Unforgettable – Exhilarating or Relaxing – Snow Vacations

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From dogsledding and ice fishing to night snowshoeing, skiing and first tracks, the stunning locations of the Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, or Fairmont Le Château Frontenac provide families, couples and friends with a luxurious home base.  Enjoy an exhilarating or relaxing getaway, with a variety of activities and excursions for those in search of a winter adventure, coupled with unrivalled access to some of North America’s most sought-after mountains:

Banff Springs:

Set in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fairmont Banff Springs offers un-paralleled winter activities with three extraordinary areas to discover – Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Ski Banff at Norquay. Guests can choose their desired terrain or take advantage of the Fairmont Ski School to learn technique or improve their skills on the slopes. 

Canyon Ice Walks

Join an intrepid guide to get up close and personal with this mysterious frozen world. The excursion proceeds along the bottom of the canyon, past the Lower Falls and over suspended catwalks to the Twin Pools and Upper Falls. Transportation and ice cleats are included – warm clothes are encouraged!

Dog-Sledding

Jump on board a dogsled for an exhilarating ride with a team of huskies who will tear around corners and speed through the icy forest. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a great way to see the area, with a variety of excursions lasting from two hours to a whole day. There is also the option to enjoy a moonlight dogsled ride as well as an overnight ride. Blankets and transportation to and from the trailhead are provided.

Ice-Fishing

Ice fishing in Banff National Park takes place on the beautiful Spray Lakes. Wrapped up warm, guests can fish the lakes for trout or white fish from the comfort of a heated hut on the ice. After a fun morning on the lake, guests can cook their catch on site for the freshest of dining experiences. Fishing licenses can be purchased through the hotel and transfers are provided to and from the property.

Book the Luxury Ski the Canadian Rockies Package and receive two tri-area ski passes per room, per night valid at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Ski Banff at Norquay; shuttle service to and from the ski hill; daily breakfast; daily access pass to the Willow Stream Spa; and complimentary ski and snowboard storage. Available for stays from November 8, 2015 – April 30, 2016. 

Lake Louise:

Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks, the majestic Victoria glacier and the glistening, frozen Lake Louise, guests at this iconic hotel have access to over 4,200 acres of skiable terrain, making Lake Louise one of the largest ski areas in North America. The range of terrain allows families and groups of varying abilities to ski together with beginner, intermediate and expert runs from every chair. The mountain offers an under-5’s-go-free policy, and expert skiers and boarders can explore the endless chutes, glades, gullies and remote bowls in some of the Rockies' most challenging terrain.  

Columbia Icefield Scenic Walk

The new Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience, near Fairmont Lake Louise, is a must visit for those staying in the Canadian Rockies this winter. Take a walk back in time and explore the retreating path of the mighty Athabasca Glacier. This two-hour journey leads guests along the glacier's melt-water examining the flora, fauna, human history in the area and ice that was formed from over 400 years of snowfall.

Yoga & Ski Retreat

Fairmont Lake Louise’s successful Yoga & Ski Retreat arrives again this winter. The retreat focuses on how mindfulness can impact overall health, and allows guests to take part in fun winter sports, indulge in delicious meals at Fairmont Lake Louise, and breathe in the crisp fresh air of the mountains during two mixed-level flow style yoga sessions. The Yoga & Ski Retreat takes place February 19-21, 2016 and includes accommodations for two nights, breakfast and dinner on Saturday, brunch on Sunday, and all yoga, discussion and meditation classes.

Night Owl Snow Shoeing

Explore the vast Alberta area on foot with an exciting night-time snow shoeing adventure. Journey into the woods and enter a world of stillness and mystery, listening to the calls of the nearby wildlife. If the skies are clear, guides will take the time to point out some of the great constellations overhead: Cassiopeia, the Great Bear and Orion the Hunter.

Whistler:

Located at the foot of the Blackcomb Mountain, Fairmont Chateau Whistler has more than 8,100 acres of skiable terrain, giving the area an unbeatable reputation for skiers of all standards. The resort also resides in a glacier in the heart of the British Columbian mountains – the only skiable glacier in North America. Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the ultimate luxury mountain experience with ski-in/ski-out access and the incredible PEAK 2 PEAK – the world’s highest and longest gondola, delivering mind-melting vistas and direct access to the tops of the mountains.

Cross Country Skiing at Night

Whistler has over 120km of cross country trails suited to both beginners and experts, and Fairmont Chateau Whistler is perfectly located for exploring the very best paths. Many of the trails are based around the hotel’s golf course which is lit for night skiing, allowing guests to enjoy the quiet of an evening ski experience and empty slopes.

Fresh Tracks

The thrill of skiing un-touched powder is something avid skiers dream of and Fairmont Chateau Whistler makes this dream a reality. Early birds can board the Whistler Village Gondola at 7.15am and head up to the Roundhouse Lodge for a delicious, mountain-sized breakfast to prepare for a day on the slopes. Guests can get their fill of fresh powder or perfectly groomed slopes on the upper mountains before the rest of the world is even out of bed.

Sleigh Rides

Cozy up in warm blankets and enjoy an evening sleigh ride under the stars on Blackcomb Mountain. Children will be mesmerised by the rhythmic clip-clop of the horse and sleigh bells as it climbs higher up the slope. The perfect complement to this nostalgic evening is dinner at The Chalet on the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course, serving decadent fondue and indulgent hot chocolate.

Frontenac:

Fresh from its multimillion-dollar renovation, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac remains the ultimate urban retreat for guests wanting to experience the thrills of the nearby slopes. A landmark in Québec City, the hotel is only twenty minutes from several of the area’s best mountains. Experience this wonderful destination for unforgettable skiing and snowboarding with optimal snow conditions, views of Battlefield Park, the citadel, Saint Lawrence River and Musée du Québec, and over 2,000km of cross-country ski trails.

Ski & Spa Retreat

With an average annual snowfall of over 13 feet each year, Québec City is the perfect winter playground.  After a full day of skiing, indulge in a well-earned relaxing massage at the new Spa du Château, which offers total rejuvenation to tired ski legs after a day packed with adrenaline.

Night Skiing

The Québec region is one of the few areas of the world where you can practice night skiing. Near Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, you'll discover fifteen lighted trails at Mont-Sainte-Anne and sixteen trails at Stoneham. Take advantage of Canada's largest night skiing centre, followed by some very special après-ski.

Alison Carmichael-Rulten

Hi, I'm Alison Carmichael-Rulten the Publisher of Vacation Goddess, and I want to thank you for visiting Vacation Goddess – the one-stop shop for insider travel news, deals, 'Guest Goddes's stories, and of course our personal travel experiences. Plus, as we love to cruise we also try to find some amazing cruise deals for you too. From luxury, longer escapes right down to weekend breaks we know you love everything travel related. Here at Vacation Goddess, we hope you will find loads of inspiration and of course some amazing travel deals. We love a holiday at a great price and that's why we seek out what we call 'Champagne Experiences, on a Sparkling Wine Budget.' We constantly showcase a variety of special deals and offers and from time to time some very special competitions. Our recent 'Win a Trip to London' competition received over 24,00 entries. We invite you to visit us often, join our mailing list and please tell your friends