Pulling into Lake Louise for a post-backpack bite to eat on Monday of the recent August long weekend, I was bracing for lineups—on the roads and in the restaurants. But what we instead encountered was a bit of an eerie ghost town, especially in the hamlet’s eateries.

First stop was the Lake Louise Hostel for a burger and beer at the Bill Peyto Café. Nope. Closed.

Second stop the Post Hotel’s basement pub, the Outpost. Also closed, until further notice. On a summer long weekend!

Last shot, the Lake Louise Inn, where for once I was happy to see a wee early-dinner lineup. What’s going on? I asked our upstairs server.

“Staff shortages,” she said. Thanks to a pandemic that kept nearly all Alberta restaurants closed or relegated to takeout, all those Aussies that wait on tables are still locked out of the country. Even the Lake Louise Inn was half staffed this holiday Monday and dealing with all the hungry diners that couldn’t get into the hostel or the Outpost.

After gorging on pizza, we were happy to leave a generous tip.

Timber Wolf Cafe, Lake Louise Inn
210 Village Road, Lake Louise
Tuesday to Saturday 6 pm-11 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday
403-522-5419