Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
6 reviews for Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
6 reviews in English
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Review from Kelly B.
9/11/2011
Could you be more perfect Six Glaciers? I think not. Truly one of the most beautiful settings for an oasis on a long, long hike and that's just one of the amazing traits. We (without actually knowing it) successfully completed the Highline Trail Hiking Challenge and went to both Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers. After a few hours on foot soaking up the sun and scenery, a chair was a welcome sight.
What was an even better sight was the menu. I wasn't really feeling the sandwich vibe, but that bowl of quinoa sung to me. It was the absolute perfect lunch with the cutest wait staff and coziest table. The house itself feels like a cabin who begs you to curl up with a book sipping berry berry tea, pausing every once in a while to catch an avalanche. Yes, seriously, we saw an avalanche from the upper deck. -
Review from Wendy P.
9/6/2011
If you're ambitious, this tea house is a welcomed stop on your way out to the glacier by Lake Louise. If you're a might out of shape and wondering why in the world you'd make yourself hike up the longest incline ever... it's a welcomed destination.
I was out in Lake Louise with some friends and bf to head on the hike around the lake and up to the tea house. We reached the flat end of the hike and my three friends decided that was enough for them. That left two of us to make it the rest of the way up.
It's a long hike for sure, but we made it to the top. The tea house isn't very big. It's two levels with a small dining area up top and tea seater tables lining the wrap around deck. And a couple of outhouses if you're in need of a washroom.
They offer sandwiches, soups, desserts and drinks. Not thinking we'd be having a bite when we got there, I didn't think to bring cash up the mountain with me. No debit up here (I'm not sure about credit cards). To be on the safe side, bring about $20/person cash with you.
There's no electricity, everything is baked/made on site using propane stoves. On that note, none of the sandwiches have meat, I don't think there are any refrigerators either. The staff live up the mountain 5 days a week, large order supplies are helicoptered in once a year (like sugar and flour) and the rest is either brought up by horseback or carried in with staff members when they hike the same trail in that we did.
Also, the Tea House requests that you turn your cell phone off when you're near the building. They're doing their best to reduce their carbon footprint in the area and I guess having that many people congregated in one spot doesn't help.
The hike itself I would put at a medium level hike. There were people of all ages huffing it to the top, but the second 2/3 of it are pretty much all up hill. There are places to stop and take a rest, but make sure you've got a good pair of shoes on and bring a couple of water bottles with you. I passed a couple of people trying to haul a stroller up with them. I'd advise against that. It's a rocky hike and no place for strollers, not to mention a couple of pretty narrow parts. And don't forget to take a moment to look around here and there, the views are unbelievable!
Tip: When asking a fellow hiker how much farther to the tea house, double the amount of time they say. Going downhill is slightly faster than up after all. ;)Listed in: Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
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Review from Eric B.
6/6/2011
Getting here is half the fun! It was a glorious Fall day when I took the loop from Lake Louise to Lake Agnes (and the Tea House), and onwards to the Plain-of-Six Glaciers (and this Tea House) and back down. I'm also a fast hiker (even at this altitude) and was back from this 8.5 mile hike well before the suggested days journey.
The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is a two-story stone building that was finished in 1927 and designed to serve as a pit stop between the Lake below and the masses of ice above. Joy Kimball, who at 80+ quickly cruises up the mountain, still helps out baking homemade chocolate cake, bread and biscuits up here, all without the benefit of electricity. She bought the tea house from the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1959 after seeing an advertisement in the newspaper.
About 20,000 pounds of tea house necessities drop from the sky, thanks to a helicopter, each spring and are then stuffed into a tiny shed. More ingredients make it up the mountain during the summer and fall courtesy of pack horses. Employees stay in little cabins steps away from the tea house for five days straight, then down the mountain for two. Fresh goods are backpacked in, and garbage out.
My hike was very enjoyable, drop dead gorgeous in many spots, and offered wonderful Tea House hospitality. The prices are a little higher, but considering what it takes to keep one of these seasonal places running, it's still a great and delicious value for the money.
Don't forget your layers (and sturdy shoes) as weather conditions and footing rapidly changed during my sojourn. And it's so worth it to see the glaciers more up close and personal like this. -
Review from Claire W.
11/11/2008
We did the Plain of Six Glaciers Hike in August 2008. The "we" included my 8 year old and 12 year old. It took us about 3 times the time estimate to climb up, but once an older gentleman on his way down told the 8 year old there was hot chocolate at the top, adding that he had "warmed a lot of rocks on the way up" too, we had a reason to complete our trek. When we got to the top there was light snow. The TeaHouse has been run by the same family since the 1930's or 1950's. Supplies are hauled up by horse each week and propane is used for cooking. The tomato soup and thick homemade bread was great. The food is simple, but very welcome.
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Review from Lily Y.
10/18/2008 4 photos
Wonderful rest spot when hiking from the Fairmont at Lake Louise to the Plain of Six Glaciers. It's about a 3 mile hike from the hotel to the Tea House. We were visiting Banff in late September so the trail wasn't super crowded with hikers as I've heard it can be during the summer. It's a pretty steady climb to from Lake Louise to the Tea House but not extremely difficult, a moderate to intermediate level hike. Fabulous views of the lake as you climb the trail and look back; and of course, the amazing glaciers as you near the Tea House. The Tea House probably seats about 25 people and it was nearly at full capacity when we arrived, even with it being off season. The workers stay all summer to run the business and reside in quarters on the grounds near the tea house. Supplies are carried up the trail by the workers on foot or horseback. The tea house is two levels with stools/tables upstairs and below. There are also benches near the tea house for resting or picnicking and to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Order your food and drinks upstairs, take your garbage back down the trail with you. A local favorite which is worth a try - the homemade chocolate cake with chocolate icing - delicious! Workers are friendly and laid back.
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Review from N N.
9/14/2010
Great hike from Lake Louise! And so pleasant to have tea and cakes at the destination. It is very reasonably priced too. We loved the maple cream tea from Banff Tea Co so much that we bought some more once we returned to Banff.
