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October 12, 1996Lake Louise, Alberta, is one of Canada's picture-perfect destinations. Named after Queen Victoria's fourth daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the lake sits in the bottom of a natural "bowl" formed by the steep surrounding walls of Canada's Rocky Mountains.
A mere 1.5 miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide, Lake Louise appears even smaller in comparison to the peaks of Victoria Glacier and Mount Victoria which tower above. Located in Banff National Park in southwest Canada, the 273-feet deep, emerald lake gets its distinctive color from silt in the melting glaciers that feed into it.
In the winter, tourists flock to see the area's breathtaking views and take advantage of its bountiful winter activities, such as heli-skiing, dog-sledding, cross-country skiing and ice skating. Lake Louise is one of Canada's largest and most scenic ski areas, featuring 80 named ski runs spread over 11 square-miles.
During the summer, as many as 10,000 tourists a day venture here for a hop in a canoe, a walk along the shore or simply a gaze at the sparkling water. The warmth of spring transforms the area's icy winter slopes into a colorful hiker's paradise.
One of the most famous landmarks perched on the lake's shore is the 511-room year-round resort Chateau Lake Louise. The striking chalet-type structure, built by the Canadian Pacific Railway, dates back to 1890.
Just two hours west of Calgary, Lake Louise is
easily accessible off the Trans-Canada Highway.
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