Lake Louise February 25, 2026

This morning I returned to the cross country skiing trail head parking lot that I checked out on Monday. The Bow River Loop was track set late Monday after the big snowfall.  Skiing here would be ideal for me with gentle terrain, wide open spaces, along tree lined trails with gorgeous views all around.

ready to go

just need to get over this snowbank

off I cross country ski

the forecast was for cloud and snow

yet this is what I got

It is easier to point with my ski and snap a shot rather than point with my pole and take a photo. The narrow trail winds through the forest ahead.

gliding through a section of the soft side campground 

for those that camp without vehicles, this is where you store your food

the wind from yesterday blew most of the snow off the trees

This was the only section of open water.  There was no blue ice nor any other ice to see as there normally is.  The whole river was covered in snow except along here.

a very narrow snowy bridge to ski across

time to ski through the hard-side campground which was surprisingly busy with campers

As I was nearing the end of the loop, I met two other skiers just starting out.  While Monday was very busy around Lake Louise and the Village, yesterday and today were pleasingly quiet.  Before heading back to my home away from home, I picked up some storm food just in case.  Now it was time to settle in!

Lake Louise February 24, 2026

This was my view as I made my way to my vehicle. 

That’s where I was headed this morning, in the midst of mountains, to skate on Lake Louise.

It was a whole different outlook today, I could see everything.  

There were only four of us at the Ice Castle creating memories.  We took turns capturing each others photo.  The guy had flooded the ice around the Castle then started working on the skating surface. He must have started very early because he would have had to clear the snow first. After the photo taking, it was time to lace up my skates.   

framing the flooder

skating in the midst of mountains 

I have never seen the Ice Castle looking more beautiful!  

On top of that, I have never skated on Lake Louise when conditions were this ideal.

waiting to dash through the snow

After covering eleven kilometres skating, it was time to put my boots back on. I checked out the Ice Sculptures.  This one is called “Skater’.  In early February, the carvers worked their magic but the competition was cancelled for the second year in a row due to warm weather.   

snapped this shot yesterday 

fire time back at my home away from home

Lake Louise February 23, 2026

When I booked this get-away, it did not cross my mind that it would start the day after the last day of the Olympics. Perfect timing, no time for Olympic withdrawal.  Also, I booked it well in advance so had no idea what the weather would be like.  Well, let’s just say I safely made it to Lake Louise thanks to having a snow plow guide me through a whiteout blizzard!  Whew! 

   view as I arrived at Lake Louise

view of the Ice Castle

Lots of people were skating on the snow-covered ice and many were walking the route to the far end of the lake.  That’s what I did, I needed to breathe deeply while walking to unwind from the drive. 

the view of The Chateau behind me 

at times the snow let up and I could see

This is the outcome as I looked at my iPhone while it sat in a hole in the snow!

I purposely placed it there to capture this selfie with Mother Nature’s winter frame.

dashing through the snow

Mountain Chickadee

Male Common Redpoll

Boreal Chickadee

no fire here today

lots of snow in the parking lot

The snow eventually stopped.  

I drove to check out what the cross country ski trailheads looked like. 

a visit to the Visitor Centre

Time finally came to check into my home away from home.

view from my balcony 

at times the wind whipped through 

cozy time 

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary February 20, 2026

With a more friendly forecast of minus twenty-two celsius without windchill, it was time to get "out & about" safely for a few hours.  As I walked the trail from the parking lot at The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, I picked up the pace when I spotted the sundog between the trees. I wanted a wide open view of it. Even though this means that it is winter and it is cold, it was a welcoming sight to the Sanctuary!

After admiring the sundog, I darted to the riverside before the sun got too high. Darting here and there helped me to stay warm. That's a long line of geese and mallards on the ice at the edge of the open water. They were huddled together, not a sound being made.  It was not until later when it warmed up somewhat, that they then moved about and became vocal. 

view of the snow-covered Lagoon

The smallest birds that stay here for the winter were busy being "out & about".  No matter how cold, they still go about their business.  I saw many Black-capped Chickadees.  This one had a tiny icicle hanging from its beak.  

a Male Hairy Woodpecker

There were a few White-breasted Nuthatches.  

I always hope I get to see the resident Cottontail Rabbit. In fact, I saw two! The first one was too quick for me to capture a photo.  This was the second one which came out from under the side of a viewing platform.  It saw me before I saw it, yet it stayed there long enough for me to zoom in and snap this shot.    

a little later when I retraced my steps back to the platform, it was sitting out in the open

Just like when I first arrived and picked up the pace for a better view of the sundog, I did that once again when the colours lit up the sky.  I watched it dance then slowly disappear, then I quickly moved on darting again along the trail.  

There was not a whole lot happening at The Sanctuary while I was there, yet a whole lot did happen, probably yesterday.  I was the first to walk the trails today. There were many deer and coyote prints in the snow but they were muted from a dusting of snow overnight. These markings were muted too.  I wondered what may have occurred! 

More muted markings!  

It looked like wings swept through the snow.

By now my hair tips was frosted, I could tell my nose and cheeks were pink. My lungs were full of fresh air, nature cleansed the cobwebs from within, I felt satisfied and fulfilled.  It was time to head home!