When Lake Louise freezes, staff clear a rink on the lake itself, and the result is regularly voted the world's most beautiful: emerald ice underfoot, the Victoria Glacier dead ahead, an ice castle for a centrepiece. Skate hire is at the Fairmont on the shore, ability is irrelevant — shufflers welcome — and hot chocolate is administered rink-side. Mid-December to early April is the window, weather depending. Come at dusk, when the floodlights come on and the mountains turn blue.
Featured in Ten winter adventures beyond the ski piste · Adventure