Moraine Lake mandatory shuttle access starts up
It's the start of a new season at Moraine Lake and for the first time, you will have to take a shuttle bus to access the famous landmark -- no matter how early you're willing to show up.
This will be the first weekend of mandatory shuttle access and while it's going smoothly so far, organizers admit the system hasn't been tested yet.
"Moraine Lake was sold out for the bulk of the day," said Colin Debaie with Parks Canada.
"We felt it was a really good test of the capacity of the system."
The announcement may have been sudden but the problem has been building for years.
The village now has not one but two traffic lights and for years, Parks Canada staff were turning away vehicles, telling them to try again later.
That had some circling back half a dozen times, further aggravating the traffic situation.
There may be adjustments in the future - but the shuttles are here to stay.
The real summer rush is still a month away but already, the parking lots are starting to fill as tourists arrive.
The road to Moraine Lake has been controlled for years, often closed once the tiny parking lot at the far end filled up -- something it seems out-of-province visitors were already aware of.
"I noticed that parking would be very difficult down in Lake Louise, so I decided that probably taking the shuttle would be the easiest," one person said.
It's also the only way in unless you're ready to bike or walk the 30-kilometre round trip.
It's only the early days of the mandatory shuttle but so far, the concerns are minor.
"You need to log in and then come back and it's a little bit confusing and it takes a little bit longer," another person said.
The shuttles board at the Lake Louise ski area parking lot and you can book 48 hours in advance.
Walk-ons are very limited but visitors say it quickly gets easier.
"Once you purchase and come here, it's really easy to park and the shuttles come quite often," said one person.
Not everyone knows what to do -- some people were in line without a reservation.
Today, they'll get on but by August, there's bound to be some disappointment.
"We arrived in the area and then they said that we have to take the bus, so more directions would be helpful," said another person.
Parks Canada says some disappointment is inevitable given the massive crowds trying to reach a small place but overall, it's hoped the system will be an improvement.
The best advice: book ahead, be flexible in your dates and have a backup plan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.