Lake Louise - Banff - TravBuddy

For anyone planning a trip to the Calgary area I'd definitely recommend heading out to both Banff and Lake Louise. While there will be a lot of tourists in both places at any time of year it is still possible to find secluded spots for yourself. At Lake Louise take the "Beehive Hike" up to a teahouse serving hot chocolate, muffins and an assortment of other treats. Enjoy the view overlooking your own private waterfall flowing from one of the many small lakes hidden on the mountain. The day-hike is not difficult for anyone in relative shape and can easily be done in a few hours. (approx. 1hr 45 mins up, 45 mins to enjoy the views, 1 hour down).

On Lake Louise itself you can rent canoes or kayaks and paddle out for a better look at the glacier on Mount Victoria. Enjoy!

The popular Lake Louise is almost a necessary stop when you go to Banff. Although it's crowded and full of tourists at any time of the year, how can you not go to the lake that frames almost every postcard of the rockies? Even though it was the off-season and the sky was overcast, when we arrived at Lake Louise, it was packed with tourists from around the world snapping pictures of the well-known area. It's worth it to take a little walk down the trail to a less busy spot to get just as good a picture with fewer tourists' heads in the foreground. In May, most of the lake is still frozen, and although you don't see the famous crystal clear reflection, you do see it in some of the thawed spots, and the frosted surface of ice is a sight in itself.