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Planning a winter trip to Lake Louise? We’re here to help!
Winter is a magical time of year to visit Lake Louise. I mean, does life get any more perfect than skating on a frozen lake or stargazing in a Dark Sky Corridor?
Short answer – no! But with so many enchanting winter experiences on offer, it can be hard to know where to start when planning your itinerary. So, since we live in Canmore, which is basically just down the road from Lake Louise (by Canadian standards, anyway), we’ve crafted this ideal 3-day itinerary to help you make the most of your time in the Rockies’ winter wonderland. Let’s get into it!
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The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal favorite thing we did was this Banff National Park day tour! This let us easily see Lake Louise, Marble Canyon, downtown Banff, and more, all in one day.
Check out the 2,400+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Itinerary Overview
First things first, the best way to get around Lake Louise in winter is with a car. If you need to rent one, we highly recommend Discover Cars, as they’re our go-to for reliable rentals.
Parking is available at major sights like Lake Louise itself, the ski resort, and popular trailheads, although it can fill up during peak times. The roads are well-maintained during the winter, but they can be icy, so it’s best to make sure you’ve got winter tires. In fact, winter tires are mandatory along the Icefields Parkway!
The village itself is small and parts of it are pretty walkable, but winter conditions can make distances feel longer than they are, especially when temperatures dip. A 20-minute walk might be a breeze in the summer, but it can be quite a different story in the Canadian winter, let me tell you!
If you’re not able to drive in Lake Louise, then we suggest reading up on the year-round shuttle, the Banff Express Route 8X. Most guided tours and activities for Lake Louise meet in nearby Banff, which is about a 40-minute drive away, so the shuttle is the best way to get there if you don’t have a car.
Day 1: Enjoy a scenic ride on the Banff Gondola, then spend the afternoon exploring Banff Avenue. Finish the day with an early dinner at The Maple Leaf and a magical evening stargazing tour in the Rockies.
Day 2: Spend the day exploring frozen canyons and snowy trails on a guided tour of Banff National Park, before an early dinner and a spectacular evening of stargazing.
Day 3: Enjoy a leisurely morning on Lake Louise before embarking on a winter wildlife safari this afternoon. In the evening, end your trip on a high note with a horse-drawn sleigh ride and dinner at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Day 1
Breakfast – Trailhead Cafe
This morning, you can either grab breakfast at your hotel or, if you’d like to get out, then head to the Trailhead Cafe. It’s a friendly, no-frills spot that serves hearty breakfast sandwiches and fresh bagels, as well as strong coffee that will definitely rev you up for this morning’s adventures.
The cafe opens from 7 am, and we recommend arriving around 8 or 8:30 am. It’s also just a few minutes from the Lake Louise Visitor Centre, which is a great place to help with planning activities and information about shuttle services if you don’t have a rental car. The centre opens at 9 am, so you can head there after breakfast if you’d like.
Morning – Hop on the Banff sightseeing gondola
Just because you’re based in Lake Louise this morning doesn’t mean you have to miss out on one of Banff’s most scenic winter experiences! The Banff Sightseeing Gondola is an easy 40–45 minute drive from the breakfast spot in Lake Louise, and since winter crowds are much lighter than in summer, parking is free and usually stress-free. It’s a great mid-morning outing and it affords big mountain views without needing skis or a lift pass – what’s not to love?
You can book a time slot that works best for your day, and there are plenty of options when you purchase tickets in advance. That said, it’s especially important to book ahead if you’re visiting around the holidays, as lines can be longer at this time of year. There are multiple departure times, so book any time that suits you from about 11 am to 12 pm to give yourself adequate time.
Once you arrive, you’ll hop into one of the enclosed gondola cabins for the 15-minute ride to the summit. Even from the gondola itself, the views start to open up right away. At the top, plan to spend around 2-3 hours exploring the boardwalk, checking out the indoor exhibits, and grabbing lunch (more on that in a moment).
It can be chilly up here in winter, so dress warmly with a winter jacket and mitts. Good footwear is also a must! You’ll be outside in the snow for parts of the visit, but the scenery is absolutely worth it. If this is your first time up Sulphur Mountain in winter, you’re in for something special.
Book your Banff gondola tickets here!
Lunch – Sky Bistro
The Sky Bistro is the perfect spot for lunch today, and it just so happens to be located right at the top of the Banff Gondola! It has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views of the Rockies, so you really couldn’t ask for a more spectacular place to eat. The menu focuses on Canadian dishes with seasonal, regional ingredients, so in the winter, you can warm up with Alberta beef and maple-glazed veggies. You’ll definitely want to book a table, especially during the colder months when everyone wants to be inside rather than outside!
Afternoon – Explore Banff
By the time you’re back down from the gondola, it’ll likely be around 3 pm, which gives you a solid window to enjoy Banff before your evening stargazing tour. You’ll have enough time to fit in one or two light activities plus an early dinner around 5 pm. Here are a few easy options for the afternoon:
- Wander Banff Avenue – We always enjoy taking a walk along Banff Avenue to check out the cozy shops, bars, and cafes, and admire the snowy peaks rising behind them.
- Visit the Whyte Museum – If you’re looking for something indoors, the Whyte Museum is the perfect place to spend an hour. You can browse photography, art, and exhibits that showcase life and culture in the Rockies.
- Enjoy a riverside walk – If the weather’s calm and the pathways are cleared, take a stroll along the Bow River. The trail is usually quiet in the winter, and the snowy trees make it feel even more scenic and peaceful.
If you’re driving, we recommend parking at the Bear Street Parkade, which is free and covered. There’s also street parking available along the Bow River if you’re going to be walking there.
Early Dinner – The Maple Leaf
Since we have a stargazing tour tonight, dinner will be a little early today. If that’s not your style, you could always eat after the tour at 8:30 or 9 pm – the choice is yours!
Either way, The Maple Leaf is exactly the kind of warm and welcoming spot you want to cozy up in on a cold winter’s day. It’s one of Banff’s most beloved restaurants, and it serves up yummy Canadian classics like Alberta beef steaks and, my favorite, maple-glazed salmon. They also do big burgers and bowls of pasta, which always go down well.
If you come here before the tour, arrive around 5 pm. This is usually when there’s a pre-dinner lull, so you should be in and out within an hour.
Evening – Go stargazing
What’s the best way to see Banff National Park at night? By joining this incredible sunset and stargazing tour, of course! Book this tour for 6:30 pm so that you’ll finish up at about 8:30 pm. This should give you plenty of time to get dinner before or afterwards if you prefer!
When we did this tour, we had such a magical experience exploring the park after dark. Banff is part of the Rocky Mountain Dark Sky Corridor, so the night sky here looks amazing, and it’s a side of Banff that most visitors never get to see.
The evening starts at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where you’ll gear up with headlamps and any other equipment you need. This is super handy because it saves having to ice cleats yourself. Then, you’ll follow the flat trails into the park and admire a spectacular wintery sunset before the stars come out.
When darkness fully fell on our tour, we were absolutely stunned! We could see thousands of stars in the Milky Way, and winter is the best time of year to spot the Aurora Borealis. But even if you don’t see the Northern Lights, the stars are absolutely spellbinding.
The walk itself was about 3.5 miles, and we took it at a leisurely pace. I’d say it’s pretty easy for most travelers, as long as you wrap up warm! It was great to have a guide with us to ensure that we didn’t get lost in the dark. It meant we could just enjoy the wilderness without worrying!
Book this epic stargazing tour here and enjoy free cancellation!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Day 2
Morning/Afternoon – Explore Lake Louise, Marble Canyon, and more
Exploring Banff National Park on this award-winning private tour is one of the best ways to experience the Rockies, so that’s how we’re going to spend your second day in Lake Louise! The small-group setup means you’ll get personalized attention, and your guide will tailor the day to avoid crowds so you get to see Banff at its most serene.
The tour will pick you up from Banff at 9:20 am, and it lasts for 8-10 hours, meaning you’ll be done at 7:30 pm at the latest. To be honest, it will probably be a little earlier than this! To get to Banff, you can either hop on the shuttle or you can drive and park next to the train station for free.
The tour starts with the iconic Lake Louise, where the frozen lake and Fairmont Château create the most picture-perfect winter scene imaginable. It might seem a little counterintuitive to drive to Banff only to go back to Lake Louise, but on this tour, you’ll get to see so much of Banff National Park that the extra travel time is definitely worth it.
During winter, it also takes you to Marble Canyon, where you’ll strap on some ice cleats and walk along the suspended catwalks above sparkling frozen waterfalls. It’s truly amazing at this time of year! Along the way, your guide will share fascinating stories about the area while helping you navigate the icy paths safely.
Later, you’ll have time to explore Banff town and grab lunch, then visit Surprise Corner and Bow Falls. We always love visiting Surprise Corner because it offers fantastic views of the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, and it looks even better when the castle is covered in snow. Your guide will be on hand to offer photography tips to help you capture all of these breathtaking wintery views!
What really makes this tour stand out is that it’s a small group experience with fun-loving guides who know the area really well. And you don’t just have to take our word for it because there are thousands of 5-star reviews that attest to that!
Check availability and book this top-rated sightseeing tour here!
Dinner/Evening – PARK Distillery Restaurant + Bar
PARK Distillery is one of our favorite places to style in for a winter evening in Banff! It’s super cozy, and it feels very “Banff”, with a fun and lively vibe. The bar has campfire-inspired decor, and you can pretty much always smell the rotisserie working away in the kitchen. If you’re not hungry when you walk through the door, you will be soon!
We usually go for the rotisserie chicken or the cast-iron mac and cheese here. The smoked plates are also really good, but you can also find lighter salads and snacks to share if you’re not after something super heavy. And after dinner, it’s definitely worth sticking around for a drink or two – especially because PARK makes their popular spirits with pure glacier water!
Day 3
Breakfast – Bill Peyto’s Cafe
Bill Peyto’s Cafe is one of the best breakfast spots in Lake Louise, especially on a cold winter morning! It’s a really friendly spot where you can indulge in a hearty Canadian breakfast, whether you want a pancake stack smothered in maple syrup or a filling breakfast burrito. They do have lighter options too, like fruit bowls and hot cereal. The cafe opens at 7:30 am, and we suggest getting here for 8 am at the latest to ensure that you have plenty of time to explore Lake Louise this morning.
Morning – Enjoy Lake Louise’s winter wonderland
You spent a bit of time at the lakefront on yesterday’s tour, but this morning it’s time to explore it at your own pace. Take a couple of hours to soak up the scenery and try a winter activity or two before heading to Banff. Here are a few of our favorite things to get up to here:
- Ice skating on the lake – If conditions are right, the Lake Louise is usually cleared for skating from late December onward, and let me tell you, it’s absolutely magical! You can rent skates right from the Fairmont, then enjoy skating in front of the snow-dusted chateau with views of the Victoria Glacier above. It’s a must in my opinion!
- Walk the Lakeshore Trail – The lakeshore path is usually packed down in winter, so it actually makes for a pretty easy walk, and the payoff is huge. It takes about 45-60 minutes to walk the trail at a leisurely pace with plenty of photo stops along the way.
- Snowshoe nearby trails – For something a bit more active, grab a pair of snowshoes and make like a Canadian. You can rent snowshoes in the village, and there are lots of short, winter-friendly tracks available near the lake. I like the Fairview Lookout Trail because it offers amazing views and takes 1-2 hours, depending on your pace.
- Warm up at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – If you get cold, find some relief inside the gorgeous Fairmont and treat yourself to a coffee or one of their indulgent hot chocolates. We love relaxing in their cozy lounge areas in the winter, and the huge windows look out right onto the frozen lake. But don’t worry if you don’t have time this morning, because you’ll be back here later for dinner.
However you choose to spend your morning, try to finish up by midday. This should give you enough time to drive to Banff and grab some lunch before your wildlife tour this afternoon.
Lunch – Farm & Fire
For lunch, drive over to Banff, which should take you around 40 minutes. Park at the train station and walk over to Farm & Fire. It’s a 7-minute walk, so you should be seated in the warm just before 1 pm.
We recommend this spot because it’s chic and contemporary, and there’s a big focus on wood-fired cooking and local ingredients. They do lots of shareable plates and flatbreads, which are ideal for lunch, but there are heartier dishes like roasted meats and baked skillets on the menu if you’re looking for more of a winter warmer.
Afternoon – Go on a winter safari
Banff is one of the best places in Canada to see winter wildlife, and this small group tour is the perfect way to do it. So after lunch, make your way to the Banff Train Station for the 2 pm tour. Once you’re checked in and ready to go, you’ll head out with an expert guide to explore some of the park’s most wildlife-rich areas. The tour lasts for 3 hours, so you should finish up at around 5 pm.
Winter is actually one of the best times to spot animals in Banff National Park, since the snow makes them easier to see! Many animals also spend more time in the valleys at this time of year, which further ups your chances.
Your guide will take you on a slow, scenic drive, and you’ll visit plenty of spots like the Minnewanka Loop and the Hoodoos viewpoint, as well as plenty of quiet stretches of forest where wildlife tends to wander. On most winter outings, you can expect to spot elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and sometimes even coyotes or foxes!
The small bus has large panoramic windows, so everyone gets a clear view without having to crowd around. And because it’s winter, the guides will bring along extras like blankets and warm drinks to keep you comfortable. It’s truly the perfect way to spend your last afternoon here.
Book this winter wildlife tour here and get ready to be amazed!
Evening – Explore Lake Louise by horse-drawn sleigh
I don’t think you can get a more Hallmark-worthy experience in Lake Louise than taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy landscape, so that’s what we’ve got planned for tonight. The sleighs are traditionally styled, and you can wrap up warm in cozy blankets while you admire views of the Fairmont Château and Victoria Glacier.
You’ll need to book this activity in advance as it’s a popular thing to do. We suggest reserving a ride for 7 pm so that you have time to get back from the tour and enjoy a ride before dinner, as they typically last between 45 minutes and an hour. It costs $65 CAD per adult and $55 CAD per child, and children under four ride for free!
You can book your winter sleigh ride here. It’s such a romantic experience for couples to do together, and you can even book a private two-seater cutter if you’re on a romantic trip to Lake Louise. Proposals in the carriages are not unheard of, that’s all I’ll say…
Dinner/Evening – Toast to your trip at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is one of the most iconic places to stay in the Canadian Rockies, but boy oh boy is it a splurge! This place looks more like a grand castle than a hotel, and it sits right on the edge of Lake Louise.
But while a room at the Fairmont Chateau may not be in reach for everyone traveling to Banff, a dinner reservation is! Well, dinner at the Fairview Bar and Restaurant isn’t exactly a cheap meal but it’s definitely not as pricey as a night at the hotel, and we think it’s well worth it. With AAA Alberta steak, lobster, and arctic char on the menu, you will truly be tasting the best food Lake Louise has to offer.
You’ve also got Mediterranean-inspired Louiza on site, as well as the Swiss and German-inspired Walliser Stube restaurant and wine bar. We also like the Alpine Social, which puts a gourmet twist on Canadian comfort food. Wherever you choose to dine, you’ll need to make a reservation, and we suggest doing this for 8:30 pm to allow you plenty of time to enjoy your sleigh ride and savor your meal before the restaurants close at around 10 pm.
Where to Stay in Lake Louise, Alberta
Now that you have a list of the top things to do in Lake Louise, you need somewhere perfect to stay! Lake Louise is often a day-trip destination, but if you can spend a few nights here, you’re in for a real treat. If these hotels have availability when you’re ready to book, they will be your best options, no matter what your budget is.
Fairmont Château Lake Louise – $$$
For those looking for a memorable stay, you can’t look past the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. The hotel sits on the shoreline of Lake Louise with epic views in the most stunning of locations. I’ve added spending a night or two here to my personal bucket list! There are also a few restaurants in the hotel that are exclusively available to hotel guests, not to mention the on-site spa.
Prices range by season but can be anywhere from $550 to $2k+ CAD per night. You can book the Fairmont online here!
Lake Louise Inn – $$
The Lake Louise Inn is a cozy, cabin-inspired hotel at a moderate price point. The hotel features an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant and bar, modern rooms, and even apartments for larger groups. It basically has all the comforts you’d expect at a standard hotel, and the reviews are really good. Its location is also ideal, right in the heart of Lake Louise Village.
Prices range from $200 to $700 CAD per night. You can book the Lake Louise Inn online here!
Hi Lake Louise Alpine Center – $
For budget travelers, the Hi Lake Louise Alpine Center is the best option in Lake Louise Village. The location is right in town, they have a shared kitchen, basic but comfortable rooms, and friendly staff. You can choose between dorm rooms or private rooms. It is by far the cheapest place to stay in Lake Louise, and honestly, it’s a nice hostel, and we’ve actually stayed there a few times.
Dorm beds start for around $75 CAD per night, and you can book a private room for $200 CAD per night. Check prices and book it online at Booking.com!
Related Read: Looking for more great accommodation options? See our list of the best areas and hotels in Banff, including Lake Louise!
Renting a Car in Alberta
If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough! Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.
Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read our honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Check availability and prices on Discover Cars here!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Check out my review of Motorhome Republic here for tips before you book.
And if you’re planning to camp but don’t want to splurge on a huge RV, we highly recommend Smile Campervans. Based in Calgary, this local company provides compact campervans fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and affordable road trip adventure!
In fact, Smile Campervans has actually given us a special discount code for our readers! Use the code DESTINATIONLESSTRAVEL at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Parks Canada Pass Quick Info
If you plan on spending time in Canada’s national parks (including Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay, and more) then you’re going to have to pay for a Parks Pass.
Single Daily Admission:
This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for a couple of days.
- Adult (ages 18-64) is $11 CAD
- Senior (65+) is $9.50 CAD
- Youth/Child (17 or younger) is FREE
Group Daily Admission:
If you’re traveling in a group or with family, you can buy a single-day admission for your entire vehicle (up to 7 people in one vehicle.)
- $22.00 CAD gets your entire vehicle entry for one full day
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
The “Discovery Pass” is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, and so much more.
- Adult (age 18-64) – $75.25 CAD
- Senior (65+) – $64.50 CAD
- Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) – $151.25 CAD
Hot Tip: Although more expensive up front, if you plan on spending more than 7 days in different parks in Canada within a 12-month period, then the Discovery Pass is actually the better deal!
Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers or booths at the entrance to many national parks.
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Thanks for reading!
Lake Louise is truly a dream winter destination! While it’s beautiful year-round, we love the charm and quiet that winter brings, as well as the unique activities you can only do this time of year. Plus, the Fairmont Chateau and the frozen lake are a sight you have to see with your own eyes to believe – pure magic!
Before you pack your winter coat and mittens, stop and check out our other Canada blogs! We live in Canada and have plenty of resources to help you plan a memorable vacation, no matter what season you travel in. Here are a few related blogs to get your planning started and inspire your next destination – cheers!
How to Spend THREE DAYS in Banff in the Winter: The Best 3-Day Itinerary
8 Best Things to do in Jasper in the Winter
How to Spend THREE DAYS in Whistler in the Winter: The Best 3-Day Itinerary