Hotels in Lake Louise, Alberta

A little about Lake Louise...

Lake Louise is both an actual lake and a nearby hamlet located in the Canadian province of Alberta in Banff National Park. The unique emerald colour of the water comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake. Recreational activities in the area include hiking, scrambling, and exceptional down-hill skiing. The elevation of the lake is 1536 m (5039 feet).

The hamlet of Lake Louise is located beside the Trans-Canada Highway, 180 km (112 miles) west of Calgary. The background of Lake Louise is filled with views of several snow-capped mountains including Mount Temple (3543 m / 11,692 ft), Mount Whyte (2983 m / 9,844 ft) and Mount Niblock (2976 m / 9,820 ft). The village has a small shopping centre called "Samson Mall" which includes a park visitor centre, grocery store, bakery, sporting goods store, and fast-food establishments. The ski area Lake Louise Mountain Resort is also located here.

Lake Louise Mountain Resort is a large ski resort located in the Banff National Park, in the village of Lake Louise, Alberta. It can be reached from Banff, 45 minutes west on Trans-Canada Highway.
The 113 marked ski runs and back bowls on four mountain faces are 25% beginner, 45% intermediate and 30% advanced. The Telus terrain park is also designed for riders of all levels. Four full service day lodges are operational during winter. Snowboarders have access to all trails, the terrain parks and a super pipe. The Lake Louise sightseeing gondola is opened year round, offering panoramas of glaciers, natural springs, wildflowers and possibly wildlife (such as grizzly bears).

Other activities in the resort area include heli-skiing, dog sledding, ice skating, and cross-country skiing.

Lake Louise Mountain Resort:
Location: Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Nearest city: Banff, Calgary
Top elevation: 2,637 m (8,652 ft)
Base elevation: 1,646 m (5,400 ft)
Skiable area: 17 km² (4200 acres)
Runs: 139
Longest run: 8 km
Lift system: 1 gondola, 1 T-bar, 6 chairlifts, 1 platter
Terrain parks: 3
Snowfall: 454 cm/year (179 in./yr)

On the eastern shore of the lake is Chateau Lake Louise, an elegant four star hotel. It was granted four stars by CAA / AAA. Though the service warrants it, the physical nature of the building makes a five star rating impossible. It was gradually built up at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century by the Canadian Pacific Railway and is thus a cousin to Château Frontenac at the other end of the country. Several hiking trails start near the chateau which lead up to Saddleback Pass, Fairview Mountain (2744 m / 9,055 ft), Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, Big Beehive, Little Beehive, and for the more adventurous, Devils Thumb, Mount Whyte, and Mount Niblock.