Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Chateau Lake Louise is a great place to hang your hat after a day of wildlife viewing in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Find out more about what this unique destination has to offer for family travelers.

Snowcapped mountain peaks and formidable glaciers cradle Lake Louise’s emerald depths in a natural icy amphitheater. Situated in the corner of Banff National Park (403/762-1550) in Alberta, it’s one of the most photographed vistas in Canada, and one of the most breathtaking views anywhere in the world. If you want to stay right on the lake (and you should), book a room at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a classy full-service hotel in the midst of all this splendor.

Request a room with a lake view so you can gaze across the water at Victoria Glacier cutting a path through the adjacent mountain peaks. First built in 1890, the hotel was destroyed by fire twice and its main section was rebuilt in 1925. It was significantly expanded and renovated in 1990 and now boasts 515 rooms and plenty of amenities.

In winter, crosscountry skiing and ice skating are right outside your door and downhill skiing is a five-minute shuttle away. Lake Louise Ski Area (800/258-7669) covers 4,200 acres of wide open bowls and meandering trails smack dab on the Continental Divide, giving it a covering of extremely dry and fluffy snow. Its services include on-site daycare and a fun self-guided nature trail designed for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. In addition to claiming the largest terrain park in North America with slides, rails, pipes, jumps and table tops, there’s a not-to-be-missed torchlight dinner and ski down that your children will remember for years to come.

In summer, this area is known as the hiking capital of Canada as it has over 1,000 miles of trails. When you tire of trekking, plan to rent a rowboat or canoe for a spin on the lake, or take a horseback excursion to a tea house. For families looking for more budget-style accommodations, Lake Louise has a first-come, first-served campground.