Banff is an extremely popular (& expensive) summer destination, but I would also recommend a couple of days dedicated to the Lake Louise area, a little less than an hour north.
Lake Louise Ski Resort in Summer
For me, the Lakes in this area are something truly special, but a quick stop by the Lake Louise Ski Resort is also rewarding. Lake Louise and it’s famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park about 40min west, and the stunningly beautiful Moraine Lake about 20min south of Lake Louise.
Firstly Lake Louise. Perhaps its the fame that leads to disappointment, fame that attracts significant crowds and makes access a matter of timing and luck, unless you bus in from one of the overflow carparks. It’s certainly iconic, and there is a fairly long lakeside walk available for those inclined, or an expensive 1hr canoe hire ($105+gst) if you want to get on the water.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake by comparison was far less crowded, yet I suggest going early for car parking and canoe access. As the name suggests, the emerald water colour is spectacular in sunshine. You can walk the total shores around the lake, or an hour in a canoe ($60 inc gst) is just enough to paddle to the other end and back for a fabulous perspective of the surrounds and water colour.
Moraine Lake
Which brings me to the most fascinating experience of my Canadian summer tour, Moraine Lake. I tried to visit this about 11am and the road was closed by crowd control, so I did Lake Louise first, and heading out about 2pm, managed to cox them into letting me through.
I had first considered it a picture stop, but once I was there, I was easily drawn to walk the distance to the falls at the end and back.
The Blue at most viewing angles was nothing short of spectacular. I ended up spending over 2 hours here and look back on this as the highlight of my Canadian Summer Tour.
