Featured Image: The incredibly blue waters of Moraine Lake, Alberta by Carolyn Ray

Five Things to Do in Lake Louise

by Carolyn Ray, JourneyWoman Publisher 

Energized by anticipation, I eagerly climb a winding path to the top of the massive Rockpile perched high above the ground. As I walk around the corner, I feel the breath leave my body in a whoosh. I can’t move, I’m transfixed by the glimmering turquoise lake in front of me – Moraine Lake – surrounded by 10 sharp, jagged peaks that reflect in the water. The colour turquoise is so vibrant that it looks painted. It is beyond a doubt, the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen.

Even though the Rockpile is crowded with tourists taking selfies, I’m so awestruck that I can’t hear them. Frankly, I don’t even notice them, as I walk up the trail to the very top. Now I understand why this iconic lake is printed on the Canadian $20 bill. It’s one of those destinations that must be experienced at least once in your life. Photographs just don’t do it justice.

To get to Moraine Lake, I took the Moraine Lake shuttle with Tom Fry from Fairview Limousine for a flat rate of C$25 return. This turns out to be a better decision than taking the park bus because it’s faster and I can stay on time. I learn that cars are restricted – only 100 vehicles can park at any one time to offset over tourism. You can walk, but it’s a long way in!

I can’t help but imagine ice skating on this lake in the winter. My guide, Tom, shares a story (and shows me the video) of him ice skating on it, gliding across the surface, skates scratching on the ice, which is still turquoise. In mid-October, the road to Moraine Lake closes due to avalanches, but Parks Canada creates a cross-country ski trail and the Nordic Ski team, which trains in nearby Canmore, come here for early season training. (To contact Tom, email him at [email protected]).

3. Step into luxury with a decadent lunch at the Chateau Fairmont Lake Louise

I zip back to the hotel to change out of my hiking clothes and into something more presentable for lunch at the Fairmont Lake Louise with Cathy Gotfried, founder of Babes in Bali, who lives in Calgary. With the majestic Victoria Glacier and the blue-green Emerald Lake as our backdrop, we enjoy lunch outside on the patio this historic hotel.

Called Chalet Lake Louise, Canadian Pacific Railway general manager Cornelius Van Horne hosted visitors from various stations along the railway line. While just 50 guests stayed in 1890, by 1912, that number had risen to 50,000. Despite two fires, his tiny cabin became today’s Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and attracted film and movie stars from around the world, including John Barrymore, Betty Grable, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Alfred Hitchcock, Marilyn Monroe, and Superman himself, Christopher Reeve. (Source and postcard below: Historic Hotels)

5. Meet JourneyWomen and make new friends

Cathy and I leave Lake Louise and drive to Calgary, about two hours away, where we welcome JourneyWomen from Alberta. At this time, Alberta had relaxed its public health rules, so social distancing and masks were not required. However, as our social event was at Cathy’s house, we asked that everyone be fully vaccinated. It was wonderful to meet other women that I’ve only seen on Zoom calls, or spoken to on the phone. If you’d like to get together with other JourneyWoman, visit our new Community Forum.

It was during our dinner that JourneyWoman Marilyn Kater and I talked about doing the PEI Camino in September. If you’re on our Facebook group, you can enjoy her daily posts of this 700-km walk around the perimeter of Prince Edward Island. I’ll be writing about this experience when I join her on September 7.

Discover More of the Canadian Rockies