Lake Louise

Lake Louise is the jewel of Banff National Park, part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. Fed by the Victoria Glacier, its water turns an intense turquoise in summer as fine rock flour hangs suspended in it.

The flat lakeshore path is easy for all ages, and you can hire a canoe from the boathouse in summer. Fitter walkers can climb to the Lake Agnes Tea House. Nearby Moraine Lake, ringed by ten peaks, can be reached only by shuttle or tour bus, as private cars are no longer allowed on its road.

Parking at Lake Louise fills by early morning in summer, so we use Parks Canada shuttles or a private tour. The lake usually stays frozen until early June; in winter it becomes a skating rink framed by snowy peaks.