100 Travel Stories
One Week at Lake Louise: The Deer Lodge
Let’s go to the Rocky Mountains! A one-week trip to Banff, Alberta (Western Canada) during the fall. After searching for accommodation in Banff, we were lucky to find a rustic mountain lodge near Lake Louise — the Deer Lodge! Partially funded by redeeming travel points from the CIBC Aventura card, we were able to book the ‘Heritage Room’ in this beautiful, century-old lodge.
The four-hour WestJet flight from Toronto to Calgary was disappointing. The meal provided was ridiculous: two tiny 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. They drove us from the airport to the lodge (a two-hour drive) and gave us a tour of Banff National Park and the surrounding area.
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 still retains much of its original hand-hewn log structure and decor. Due to its close proximity to Lake Louise, the lodge is a perfect starting point to explore the lake and its surrounding trails.
Lake Louise, 10 minutes walk from the lodge
Welcome to Deer Lodge, Lake Louise
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 your flight early; 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 (canned goods, noodles, snacks, tea, coffee, etc.) — it will significantly reduce your bill!
- Try the local beer!
- BYOB or purchase right after arriving at Calgary Airport (there’s a well-stocked liquor store)
- Having friends at your destination: priceless!
Links
Map
Related
- Hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
- The Crown Jewel of Banff National Park: Lake Louise
- Smokey Lake Louise
- Banff Lake Louise