Filming in Lake Louise & Area
If you intend to film in Lake Louise, please visit the Parks Canada websites for more information about film permits. Please note that drones are not permitted within national park boundaries.
Lake Louise
One of Canada’s most famous settings, Lake Louise encapsulates the quintessential Canadian mountain scene. Its waters are a milky turquoise in the summer and its frozen surface in winter provides the most beautiful outdoor skating venue. No footage of Banff National Park is complete with the inclusion of the iconic Lake Louise. Each day, let alone each season, offers a new and unique look for cinema-photographers as the weather, surrounding glaciers and foliage continually change.
Permission to film for commercial purposes is required by both Parks Canada and The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise which occupies the northeast end of the lake.
Lake Louise is suitable for filming in winter and summer. It is also suitable for live broadcasts.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Australia’s Today Show recently broadcast live from the grounds of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This is amongst the most classically Canadian of locations, whether you seek a backdrop for a large broadcast project or a small-budget documentary.
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism is pleased to work with our partners at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Parks Canada to help make the unique opportunity of filming at Lake Louise a reality. Contact us for additional information about filming in this special place.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is suitable for filming in winter and summer. It is also suitable for live broadcasts.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake lies in the Valley of the Ten Peaks offering a view so spectacular that it once adorned the back of Canada’s twenty dollar bill. An easy trail up the “rock pile” at the lake’s northern end makes it accessible for cinematographers to capture the dramatic scene. The imposing surrounding peaks have frequently proven to impede satellite signals, so live broadcast from this location is not typically possible.
Moraine Lake is suitable for filming during the summer. It is not suitable for live broadcasts.
The Lodge of ten Peaks at the Lake Louise Ski Resort
Expansive windows, hand skinned logs, vaulted ceilings and river rock fireplaces characterize the Rocky Mountain atmosphere of The Lodge of Ten Peaks at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Wraparound decks offer unparalleled views of the base area.
The impressive structure makes for a beautiful and quintessential Canadian backdrop for live broadcasts. With all the amenities a crew would need on site, this location has been used to great effect in several television shows.
The Lodge is suitable for filming in winter and summer. It is also suitable for live broadcasts.
Top of the Grizzly at the Lake Louise Ski Resort
The Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of the best places to see grizzly bears in the Canadian Rockies. These magnificent creatures are sighted almost daily from the resort’s sightseeing lift during the summer months. The top of the lift offers panoramic views of the valley and Lake Louise itself, glistening under the colossal Victoria Glacier in the distance. A viewing platform makes for a perfect stage or base from which to capture the scene.
This location is suitable for filming in summer and winter. It is not suitable for live broadcast.
Lake Agnes Tea House
The Lake Agnes Tea House was originally built in 1901 by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a refuge for hikers, and started serving tea in 1905. The log building was replaced in 1981 but still features the original windows, tables and chairs.
Situated above Lake Louise at an altitude of 2,135 metres (7,005 feet), the tea house is located in a lovely hanging valley on the shores of Lake Agnes. After a forested 3.5 kilometre hike, with an elevation gain of 400 metres (1,300 feet), the valley opens to reveal spectacular Lake Agnes. Together with Mirror Lake and Lake Louise, these lakes are often referred to as the 'Lakes in the Clouds'. Equipment can be transported up to Lake Agnes by horses.
The Lake Agnes Tea House is suitable for filming in the summer. It is not suitable for live broadcast.
Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse
The hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is one of Banff National Park's classic hikes. The 5.5 km hike from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will take you past some beautiful scenery, including waterfalls, towering rock faces and majestic glaciers.
The Tea House is historic landmark in a more remote area of Banff National Park, offering a beautiful and quiet setting for filmmakers. Equipment can be transported here by horses.
The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is suitable for filming in summer. It is not suitable for live broadcasts.
Storm Mountain Lodge
Storm Mountain Lodge was constructed in 1922 as one of eight Bungalow Camps built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to promote tourism in the Rocky Mountains. Storm Mountain Bungalow Camp originally consisted of a log lodge with a broad verandah, six log bungalows, a public bathhouse, and bathroom. Six years later another six log bungalows were added. The original lodge and bungalows are still enjoyed by guests today.
Storm Mountain Lodge is suitable for filming in winter and summer. Live broadcast is also an option.