What can you see from the gondola?

From the Lake Louise Summer Sightseeing Gondola, you can see a broad panorama of the Bow Valley and the mountains surrounding Lake Louise. The scenery changes considerably as you climb Whitehorn Mountain, beginning with forest and ski terrain before opening into much wider views across the valley.

One of the highlights is Lake Louise itself. From higher on the mountain, the lake can be seen across the Bow Valley as a distinctive turquoise-blue patch surrounded by forest and mountains. It is a distant, elevated view rather than the close-up perspective you get from the lakeshore.

Beyond Lake Louise, you can see the dramatic mountain and glacier scenery at the head of the lake, including Mount Victoria and Victoria Glacier. Depending on your position, visibility, and weather, other prominent peaks around the Lake Louise area can also form part of the panorama, including Fairview Mountain and Mount Temple.

Looking down the mountain, there are expansive views over the Bow Valley, with the Trans-Canada Highway, forests, waterways, and Lake Louise area appearing increasingly small as you gain elevation. The contrast between the broad valley floor and the steep surrounding mountains helps show just how large the landscape is.

The ride is also a good opportunity to look for wildlife. The slopes around the Lake Louise Ski Resort are important wildlife habitat, and grizzly bears are sometimes observed from the lift. Black bears, deer, ground squirrels, marmots, and various birds may also be encountered in the broader area. Wildlife sightings are unpredictable and never guaranteed.

The open-air chairlift, when available, is particularly good for sightseeing and photography because there are no cabin windows between you and the landscape. The enclosed gondola provides essentially the same journey but offers more protection from wind and cooler mountain weather.

Rather than providing just one famous viewpoint, the Lake Louise Gondola gives you a moving perspective of the landscape. Forest, alpine slopes, the Bow Valley, distant Lake Louise, glaciers, and some of the Canadian Rockies' most recognizable peaks gradually reveal themselves as you travel higher up Whitehorn Mountain. 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