Lake Louise

Wednesday, 30th December 2015

Bear proof rubbish bin

Remains of a 1993 prescribed burn

Powder snow

Snow angels?

Shan and Dave (birthday boy)

Cool public loo

Castle Mountain

Looking through icicles

A fire would be nice ...

Lake Louise

Another selfie

Fairmont Lake Louise

Gingerbread Village

Ice sculpture

Ice castle (bit hard to pick out)

Photo bombed by Aidan

Father and son

Frozen waterfall

Grandpa and Grandson

Hot drinks and an icy seat

At the bar

Castle Cliffs

Ready for bed

Today is David’s birthday and we spent the day at Lake Louise.  With the temperature at -25, we were on the road by 9.30 am for the most spectacular journey we have had so far.  Instead of staying on the Trans-Canada Highway, we took the scenic route along the Bow Valley Parkway.  There wasn’t a lot of traffic, so we were able to stop whenever a photo opportunity presented itself.  The valley was heavily forested with the mountains for backdrops.  The snow was fine powder, the trees were heavy with snow, the mountains were stunning and the sky was blue.  It was a tad cold, though.  We stopped for a play in the snow at one point, with many snow angels being made in the powder and even found an unheated public loo.  Jack informed us that wee freezes when it dribbles accidently onto the seat – just in case anyone is interested.  There were many, many photos taken today, too.

We arrived at the Lake Louise Village about 11.30 am, and visited the Information Centre for a map and a look at the displays on the area and how it was formed, geologically.  Then it was time to find an empty space in the large carpark and find the lake.  Dave and Co had brought their own lunch, we (being on holiday) decided to eat in the coffee shop (along with hundreds of others) at the Fairmont Lake Louise.  After meeting up again, we proceeded to the lake for a look at the ice castle on the frozen lake before everyone (apart from me) set off for a walk to the end of the lake.  Shan and Aidan didn’t quite make it to the end, but the three big boys discovered an ice waterfall at the end of the lake.  On their return, they stopped for a drink in the ice bar – coffee, hot chocolate and spirits were on offer.  Before we departed, the boys had a quick skate on the ice around the castle, then we all walked across the lake back to the car park.

We returned home via the same route, in the hope we might spot some wildlife.  Apart from the scenery from a different angle, we did see two cars which had run off the road into the soft snow.  One was being loaded onto a tow truck as we passed and the second car and occupants were waiting …

It was nearly dark by the time we arrived home – and Cat went straight to bed, after muttering all day about cold feet and a cold nose.