Banff &. Lake Louise February 24, 2025

When I saw what the city was in for weather-wise, I made a snap decision to leave it behind! I left the warm, wet, brown city in favour of cool, white, wintry Lake Louise.  After all, it’s still February, it’s still winter, I still have capacity to enjoy it!  On the way west, I made a stop at Lake Minnewanka in Banff to stroll the shore with hopes of seeing nice slices of ice. What I did see instead was open water, soft ice, some slush, and no way to safely walk the shoreline.  

This was the safest I could be! 

After enjoying this area, I wandered the kilometre to Stewart Canyon and a bit beyond.  By the time I returned to the rocky shore section of Lake Minnewanka, it was snack and beverage time.  I was able to fill my cup between the strong wind gusts.  As time passed, it warmed up quite a bit. What snow there was, was melting and ice was turning to slush. Time came to head even further west. 

Lake Louise had received a dump of snow!  With all the white and the sun shining, it was blindingly beautiful! I breathed a sigh of relief that it was still wintry here.  While Banff was so very quiet, Lake Louise was a happening place.  Days like today are why we all come here at this time of year. I took the side trail from the parking lot to The Lake.

The ice sculptures were fully in tack yet dressed in a light layer of snow. 

The Ice Castle too was in great condition.

top of the Ice Castle with the top of The Chateau

The snow had just been plowed off the skating surface 

and progress was being made with flooding it.

Time came to drive back down to The Village and check into my home away from home.  I was fortunate to get accommodations last minute at a great price in a lovely place which included this in the price…..

…..and this display on the bed!

view from the lounge chair