Walking on thin ice

The lake was covered with snow and ice. The mountains towered above in the distance, and the summer boathouse on my left was buried in so much snow that I could only make out the top half of the building. It was mid-morning and the cool air slowly woke me up as I sat in the snow on the lakeshore. Yes, I sat in cold wet snow, marveling at the awesomeness that is Mother Nature.

Lake Louise, the lake, sits in a small valley in the mountains just above the town of Lake Louise. In mid-summer, when the lake has thawed, the waters are a stunning blue-green and easily one of the hottest attractions in Banff National Park. In winter, Lake Louise is quiet and serene and there are times when you can be the only person sitting by the lake — something that would never happen in summer.

As I sat in the snow, I watched guests from the Chateau Lake Louise slowly walk onto the frozen lake. At first they took a photo, then they ventured out a little more, ignoring the white wooden sign with red writing, “Caution: Thin ice,” which was driven into the ground by the shore.

I, too, wanted to walk out on the ice to see the view, and perhaps reach the far shore. In summer, reaching the far end of the lake is possible by canoe or via a really long hike. And considering the high number of grizzly bears living around Lake Louise, a canoe is really the only option.

So, I watched as people walked further away from the shore and when nobody disappeared below the surface, I got up, dusted the snow off and slowly walked out onto the lake. The last thing I wanted to hear was a crack as I walked out onto the glacial lake. The water is frigid in summer, so you can imagine how cold it must be in winter. Falling through the ice would probably be the last thing I would ever do.

I walked slowly, watching the people ahead of me and judging whether I wanted to go further. My heart was beating loudly, but I didn’t feel panic. I was nervous, but fully aware of the solitude I felt. As I reached the middle of the lake, I stopped and slowly turned around, giving myself a 360º view of the mountains, trees and valley.

I sat down on the cold ice, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The air was fresh and cool, and all I heard was the light breeze and the birds. I slowly opened my eyes and felt a smile slowly stretching across my face as I took in the scene in front of me.

The Chateau Lake Louise is truly beautiful from this vantage point, a cream-coloured castle perched in a valley surrounded by Rocky Mountains, snow, and evergreen trees. I’ve seen the view of Lake Louise, with the mountains towering from behind, but I have never seen this view of Chateau Lake Louise.

I sat on the ice until my body started to feel cold and all I could think about was sipping hot chocolate in a comfy chair inside the Chateau. My walk back was as slow and tedious as my walk to the centre of the lake. I still felt cautious, but also victorious. I did something daring. I ignored a thin ice sign and went for a walk on Lake Louise.

Lake Louise is simply stunning in the summer, one of the world’s great photographic attractions. But it’s very, very busy. You have to park a kilometre away and walk to the lake. Strangers become part of every picture you take. You can’t hear the birds.

In winter, I found peace and serenity at Lake Louise. I didn’t see the blue-green water, but I did see the valley as it was when first discovered by Europeans. I felt I was one with nature, and my stress and worries disappeared. I escaped by becoming part of the scenery, instead of being a mere spectator. It was exactly what I needed.