Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola & Interpretive Centre

2004 award for Best Heritage-Related Product or Service

Lake Louise Gondola Offers More than Just Pretty Views

Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola and Interpretive Centre went above and beyond Parks Canada’s requirements when upgrading its interpretive programs and environmental practices. Heritage tourism award judges praised the Lake Louise Gondola for investing considerable human and financial resources in its goals.

“We educate visitors not only on what makes this place unique, but also about what they can do to sustain the environment’s integrity and protect wildlife. For example, our programs largely focus on grizzly bears and their habitat. Visitors learn to appreciate and respect the grizzly bear as well as how to protect them by not stopping at bear jams, feeding bears, littering, to respect trail closures and other Parks Canada rules,” said Tracy Gage, educational services manager.

As a result of making heritage tourism principles interesting and relevant, Lake Louise Gondola reported increased visitor numbers, higher visitor satisfaction and more enthusiastic employees eager to deliver a high standard of service.

“Lots of people see a ski hill but I see a sightseeing and education resort visited by almost 100,000 people each summer. We are proud to be in a national park and the evolution of our interpretive programs reflect that,” Gage said.

“We entered the heritage tourism awards competition because we believed we had a very strong interpretive program that deserved recognition. We knew that 100% of the people riding the Lake Louise Gondola receive at least a portion of our key messages about Banff’s wildlife and ecosystems,” she explained.