Canada Vacation: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

Real-Life Narnia: A Guide to Jasper, Lake Louise & Banff in Winter

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While I had toured British Columbia and Alberta in the height of summer a decade ago, there’s no comparison to what it feels like when you first step foot on Lake Louise or cruise into Banff in winter, the surrounding peaks blanketed with a fresh covering of snow. It might as well be a different country entirely.

Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada

Our Canadian trip went a little something like this: one night in Vancouver, one night on the train, two nights in Jasper, one night in Lake Louise and two nights in Banff.

Since Canada by Design fully customizes each experience for your own travel style, you could easily extend this trip to take 10 days to two weeks if you had the time to spare. Many travelers like to tack on 48 hours in Vancouver or Calgary on either or both sides.

Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada

I should also note that we purposely planned our trip to be a bit more lax, since we were traveling with our moms. So if you’re the kind of energetic traveler who needs three activities a day on her docket, that’s no problem—we just barely scratched the surface of what there is to do in Canada in winter, and there were other activities like snowshoeing, ice-climbing or dog-sledding we could have used to fill our days.

Canada Vacation: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

And if you’re the type of fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, go-with-the-flow jetsetter, you might like to follow our schedule, which was based on Canada by Design’s Snow Train to the Rockies tour and the perfect mix of planned and unplanned fun for a foursome with very different travel styles. Here’s a bit of a better idea of what each stop actually entailed.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

VANCOUVER

What to Do in Vancouver

I’d been to Vancouver before, so didn’t feel the need to cram everything in on this visit; activities like Stanley Park and Grouse Mountain had already been checked off of my list. But what I did really want to do was mosey on over to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, so Canada by Design made sure we had vouchers, and we took a free shuttle to the other side of the river in North Vancouver.

This suspension bridge was amazing—the first iteration was built in the 1800s, and it’s been rebuilt and improved over time. The bridge has been under the current ownership since 1983 (the year I was born!) and a destination for 20 years. There’s also a little canopy park on the other side of the bridge, as well as a store and cafe for those who don’t want to cross (like my acrophobic mother!).

Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge

Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge
Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge

We also went to Granville Island, ate lunch at Edible, popped into the brewery for a flight and did a little shopping before arriving at Pacific Central Station in time for our 8:30pm departure on VIA Rail.

Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada
Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada

Where to Stay in Vancouver

We found a nice hotel, the Georgian Court Hotel, that was near the train station, clean and nice inside, and (most importantly) very friendly, so we were happy with our stay there. We tacked this on in addition to the Snow Train to the Rockies itinerary, and an important thing to note is that your Canada by Design designer can incorporate any ask you have, as well. You basically set your budget, and they’ll give you options for hotels within your price point.

Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge

JASPER

Jasper National Park in Canada

What to Do in Jasper

The largest national park in the Canadian Rockies is a true stunner, rife in outdoor opportunities and wildlife. We hadn’t gone more than two minutes down the road from our hotel before we spotted a herd of elk, numbering at least 50! It was a sight to see, particularly when we spied a baby nursing. Awww!

Elk in Jasper National Park, Canada

Within Jasper National Park, there’s plenty to do by way of the outdoors (don’t believe me? check out these winter adventures). We spent an afternoon doing an ice hike into Maligne Canyon, which was epic, but I was under the weather so after the hour hike out to the actual ice canyon, I wasn’t feeling my best, so I listened to my body and stayed put while the rest of the group ventured into the frozen tundra wonderland.

Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada

If we were to go back to Jasper with a car, I wouldn’t hesitate in going out to Maligne Lake. You need a clear day and a good weather forecast, but many locals told us it is, bar none, one of the most scenic spots in the Canadian Rockies.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Canada

Where to Stay in Jasper

Just like the national park is the reason to visit Jasper, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the place to stay in town. I’ve yet to meet a Fairmont I didn’t love, and the Jasper property was no exception. It’s surrounded by towering peaks, and the bi-level houses, cabins and rooms (numbering a whopping 440!) are situated around an expansive, 700-acre property. We got upgraded to a Junior Suite Lakeview with our very own fireplace, though the cabins sounded very charming, as well.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Canada

LAKE LOUISE

Canada Vacation: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

What to Do in Lake Louise

As you might expect, the lake is the central attraction in this small town, though there’s some good skiing just beyond this wintry destination. It was so crazy walking out onto a frozen lake of this size; there’s also ice skating, and there were plenty of youth playing pick-up games of ice hockey. I was recovering from a nasty stomach flu, so we spent a good amount of time sipping hot toddies inside the Fairmont, which is open to the public, before taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around the lake.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

Where to Stay in Lake Louise

If you’re trying to save money, there are options like the Deer Lodge, where we stayed, that are more no-frills but just a five-minute walk from the lake (this mid-range hotel has an epic hot tub that was unfortunately closed while we were visiting). If you’re going all out baller status, the famed Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the place for you (I stayed here on my first trip to the area).

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Travel to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in Winter

BANFF

Banff in Winter: Canada Travel

What to Do in Banff

Banff may very well be my favorite ski town I’ve ever visited, despite the fact that I’ve yet to ski its slopes. There’s an outdoor hot springs perched above the town that’s accessible by the public transportation (pro tip: your hotel key will likely get you free bus fare!). There’s plenty of shopping along Banff Avenue. There’s a decent dining scene, though be sure you make dinner reservations in advance or risk waiting up to two hours for a table.

Hot Springs in Banff, Canada

There’s a distillery with great gin and a filling brunch. There’s Vermilion Lakes, which you need to take a cab out to in order to see some epic sunsets.

Vermilion Lakes in Banff, Canada

And there’s even a retro-themed bowling alley with 48 beers on tap and a sinful selection of pizzas. This is how we ended our last night in Banff, which was also a fitting (and fun!) conclusion to our week-long mother-daughter trip.

High Rollers in Banff, Canada

Where to Stay in Banff

There are so many cute, lodge-themed inns lining the main boulevard. We stayed at Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa (would you check out that hot tub pool?!), but I have a feeling they’re all quite similar, so pick a budget you’re comfortable spending on lodging and let your trip designer know, so he/she can recommend the perfect place just for you. I can’t tell you how handy it was to have a voucher for every coach, train ride, hotel stay and activity, and not have to plan any of it ourselves!

 

Vermilion Lakes in Banff, Canada
Vermilion Lakes in Banff, Canada

If you’re feeling spendy, you can’t go wrong with the Fairmont Banff Springs or the Rimrock Hotel, with the best views in town.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

For a more thorough look at the area, check out this handy Banff travel guide.

What did I miss? Anything you’d like to know about visiting Jasper, Lake Louise or Banff in winter?

Banff in Winter: Where to Go, What to See

Looking for more tips to planning your winter trip to Canada? Check out my past posts:


 

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Winter in Banff: A Trip Through Canada from Jasper to Lake Louise
Winter in Banff: A Trip Through Canada from Jasper to Lake Louise
Winter in Banff: A Trip Through Canada from Jasper to Lake Louise
COMMENTS
  • January 24, 2018

    I have been to Banff in the summer but now I’m DYING to go back in the winter! What a magical snow filled dream.

    • January 25, 2018

      It really is something else! Particularly if you, like me, grew up in a place sans snow (which I know you did!) =)

  • January 24, 2018

    Looks cold but fun! Glad you had such a great trip and some good tips for those planning their own trip to Banff. Agree that The Fairmont is a great place to stay in Jasper & has a nice viewpoint!

    • January 25, 2018

      Definitely does! We were a bit too cold to go into the hot tub this time (it was -26 out!), but I want to go back when it’s a bit warmer and have a good soak 😉

  • January 24, 2018

    Wow, your photos are stunning. Do you think it is nicer to visit Canada during winter or in summer?

    https://adventures-around-the-world.blogspot.de/

    • January 25, 2018

      I think it depends on what you want to do! If you like outdoor activities, there are SO many things to put on your radar in winter months, from skiing and snowshoeing to dog-sledding and ice canyon hikes. Both times are awesome to go, so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed either way =)

  • January 24, 2018

    I’ve only ever visited Jasper, and that was quite briefly, just before the winter season kicks off. Looks like we’ll have to return to this part of the world – it looks fantastic from your photos!

  • January 24, 2018

    I hope you took that little puppy home with you! What a gorgeous pup! 🙂

    • January 25, 2018

      Oh my goodness, he was the CUTEST thing ever! He chased that ball across the frozen lake for an hour.

  • January 25, 2018

    uch a nice post! You captured great pictures in your post.
    I really add this in my list. Great adventure. Thanks for sharing it.

    • January 25, 2018

      Thanks, Aaron! It’s hard to take a bad photo there =)

  • January 27, 2018
    Laura

    Haven’t had the chance to explore that part of Canada yet, but it looks absolutely stunning. What a fun trip to take with your moms!

  • January 28, 2018

    Yasssss. I’ve visited most of these spots – but only in spring and autumn! I do love me a good winter adventure, though, and those snowy landscapes are so dreamy!

  • February 3, 2018

    Gawjuss gawjuss gawjuss!

    xox

  • February 5, 2018

    What a lovely trip with all the mums, who look as if they’re having so much fun!

    I think it’s time to go to Canada!

  • February 5, 2018

    In the winter I am pretty never warm and always cold and sometimes I take a shower or a bath in scolding water in the middle of the day just so I can be warm for a little bit and so basically, what I’m saying, is that I would pretty much live in that hot tub pool for all of winter and never get out and also that maybe I should go to Canada, because it looks amazing!

  • March 27, 2021
    Bryson Fico

    Looks like a great time of year to visit. The skiing looks prime, ice climbing looks like a solid option and the pub and soaking pool are a great way to cap off the day. Also, great photographs!

    • March 29, 2021

      Thank you so much, Bryson! It truly is magical.

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