How to Enjoy Winter in Lake Louise, Banff – Canadian Rocky Mountain Adventure

All the things to do in Winter in Lake Louise, including snowshoeing, dog-sledding, and ice skating in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Lake Louise in winter is vastly different from the famous image we see of its sunlight-reflecting, turquoise-blue glacial waters, on which people glide in canoes. But that doesn’t mean there’s not as much fun to be had in this part of Banff National Park during the subarctic season.

The 2.5-kilometre-long emerald spectacle that is Lake Louise is just one of the handful of hamlets that make up Banff National Park’s humongous 6,641 square kilometres of hinterland at the base of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site can be easily divided into sizable areas of adventure, connected by the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1): the area surrounding Banff town, Mount Norquay, and Lake Louise, which all connect to Jasper National Park in the north.

In winter, Lake Louise becomes a giant ice-skating rink and hockey pitch when its 90-metre-deep waters freeze over, matching the white cloak of the rocky wall formations and the Mount Victoria backdrop.

The surroundings are home to one of Banff’s biggest ski resorts and a snow-laden basin for some adrenaline adventure.

After a seven-month-long winter chill, it thaws in June, when the colours re-emerge as the lake basin fills once again with the meltwaters of the Victoria Glacier. Since the snow season is my favourite of all, I was excited to put a couple of the winter activities in Lake Louise to the test.

Hiking in Lake Louise – Snowshoeing the Peaks of Lake Louise Ski Resort

I’ve tried snowshoeing a handful of times, and it usually involves getting off-track and into the forest. At Lake Louise, it’s a little different. The beauty of Banff National Park is its pristine nature and absolute serenity, making it perfect for a snowshoe hike up to some of the Rocky Mountain peaks, where you walk along open pathways, warmed by the blue skies, and with the most incredible panoramic views, including a glimpse of the royally loved Skoki Lodge, located in the Lake Louise backcountry.

Banff National Park prides itself on its conservation efforts, and this is apparent at Ski Louise Ski Resort, whose passionate guides point out wildlife footprints, tell you about the nature and preservation efforts, and make sure you do not venture off the dedicated hiking path (since it has been carved out to preserve the wider area as a whole).

I wish I had the time to sample the slopes here, after carving a few S-shapes on the fresh snow at Banff’s Sunshine Village Resort. There are four mountain faces with over 4200 acres of ski terrain, and 145 runs from beginner to advanced.

Massive wide-open space, perfect light, dry powder, and the chance to be in one of North America’s biggest ski areas are all reasons to return. While snowshoeing, we crossed some ski trails of this protected wilderness, so it’s a good opportunity to get a ‘taster’ of the ski scene up here.

Dog-Sledding the Lake Louise Basin

Winter activities in Canada’s Alberta don’t always require strength and stamina to be an adventure. You can always relax and let six of the cutest and most excitable of all employees of the Lake Louise region of Banff take control, whooshing you around a basin of the Rocky Mountain Peaks.

The dogs howl and bark in excitement, undeterred by the snow and the minus temperatures. It’s important to understand the genetic makeup of these dogs and how they have to release the incredibly high levels of intense horsepower energy that we humans can only dream of. It’s why they were once used by the Inuit people of the Canadian Arctic as the main means of transport.

These dogs are incredibly loved and cared for by the people who work at Kingmik Dogsled Tours, and it’s important to know that (especially in light of a story that came out of Canada about a dog-sledding company that wasn’t fully reported). They know every dog by name, what excites them, what run position they are best for, and when they are raring to go (and ultimately, when not).

It was a joy to have pre-ride cuddles with Skoki, McFuzz, Chips, Nunchuck, Paisley, and Lacey as they got hyped up for their run. During the dog-sledding ride, I was told about each dog’s personality and got to feed them afterwards (which they were just as excited about).

Today, in making a tradition as a recreational activity, the dogs swiftly guide you around this wild landscape, as you stare in wondrous awe, snuggled under the cosy blanket of your sledge. Open pathways turn into forest wilderness, and for the geeky border enthusiasts, you even get to turn around in the neighbouring Province of British Columbia at the ‘Great Divide’.

Chateau Lake Louise

Each main area of Banff is flanked by grand hotels, originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to lure in visitors on their journey through the country. Like its predecessor, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel – once built as a base for outdoors enthusiasts before turning into more of a luxury mountain resort – stands proud at one end of Lake Louise, and is as much a part of Banff National Park and its natural surroundings.

Ice carvers from around the world compete annually in the Ice Magic Festival held at Lake Louise, turning blocks of ice into magnificent pieces of art. I was lucky to catch the festival in its last days, and while I couldn’t see the artists at work, I was able to view the final ice masterpieces and see which ones made the prize list (although I had a few favourites of my own). This art festival has been running here for over 20 years and is a firm fixture on the winter calendar in Lake Louise.

Things to Know About Winter in Lake Louise:

About Lake Louise and Lake Louise Ski Resort

Lake Louise is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). People choose to stay here as a quiet alternative to the town of Banff, and for those wishing to spend more time closer to the glacial lake, which is only five kilometres from the small town of Lake Louise.

While the lake was named in honour of Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter, its first name was Ho-Run-Num-Nay (the Lake of Little Fishes) – a name given to it by the Stoney Nakoda First Nations people.

Winter in Banff typically lasts from November to May, and Lake Louise normally thaws out by June. Daily, fresh snow and some of the best dry powder in North America make Lake Louise Ski Resort a world-renowned snow-laden wonderland. Here’s where you can plan your ski packages and accommodation options.

Responsible Tourism in Banff and Lake Louise

The Mountain Institute was established to help educate visitors and raise awareness of how to explore Banff National Park responsibly. This is an interactive platform of videos that make up a variety of fun quizzes and knowledge tests about wildlife, adventure exploration, camping, and more. Once you have completed the modules, you will get a certificate to prove your commitment to the preservation of Banff National Park.

READ MORE: Things to Do in Banff in Winter – Seven Months of Snow and Ice Adventure

Want to Join a Small Group Tour in Banff?

I was whisked around this incredible space by Discover Banff Tours, which specialises in private and small-group tours to get you right into the heart, history, and culture of Banff. That means avoiding the crowded tour buses and masses of people when exploring the Banff landscape, and instead being one-on-one with the guide or in a small group.

Banff is so large that it may be hard for you to find things on your own or navigate the enormous space and long drives. Plus, Discover Banff Tours knows the secrets, the best viewpoints, and where is best to visit at a particular time. A special shout-out to my guide, Noam, who is also a chief wildlife spotter!

You can book packages from single to multi-day excursions for wildlife tours, to go and discover Lake Louise, tackle the Johnson Canyon Ice walk in the narrow ice-laden canyon, snowshoe in the Vermilion River Valley or to the 40-meter deep gorge of the Marble Canyon, get your crampons some action on the frozen creek bed of the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk, or book stunning heli-sightseeing and heli-skiing days.

Further information on planning a Winter Trip in Banff

Visit the dedicated Banff and Lake Louise website for more details on planning your activities, accommodations, where to eat, and general park planning in winter and all year-round.

I undertook this trip with the help of Banff and Lake Louise Tourism and Travel Alberta Tourism.  All opinions on this pristine part of Canada remain my own.