Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise ~ Banff National Park – I’ve been sitting here for nearly ten minutes trying to figure out how to describe to our predominantly baby boomer audience the mesmerizing beauty that lies not only in this stunning Canadian Rocky Mountain setting, but also the beguiling grandeur, and the sense of history that instantly captivates you the minute you lay your eyes on the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

I (David) have had the wonderful opportunity to have traveled all of western Europe in my college days, and the minute we turned the bend in the road, and the chateau came into view, I was instantly transported to the cherished memories that I have of European castles sitting aboard majestic lakes in the Alps.

As I write this, I feel that it is nearly disrespectful to have only spent two nights.  Certainly, in a place of such resplendence, one should take no less than a week in your attempt to breathe it all in.

The first white man [Canadian Pioneer Thomas Wilson] to see what he originally named Emerald Lake was captivated by the ”blue and green water” of this gem beneath the glacier.  He sat and gazed, sharing a smoke with his companions. ”As God is my judge, I never in all my explorations saw such a matchless scene.”

The history of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise begins in 1890 with a simple one-story log cabin, and winds it way through Canada’s grand railroad days, imported Swiss mountain guides teaching mountaineering skills, countless visits from foreign dignitaries, royalty, and Hollywood stars, to its modern position as one of the world’s great spots for the international ski circuit.

Perhaps I have rambled enough and should just show you our video:

I captured this photograph of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise shooting through the mountain haze high aboard the Lake Louise Gondola.  I’ll tell you more about the gondola in another post, but I thought this photograph does a spectacular job of giving you a completely different perspective of this enchanting property.

It’s time to conclude this post, but let me just end with this:  these two roaming baby boomers will absolutely, most assuredly be back!  Two days was not enough and I want more.  Much more!

Hop in your car, board a plane, ride a train, or even hitchhike if you must … but for heaven’s sakes get yourself to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

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Disclosure:  a portion of our experience was provided by the lucky folks who work and play at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.  Thanks!  

 
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