Value and plenty to see in the Alberta Rockies

Travel savvy Canadians are staying closer to home and finding out why Canada draws visitors from around the globe. Best of all, the rates at popular world class resorts like Lake Louise Inn have never been so affordable.

Perhaps it is an after effect of the Canadian pride that exploded during the winter games, perhaps it is a sign of the times that people seek new opportunities to learn. Whatever the reason, “…it is wonderful to see more and more Canadians exploring their own backyard and Banff National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is very much at the top of their must-see list” said Gerry Barteluk, General Manager, Lake Louise Inn. “We’re developing new packages to appeal to today’s more active seniors that are more fun and adventurous and packed with value,” added Barteluk.

Lake Louise Inn is nestled in the peaks of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes surrounding Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper National Parks. Days at Lake Louise Inn are filled with guided scenic walks and mountain hikes alongside the world-renowned turquoise waters of Lake Louise. Evenings include dinner at one of 3 restaurants, or an authentic cowboy-style Alberta grill in the timber-frame outdoor Gazebo. Afternoons feature fresh scones and baked goods at the historic Tea Cottage. A resort for all seasons, Lake Louise Inn can serve as a base to explore the Canadian Rockies year round.

The area is world-famous for verdant Rocky Mountain wilderness, glacial mountain lakes, and towering spruce and fir forests. It is also home to abundant wildlife including grizzly, elk, wolves and long-horned sheep. Don’t miss Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Canoeing is available at both lakes, and horseback riding is popular from Lake Louise.

Hiking trails around the Lake Louise area are plentiful. There are more than 150 kilometres of hiking trails, including two tea houses, one at Lake Agnes and one at the Plain of Six Glaciers, you can access right from the Lake Louise Inn. Whether you are looking for an afternoon stroll or a month-long expedition, the Lake Louise area has something for hikers of all abilities. Other highly recommended hikes include Consolations Lake (novice), Lake Annette, Little Beehive, Moraine Lake, Larch’s Valley (in the fall), Helen Lake (a mountain lake), Surebrook Lake (in grizzly country) and Giant Steps (a waterfall in Paradise Valley). Experienced hikers will be interested in the summit climbs of Mount Temple and Mount Fairview, the first and second highest mountains surrounding Lake Louise.

Each spring and fall Lake Louise Inn caters especially to women with a Mountain Escape retreat program. Established 31 years ago, the Mountain Escape Program by Lake Louise Inn is a program of outdoor fitness, scenic views, yoga and mountain hiking all wrapped up in a resort getaway for women. Guests enjoy a 2 or 5 day program and customize from there to kick-start a fitness program, sculpt and tone, or just to relax. Everyone comes for the outdoors and good friends.

There are also many scenic drives from Lake Louise Inn. To the west in Yoho National Park you’ll find the Spiral Tunnels, which accommodate the change in elevation of the railway between Lake Louise and Field, B.C. Farther west along the TransCanada Highway is the turn-off for the Natural Bridge and Emerald Lake. The Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park is a photographer’s dream with Bow Lake , Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Crowfoot Glacier, the Weeping Wall, Columbia Icefields, Stutfield Glacier, Sunwapta Falls and many other wondrous sights to view on the way to Jasper. The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) route to Banff National Park is dotted with many viewpoints and scenic pleasures. Stop for photo ops at Morant’s Curve, Castle Mountain Viewpoint and Johnston Canyon.

You don’t have to go far for Rocky Mountain thrills for all ages. White water rafting, zipline and ATV adventures are also nearby.

Lake Louise Inn, the perfect Rocky Mountain resort, offers queen and king hotel rooms as well as larger condos including kitchen facilities, with or without a loft (to sleep up to eight guests). There is an indoor heated pool, whirlpool, and steam room.

As an added incentive to start planning your holiday in the Rockies, Lake Louise rewards those who book early with exceptional savings. The sooner you book, the more you save at Lake Louise Inn for a limited time. Book 30 days or more in advance and save 30% off of regular rates. Visit http://www.lakelouiseinn.ca/specialoffer2B/index.html or call 1.800.661.9237 for more information.