Sometimes I take for granted what is in my own back yard. Living in Calgary means that I am within a 1-hour drive from our beautiful rugged Rocky Mountains.

Sometimes I take for granted what is in my own back yard. Living in Calgary means that I am within a 1-hour drive from our beautiful rugged Rocky Mountains..

When my husband asked me if I wanted to go up to Lake Louise for an extended long weekend in the new year, I was elated. Taking a break from my office was exactly what I needed after launching my business season launch. Plus, as a bonus this was the first weekend for the International Ice Carving Competition - Ice Magic

We booked our weekend get way at the Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise. This hotel was build years ago by the Canadian National Railway. Its rich past includes hosting royalty and Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe & Alfred Hitchcock to name a couple. The area has made its mark as
“Hollywood North”.

Fairmont hotel has been rebuilt a couple of times due to fires however the most recent change has been a makeover.

On the second floor above the impressive lobby, is the newly created lounge area. As a guest, you can head up and enjoy coffee, tea and games galore. Chess anyone? Or how about a game of Scrabble or Backgammon. If the weather is too cold for you, this lobby area is a nice place to grab a book and cuddle up in a corner. As an international destination, you will have ample opportunity to connect with other wanderlust travellers from around the globe. This is what I often love the most. Life is not what you have but the people you meet and your experiences.

There are other fantastic places to stay in the area, from high to low (hostels). If you are looking for a more economical option - Deer Lodge might be a suggestion as it is within walking distance of the Lake. It is, rustic, but that is the charm. I love the old photos displayed and the wood timber construction is Canadian.

I do not want to miss sharing with you a gem in the area, there is a quaint and upscale boutique hotel that I want to recommend, (located just off the highway) Post Hotel. If you enjoy fine wine and food, this place is your hang out! The main restaurant is lovely and if being in the mountains reminds you of Switzerland, you will totally enjoy a fondue here but in upscale comforts. The service is bar none, impeccable. And OMG, the wine cellar is MASSIVE! In winter, they create a skating rink right out the lobby doors. (bring your skates, or you can rent them in Banff at a sports store.) Make a reservation here as early as possible this place is fabulous.

Post hotel - Rustic charm on an upscale level

As I mentioned above, the Annual Ice Magic Festival is a highlight event to check out at Lake Louise in late January. Many Calgarians head out on that weekend to see the stunning, intricate sculptures. Expect larger crowds and crazy parking that weekend. You might find that you can’t even get up to Lake Louise with your car, but fear not, they run shuttles back a forth during the day.

My suggestion is that you head up on Friday night.

Check in mid-day if possible and walk around the hotel. This will give you a chance to watch the artists at work.

Friday evening, the competitors create their designs till about 10. (BTW these extremely large crystal-clear ice blocks are flown in from Toronto, crazy right? This special ice is produced in a factory that eliminates bubbles. Who knew? I guess you really can improve on Mother Nature).

You will need a ticket to view carvings during prime time -Cost for General Admission is $12.50 but some hotels in the area provide free tickets with your overnight stay.

There is not charge for viewing if you get there before 10 am or after 5:30 PM.

In my opinion the lighting at night makes the sculptures come alive. Bundle up and get some fresh air in the evening.

Take a walk outside in the evening. This is your chance to discover silence like you may have never experienced before. If the weather is calm, grab a blanket from your room, order a carafe of Hot Chocolate and find a vantage point to watch for falling stars and satellites moving above. It is magical. You might even hear wolves howling. Life does slow down out here, and you can find yourself one with nature.

Heck it out for yourself. Magical right - Click on photo.

These are a few of the sculptures for 2018 that were make in 34 hours with ice blocks weighing 300 lbs each. This years theme was "All in the Wild"

The #1 place was taken by a team with a CANADIAN and American participant. BTW each team can have 2 people ONLY. Which is your favorite?

Don't worry if you miss the ice Festival. Fairmont hotel does a great job of hosting activities to keep its guests busy. Here is a list of ideas to do.

Horse drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, dog sled rides, cross country skiing, nature walks, theatre, skating, pick up hockey games, sitting around bonfires and drinking at the ICE bar, to name a few.

This area is also a mecca for downhill skiing and ice climbing. The ski hill is only a few kilometres away.

Here is my plan: I toured around the chateau for a couple of hours Friday afternoon walked around at night. Enjoy live music in the bar (lower level) and on Saturday, decided to make a 30-minute drive to see Johnston Canyon.

To get to this location you need a car but there may be a possibility to find a tour company from Banff. The location is between Lake Louise and Banff. Hint: You can park in 2 locations in winter. Most people do not know this and sometimes the parking lot is full so people park on the road. Instead drive into the lodge area that is closed. It is a faster way to get to the trail as well.

Make sure your footwear has good grips. This is NOT the place for fashion boots as you will find yourself horizontal quickly. Ouch!

The path follows the canyon. Eventually you will come across a fork in the road. You will want to go both ways. The path to the right is a short trip to a tunnel that has you popping out on the other side of the rock. You will then be under a waterfall. The tunnel is narrow so there may be a line up. Once you have completed this, go back to the fork and continue heading up the path. After about a 50-minute walk you will find yourself at the base of canyon at ice falls.

My bet is you will find ice climbers on a weekend if cold enough. Take the time to watch groups picking their way up the frozen water falls to the top. What skill, Incredible!

You can continue further up the path but his was not my plan. I had come to see the falls and watch the climbers.

This side trip took me about 2.5 hours.

On your way back to Lake Louise, pop in the town and check out the little mall. There are 2 excellent little food joints. One has delicious wraps, and the other has nice sandwiches and good coffee. If you need sports gear, the sports store has cute apparel. Grab your wallet. 😊

When I returned to the Fairmont. I was ready to enjoy a nice lunch. The 2nd floor of the hotel hosts a great lunch area. As a guest of hotel, you have priority seating, and depending on the time you arrive, ONLY guests get seated.

Feeling very Canadian, I decide to enjoy POUTINE. OMG. This is not a diet dish and if you have never tried this you MUST!

Imagine a plate of French Fries, smothered with Rich gravy and to top it off cheese curds. I do not want to know that calorie count.

I could have licked the plate. One dish will not make me unhealthy. Everything fine in moderation, right?

Have you tried mulling wine? Imagine cinnamon, oranges and cloves in warmed red wine. Great way to warm you from the inside out. The lounge has this brewing and ready for you to warm you up from the inside out. If you looking to make your own you might want to check out my Mulling Spice Available from Sept to December each year. This mulling spices is good for Sangria too!

After a heavy dish like that I thought is a good plan to work it off. What better way than to head outside and walk to the end of lake a back again. The weather while I was there was nice (about -3 degrees Celsius). Perfect for being outdoors. There is a path you can follow on the side of the lake next to the horse sleigh path but never wanting to go the same way twice, I decide to walk on ice water straight across and take the path back.

There were signs of caution about ice but others where out there, so I proceeded as well. Just because others are doing something, that doesn’t mean you should.

Tip. STAY ON THE PATH!!!

I met a couple in the middle of the lake and decided to step off path to let them go by. OMG, not a good idea. If you can believe, it is water. How is this possible? I have NO idea. It is NOT hot enough to melt and I have a wet boot. I did not fall through so maybe the water is just a couple inches deep. I was NOT going to step off again, instead I figured out a shuffle technique when I met people on the lake path.

Gosh, it is stunning here.

If you are the venturing type you can go hiking up the glacier. (That is NOT ME)

Make sure you check in with hotel, so they know what your plans are in case you run into trouble. Travel with a buddy as well. Avalanche danger is common.

What a wonderful weekend out of the city. I love Lake Louise! The weekend was perfect for our weekend away.

Suggestions

Accommodations

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Post Hotel

Dining

Post hotel

Fairmont Pub and main floor lobby for beautiful views and poutine.

Step in the Canadian Rocky Mountains - Lake Louise