You don’t have to cross the Atlantic for an Alpine escape. Alberta’s Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies offers a winter experience as breathtaking as any in Switzerland or Austria, but much closer to home.
THE MAGIC OF ARRIVAL
Spending the holidays at the Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise is like stepping inside a snow globe. You and your family can skate across a frozen lake framed by towering mountains, ski fresh powder, and laugh together on a sleigh ride pulled by Belgian draft horses.
The adventure begins the moment you land in Calgary and head west on the Trans-Canada Highway. The drive winds through the postcard-perfect mountain towns of Canmore and Banff—both worth bookmarking for a future visit—before climbing deep into the Rockies. Leave enough daylight for the full two-hour drive to Lake Louise to enjoy the sheer scale of the scenery as the road snakes through dramatic peaks.
GRAND WELCOME
When the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise comes into view, you’ll notice how its grandeur mirrors the surroundings. The sprawling, Renaissance Revival–style property stands at the base of the mountains, keeping watch over the quiet, frozen lake. Inside, the old-world lobby sets the tone with a sweeping staircase leading to the library, where local historians share stories of the hotel’s past. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame mountain views so vast they can’t be contained in a single glance.
Fairmont Gold or Accor members can bypass the front desk and take a private elevator to the seventh floor, where a concierge handles check-in over hot hors d’oeuvres in a cozy lounge that doubles as the breakfast spot each morning. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased through the “honor bar” system and are available until 10 p.m. Request a lake-facing room; the sunrise over the peaks is worth every penny.
ICE, ADVENTURE AND ALPINE JOY
Children can lace up skates near the lobby and glide across the lake with an instructor. Adults might prefer trekking to a frozen waterfall tucked behind the bend. If the thought of hiking through a light snowfall makes you shiver, book a sleigh ride pulled by massive horses that live in the adjacent stables nearby. Since the lake is a national park, it is open to the public and can get crowded at times. Reserve activities in advance through the concierge to avoid standing in lines.
At the outdoor ice bar, built from 20 blocks of crystal-clear ice, you can warm up with mulled wine or orange chili hot chocolate (spiked or not). Nearby, a pop-up grilled cheese station—also only open seasonally—will be the reason your gloves get gooey. Both attractions are first-come, first-served, though resort guests get priority.
COZY CORNERS AND APRÈS-SKI CHARM
Indoors, the warmth continues. Take a cocktail class in the ballroom or sign up for a whiskey tasting in the Alpine Social bar downstairs. Browse boutique shops and join family scavenger hunts or holiday bingo sessions. For downhill thrills, hop on the shuttle to Lake Louise Ski Resort (LLSR), where 4,200 acres across four mountain faces promise 164 runs—including one that stretches more than five miles. Snow tubing, snowshoe tours and lessons for all ages are available through online reservations.
After hitting the slopes, there’s nothing more inviting than a crackling fire, peeling your gloves off and curling your fingers around a hot beverage while sinking into a deep leather chair. Carry this cozy feeling to dinner at the Fairview Bar and Restaurant, where wild-inspired Rocky Mountain cuisine is prepared by Executive Chef Nicholas Issel, using local ingredients from area farms and foragers. Walliser Stube, the resort’s fondue restaurant, pays homage to Canada’s mountaineering past with hearty and creative twists on Swiss and German favorites while diners enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies.
SERENITY IN THE SNOW
Finally, build in some time to relax. The Fairmont indoor heated pool and spa offer classic relaxation treatments. But the newly-opened BASIN Glacial Waters experience is an inviting indulgence. The “all-sensory” thermal bathing amenity boasts multi-temperature natural spring pools inspired by the therapeutic benefits of Victoria Glacier’s mineral-rich water source. Architect Matteo Thun spent two decades planning and creating this eco-conscious sanctuary. Designed under Alberta’s strict environmental standards, the experience complements the beauty of Lake Louise and its wild surroundings—vigilantly protected for many snowfalls to come.
BANFF'S WINTER MAGIC
Just 36 miles from Lake Louise, Banff is an easy drive—or a scenic one-hour bus ride ($10) through the heart of the Rockies. The Fairmont Banff Springs, the Chateau’s sister property, dazzles during the holidays with grand decorations and old-world charm. Wander through the charming downtown where twinkling lights, boutique shops and snow-dusted streets remind you of a Hallmark movie.
Reserve a time slot online for the Banff Upper Hot Springs and bring a swimsuit to soak in mineral-rich waters while downloading sweeping mountain views. Once dry, continue to the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain. Booking ahead helps avoid lines, leaving more time to savor the panoramic vistas from the summit—where restaurants, exhibits and a mountaintop boardwalk stretch across the peaks.
After dark, stay for Nightrise, a multisensory spectacle of light, sound and storytelling that transforms the mountain into a living work of art beneath the stars.
KRISHA CHACHRA is a Charlotte-based travel writer for regional and national magazines. She has visited more than 50 countries on six continents and loves exploring new destinations with her family. She's at krishachachra.com or on social media at @destinationsanddelish and @krishachachra
Banff’s Winter Magic
Just 36 miles from Lake Louise, Banff is an easy drive—or a scenic one-hour bus ride ($10) through the heart of the Rockies. The Fairmont Banff Springs, the Chateau’s sister property, dazzles during the holidays with grand decorations and old-world charm. Wander through the charming downtown where twinkling lights, boutique shops and snow-dusted streets remind you of a Hallmark movie.
Reserve a time slot online for the Banff Upper Hot Springs and bring a swimsuit to soak in mineral-rich waters while downloading sweeping mountain views. Once dry, continue to the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain. Booking ahead helps avoid lines, leaving more time to savor the panoramic vistas from the summit—where restaurants, exhibits and a mountaintop boardwalk stretch across the peaks.
After dark, stay for Nightrise, a multisensory spectacle of light, sound and storytelling that transforms the mountain into a living work of art beneath the stars.