Lake Louise in Winter: 25 BEST Things To Do!

We love Lake Louise all year round, but I particularly love Lake Louise in winter. While most people think of the Canadian Rockies as a summer destination, I believe winter in Lake Louise is truly what it’s all about. There are so many amazing things to do in Lake Louise during the winter that I actually get sad when spring rolls around.

Don’t just visit and hang out by the lakeshore, indulge in a few snowy activities!

Best Things To Do in Lake Louise in Winter

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Enjoy the Winter Wonderland

Lake Louise has drawn visitors to the Canadian Rockies for over a century. One of the best things to do in Lake Louise in the winter is simply to enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Louise.

In the winter, Lake Louise is blanketed in a fluffy layer of snow and set against the backdrop of Mount Victoria and a hanging glacier. This pristine piece of wilderness draws millions of visitors a year. Usually, by mid December, there’s also a beautiful ice castle built on the lake.

It is a stunning sight, and the magic of natural beauty is not lost. Despite visiting Lake Louise many times, it still takes our breath away, no matter the season. Sit down with a cup of hot chocolate by the fire and enjoy the winter wonderland at Lake Louise.

Just make sure to dress warmly, as the lake sits in the shade most of the day in the winter, and it can get bone-chillingly cold.

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Ice Skate or Play Hockey on Lake Louise

There is no place to ice skate in Banff that is more iconic or scenic than the famous Lake Louise. It’s not much of a surprise that it’s regularly been considered one of the world’s best ice skating rinks.

It’s also tremendous as the frozen lake is maintained by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The lake is regularly cleared of snow and resurfaced, so visitors can enjoy ice skating during the winter despite conditions on other natural lakes.

Every few winters, Lake Louise freezes very early before a significant snowfall, resulting in a blue-glass lake. This absolutely stunning natural occurrence can happen in November, but don’t count on seeing the lake as a visitor this way, as November is generally the worst month to visit Banff. The lake freezing like this doesn’t happen every year, and when it does, it lasts only a few days at most.

I say this only to manage expectations, as the surface will likely be a frosted white, but the views are stunning nonetheless! Don’t worry – if you don’t catch the kool-aid blue frozen lake, you’ll be able to ice skate on it when the Fairmont creates the rink in December! You can rent ice skates at Wilson Sports in Lake Louise or directly from the Fairmont.

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Snowshoe Around Lake Louise

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more scenic location in the world for a snowshoe than Lake Louise. Every year, as the lake freezes over, it is blanketed in a heavy layer of snow. Take advantage of the winter trails along the lakeside, or hire a local guide.

The most popular snowshoe is along the Northern side of Lake Louise, but you can also head up to Mirror Lake or over to Paradise Creek. You can grab rentals at Wilson Sports in the village, or you can book a tour with Great Divide Nature Interpretation.

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Take in the Views from the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola

The Lake Louise Gondola primarily services skiers and snowboarders, but you can also buy a sightseeing ticket and venture up just to take in the magnificent views!

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Walk the Lake Louise Lakeshore

If snowshoeing in Banff isn’t appealing to you, one of the most mellow things you can do is take a walk around the Lake Louise lakeshore. Most visitors to Lake Louise don’t actually venture past the Chateau, but you can get some great views by walking around the path that skirts Lake Louise. I love walking the path in the winter as it truly feels like walking in a winter wonderland.

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Hike to the Fairview Lookout

In the winter, many of the best Lake Louise hikes are inaccessible and dangerous. However the Fairview Lookout is a short and sweet winter hike that most visitors will be able to complete and love. This trail is a short 2.4 km with just 165 meters of elevation gain.

It should take less than an hour to get to the lookout. Once there, you’ll have beautiful winter views of the historic Chateau Lake Louise Hotel. Don’t expect the view on the way up as it’s forested, but the lookout platform from the top is a lovely view worth the effort.

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Go Ice Climbing

Banff National Park draws in many ice climbers with many routes and mixed winter climbs. Most notable in the Lake Louise area is the Louise Falls, a frozen waterfall that allows for a solid ice climb. It’s a popular route in the park, so expect to share the climb with others on the weekend. Even if you’re not interested in climbing, it can still be fun to watch the ice climbers.

If you’ve never gone ice climbing, it’s best to book a beginner experience with Alpine Air or Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, who will meet you at Johnston Canyon or other beginner areas.

It’s a great beginner area and the guides at Yamnuska and Alpine Air are some of the best in all of North America. If you’re more interested in the sport, consider one of their courses or camps on ice climbing.

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Enjoy the Lake Louise Ice Bar

Another fun thing to do in Lake Louise in the winter is to enjoy the ice bar. Between 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Lake Louise, you can enjoy mulled wine and other cocktail warmers at the Banff Ice Bar! The Ice Bar is open from around mid-December to early-April (weather permitting – no set dates). They dish up all kinds of hot chocolate goodness and even have special treats for the kids.

20 blocks of ice, each weighing 300 lbs, are used to make this bar, so it’s truly a special place to visit in Banff in the winter.

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Ski/Snowboard at Lake Louise Ski Resort

There is arguably no ski resort in the world with a better view than the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Located in Canada’s oldest and first national park, the resort has an ample supply of natural scenery.

In between runs, screaming down groomers, tackling a bowl, or defying death in a steep chute, Banff National Park provides you some fresh air and stunning landscapes. There is something for everyone here with terrain that will thrill even expert skiers.

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Brewster Country Christmas Dinner

If you happen to be visiting around Christmas, look into the Country Christmas Dinner at Lake Louise. The Brewster Country Christmas Dinner only happens a few nights a year and will fill you up on a home-cooked, hearty meal. Arrive by sleigh from the Fairmont Chateau to a band playing and line dancing.

The 2024 Country Christmas Dinner is only on December 23, 26, and 28
and can be booked here. The cost is $145 for adults and $100 for children 6-12 (Children 5 and under free). Sleighs depart the Chateau at 6pm and 6:30pm.

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Go Tubing at Lake Louise Ski Resort

If you are not much for skiing or snowboarding, Lake Louise Ski Resort also has a tubing park for kids and families in Banff. Have fun sliding solo, racing friends, or group tubes together!

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Mush On a Dog Sled Team

Kingmik Dogsled Tours operate at Lake Louise and provide a fantastic winter experience. We’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy many dog sled tours over the years, and it’s always a fun experience. I particularly love the quiet ride, with only the sound of the dog stepping against the snow to listen to.

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Take an Authentic Horse Sleigh Ride

In the wintertime, you might not be able to take to the trails on horseback, but you can ride on a horse-drawn sleigh. There aren’t many places you can still ride on a real sleigh through a winter wonderland. The ride is about an hour long and moves along the lakeside trail to the end of the lake.

The sleigh rides start around mid-December in time for Christmas in Banff and runs until mid-April, but this all depends on the weather. Lake Louise primarily sits in the shade during the winter months, and it’s typically well below freezing, so come prepared and dress warmly.

You can book this experience at the Fairmont or with Brewster Adventures, and tours start at $52 with group tours offered, as well as private tours.

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Tackle the Trail on Cross Country Skis

Parks Canada manages several cross-country ski trails for you to take in the views from a pair of skis. Trails are rated by difficulty, so even if you’re a beginner, you can find a trail appropriate for your skillset.

Two of the most popular trails are the Moraine Lake Road Trail and the Tramline Trail. You can find rentals in Lake Louise, Banff, or Canmore. Of course, if you’re passionate about cross-country skiing, you’ll have to head to Canmore and check out the Nordic Ski Center. Other notable cross-country ski trails are:

• Moraine Lake Rd (15.6 km/250 meter gain
• Fairview (4.6 km/60 meter gain)
• Tramline (4.8 km/ 195 meters)
• Lake Louise Loop (4.1/15 meter gain)

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Experience the Ice Magic Festival

Between Jan. 29 and Feb. 2, 2025, Lake Louise will host an extraordinary event. The Ice Magic event is what winter in Canada is all about. This is where ice comes alive and serves as a form of art and architectural design. During this time, you can watch artists from around the world carve different frozen figures.

While it used to be free for all to visit the ice carving events and wander around, you’ll now need tickets to join in the fun; these are available starting in December for guests of specific hotels only. Those hotels include Baker Creek by Basecamp, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise Inn, and Mountaineer Lodge so make sure to contact them if you are interested in Ice Magic.

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Warm Up at Walliser Stube

Walliser Stube is a European restaurant at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. It’s an upscale affair perfect for when you want to celebrate a special occasion, like a Banff winter honeymoon. You’ll enter and find vast views of Lake Louise, but you’ll feel like you’re in Switzerland when you try the food.

They are only open at night from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m, and reservations are highly recommended, especially around Christmas in Banff or in the peak summer months. Go ahead and add on the wine pairing; it’s likely the best you’ll find outside of the Alps!

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See Nearby Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is a stunning lake in Yoho National Park, and walking around the lake makes for a great family-friendly hike. Emerald Lake freezes over in the winter, and you won’t see any of that dazzling emerald color.

However, the natural shape of the surrounding mountains and the lake’s elevation creates a microclimate that encourages a heavy amount of snowfall in the winter. So a visit to the lake feels like stepping into a winter wonderland.

You can take a leisurely stroll along the lake, snowshoe, or cross-country ski. Or book one of the cozy romantic cabins at the Emerald Lake Lodge. If you’re visiting in November, you might even get lucky and time your visit so you can skate on Emerald Lake (like we did in the photo above). Read more about ice skating on frozen lakes here, as there are certain things you need to know about to do this.

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Bow Lake

If you are up for a little drive, hop on the Icefields Parkway just past Lake Louise and drive to Bow Lake. The drive will take about 30 minutes frin Lake Louise, but you likely won’t notice the time at all as you’ll be too mesmerized by the view. Bow Lake is one of the first main stops, and trust me, it’s well worth the stop. In the winter, Bow Lake is a frozen paradise.

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Peyto Lake

Just past Bow Lake is Peyto Lake, which is the third most visited lake in the area, however in the winter it sees few visitors. Reaching the Peyto Lake viewpoint takes about 10 minutes of walking on a well-maintained path from the parking area. If you manage to catch Peyto Lake with fresh snowfall but before the lake has frozen over, consider yourself lucky!

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Wait for the Train at Morant’s Curve

The Bow Valley Parkway is a scenic drive alternative to the Trans Canada that connects Lake Louise to Banff. There are some beautiful stops to make on the road, many that look even more magical in the winter.

However, the most popular is Morant’s Curve. This is a dramatic bend along the Bow River where trains pass through the Canadian Rockies. As trains pass around the bend, they have a spectacular backdrop of the Lake Louise mountains and surrounding valley. Photographers flock here during the winter to try and catch that picturesque red Canadian Pacific Train in the snow.

The only issue is there is no train schedule, so if you want to see the view with a train, you could be waiting for a while. We’ve waited over an hour in the cold before for the iconic train!

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Marble Canyon Hike

Visiting Marble Canyon is one of the best things to do in Kootenay National Park, which is just a short drive away from Lake Louise. Marble Canyon is lovely hike through a canyon often filled with thousands of wildflowers in the summer, but is delightfully snow-covered in the winter. It’s an easy trail that follows the canyon and has a series of bridges that cross over the rushing Kootenay River.

The trail is well-marked and maintained, so it’s easy to follow and great for families. Along the way you’ll pass frozen waterfalls with unique ice features. You can easily stop at Marble Canyon on your way to or from Lake Louise, as it’s just a short detour off the Trans Canada.

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Things to Know About Visiting Lake Louise in the Winter

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Is Lake Louise Open All Winter?

Lake Louise is open 365 days a year, with very rare park closures excluded. In the winter months, it is frozen and covered in a heavy layer of snow. While you won’t see the brilliant blue colors of the summer months, it is still a gorgeous scene with impressive mountains and plenty of winter activities to enjoy.

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How to Get to Lake Louise in Winter?

The best way to get to Lake Louise in the winter is with your own car. Unlike the summer, there is plenty of parking at Lake Louise and it is free to park there until May!

If you are visiting Banff without a car, you can still get to Lake Louise on the Roam transit road 8X (from Banff). This is the Lake Louise Express, and it costs $20 round trip for adults. It’s also possible to book a guided tour from Banff to Lake Louise in the winter. Here are two we recommend:

• Discover Lake Louise In Winter
• Lake Louise Winterland from Banff

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When is the Best Time to Visit?

Lake Louise is wonderful all winter, but there are a few times I absolutely must visit. The first is after the first significant snowfall at Lake Louise. This typically happens towards the end of October/early November. This is a magical time when you can still see the thawed lake surrounded by colossal snow-covered peaks.

My other favorite times are during the Christmas holiday season, when people cheerily ice skate on Lake Louise and there are plenty of activities happening around the Chateau.

The last is during the Ice Magic Festival in January, simply because there are so many impressive ice sculptures in such a beautiful setting.

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What’s the Weather Like in the Winter?

If you are cold in Banff, you will be freezing at Lake Louise. The Town of Banff sits at an elevation of 1383 meters, while Lake Louise sits at 1,600 meters. In the winter, Lake Louise is often in the shade too.

Prepare for the weather to be 5-10°C colder at Lake Louise than in Banff and Canmore. In the winter, this means bringing a warm hat, gloves, warm boots, and a good parka.

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Where Can You Park at Lake Louise in the Winter?

Unlike the summer months, the public parking at Lake Louise rarely fills up and it is free to park. We’ve visited Lake Louise dozens of times in the winter and have never had a problem parking.

That doesn’t mean on the weekend around Christmas or the New Year, you might not have some difficulty though, but still, you’ll be able to nab a spot.

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Where to Stay in the Winter?

• The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an iconic long-standing resort in Banff National Park. If you’re looking for luxury accommodation with plenty of amenities in a location surrounded by mountains and remote backcountry, this is the place for you. It’s also a great spot for a romantic night out as there are some intimate restaurants here.
• Baker Creek Mountain Resort is a laid-back escape offering comfortable lodge and log cabin accommodations.  The grounds and lodge make for one of the most serene settings in Banff National Park, as sits along the Bow Valley Parkway about a 20 minute drive from Lake Louise.
• The Post Hotel is in Lake Louise Village and offers an upscale option that is far more affordable than the Fairmont.

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Can You Visit Moraine Lake in Winter?

Moraine Lake Road closes between mid-October and the end of May due to avalanche risk. Visiting Moraine Lake in the winter is not possible for the average visitor.

The only way to access Moraine Lake in the winter is via snowshoes or Nordic skis, but the road is 14 km (one way) and crosses avalanche paths so you should not attempt to travel back to Moraine Lake in the winter unless you are prepared for winter travel and have proper avalanche safety knowledge and gear.

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What to Wear in the Winter

It always feels at least 5°C colder at Lake Louise than in Downtown Banff. Dress for winter here!

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