The snow-capped mountain peaks seen from every angle of the lake are fronted by lush trees canopied by thick layers of snow. Even as the weather begins to temper into shoulder season, offering warmer temperatures, tourism in the region does not peak until summer. Outside of the summer holiday months (May – September), the trails are less crowded, the lines are much shorter, if there are any at all, and hotel rates are more approachable. 

Making Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise your home-away-from-home sets the stage for a magical vacation filled with luxurious comfort, scenic nature walks, elevated dining options, and easy access to multiple tourism attractions across the region.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here.
All images by Kateryna Topol.

Getting to Lake Louise

If you intend to do quite a bit of driving, you can rent a vehicle for the weekend at the Calgary International Airport (YYC). Alternatively, you can take a comfortable shuttle directly from the airport to Lake Louise. 

Brewster Express, operated by Pursuit Collection, runs four times a day from YYC to the doorstep of the Chateau 4 times per day off-season and 6 times per day May to October. Upon arrival at YYC, you can check in at the Brewster Express desk, where they will also tag your bag for departure. The spacious shuttle is outfitted with comfortable leather seats, equipped with outlets and USB adapters, and has a bathroom at the back of the bus. While the TV at the front of the bus live-streams the route ahead, the bus driver will occasionally take a moment to share insightful stories about the region, its people, and geography. There is a brief scheduled stop in Banff, during which you can grab a coffee from a nearby shop, and then the shuttle pulls through a narrow snowy road directly to the hotel front door. 

Shuttle fare starts from CA$66.75 per person
Book on banffjaspercollection.com
Other routes are available from downtown Calgary to across the region. 

Current offer: Save 25% on round-trip shuttles between Calgary and the Rockies with Brewster Express. Discount is automatically applied at checkout. Offer valid until May 18, 2026.

Brewster Express from Calgary airport to Lake Louise.

Day One:
Welcome to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Once checked in and unpacked, explore the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise map and the weekly concierge guide. The hotel hosts a wide range of weekly activities from yoga and outdoor adventures to family hours in the game room and evening campfires. A few times a week, the bar team hosts a guided mixology class. These spots fill up quickly, so sign up on arrival if a guided cocktail experience is on your wishlist.

Spend the afternoon exploring the hotel grounds, both inside and out, and if the weather permits, watch the sunset from the terrace. Hours can be lost wandering this vast property, so take time to find its special corners on day one.

For dinner, enjoy a casual meal at the Lakeview lounge (reservations recommended) or head down to the Fairview Bar & Restaurant for a typical pub vibe with TVs and cold pints. If you feel like leaving the property for dinner, take advantage of the frequent shuttle to the nearby Post Hotel & Spa (ask the concierge for the arrival and departure times). The Post Hotel Dining Room offers a menu built on seasonal ingredients, heavy on speciality meats and fish. At the foot of the parking lot, you will also find the Fondue Stübli, a cabin-style restaurant-bar that serves casual favourites and fondues in front of a fireplace.

See the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel review for additional context.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Picture window at the Lakeview lounge, King Lakeview room, dining room at the Fairview Bar & Restaurant.

Day Two:
A relaxing wellness day at Lake Louise

Skip breakfast and start your day in a bathrobe at the BASIN Glacial Water spa. Brand new to the property, the spa is only available to hotel guests for three hours at a time. The spa journey includes wet and dry saunas, a range of sensory relaxation rooms, a jacuzzi and a terrace that will take your breath away. Make sure to join in for a guided Afguss ritual in the hot sauna and cool off on the terrace before heading inside for an afternoon snack. Enhance your spa visit with a glass of Ruinart Champagne, a perfect sip for a perfect view to end your spa session before lunch. 

Spa access pass: $275 per person. Reservations are strongly recommended; book the spa when you reserve your room to ensure access. The spa is a technology-free space.

Renewed and rejuvenated, head over to the Fairview Restaurant for the Afternoon Tea (reservations required). A classic English tradition available at most Fairmont properties, this lunch is a decadent selection of homemade scones, savoury sandwiches, and sweets from the in-house pastry chef. Afternoon tea is $155 per person, $155 with a glass of Veuve Clicquot. 

Sunrise from the BASIN Glacial Water spa at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

In the afternoon, bundle up and head out for a slow walk outside, hike through the forest, ice skate, or snowshoe on the lake. In the winter, you can also hop on a sleigh ride and enjoy the views from a horse-drawn carriage wrapped in a cosy blanket. Sleigh Rides are $55–$64 per person. On the way back to your room, stop by the hotel’s icebar for a cup of hot chocolate or Mulled Wine. It takes 5 days to build the ice bar using 240 blocks of ice, each weighing 300 pounds. The result is a beautiful open roof space with animal statues, ice benches and tables, and a firepit to huddle around with your hot beverage.

To complete this day of indulgence at the hotel, enjoy a contemporary farm-to-table meal at the Fairview Bar and Restaurant or sit down for a three-course Chateau Experience at the Walliser Stube, starting with the signature cheese fondue. While the Fairview Bar is bright and open, the Walliser Stube is a more intimate experience that feels like a private club.

Horses at Lake Louise and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Ice Bar.

Cocktails and fondue at the Walliser Stube at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Day Three:
Venture out to Banff

Enjoy the luxurious breakfast at Louiza. Build your own breakfast plate with the rich selection of items from the buffet, or make it a multi-course meal by adding an à la carte dish like Eggs Benedict or Belgian Waffles (included in the breakfast flat fee). Take a couple of pastries and some fresh-squeezed juice for the road and head out to Banff.

Getting to Banff from Lake Louise

If you have a car, the drive to Banff is just under an hour. Fairmont Banff Springs operates a shuttle to Lake Louise, though it will require a bit of a walk into Banff centre, about 25 min. Alternatively, you can take the Roam Lake Louise–Banff Express bus from the Lake Louise Lakeshore stop to Banff High School Transit Hub or take a taxi. From May to October, you can also take the Parks Canada shuttle.

Afternoon in Banff 

Walk around the Banff town, grab a coffee from one of its many cafes or a tea from Jolene’s Tea House, a local producer whose teas you will surely see in other cafes. Walk over to the Banff Pedestrian Bridge for a nice view of the Bow River to work up an appetite for lunch.

For lunch or brunch, settle in at the Brazen Restaurant. Located in the historic Mount Royal Hotel, Brazen is a local staple for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant has a modern yet welcoming atmosphere with big windows and a petite bar. The brunch menu is hearty and unique, with dishes like Grilled Cheese Benedict and Smoked Meat Pie, making it hard to decide on a single dish.

Brunch at the Brazen Restaurant, Banff, Alberta.

For the afternoon activity, head over to the Banff Gondola, a 10-minute drive or bus ride from Banff centre. The scenic gondola ride will take you up to Sulphur Mountain, overlooking Banff Village from high elevation. At the top (2,281 meters above sea level) is an interpretive centre and theatre, Sky Bistro (casual), Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen (elevated), and a few observation areas. 

A wooden walkway goes up another 102 meters to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station, where scientists studied how the sun affects the Earth’s environment from 1960 to 1978. From up here, the mountains surround you full 360-degrees, a spectacular moment in time. It is possible to skip the gondola and hike up to the mountain, but that trail is not winter-friendly and takes around 5.5 hours as a return trip.

Banff Gondola
100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J3 | Map link
Tickets: $69 to $74 adult, $44.85 to $48.10 child, cheaper in advance, family packages available  

Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station and the Banff Gondola, Alberta.

Stay around in Banff for dinner. For a casual meal, head over to Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant. This is an always-busy spot that offers Shaft on draft – a Banff local concoction of vodka and cold brew coffee. Switch things up a bit with sushi at Hello Sunshine Sushi & Karaoke, which also has a wonderful cocktail program, or stick with the steak and fondue classics at the Bluebird Woodfired Steakhouse. Most places in Banff offer a daily happy hour between 4 and 5 PM, 3 to 5 PM at the Brazen. Happy hours might change, so check online ahead of time. 

Find more things to do in Banff.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
111 Lake Louise Dr, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0

Room starting at $700 CAD for Mountain View King and $1,000 for Lakeview King. See hotel packages for special offers and collect your All Accor points for the stay.

Book direct on fairmont.com for the best price guaranteed. If you find a lower rate for your stay, the hotel will match it and take an additional 10% off. Compare rate to: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com

Hello Sunshine Sushi & Karaoke, Banff, Alberta.

Mountain views from Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta.

The post Three-day itinerary to a magical weekend in Lake Louise appeared first on Paths to Travel.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise faces Lake Louise, with Fairview Mountain and Mount Temple peaks shaping the skyline. The hotel first opened in 1890 as a small log chalet by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Two separate fires led to a major reconstruction that eventually turned into the stately property it is now. Over the years, the likes of Douglas Fairbanks and Alfred Hitchcock have stayed at the hotel. The hotel currently holds a Michelin Key for a very special stay. 

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here.
All images by Kateryna Topol.

The rooms at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

There are 539 rooms at the hotel, ranging from King and Two Queens rooms to Deluxe, Junior, or Two-Bedroom Suites, and a selection of accessible rooms. The more unique and spacious options include the Marquis de Lorne Suite with a corner couch and a fireplace, and a few Suites with private terraces facing the lake. Lakeside rooms offer postcard scenery of Lake Louise, while hillside suites look at the Rocky Mountain ranges. 

Decorated in a lavish alpine-colonial style, the rooms are modern and kept up-to-date with various luxuries like automated bathroom lighting, blackout curtains, plenty of lighting options, and all of the expected entertainment technology. Each room has a coffee corner and a sizable fridge. A seating corner with a comfortable couch or chairs, and a small table are commonly found across all rooms.

If your privacy sign is off, the room service team will dim the lights, set up your branded sleepers and a water carafe by the bed with nightly turndown service. If the morning light is not too offensive, leave one of the curtains slightly open to enjoy the sun rise over the mountains from the comfort of your bed.

Plan your trip: Three-day itinerary to a magical weekend in Lake Louise

Amenities & Experiences 

With the exception of the hotel lobby, the Chateau is exclusive to hotel guests only. Once checked in, all guests are handed the resort map and a weekly concierge guide. Ornate chandeliers, elaborate carpets, heavy curtains, sturdy and elegant armchairs and sofas set the scene of a hunter’s lodge, but elevated a notch, or seven. The vast property includes retail shops and a retail arcade, mezzanine level games room, a ski rental shop, lounges, ballrooms, and scenic outdoor terraces. 

The Concierge Guide includes weekly activities organised by the hotel. On this schedule, you will find ski lessons, hotel tours, mixology classes, campfire hours, snowshoeing experiences and guided forest walks, music bingo, yoga and meditation classes, and much more. The wellness amenities include a small but fairly well-equipped gym, yoga/stretching room, an indoor pool with a jacuzzi and a spectacular view, a full-service spa, and a recently opened BASIN Glacial Waters thermal spa. A yoga mat is placed in each room along with the plush bathrobes inside the closet, in case a morning stretch is a daily habit.

BASIN Glacial Waters

The spa is an all-sensory thermal bathing experience tucked to the side of the hotel with breathtaking views of the Rockies from nearly every corner. Guests receive an individual spa journey card, based on a quick arrival survey, to guide them through the spa. This wellness path takes you through the wet and dry saunas, jacuzzi, thermal pool walks, and sensory relaxation moments. The exterior terrace is a grouping of individual hot pools, steam rising through the cold air, hiding the mountains in its wake. Every moment in the spa is special, but if you choose the sunrise or sunset hours, watching the sky change colours moment after moment is an experience unique to this geography. 

The hottest and most unique sauna in BASIN is accessed through the terrace and is where the Aufguss ritual takes place throughout the day. This Northern European ritual, which dates back over 2,000 years, is led by a sauna master who uses essential oils, music, and rhythmic towel movement to circulate the hot air. It is a multi-segmentary experience meant to promote deep relaxation and detoxification. BASIN’s sauna master, Kyan Van Haasteren, has a very calming demeanour, expertly leading the ritual and keeping an eye on attendees. The experience is transformative, and very, very hot. On a cold winter day, people tend to sit outside, literally steaming from their pores after the Aufguss ritual. 

The spa has a tea station and a small, healthy food menu. In addition to hot tea and juices, the BASIN beverage menu includes a lovely wine selection and has an exclusive partnership with Ruinart Champagne.

Spa access pass: $275 per person. Reservations are strongly recommended; book the spa when you reserve your room to ensure access. The spa is a technology-free space.

BASIN Glacial Waters spa at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Restaurants & Bars at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The hotel is isolated in the mountains with nothing really nearby, so multiple dining options are available across the property to accommodate a range of needs. The Guide’s Pantry, for example, is open during the day for quick snacks, to-go lunches, and coffee, while in-room dining is available all day by request. Much like other Fairmont properties, the Chateau also offers a signature Afternoon Tea. 

Breakfast is served at Louiza, a bright and spacious Mediterranean restaurant on the lower level of the hotel, also open for dinner. Guests can choose between a quick coffee and a pastry-style breakfast or sit down for a buffet breakfast accompanied by an à la carte dish. This fresh and robust menu selection includes not only typical breakfast options, like yoghurt and eggs, but a mix of world breakfast specialities from kimchi to green sauces and Spanish coldcuts. 

Located to the left of the lobby, Lakeview Lounge stretches along the lake-facing corridor with large bay windows setting the scene. Here, the menu is focused on seasonal flavours and craft cocktails. Alpine Social, on the other hand, has a casual pub vibe, celebrating the birthplace of mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies. This casual menu offers hearty meals with a focus on Alpine-inspired, locally-sourced flavours. 

Fairview Bar & Restaurant is an intricately decorated, beautiful lounge and a sprawling ballroom dining room overlooking Lake Louise. The kitchen menu, created by Executive Chef Nicholas Issel, is a celebration of seasonal flavours packaged into farm-to-table dishes. Walliser Stube is a smaller restaurant set deeper into the property. This heritage room has intricate wood panel walls and a cabinet wall with a sliding ladder. This menu pays homage to the rich history of Swiss mountaineering through dishes they enjoyed on their journeys. 

Fairview Bar & Restaurant at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Lakeview Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Dinner and drinks at the Walliser Stube Restaurant at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Getting to Lake Louise

Rent a vehicle for the weekend at the Calgary International Airport (YYC), or take a comfortable shuttle directly from the airport to Lake Louise. Brewster Express, operated by Pursuit Collection, runs four times a day from YYC to the doorstep of the Chateau off-season and 6 times per day during the summer. 

Book on banffjaspercollection.com
Shuttle fare starts from CA$66.75 per person
Other routes are available from downtown Calgary to across the region. 

Current offer: Save 25% on round-trip shuttles between Calgary and the Rockies with Brewster Express. Discount is automatically applied at checkout. Offer valid until May 18, 2026.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
111 Lake Louise Dr, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0

Room starting at $700 CAD for Mountain View King and $1,000 for Lakeview King. See hotel packages for special offers and collect your All Accor points for the stay. Rates vary seasonally, with the highest in July and August. 

Book direct on fairmont.com for the best price guaranteed. If you find a lower rate for your stay, the hotel will match it and take an additional 10% off. Compare rate to: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com

The post A luxury stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise appeared first on Paths to Travel.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here.

See it all from the Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola is an absolute must-do when in Banff. Going up there during the day will take you through multiple weather changes, tree colours, and breathtaking views. At the top is a wooden boardwalk that will take you up to the top of a mountain. The views from here are spectacular no matter the weather.

At night, however, it is all that and more. The evening gondola reopens at 5:30 PM and ascends to the top for a very special, ganging experience: The Nightrise. Done in collaboration with Pursuit Collection, Montreal’s Moment Factory, and the Stoney Nakoda Nation the experience is an audio-visual adventure that takes you closer to the region’s roots.

There are “Four Wonders” at the Nightrise and as you wander through them, you see the mountains and the boardwalk interactively illuminated. You hear original soundscapes and voices of the people setting the scene and inspiring self-reflection. The overall experience exposes you to the stories of the Stoney Nakoda Nation and that in itself is a one-of-a-kind journey. Here is a quick video teaser. 

Book ahead on banffjaspercollection.com, tickets average $50 to $61 per person.  
Nightrise is in its final season until March 29, 2026.

Enjoy the food and drink

The town of Banff has quite a few options for dining, and depending on where you are staying, you might even be able to cook. There are a lot of options for dining in town, from small and casual family-owned spots to large breweries and distilleries.  

 Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant is right in the centre of the village. It is a rather large spot, with multiple floors, and an expansive menu. There are, of course, also cocktails and wines available for non-beer drinkers. There is also an actual tree inside. So that’s cool. Nearby is Park Distillery Restaurant + Bar, where they make all that Park gin and vodka you will see on the cocktail menus around town. Park is a fun spot to hang out and have your first “shaft,” which, quite honestly, you can get anywhere and often on draft. Banff Ave Brewing Co., on the other hand, is a bit smaller and spread out across the pub and the lodge. The pub is a fun spot with a tasty menu and daily specials (except Saturday). For a classic lunch environment, stop by Farm & Fire, at the base of Elk + Avenue Hotel. There is a Bison Benny on the menu, and yes, it was great.

There are quite a few seafood spots in town worth a visit and Hello Sunshine Sushi & Private Karaoke Rooms might be the most popular. The restaurant is fine dining, modern Japanese cuisine served in a carefully designed, upscale environment. There is a massive fireplace in the centre and a chef’s long sushi bar for that knife-to-table service. On a good weather day, you can sit out on their mountain-view patio. A bit off the strip is Shoku Izakaya, which, like most restaurants in town, has a great happy hour. One must get the Tokyo Freis and Fried chicken. Sashimi is great in both spots.

Elevated steak dinners can be found at the Bluebird Wood-fired Steakhouse and Chuck’s Steakhouse, both also have a great cocktail and wine selection. Bluebird has that modernised old cave-like feel, while Chuck’s is where everyone wears a fancy cowboy belt buckle. Pick your vibe or head over to Rundle Bar at Fairmont Banff Springs for a European castle atmosphere and delicious cocktails.

A quick tip:
Always pay attention to the surrounding environment when driving, you might spot some wildlife. 

Enjoy the views from a spa

There are a few spas in the area, but the most scenic and memorable is Kananaskis Nordic Spa. In true Nordic tradition, the spa has a full Hydrotherapy Circuit. Their wide range of amenities includes mixed-temperature pools, different saunas, fire pits, resting places, and a cafe. On arrival, you get a long and very cosy robe with a fleece lining that will keep you warm in the mountains. The restaurant, which does get rather busy, feels like a slumber party, everyone casual in their fleece robes. Great place to spend a day in and the drive here is also quite lovely. In addition to hydrotherapy, you can also request a massage at an additional cost. 

Access hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: $109
Wednesday – Thursday: $149
Saturday – Monday and holidays: $169
The prices exclude HST and might change, so double-check. You can make reservations 3 months ahead. 

Visit Abraham Lake

It is a bit of a drive, but it will be worth it. Abraham Lake is actually an artificial lake and Alberta’s largest reservoir. What draws people here, aside from the stunning mountain views, of course, is the bubbles. Methane gas gets trapped in the ice, creating frozen bubbles across the lake’s surface. They are seen everywhere, layered across the thick sheet of ice, in different colours and shapes. A truly unique experience I must admit. The best time to visit is mid-January to early February. Map link here, but Preacher’s Point offers a nice view from a distance. Here is a short video.

Plan ahead: rent states, pack warm drinks, and bring a scotch. 

Learn something new, while you’re here

You are here, so you might as well learn – or try to – how to ski or snowboard. Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard School have very well-priced packages for beginners of all ages. The adult First Timer Package includes a full-day lesson, lift pass, and equipment rental for $250. All things considered, this is actually a really good deal because a single-day lift pass alone is $156.

Cool places to make home

There is a rather wide variety of accommodations across Banff, including hotels, cabins, and owner rentals. Naturally, they are on the higher end, but you pay for proximity and often, luxury. Explore your options:

Getting to Banff

We fly off course. You land at Alberta International Airport. The prices for the winter season can get quite high so compare prices on CheapOair. To book, if not directly with the airline or on points, I prefer to go through Expedia because that will give me an additional discount on accommodations. Getting to Banff proper is best by car, which you can also get through Expedia with an additional discount if that is where you booked your flight. But if driving is not an option, there are a handful of shuttles available:

From the airport: Banff Airporter, Brewster Express, Discover Banff Tours, and Mountain Park Transportation.

From Downtown Calgary: On-It Regional Transit or Banff Express. Schedules for these change so check ahead of time. 

The post Five things to do in Banff for non-skiers appeared first on Paths to Travel.

The Westley belongs to a family of independent hotels from the Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. This means that rour Hilton points are excepted here and so are the upgrades.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here.

The Rooms

Everything at The Westley is very intentional, functional, and refreshingly spacious. The rooms are a prime example of that. The Deluxe King Room is a bit under 400 square feet of well-managed space. The window lets in a healthy amount of sun. The sheets are 300 thread count soft, and the sitting area has enough space for the luggage two people might carry for a week-long trip.

The bathroom vanity is framed by a large rounded mirror, reflecting the subtly pink tiles from the walk-in shower in the light, chrome finishes seen in every minor detail. This bathroom is worth the stay all on its own.

The Dining

On the ground floor is Fonda Fora, a contemporary Mexican restaurant. The space bleeds into the hotel lobby bar and has a separate street entrance and a patio. It is a well-known local spot serving Mexican dishes influenced by California’s Cuisine showcasing light, seasonal ingredients through vegetable-forward dishes. Fonda Fora is a concept created by Thank You Hospitality but executed daily by a Merida-born chef (Yucatan) Rafael Castillo. The chef’s passion for food comes from observing his mother and grandmother cook and refined through adult experiences in North America.

Note: The hotel is a member of Hilton so make sure to collect your Hilton Honors Rewards when visiting.

The Westley Calgary Downtown
Rooms start at $215, prices change seasonally. 
630 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0J9
Book directly on hilton.com or one of your favourite booking sites: Expedia | booking.com | TripAdvisor

The post The Westley Calgary Downtown is a stunning boutique hotel appeared first on Paths to Travel.

Stop one: Overnight at Halcyon Hot Springs

Great little resort with a few cabins spread out on the edge of a hill overlooking a lake. The rooms are spacious and cozy with a separate kitchen. Pretty much all of them have a little deck and look out onto the mountains. In the main building are the 3 hot spring pools: crazy hot, crazy cold, and warm. On a lower level is a large pool, this one closes a little early and opens quite late (after checkout). The resort is a bit off the main path and involves a ferry ride as a part of the highway. The fairy comes once an hour, and you can get out of the car to enjoy the view during the quick ride over.

Address: BC-23, Nakusp, BC V0G 1R0

Tip: Drink some local beer, there are many options.

Stop two: Emerald Lake

The colour of the water is truly majestic, the views everywhere are amazing, and the hiking trails vary in complexity. There is enough here to do for a good few hours if not an entire day. We rented a canoe and took it around the lake for an hour. I could’ve easily spent two because the lake is bigger than it seems. Bring a picnic for a snack to make the most of your visit and hike. Before heading out, do some shopping at the park store (they sell North Standard Trading Post stuff!). Unless you’re just walking around the lake, the hikes are pretty steep walks up so proper hiking gear is important.

As you drive towards Banff there are multiple opportunities to pull over and do some brief site seeing. At this point of the road trip the mountains, pines, and glacier rivers are everywhere. A few lovely spots to have a picnic and see some odd historical sites.

Stop three: Johnston Creek

We tried to go to Lake Louise but this location is so insanely popular now that the parking lots are full by 6 am with cars and tour buses. I can only imagine how crowded it is around the lake. What we really wanted to see is Moraine Lake but since it is located behind Lake Louise the whole thing was just a nightmare. We tried twice, gave up, and instead went to see some waterfalls at Johnston Creek. It’s a fairly easy hike on the side of a tall cascade of water. You can hike pretty much all the way to the top with multiple viewpoints and rest stops. And at the top, on a nice day, you’ll see a rainbow!

Stop four: Banff Gondola Park 

Another spot you can easily spend a day in! If you’re brave enough, you can hike all the way up. For everyone else, there’s the gondola and then the wooden stair path to the top of the mountain, where the historic weather observatory is located. The view from the observation deck is breathtaking – mountains everywhere! The restaurant at the top is quite nice as well, we had a lovely snack with some local beers. For overnight, we stayed in Canmore. It is a smaller town with a few wineries and cool nighttime spots to hang out in. Banff is generally more pricey and harder to find accommodations.

Tip: get tickets ahead of time online to avoid the lineups.

Stop five: Kelowna wineries

Driving back towards Vancouver we went through the Okanagan Valley. We stayed overnight at an AirBNB, and had a nice dinner in Kelowna and some local beers for a nightcap. The wineries are in clusters and all fairly close to the main route but it’s good to have the map of the valley. You can find a map at most wineries or a local information centre. Here are the wineries I liked the most:

Gray Monk Winery: This lovely winery has a nice selection and a beautiful restaurant with a nice menu and a deck overlooking the vineyard.

Indigenous World Winery: the winery merges modern culture with Indigenous history. There is a great selection of wines served by lovely and very knowledgeable people.

Tip: Pull over and buy some fresh fruit and cherries from a local farmer.

The Hatch: as soon as you enter the yard you know this place is different from the rest. In their own words, The Hatch is a tasting emporium. Ran by a bunch of ‘rebels’ with tattoos and loud music this place is super fun. The wine selection is quite unique as well. The labels are custom-made by a local artist and each label has a story as interesting as the wine itself.

Quails’ Gate Winery: a luxurious spot with a beautiful view, a large area to walk around and ponder, and an amazing restaurant. Having already done the tasting we picked our favourite wine, half of the things on the menu, and sat there for a few hours in blissful mist enjoying our meal. Great end to the road trip!

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