Our Location in Banff National Park

Lake Louise sits in the heart of Banff National Park, 57 km (40 minutes) west of the Town of Banff and about 2 hours from Calgary International Airport.

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Mountaineer Lodge

101 Village Road, Lake Louise, Alberta Canada

Banff National Park & Lake Louise

BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Established in 1885, Banff is Canada's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans 6,641 km² of the Canadian Rockies, taking in glacial lakes, ancient icefields, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the continent. Wildlife is abundant throughout, with elk, deer, bears, and bighorn sheep regularly seen year-round.

LAKE LOUISE

Lake Louise is a small mountain village at 1,540 m elevation, with direct access to its famous namesake lake, nearby Moraine Lake, and some of the park's best hiking and ski terrain. In winter, the area becomes a world-class ski destination with Lake Louise Ski Resort just minutes from the Mountaineer Lodge. The village is compact, which makes it easy to move between the lodge, the lakes, and the mountain without a car.

How to Get to Lake Louise

Lake Louise is easy to reach by car, and increasingly easy to navigate without one. Whether you're driving from Calgary, flying into Edmonton, or planning to leave the car behind entirely, our Getting Here & Getting Around page covers distances, parking, and all the transport options available year-round.

Find out How to Get Here & Get Around

Questions About Our Location

: Lake Louise is a small mountain village, which makes it so quaint and sought after. It has a handful of hotels, with the Mountaineer Lodge being ideally located in the central downtown area. There are a few restaurants, a grocery store, gift shops, cafes, bars, and a gas station. That's part of the appeal: it's quiet, close to nature, and easy to navigate on foot.
: You don't need a Parks Canada pass for summer 2026 (June 19-Sept 7). All other dates, yes, a Parks Canada Pass is required to enter the park. Passes can be purchased online in advance or at the park gates on arrival. If you're staying several days, the annual Discovery Pass is often a better value than paying per day.
: Lake Louise is 57 km west of Banff along the Trans-Canada Highway, about 45 minutes by car. The two are close enough to day-trip between, but different enough in character that they're worth experiencing separately. Banff has more urban energy; Lake Louise is quieter and more mountain-immersive. The Roam shuttle operates between Lake Louise and Banff year round for day trip visitors.
: A car gives you the most flexibility, especially for early morning visits to the lakes and access to trailheads. That said, Roam Transit runs seasonal bus service between Banff, Lake Louise village, Lake Louise (the lake), and Moraine Lake, making it possible to visit the major sites without driving. In winter, a free shuttle connects Mountaineer Lodge to Lake Louise Ski Resort. See our Getting Here & Getting Aroun d page for full details.
: Every season brings something different. Summer (July–August) offers long days, wildflower meadows, and lake canoeing, though it's also the busiest period. Shoulder seasons in June and September are quieter, with fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures for hiking. Winter transforms the area into a world-class ski destination, with the frozen lake hosting a celebrated ice sculpture festival. There's no bad time, and it depends on what you're after. Check out availability and pricing for the Mountaineer Lodge - book direct and save 10%.