Understanding the New Parks Canada Alpine Start Shuttle
Every summer millions of people flock to Banff, and most have one lake at the top of their bucket list – Moraine Lake. Many of those visitors want to see sunrise at Moraine Lake. Though it’s not just visitors with the sunrise goal, but plenty of locals are looking for a cheap and efficient way to see Moraine Lake. This is especially true for climbers and mountaineers needing an alpine start to complete their objectives.
The Alpine Start Shuttle is a new initiative from Parks Canada that aims to get early risers to Moraine Lake before the sun rises over the Ten Peaks at an affordable price. Here’s all you need to know about the Alpine Start Shuttle to Moraine Lake.
When Does the Parks Canada Alpine Shuttle Start?
Like the Moraine Lake Shuttle, the Alpine Start Shuttle runs from June 1 to October 13th, when Moraine Lake Rd is open. There are two departures daily: one at 4 a.m. and the next at 5 a.m. Both should leave you with plenty of time to enjoy sunrise at Moraine Lake, but if you want to make sure you’re set up for photography, we recommend booking the 4am so you get that morning glow.
How Much Are Tickets?
Thankfully, getting to Moraine Lake at sunrise will not cost you any more than a regular Parks Canada shuttle ticket.
Park And Ride Shuttle Fairs (Return Trip)
- Adults (18–64): $8
- Seniors (65+): $4
- Youth (17 and under): Free
- *There is a $3 non-refundable transaction fee per reservation when purchasing shuttle tickets on the Parks Canada Reservation System, $6 if booking by telephone.
- It’s important to note that these fees are in addition to your National Park Pass.
Another Cost
If you plan on taking the Alpine Start Shuttle, you must know about another cost you’ll face. Due to overnight wildlife closures on Whitehorn Drive, access to the Park and Ride lot at the Lake Louise Ski Area is closed early in the morning. All visitors taking the Alpine Start Shuttle must park and leave their vehicles at the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot, which sounds great, however it costs $36.75 per vehicle per day. If you’re just one person, this is a hefty cost, but if you’re a group, it’s not so bad.
All Alpine Start buses depart from Lake Louise Lakeshore. Visitors can return to Lake Louise via the Lake Connector bus, which is free with a shuttle reservation. The Lake Connector Bus runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will bring you back to Lake Louise.
You don’t have to be concerned about parking: Parks Canada will have designated parking at the lake shore for Alpine shuttle users.
How to Make Reservations
Like the Parks Canada regular shuttles, the 2025 reservation launch date for shuttle reservations is April 16, 2024, at 08:00 a.m. MDT. At this time, Parks Canada will release 40% of the operating season. The remaining 60% will be released on a rolling window at 8 a.m., two before departure day, throughout the entire season. You can reserve these tickets on the Parks Canada Reservation Page. Make sure that you click on the “Day Use” section on the right and then tick “Shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.”
It’s essential to make reservations for the Alpine Start by 5 p.m. the day before departure. It’s not possible to walk up for the Alpine Start, and it would be quite a gamble to wake up so early and not secure a spot on the Alpine Start bus.
What if You Don’t Get Shuttle Tickets?
If you don’t get tickets for the Alpine Start shuttle but still want to see sunrise at Moraine Lake, you have options.
First, remember that only 40% of tickets are released in advance; the other 60% will be released two days prior to departure, so don’t lose hope with the Alpine Start.
Your next best option is to look into the Moraine Lake Bus Company’s Sunrise Shuttle service. They offer tremendous service and ensure you get to Moraine Lake for sunrise every single day. Yes, as a private company, they are more expensive than the Parks Canada buses, though keep in mind you don’t have to pay to park at Lake Louise with the Moraine Lake Bus Company, which saves you $36 right there.
ALL OPTIONS: How to Visit Moraine Lake at Sunrise
What to Do After Catching Sunrise at Moraine Lake
Unless you have a climbing or mountaineering objective, you may not have any plans after you see the sun rise over the Ten Peaks. Though, don’t just hop on the bus back to Lake Louise! You woke up very early for this experience, so it’s best to make the most of it! Here are some suggestions.
- Hike to Consolation Lakes: This is a family-friendly favorite that begins from the Rockpile Trail and takes hikers back to Consolation Lakes. So you get multiple lakes on one visit to Moraine Lake, and Banff is all about lakes. The trail is almost 6km return with 255 meters of elevation gain. It should take about 2 hours to complete!
- Canoe on Moraine Lake: The Moraine Lake Lodge operates the canoe dock, and while expensive, canoeing on Moraine Lake is a worthwhile experience.
- Walk the Moraine Lake Lakeshore: Don’t just take in the views and leave, grab a coffee from Moraine Lake Lodge Cafe once it opens and walk the lakeshore trail.
- Hike to Sentinel Pass: This is a tough climb and a popular one. Though since you’re already going to be one of the first at Moraine Lake you’ll have a head start on everyone!
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- We now have an interactive map! With over 300 stops around the Canadian Rockies, our personal map is your one stop shop to an epic trip here.
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience! Want to get up close and personal with a glacier? We cannot recommend this Icewalks tour enough!
- Planning your visit to Moraine Lake and don’t want to deal with the Parks shuttles? We recommend using Moraine Lake Bus Company or booking this Radventures tour!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- We can help you plan your 2025 trip to Western Canada! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning we can assist! We’ll PERSONALLY go over your itinerary, hop on a 1 on 1 phone call, or create a bespoke itinerary just for you! See our services here.
We are staying at the Fairmont Lake Louise. They also have a sunrise shuttle but it is way more expensive and leaves later. Just wondering what the advantages of booking through the hotel would be?
The advantages would be that it leaves right from the hotel, leaves later, and you don’t have to deal with the hassle and stress of booking the shuttle on the Parks Canada website – potentially not getting the shuttle as they sell out quick.
Hi! Is it possible to get to where this early shuttle leaves from downtown Banff without a car (i.e. via public transport)? Or does nothing else run that early in the morning? Your info is so helpful on how to use ROAM and parks canada to get to Lake Louise and Morraine during the day, so just wondering if it’s possible to do for this alpine start time! Thank you so much!
If you want an alpine start from Downtown Banff you’ll have to book with a private operator. I’d recommend Via Via as they have shuttles from Banff: https://thebanffblog.com/recommends/via-via/
Hi
May I check if we were choose normal shuttle for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, do we also have to pay additional cost for parking fee?
no, you only have to pay the parking fee if you park at Lake Louise lakeshore. The regular shuttles leave from the Lake Louise Ski Resort/Summer Gondola.
I plan to do the alpine start at Lake Moraine and am trying to decide between doing the Sentinel Pass Hike via Larch Valley after watching the sunrise or shuttling to Lake Louise to do the Big Beehive to Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. What would you recommend? I was also considering doing Sentinel Pass via Larch Valley on my alpine start day and coming back to Lake Louise on a different day for the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail so I can squeeze both in. Thank you! I love your website, it has been so helpful.
If you could do both on separate days then I would, but if I had to choose one over the other I would start early and head up the Beehive Circuit to the Plain of Six Glaciers
We’re staying a couple nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in July. Could we potentially take the Alpine Start Shuttle for a sunrise trip to Moraine Lake? We won’t have a car, so no need to park. I’m not sure where the “Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot” is located? Is that at the Fairmont? Thanks for all the advice…I LOVE your blog!!
Hi Johanna,
If you can get tickets on the Alpine Start shuttle then that would be a great option for getting to Moraine Lake. However, getting those tickets can prove challenging! The parking lot you leave from is the main Lake Louise parking lot that is just a quick walk away from the Fairmont.
If I purchase shuttle tickets at the Park N Ride to go to and from Lake Louise and Moraine Laske, can I also use the Lakeshore Shuttle? Do both of these shuttles run from the same place? Thanks.
You’ll have to purchase tickets beforehand on the Parks Canada website, with a shuttle reservation you can use the Lake Connector shuttle between the two lakes.