Adventures by Disney Canadian Rockies – Lake Louise, Columbia Icefield & Beyond

Written By L.

A stunning drive deeper into the Canadian Rockies, from Banff to Jasper and Lake Louise.

Welcome back to the final installment of our blog recaps from our incredible Adventures by Disney (ABD) trip to the Canadian Rockies last month. If you've been following along, you've seen how our journey has taken us through Calgary, Banff, and now deeper into the Rockies, where we experienced some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

Our final leg of the Adventures by Disney Canadian Rockies tour took us deeper into the awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies, where we dipped a toe into the breathtaking Jasper National Park and experienced the thrill of walking on a glacier at the Columbia Icefield. From there, we made our way to one of the most iconic and picturesque spots in the Rockies—Lake Louise.

While our time in Banff had been nothing short of magical, with its serene beauty and luxurious accommodations, we were excited to see what this next chapter would bring. However, as we ventured into the more tourist-heavy areas, we found ourselves with some controversial opinions that might surprise other travelers. But first, let’s dive into the details of this final stretch of our journey.

Journey to the Columbia Icefield

Our adventure began with a scenic drive from Banff to the Columbia Icefield, taking us deeper into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest icefields in North America, straddling the border between Alberta and British Columbia. This massive glacier, part of the larger Jasper National Park, is a marvel of nature and an essential stop on any Rocky Mountain itinerary. The drive from Banff to the Icefield is a journey in itself, taking about 2.5 hours along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Upon arrival, we boarded one of the specially designed Ice Explorers—massive vehicles built to navigate the steep, icy terrain of the glacier. Fun fact: these trucks are rare, with only a few existing worldwide, the others being in Antarctica. The experience of driving onto the glacier, feeling the crunch of ancient ice beneath the tires, was nothing short of exhilarating.

The guides, who live in onsite lodging during the summer, were fantastic—entertaining, knowledgeable, and full of fun facts about the glacier. They shared that NASA uses this terrain to test space equipment and technology, as the conditions mimic those found on the icy moons of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

Walking on the glacier was an otherworldly experience. The sheer scale and the age of the ice beneath our feet left us in awe. After the glacier walk, we had the opportunity to venture out onto the Glacier Skywalk—a clear glass overlook bridge that extends out over the glacier below. In photos, the Skywalk looks incredibly intimidating, but in reality, it felt much more manageable and far less daunting than similar experiences, like crossing the suspended bridge at Neuschwanstein in the Bavarian Alps. While it might not be the best experience for those with serious fears of heights, for everyone else, it’s a worthwhile addition to the glacier walk and is included in the ticket.

As with every part of our trip, we experienced the benefits of being part of an Adventures by Disney tour. We had one of the earliest time slots on the ice, so when we arrived, it wasn’t crowded. By the time we returned for lunch, however, the ticket building was mobbed. If you’re planning to visit the Columbia Icefield on your own, make sure you reserve your tickets in advance and aim for the earliest time possible to avoid the crowds.

If you’re continuing on to Jasper (which we didn’t get to do), know that it’s another couple of hours' drive from the Icefield, and we’ve heard that the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is another stunning place to stay. It’s definitely on our list for a future trip.

Lake Louise: A Bucket List Destination

After our adventure at the Columbia Icefield, we headed back towards one of the most well-known spots in the Canadian Rockies and a place that sits on many bucket lists—Lake Louise.

Lake Louise is renowned for its striking turquoise waters, fed by glacier melt, and surrounded by towering mountain peaks. It’s a destination that attracts millions of visitors every year, and for good reason—it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth. However, we quickly learned that this beauty comes with some drawbacks.

A Small Town with a Big Reputation

The town of Lake Louise itself is tiny—blink, and you might miss it. It’s essentially a cluster of a few buildings, a small shopping area, and the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel. Most people come here for the lake, and the town serves as little more than a gateway to the natural wonder.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: A Luxurious Letdown?

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is one of the most iconic hotels in Canada. It’s the kind of place that people dream about staying in when they visit the Rockies. The price point reflects its desirability, but (we hate to say) we found that the reality didn’t quite live up to the hype.

We’re thankful we read reviews of our Adventures by Disney tour before going because previous travelers had warned that the Banff hotel was the standout star of the three Fairmont properties we stayed at, and heading to Lake Louise was a significant step down. We were prepared, and even then, we were underwhelmed.

Given the price point and its proximity to one of the most beautiful places people see through pictures and social media, you would expect the hotel to be impressive and as special as its surroundings. While the central part of the main floor & lobby are beautiful and photograph well, the real-life feel paled in comparison to other Fairmont’s we’ve had a chance to visit—from Bermuda to Montreal, Los Angeles, Calgary, Banff, and more. Through most of the hotel it felt like you could pick it up and plop it anywhere and and it would feel like a nicer Marriott or Hilton — certainly not the level of luxury you expect from Fairmont at one of the most beautiful places in the world.

The rooms are shockingly dated, the exterior is generic, and the shopping options are highly underwhelming—another difference from Banff, which had some great shops. The only standout shop was the Roots store, which featured exclusive Lake Louise merchandise.

And then there were the crowds. This was something that we now feel foolish we were unprepared for. What we learned is that the average time visitors spend at Lake Louise is 15 minutes—and that’s because it’s tourists coming in droves to the grounds of the hotel and swarming the closest section of the lake. Compared to the tranquility of Banff, Lake Louise feels like the Times Square of the Canadian Rockies. Sure, the Fairmont does its best to minimize the impact for paying guests, but it’s still unavoidable—public bathrooms require room keys as non-guests try to use the hotel facilities. While hotel guests have priority at lounges and restaurants, you can’t help but feel like you just squeezed through crowds to get to a space where you want to relax.

Be prepared to face major crowds if you visit Lake Louise during the summer.

All of this is a huge letdown when you’ve dreamed of the chance to see the stunning, striking blue waters of Lake Louise. It’s probably what most people don’t realize when they see pictures of influencers and travelers standing on rocks surrounded by the water, looking off into the distant mountains and glacier…what you don’t realize is that behind the camera taking the photo are crowds, screaming kids, day-trippers pulled up with big sloppy lunches, and a line of other people waiting to take the same picture. If you’re someone who doesn’t mind walking through places like Times Square or Disney parks in their peak travel times, this may not bother you. But coming off the heavenly experience at Banff, this was such a rude awakening.

We’re glad we visited Lake Louise now because there is massive construction going on to expand the hotel. Other recent guests have complained about the construction, but consider it this way: when the construction is done, the hotel is going to be even more crowded. To be honest, it makes me sad to think someplace so beautiful is already past the point of return with the level of chaos the crowds and even larger hotel will bring.

If we went all the way here—3 hours from Calgary just for Lake Louise—we’d say it was a letdown. But our second day here made the journey worth leaving Banff as we had a chance to visit Moraine Lake—in our opinion, a far more beautiful spot than Lake Louise. Perhaps it’s because it’s quieter and feels undisturbed.

Moraine Lake: A Hidden Gem

Moraine Lake is located about 15 kilometers from Lake Louise and is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor. However, many who visit both will tell you that Moraine Lake is the true star of the Canadian Rockies.

The lake is fed by glacier melt, which gives it an intense shade of blue that almost seems unreal. Surrounded by the Valley of the Ten Peaks, it’s a place of breathtaking beauty and serenity. What makes Moraine Lake even more special is that access is limited—visitors must have reservations and bus tickets to reach the lake, which helps preserve its natural beauty.

Thanks to the VIP treatment from Adventures by Disney, we were able to take our private bus right up to Moraine Lake—a privilege that isn’t easily available to all visitors. The experience was incredibly peaceful, and we felt like we had a rare opportunity to soak in the beauty of this pristine spot without the overwhelming crowds that marred our Lake Louise visit.

Canoeing on Lake Louise

Returning from Moraine Lake, Adventures by Disney provided us with delicious picnic lunches we had preselected on the first day of our trip. To call this a box or picnic lunch underestimates what it was—a huge, delicious meal! I chose the charcuterie and fruit, and it came with fresh veggies as well. We took our lunches to the private guest lounge, found big couches to sit on, and spent a long lunch chatting with some of our favorite tour mates.

Lunch with some of our favorite new tour friends.

Following lunch, we decided to brave the crowds and check the box for canoeing on Lake Louise. Thankfully, our Adventures by Disney tour provided us with prepaid, fast-passes to the experience. The line for non-resort guests was over an hour long, and the cost is comical—around $125 CAD for an hour. I guess the hotel knows if you’ve come that far, you’re going to pay that money, and it’s a way to manage the lines and crowds, taking out people who won’t want to pay that much.

We then retreated for a cocktail at the Fairview Bar & Restaurant—the highlight of which was a visit from a not-so-shy ground squirrel, one of many who know tourists think they’re cute and drop delicious food.

Wrapping Up at Lake Louise

The final night of our tour was marked by a group dinner in one of the ballrooms at the Fairmont, with meals we had preselected on our first day. It was a bittersweet evening, saying goodbye to new friends and our incredible guides. The surprise highlight was a special guest—a retired Mountie. He told us the history of the Mounties (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and the story of his career—a truly fascinating tale that brought him to some of the most interesting parts of Canada, including the town that is furthest north, where he lived alongside an Aboriginal community, polar bears, and a place truly disconnected from the rest of the world.

Conclusion

Our time at Lake Louise was filled with both awe and a touch of disappointment. While the stunning natural beauty is undeniable, the crowds and the underwhelming hotel experience were letdowns. However, the moments we shared with our Adventures by Disney group, the visit to Moraine Lake, and the special touches throughout our journey made the entire trip worthwhile.

As we reflect on our Adventures by Disney experience, we can’t wait to visit the Canadian Rockies again someday. This trip completely blew our minds and opened up a new love and appreciation for Canada.

Stay tuned for more travel content as we continue to explore the world and share our honest opinions and tips. And if you missed any of our previous posts, be sure to check out our other posts from our Adventures by Disney experience in the Canadian Rockies:

L.
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