“Imagine arriving here in the 1880s… the smell of pine forest, the sound of avalanches from the mountains above, and the wonder of vast unexplored country ahead. Today, the ice-capped peaks, hidden valleys and turquoise lakes are as spectacular as they ever were, and are much easier to get to!

Early visitors came to Lake Louise by rail or on horseback, until the road from Banff opened in the 1920s. Travellers in winter explored on snowshoes, and in the 1930s, the skiers arrived. The Lake Louise area has become a mecca for climbers, walkers, and tourists, summer and winter.” (Alberta Parks)

Lake Louise weather forecast: sunny. Reality: smoky. Quite a surprise to find the mountains surrounding the lake covered by smoke from the California wildfires. Nevertheless, the weather didn’t stop us to enjoy exploring the area. We’ll start with “foggy” Lake Louise and end with sunny Lake Louise in the next post.

Let’s go to the Rocky Mountains! Sasi and I planned one week trip to Banff, Alberta (Western Canada) for this Fall. After searching and searching for accommodation in Banff, we were lucky to find a rustic mountain lodge right near Lake Louise – the Deer Lodge! Part funded by redeeming travel points from the CIBC Aventura card – we were able to book the “Heritage Room” in this beautiful hundred years old lodge.