visit year-round with hiking and kayaking a major draw in the summer months and in the winter, Lake Louise becomes one of North America’s largest ski resorts and a jewel in Canada’s skiing crown.

No matter what time of the year you visit, there are so many ways you can experience Lake Louise and its stunning natural beauty. You can visit Lake Louise and Banff on one of our city break options, you can hire a car or motorhome to explore the area’s beauty, head on a ski holiday or stop-off on a Rocky Mountaineer train trip.

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Lake Louise city breaks

Lake Louise is seen as the jewel of the Rockies but as part of our city breaks you can not only visit the town, but you can also visit other popular places like Banff, Jasper and Calgary. The Rocky Mountains is a haven for anyone looking for a true Canadian adventure as there are so many outdoor activities you can do and no matter which places you want to visit, here at Canadian Affair we can organise city breaks so you can stay in the places you’ve always dreamt of.

In winter the likes of Lake Louise and Banff offer excellent ski and snowboarding experiences and you can stay at both destinations in one holiday. If you want to go on a summer city break you can stay in Lake Louise and hike, canoe and horse ride your way through picturesque Banff National Park before travelling onto Calgary.

Fly drive holidays to Lake Louise

One of the best ways to visit Lake Louise is by car. With a fly drive holiday to Lake Louise, Canada, all flights and accommodation are organised for you. You can tailor-make your fly drive holiday so you can choose exactly where you want to stay, plus we'll plan your itinerary to take in the sights you're desperate to see.

Once you pick up your car at Calgary there is so much you can do as you can visit Lake Louise, drive to the other popular Rocky Mountain towns of Banff and Jasper which are close-by, drive along world-famous routes such as Icefields Parkway and be amazed at the wildlife crossing the roads in Banff National Park such as Moose and Grizzly Bears. After a busy day, you can then relax at stunning mountain resorts. If you want to also drive around British Columbia and explore more of Western Canada, we can arrange a fly drive holiday to suit you.

Motorhome holidays to Lake Louise

One of the most popular holidays for people wanting to get to know the majestic Rocky Mountains is to organise a motorhome holiday. And Lake Louise is a must-visit place on such itinerary. On a motorhome holiday, you can fly into Calgary, pick up your vehicle and explore the Stampede City, Banff National Park, Banff town, Lake Louise and Jasper on a round trip through the Canadian Rockies that you will not forget for the rest of your life.

The great thing about motorhome holidays is that you can tailor them to suit you, so you can start your trip in Vancouver if you would prefer and see the best of British Columbia before travelling around Alberta and Lake Louise. Canada is built for motorhome holidays, so speak to our experts and plan yours today.

Lake Louise ski holidays

Lake Louise is home to one of North America's largest ski areas offering incredible, varied terrain over 4 mountain faces. There is more terrain than you can cover on a weeks’ holiday and the resort is perfect for experts and beginners. For many, what sets the Lake Louise resort apart from other resorts are the stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.

Once you have had a full day of skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or dog sledding, you can enjoy the small town of Lake Louise and its handful of restaurants and bars. If you are looking for something a bit livelier one night, then Banff is just a 45-minute drive away. Speak to one of our experts and plan your Lake Louise ski holiday today.

Rocky Mountaineer holidays to Lake Louise

The Rocky Mountaineer is one of the best train journeys in the world and not only because of the spectacular scenery you get to see, but the stops along its routes. One of the highlights of a Rocky Mountaineer holiday through the Canadian Rockies is Lake Louise.

The First Passage to the West route is not only historic, but it connects Vancouver with Lake Louise and Banff as well as stopping at Kamloops. This was the first route operated by the Rocky Mountaineer train and retraces the steps of the 19-century explorers. Some of the highlights along the route include the mighty Hell’s Gate, Craigellachie, where the final spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, Castle Mountain and the engineering marvel, the Spiral Tunnels.

Escorted tours to Lake Louise

If you don’t want to have to worry about a thing during your Lake Louise holidays, then you should book one of our escorted tours. Guided tours to Lake Louise allow you to discover the true spirit of adventure, as you explore the breath-taking treasures of Canada’s Rocky Mountains and have everything planned out for you.

An escorted tour to Lake Louise and Alberta includes your flights to Canada, accommodation for each night of your stay, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, a travel director and driver throughout and trips to some of the region’s best attractions. This can include an Athabasca Glacier Ice Explorer ride, dinner at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, a choice of activities at Lake Louise and a walk along Maligne Canyon.