Ice Magic Festival January 18-20 2013
The Ice Magic Festival is an annual event at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel, with the 2013 event taking place on January 18-20. Starting at 8am on Jan 18 and finishing by 2pm on Jan 20, professional ice carving teams will use chainsaws to form huge ornate ice sculptures from 15 blocks of ice, which are then judged with awards presented at 4pm on Jan 20.
At Lake Louise Inn on Jan 19 there will be a speed competition from 2.30pm to 3.30pm where professional carvers will have just one hour to turn a block of ice into a masterpiece.
On both Jan 19 and Jan 20 there will be ice carving demonstrations, with demonstrations taking place both days from 12-12.30pm at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Taking place the following weekend January 26 and 27, the Little Chippers Weekend is an opportunity for the kids to have a go at ice carving as well as other fun activities on both Saturday and Sunday.
From 11am to 2pm each day at Samson Mall kids can play in the Ice Playground or try out ice carving for themselves, while at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise large ice sculptures will be created by professional ice carvers from 12.00 to 12.30pm. From 12.30 to 1.00pm and 2.00 to 3.00pm you can skate with the Ice Queen on Lake Louise, and from 12.00 to 3.00pm the Cozy Corner Kids Indoor Activity Centre at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers fun activities for the children including face painting, crafts and a magician ($2 entry).
Finally on Saturday Jan 26 from 1.00pm to 5.00pm at the Mountaineer Lodge close to Lake Louise village you’ll be able to try snowshoeing and enjoy a hot drink and snacks while warming yourself by the fire.
While it’s very impressive to see the ice carvers in action during the festival weekend, the magical sculptures can be viewed for several weeks after the event, as long as the temperatures stay low!
Ice Magic Hotel Packages in Lake Louise
If you are looking for lodging at a Lake Louise hotel during the Ice Magic Festival, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise cannot be beaten for convenience, as most of the events will be taking place right outside.
Click here for reservations.
To find more Lake Louise hotels for this event, click here.
Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup 2012
Starting the last weekend in November 2012, the world’s best alpine ski racers will compete in the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup, Canada’s only alpine skiing World Cup event, and the first downhill and super G races of this winter’s World Cup circuit. On November 24 the Men’s Downhill will take place starting at 11.30am and the following day November 25 will be the Men’s Super G with an 11am start. The following weekend sees the women’s races, with the Ladies’ Downhill taking place on November 30 and December 1 with a 12.30pm start each day and the Ladies’ Super G on December 2 starting at 11am.
*Please note that the race schedule is subject to revision and details should be confirmed on the official race website.
The races will take place at Lake Louise Ski Area and spectators can see the finish line from the base area or with a lift ticket ski to view the races from various parts of the course. Although the race courses are obviously closed to the public before and during the World Cup, the majority of the ski hill is not effected and the rest of the slopes are usually uncrowded during these events.
To find Lake Louise lodging during this event, click here.
For further information about the ski races, visit www.alpinecanada.org
Will and Kate Choose Lake Louise for Private Getaway
Ever since the announcement that newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would visit Alberta as part of their royal tour of Canada, speculation has been rife regarding where in the province they would visit. Set in the spectacular Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park was always a strong contender for the royal couple’s itinerary, and indeed on the night of July 6 they chose to spend some private time at Skoki Lodge, a historic backcountry lodge and hiking mecca in the pristine alpine wilderness of Banff National Park, close to Lake Louise ski area.
While some rumours suggested that the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or the Post Hotel might be the accommodation of choice for Will and Kate, part of Skoki’s appeal was undoubtedly the secluded location, being an 11 km hike, mostly uphill, from the nearest road. Prince William and Kate Middleton were able to fly in by helicopter, which must have been an awe-inspiring journey over the Canadian Rockies, on what was a beautiful clear blue sky day in the Banff and Lake Louise area.
Shortly after lunchtime July 7, the couple travelled by helicopter from Skoki Lodge to the Lake Louise ski area where they were able to freshen up and change before their onward journey to Calgary International Airport where, according to the Government of Canada’s website for the Royal Tour, their official duties were due to resume at 4.30pm.
Charlie Locke, who with his wife Louise, owns both Skoki Lodge and Lake Louise Ski Area, said about the visit: “We believe we met their expectations with respect to providing the type of getaway they were looking for and that they enjoyed their time here. We hope that they will visit again.”
