One week at Lake Louise: The Deer Lodge

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.

Travelling during COVID-19 is not easy: expensive air tickets, the cancelation of tour buses, the closures of all hot springs (including the rooftop hot tub at Deer Lodge).

The four hour flight with WestJet from Toronto to Calgary was disappointing. The airplane was full with no social distancing and frequent passing by of flight attendants, more to collect the garbage, than to serve – since the meal provided was ridiculous: two minuscule biscuits and a small bottle of water… Bringing sandwiches from home really helped with hunger at high altitudes.

Having friends in Calgary was a blessing. We were transported from the airport to the lodge (two hours drive) and giving a tour of the Banff National Park and surroundings.

More about our adventures in the Rockies in the next posts.

A quiet retreat in the mountains: the Deer Lodge

The Deer Lodge was built in 1923 as a teahouse, opened as a hotel in 1925 and it still retains much of its original hand hewn log structure and decor. Due to its close proximity to Lake Louis, the lodge is a perfect starting point to discover the lake and its surroundings trails.

Lake Louise, 10 minutes walk from the lodge

The Deer Lodge sign

Deer Lodge

The Heritage room

Lodge lounge

Lounge

Vintage armchairs and pictures

Bison trophy, piano and fireplace

Dining room

Very good breakfast at Deer Lodge! Left: avocado sandwiches. Right: bison sausage.

Another view of he lodge

View towards the luxury Fairmont Chateau hotel on the shores of Lake Louise

Tips

• Book flight earlier, it can make a big difference in pricing
• Do bring your own food on the airplane (WestJet language translation: “meal provided” = “two biscuits”)
• Bring food for the lodge (food cans, noodles, snacks, tea, coffee, etc.) – it will hugely reduce your bill!
• Do try local beer!
• BYOB or buy right after entering the Calgary Airport (there is a well stocked liquor store)
• Have friends: priceless!

Links

• The Lodge
• Banff National Park
• CIBC Aventura

Map

Related

• Hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
• The Crown Jewel of Banff National Park: Lake Louise
• Smokey Lake Louise
• Banff Lake Louise