Banff & Lake Louise
Spend a week seeking out winter’s surprises in Banff & Lake Louise, and you’ll find that every day spent in the company of snowy mountain peaks is different from the last.
MERIT TRAVEL WINTER PROMOS
Mount Royal Hotel
Inspired by more than a century of community, culture, and storytelling, the completely updated Mount Royal Hotel offers an entirely new experience in Banff National Park
WINTER LONG STAY Promo: Stay 6-nights and receive the 7th night free. Free night applicable to room only, applicable taxes will apply. Subject to availability.
Elk + Avenue
Just a few steps from the quaint streets and ample restaurants, shopping and nightlife of downtown Banff, Elk + Avenue Hotel brings an upscale twist to the classic mountain escape.
WINTER LONG STAY Promo: Stay 6-nights and receive the 7th night free. Free night applicable to room only, applicable taxes will apply. Subject to availability.
FUN FACTS
Did you know that Banff and Lake Louise is Canada’s first and the worlds third National Park dating back to 1885? Here are some more fast facts you may interested to know!
• Canada’s most visited National Park with 4 million visitors each year
• Most skiable acres in a National Park in Canada: 7,748 acres | 26 chair lifts | 357 runs | 3 resorts | longest run is 8KM
• 1,600+ KM maintained hiking trails
• Tallest mountain – Mt. Forbes sits at 11,850 FT
• Most number of National Historic Sites in a National Park in Canada: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Cave & Basin | Banff Park Museum | Howse Pass | Skoki Ski Lodge | Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin | Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station
• Second highest number of bird species in a National Park in Western Canada – 260 Species
• The only Distillery in a National Park in Canada: Park Distillery Restaurant + Bar
• Canada’s longest and deepest cave system (1,260 FT)
ADVENTURE + REJUVENATE
Discover exquisite landscapes and an abundance of space; connect with pure nature and rich heritage of Canada’s national treasure: Banff National Park.
Invigorate your body with outdoor adventures like guided snowshoe tours around Banff National Park; cross-country skiing around Tunnel Mountain and Cascade Valley; caving under Grotto Mountain; or skating and hockey on Lake Louise or Vermillion Lake. Restore your mind with a visit to the waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs; an indulgent treatment at one of the many local spas; a yoga or meditation retreat; forest bathing on Tunnel Mountain; or by simply taking in the sights and sounds of the beautiful rivers, lakes, and majestic mountains.DO MORE + EXPLORE
Visit some of the most iconic destinations, treasured settings, and natural wonders the Canadian Rockies have to offer. Banff National Park provides countless opportunities to experience the incredible wildlife and geology of this spectacular region.
- • Guided snowshoe tours
- • Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine Gondolas
- • Horse drawn sleigh rides
- • Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
- • Helicopter touring
- • Dogsled tours
EAT + DRINK
The food scene in Banff and Lake Louise is vibrant and diverse. From modern restaurants in the downtown core, to elegant dining rooms in grand hotels or cozy intimate bistros in back country lodges, we have something for everyone. And of course, takeout options are currently aplenty.
- • Shoku Izakaya for Japanese pub experience
- • Farm and Fire for local Canadian fare
- • Lupo for some fresh Italian dishes
- • Three Bears Brewery bringing the outside in
There is an abundance of beauty to be seen in the mountains. Take the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and dine above the clouds at Sky Bistro. Or watch the weather go by at the Juniper Bistro which offers seasonal cuisine and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Here are some insider tips on the 7 best restaurants with a view in Banff and Lake Louise you will never forget!
BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE SAMPLE WINTER ITINERARY
DAY 1 – Winter walks in Lake Louise
Begin your week of winter wonder by heading straight to the village of Lake Louise in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Stretch your legs along the iconic Lake Louise shoreline trail, glide over the frozen lake backdropped by the magnificent Victoria Glacier
DAY 2 – Snoeshowing and nightrise at the Banff Gondola
With snowshoes strapped to your feet, explore the serene snowy forest, and learn about the flora and fauna that thrive here. For a unique and memorable evening, climb onboard the Banff Gondola after 5 pm to enjoy Nightrise. In partnership with the Stoney Nakoda Nation, Nightrise transforms Sulphur Mountain into an immersive, interactive experience after dark through dynamic lights, projections, original soundscapes and more
DAY 3 – Skiing the Big 3
Banff and Lake Louise are a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Three world-class resorts are a short distance from the town of Banff and the hamlet of Lake Louise.
DAY 4 – Experience mountains from above
Get a whole new perspective on the immensity of the Rockies with a helicopter tour that soars high above the peaks
DAY 5 – Fatbiking Adventure
Winter fat bikes are the newest way to explore Banff National Park. The snow-covered trails in Banff and Lake Louise are now accessible year-round thanks to fat bikes which have wide tires that are perfect for riding on snow.
DAY 6 – Snowtubing and ice walking
Head up to Mt. Norquay for snow tubing; enjoy the easy access with a short ride up the tube park, and then feel the rush of cruising down the carefully groomed snow tube lanes.
DAY 7 – A Final day of tasting in Banff
The food scene in Banff and Lake Louise is vibrant, diverse and open for all to enjoy. With modern restaurants in the downtown core, there is something for everyone!
