Can you see elk?

Yes. Elk can occasionally be seen around the Lake Louise Summer Sightseeing Gondola and the surrounding Lake Louise area, although they are not among the animals you should expect to see on every visit.

Elk generally prefer valley bottoms, open meadows, forest edges, and grassy clearings, so they are more likely around the lower elevations than high on Whitehorn Mountain. From the gondola or open chairlift, you might occasionally spot an elk moving through a clearing or near the edge of the forest.

Your chances can vary considerably with the season and time of day. Early morning and evening are often productive periods for wildlife activity, while animals may retreat into shaded or forested areas during the busiest and warmest parts of a summer day.

During late summer and autumn, mature bull elk become particularly impressive as they carry their fully developed antlers in preparation for the fall rut. However, elk are generally easier to encounter elsewhere in the Canadian Rockies than specifically at the Lake Louise gondola.

If seeing elk is a major priority, treat an encounter at Whitehorn Mountain as a bonus rather than an expected sighting. The gondola area is much more notable for the possibility of seeing grizzly bears, along with smaller mountain wildlife such as marmots, pikas, ground squirrels, and a variety of birds. Book the Banff Sunshine Village Sightseeing Gondola & Standish ChairliftBooking the Banff Sunshine Village Sightseeing Gondola & Standish Chairlift Admission includes All taxes, fees and handling charges. Banff Gondola Home