BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 128

Ice-Skating and Sleigh Rides
Of all the ice-skating rinks in Canada, the one on frozen Lake Louise, in front of the
château, is surely the most spectacular. Spotlights allow skating after dark, and on special
occasions hot chocolate is served. Skates are available in the château at Chateau Moun-
tain Sports (403/522-3628); $10 for two hours.
Brewster Lake Louise Sleigh Rides (403/522-3511) offers rides in traditional horse-
drawn sleighs along the shores of Lake Louise beginning from in front of the château.
Although blankets are supplied, you should still bundle up. The one-hour ride is $34 per
person, $22 for children. Reservations are necessary. The rides are scheduled hourly from
11am on weekends and from 3pm on weekdays, with the last ride between 6 and 9pm.
NIGHTLIFE
The lounge in the Post Hotel (200 Pipestone Dr., 403/522-3989) oozes mountain style and
upscale charm. It's cozy, quiet, and the perfect place to relax in front of a fire with a cock-
tail before moving on to the adjacent fine-dining restaurant. Not your scene? Hang out with
seasonal workers at the smoky Lake Louise Grill & Bar (upstairs in Samson Mall, 403/
522-3879), then move across the road with your newfound friends to Charlie's Pub (Lake
Louise Inn, 403/522-3791) for dancing to recorded music until 2am Up at the Fairmont
Chateau Lake Louise (403/522-3511) is The Glacier Saloon (from 6pm daily), where on
most summer nights a DJ plays music ranging from pop to western.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND CAMPING
In summer, accommodations at Lake Louise are even harder to come by than in Banff, so
it's essential to make reservations well in advance. Any rooms not taken by early afternoon
will be the expensive ones.
Under $50
With beds for $100 less than anyplace else in the village, the 164-bed HI-Lake Louise
Alpine Centre (403/522-2200 or 866/762-4122, www.hihostels.ca ) is understandably
popular. Of log construction, with large windows and high vaulted ceilings, the lodge is
a joint venture between the Alpine Club of Canada and Hostelling International Canada.
Beyond the reception area is Bill Peyto's Cafe, the least-expensive place to eat in Lake
Louise. Upstairs is a large timber-frame lounge area and guide's room—a quiet place to
plan your next hike or browse through the large collection of mountain literature. Other
amenities include Wi-Fi Internet, a laundry, games room, and wintertime ski shuttle. Mem-