Canada’s Castle in the Rockies

Your first visit to The Fairmont Banff Springs will make apparent its moniker, “The Castle in the Rockies”.  Built in 1888 and styled after a Scottish baronial castle, the hotel marks the birthplace of Canadian tourism.  This opulent structure also marks the ultimate luxury base camp for your Rocky Mountain adventure.

Activities in the spring/summer include onsite tennis at your choice of five courts, and from May 11th on, 27 holes of golf on either the Stanley Thompson 18 or Tunnel 9 course with breathtaking views and possible wildlife encounters. Voted one of Canada’s top resort golf courses, amateurs and professionals alike are constantly amazed by its panoramic challenge.

For more laid back activities: relax in the award winning Willow Stream Spa or the full service health club and swimming pool; enjoy afternoon tea in the Rundle Lounge; dine at one of eleven restaurants and choose from Canadian, Italian, Bavarian, Japanese or health conscious cuisine; shop in the multitude of boutiques the Fairmont has to offer.

With the onset of summer in June, there are numerous offsite activities to experience. Most can be arranged through the concierge at the hotel and include fishing, canoeing, or horseback riding; and for the more adventurous among you – white water rafting or heli-hiking.

Don’t miss a visit to the Banff town site – a short walk from the Fairmont Banff Springs, or a quick hop on board the Banff Roam bus service. Stroll down Banff Ave. where you can take in the local culture and museums or explore the town from a quaint carriage ride.

For second to none views of Banff National Park and just minutes from the hotel, take a short ride up the Banff Gondola. A definite must-do on your trip to the Canadian Rockies. This adventure begins with an eight minute trip to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a fully-enclosed four passenger gondola cabin. The Banff Skywalk is an easy 1km self-guided interpretive walkway along the summit ridge and provides a truly ‘top-of-the-world’ experience. More adventurous hikers will want to try the South East Ridge Trail – a favourite among the locals.

Banff National Park is renowned for its hiking trails. The Lake Minnewanka area offers numerous easy hikes and Sunshine Meadows offers the best alpine walking trails in the Canadian Rockies.  Mountaineering expeditions with certified, professional guides are possible, with some peaks being climbable until October.

Afterwards take a dip in the Banff Hot Springs, a tradition that has delighted travellers visiting Banff for hundreds of years.

There are many activities to do outside of Banff as well. A short drive away, in Canmore, you can hire a helicopter to take you on a heli-tour of the Rockies.  Driving 40 minutes in the opposite direction will take you to beautiful Lake Louise and Moraine Lake – both provide spectacular photograph opportunities. 

With activities, too numerous to mention, you’ll want to extend your stay  at The Fairmont Banff Springs in order to experience more of what the hotel and Banff have to offer! Take advantage of the Seniors Spring Getaway Package at The Fairmont Banff Springs to save up to 30% on your stay and enjoy exclusive discounts on Dining, Spa & Golf.

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