1) beautiful Lake Louise in winter

I flew from Winnipeg to Calgary very early Thursday morning and by noon found myself – and my three colleagues – in beautiful Banff.

2) the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Winnipeg airport VERY early Thursday morning; 3) the view from my room at Inns of Banff

4 & 5) because …”If you haven’t been to Bumpers, you haven’t been to Banff” … they make THE BEST Alberta steaks and prime rib going

6) Donna stops to grab a photo Sat am in Banff; 7) heading along Highway 1A

On Saturday we drove further west along an icy and snow packed Highway 1A to Lake Louise to enjoy the Chateau and brunch at the Relais & Chateaux accredited Post Hotel. I would argue that Lake Louise in winter is even more pretty than summer. The mountains reveal more of their battleship grey-coloured rock and the Lake is far, far less crowded with tourists. When we arrived the winter fog was in full swing casting the Lake in an eerie yet beautiful state.

8) stopping along Highway 1A for a gorgeous photo op

9) along Highway 1A; 10) arriving at Lake Louise in the morning winter fog

11) you can skate here in the winter; 12) the path up to the Chateau

13) moi in front of the Ice castle right on the Lake; 14) Sue followed by Gail heads up to the late in the early morning light

15) the ice castle on the Lake

16) inside the Chateau looking out to the Lake; 17) G and I sat here in June for dinner

18 & 19) the beautiful ice sculptures

20) Gail and Sue now head back to the truck with the fog gone; 21) another ice masterpiece

22) I built a snowman!

23) the Chateau; 24) it remains for me one of the most beautiful places in all of Canada

25) the restaurant at the Post Hotel; 26) we all ordered tea (it was so cold outside)

27 7 28) the sourdough bread was amazing

29) I ordered hamachi and a perfectly prepared and dressed frisee salad; 30) the view from our table at the restaurant