About Life in Lake Louise

The Stats

  • Lake Louise is located within Banff National Park

  • Home to approximately 800 year-round citizens.

  • 2 hours drive from Calgary, 40 minutes drive from Banff

  • Elevation is 1,600 metres / 5,250 feet

  • The average summer temperature is 20­° C

  • The average winter temperature is -9°C

  • Lake Louise is on mountain standard time zone MST

A BIT OF HISTORY: Lake Louise was originally named Laggan, after a station stop along the Canadian Pacific Railway that was built in 1890. It was later named Lake Louise, which was named after Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta.

Lake Louise is also known as Lake of the Little Fishes, named by the Stoney Nakota First Nations people. The lake itself is glacier fed, and offers stunning scenery, unlike anything you’ll experience elsewhere.

What to Expect

The Hamlet of Lake Louise at times feels like a bustling place in the peak summer months. However, the relaxed pace and limited amenities are what many residents of Lake Louise enjoy most!

It offers everything that you will need.

  • Small shopping centre called Samson Mall

  • Sports and gear store, including rentals

  • Grocery store

  • Beer, wine & liquor store

  • Bakeries and coffee shops

  • Candy store

  • Gift shops and art boutiques

  • A variety of restaurants and pubs

So Many Things to Do

  • Hiking

  • Biking

  • Lake Louise Ski Resort

  • Skating

  • Paddling

  • Staff Events

Wildlife + Other Things
You Need to Know

To learn more about Banff National Park, its wildlife, wildlife safety, and other activities and information, click on the link below.