LAKE LOUISE ICE SKATING
Lake Louise can be considered one of the best ice-skating rinks in the world depending on the time of year. With mountains for its backdrop and ice bars and horse drawn sleighs waiting for you on the outskirts of the lake, adding Lake Louise to your Banff itinerary is a must!
that tiny speck is CJ, with Fairview Mountain in the background
The frozen lake is maintained by the Fairmont Château Lake Louise and is cleared daily of snowfall, so you do not have to worry about your ice skating conditions (unlike some other frozen natural lakes). And while the lake is supported by Fairmont Château, make no mistake about it – this lake is completely natural. Depending on the weather and temperature conditions, the lake will start to freeze around November, and by December it should be safe to skate and walk on. That being said, if you are looking to enjoy the frozen lake early in the season, make sure you check the thickness of the ice. The ice should be at least four inches thick before you consider skating on it.
peep the moon as the sunrise was happening!
Not only does the hotel handle the upkeep of this idyllic frozen lake, it also offers ice skate rentals. However, you can rent skates a few minutes away at Wilson Mountain Sports if that is more convenient for you. I would also like to shout from the rooftops that if you cannot or do not want to ice skate, but still want to experience a frozen Lake Louise, you do not have to wear skates! If you put on ice cleats, also known as crampons (I got mine for 10 dollars on Amazon), you will be able to walk on the frozen lake and not slip or slide. With cleats, you can still experience the majesty that is Lake Louise in the winter, but you can do it your way.
Peak hours are said to be 10am to 3pm and especially on the weekends, so keep that in mind. We went at sunrise on a Monday and there were only two other people on the entire lake! As white frost began to climb up my hair and eyelashes, I took in the views of Mount Victoria, Fairview Mountain, and other gargantuan crags. It was truly a sight to behold and I highly recommend it for anyone who is in the Lake Louise area in winter.
When you want to warm up, head into the Fairmont Château Lake Louise to shop or eat. I highly recommend making reservations for lunch or dinner, and priority does go to people who are staying at the hotel.
Enjoy Lake Louise!
