The Passionate Hiker: Lake Louise

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Lake Louise

Sat. 22 December: Lake Louise

An enjoyable hour skiing up to the far end of Lake Louise, and back right down the middle of the lake. L and I were spending a luxurious two days at the Chateau, in a beautiful room overlooking the lake, to celebrate our anniversary. That afternoon we took a romantic sleigh ride along the lakeside pathway. The horses turned around at a huge icefall, which some brave climber was scaling. When we got back to the Chateau, I grabbed my cross-country skis and headed back outside.

There was plenty of snow and ice on the lake, but not too many people out there, as it was a very cold day, around minus 16 degrees C. Three young people with mountaineering skis were returning from a trip further up the valley, and they headed out across the middle of the lake. I followed their route, now confident that I would be quite safe. Some light snow flurries partially obscured the view, but the spectacle of the huge Chateau straight ahead of me at the end of the lake was worth the risk of being out there on the ice. It was a busier scene in front of the hotel, with ice skaters on one large rink, and some hockey players on a separate rink beside the lake.