Family Day Weekend in Banff

For anyone living in Alberta, Monday February 20 2012 will be the annual Family Day holiday, meaning that Family Day Weekend from Feb 18 to 20 2012 is a great opportunity for 2 or 3 days of skiing or snowboarding, or simply visiting Banff National Park for a long weekend. If you have previously had the pleasure of spending Family Day Weekend in Banff, you will know that it’s one of the busiest weekends of the winter for Banff hotels, which means that it’s highly recommended that you make your hotel reservations as early as possible, while there are still rooms available.
At the time of writing there are still rooms available at Banff hotels throughout the weekend however availability for a one night stay on the night of Saturday February 18 is becoming limited, and there may be more options open if you select a stay of 2 or more nights.
Click here to check current rates and availability for hotels in Banff

No Vacancy?
If you are unable to find suitable accommodation in Banff, you could consider staying at a hotel in Canmore, which is an easy 20 minute drive away from Banff and well located for skiing at Banff’s three ski resorts as well as at Nakiska. On holiday weekends it is generally easier to find availability at hotels in Canmore, possibly at a lower rate!
Click here to check current rates and availability for hotels in Canmore

Another option would be to try hotels in Lake Louise which lies 60km west of Banff, and is of course ideally located for skiing at Lake Louise Mountain Resort.
Click here to check current rates and availability for hotels in Lake Louise

Because it is such a busy weekend for hotels in Banff, most accommodations do not offer any Family Day weekend packages or special deals, with the busiest night for lodging likely to be Saturday February 18, however accommodation for Friday February 17, and Sunday February 19 is also sure to eventually fill up.
Once you have booked your Banff hotel, you should consider making your other arrangements for the holiday weekend, such as booking tours or making restaurant reservations, and if you are planning to ski, it is strongly recommended that you arrive at the ski resorts as early as possible so that you can park your car, purchase your ski pass and head up the lifts before the crowds arrive.
Banff is a wonderful place to spend the Family Day holiday, and if you plan ahead you will find the ideal hotel in Banff to experience a truly memorable weekend.

Hotels in Banff with Pools

After a day in Banff National Park, what better way to unwind than a soak or a swim in your hotel pool, or if you are a family with kids, some of the indoor or outdoor pools can be a destination in their own right. Most hotels in Banff have some sort of hot tub or whirlpool, but several Banff accommodations offer a lot more than that, with some hotels offering swimming pools and others having larger hot pools with unique designs or in special locations. Below you will find a comprehensive list of hotels in Banff with pools that we regard to be a level above the average hot tub.

The Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets has one of the most popular swimming pools for families with 2 indoor waterslides plus whirlpools. This facility is free to hotel guests, and costs $20 for general admission.

As part of its impressive sports facilities the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort has a 15 metre indoor pool as well as an indoor and outdoor hot tub.

Guests at Best Western Siding 29 Lodge can do laps in the indoor swimming pool, or just relax in the hot tub.

Not surprisingly, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has an excellent selection of pools, with a 20 metre outdoor heated pool (open year round), a 32 metre indoor pool, as well as a shallow indoor pool for small kids plus an indoor jetted hot tub. These pools in the Aquatic Centre are free of charge to hotel guests, while the mineral pool with waterfalls in the Willow Stream Spa as well an indoor and outdoor hot tub are available for an additional charge (currently $69 per day for hotel guests).

The Banff Park Lodge has an indoor heated swimming pool as well as a large Jacuzzi. Guests of the nearby Homestead Inn can also make use of these facilities.

The Banff High Country Inn offers an indoor heated pool plus hot tubs which guests at their sister property the Red Carpet Inn can also enjoy.

Guests at the Inns of Banff can take in some impressive mountain views from the large outdoor roof top hot pool, as well as having an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool at their disposal.

The Rundlestone Lodge can offer its guests a 45 foot indoor lap pool plus a large whirlpool.

The Voyager Inn has a large outdoor heated pool which is open year-round, plus an indoor jacuzzi. Guests at the neighbouring Spruce Grove Inn can also use these facilities.

A unique hot pool can be found at the Fox Hotel & Suites, whose grotto-like appearance resembles the historic pools at the Cave & Basin.

The Grotto Spa mineral pool plus a whirlpool can be found at the Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge.

At the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa you’ll find a large 26 person jetted hot pool which is part of their Red Earth Spa facility, but is free for all hotel guests to use.

The Rimrock Resort Hotel offers its guests an indoor pool as well as a whirlpool as part of their spa & leisure facilities.

An indoor pool, hot plunge pool, and a hot tub can all be found at the Bow View Lodge.

Guests at the Hidden Ridge Resort can enjoy magnificent mountain views from the two outdoor hot pools perched on a ridge looking west down the Bow Valley.

And finally, Tunnel Mountain Resort has an indoor heated pool and 2 indoor whirlpools for its guests to enjoy.

If you don’t stay at a Banff hotel with a pool, you can always make use of one the public pools in Banff Alberta, namely the 25 metre swimming pool at the Sally Borden Fitness & Recreation Centre ($4.50 adults, $2.50 6-15 yrs), or the pool with waterslides at the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets ($20).

Accommodations in Banff with Kitchens

Whether you are travelling with your family or you simply like the taste of your own cooking, staying in a hotel, condo or suite with kitchen facilities can be a convenient and cost effective way to visit Banff. With two large grocery stores and a fantastic bakery in town, it is easy to be self sustaining and the following list of Banff hotels with kitchens gives you a wide selection of self catering accommodation to choose from:

Popular with families due to its waterslide, Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets offers a range of Banff accommodations with kitchens for various group sizes in a peaceful location on Tunnel Mountain. Each unit has a full kitchen with a cook-top, oven, fridge, microwave, pots, pans and utensils.

Surrounded by magnificent mountain views on the edge of the town of Banff, Banff Rocky Mountain Resort offers Banff lodging with cooking facilities. Their studio suites, one bedroom condos, two bedroom condos and loft suites each boast a kitchen with a stovetop, microwave and dishwasher, as well as pots, pans and utensils.

Charlton’s Cedar Court is a Banff hotel with a convenient location close to downtown. Their Kitchenette Suites offer two sleeping areas plus a kitchenette featuring a four burner stove top, microwave, mini-fridge, dishes, and cooking utensils.

With a quiet location on Tunnel Mountain, Hidden Ridge Resort offers a range of modern condo style accommodation in Banff, with one or two bedroom condos as well as some jacuzzi suites. Each unit offers a full kitchen including a stove, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, as well as stylish granite countertops.

Also located on Tunnel Mountain, Tunnel Mountain Resort offers cabins, chalets or suites for 2, 4, or 6 people. Their loft chalets, mountain cabins, one bedroom suites and loft suites each offer kitchen amenities which include a stove top, oven, dishwasher, microwave oven, full size refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, pots, pans and utensils. If you do not require a full kitchen, their executive suite offers just a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker.

The Rundle Manor offers basic, affordable accommodations in a central location just one block from the shopping and restaurants of downtown Banff. Their studio, and one and two bedroom apartments each boast a kitchen with a stove, fridge, microwave, pots, pans and utensils.

Banff SnowDays Festival

From January 14 to February 12 2012 Banff SnowDays winter festival will bring a whole host of exciting winter activities and events to the town of Banff and other venues in Banff National Park. Like Jasper in January, a popular annual event in Jasper Alberta, SnowDays is a chance to celebrate everything that is wonderful about winter in the Canadian Rockies. While skiing and snowboarding are already extremely popular activities for winter visitors to Banff, SnowDays introduces some new ways to enjoy and appreciate the winter months, with story telling, outdoor skating, curling, mountain films, wildlife walks, live entertainment and street hockey joining existing events and festivals such as Celebrity Ski and the Ice Magic Festival.

Banff SnowDays Events & Activities

Banff Snow Days kicks off with the Fairmont Banff Springs Celebrity Sports Invitational, otherwise known as Celebrity Ski on Thursday January 12 2012. Taking place until January 15, Celebrity Ski brings together Hollywood stars such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Alec Baldwin at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel with skiing, snowboarding and other fun events at Sunshine Village in aid of the Waterkeeper Alliance.
The same weekend, the Mountain Adventure Festival will take place on January 14 and 15 with ice climbing in downtown Banff, outdoor skating, snow carving, and mountain adventure stories.
January 20-22 sees the first weekend of the Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise where masterpieces will be carved from huge blocks of ice, while on Jan 21 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel there’s a chance to join a free guided hike with Parks Canada to learn how to identify wildlife tracks. Kids will love meeting sled dogs on the evening of Jan 21, and on Sunday January 22 the famous Lake Louise to Banff Loppet cross country ski race will take place.
On the evening of Friday January 27 the hilarious Cardboard Sled Derby takes place at Mount Norquay and on Janury 28 and 29 the second weekend of the Ice Magic Festival takes place with an emphasis on family fun for the Little Chippers. Also on Jan 28 is a talk about bear safety courtesy of Parks Canada, and that night you’ll have the opportunity to join the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada for an evening of star gazing.
Saturday February 4 sees the Dave Irwin Dash for Cash at Sunshine Village, free snowshoeing lessons at the Fairmont Banff Springs golf course, and fireside stories about Norman Sanson at the Banff Park Museum. On Sunday February 5 visit the Mary Schaffer Story Tent to hear historical stories about early explorations in Banff National Park.
For something completely different, on the final weekend of Banff SnowDays, why not go and see the Victorian Soldier Drumming and Firing Demonstration on the evening of Friday February 10. One of the highlights of Banff Snow Days 2012 has to be the street ball hockey tournament taking place on Banff Avenue throughout the day on February 11 and 12, and for a historical perspective on Canada’s national game there’s also the opportunity to see a Victorian Hockey Demonstration on Feb 11 at the Banff Community High School Outdoor Rink.

The above SnowDays activities are just a small selection of what’s on offer throughout this exciting winter festival, and you will find a full schedule of events by visiting www.banfflakelouise.com.

Find a Banff Hotel

In general, Banff hotels do not offer special packages or deals specifically for SnowDays, however if you need accommodations during this winter festival you can simply click here and enter your dates to see rates and availability for a selection of hotels in Banff.

New Year Hotel Packages in Banff

Banff is a superb destination for celebrating New Years, where sophisticated New Year’s Eve parties, mouth watering New Year menus, and fun family activities, all combine to make New Years in Banff Alberta very difficult to beat.

Find a Room

For hotels in Banff, New Years is a much busier time than Christmas in Banff and early reservations are strongly recommended. Although many Banff accommodations do not offer specific packages for New Years, you can be sure that they are all open for business, and those with restaurants will generally have special dinners or festive menus available.
*Note that at this busy time you will generally find better availability for a 2 night stay or longer.
To check availability and rates at Banff hotels for New Years or other dates, click here.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a special New Years hotel package or festive menu, we have featured some interesting options below.

Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge

Guests of the Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge are fortunate to have the Evergreen Restaurant on the property, one Banff’s finest dining establishments. For New Year’s Eve the Evergreen is offering a delectable 4 course menu for $75 per person. The choice of appetizers includes Leek & Shiitake Champagne Cream Soup, Fried Shrimp & Albacore Tuna Tartar, and a Warm Duck Breast Salad. Following a Sorbet palate cleanser the entrees consist of Alberta AAA Beef Tenderloin with Foie Gras Mousse, Fresh Atlantic Salmon Filet & Nova Scotia Lobster Tail, or the Vegetarian Garbanzo Bean & Lentil cutlet with Fontina Cheese. The meal is rounded off with a Chocolate or Strawberry dessert.
To check room availability at the Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge, click here.
For dinner reservations, contact the Evergreen directly.

New Years at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

For years the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has been renowned for hosting the biggest New Year’s Eve party in Banff, and December 31st 2011 will be no different. If you are thinking of visiting the Banff Springs for New Years, you should take a look at what they have planned for their New Years Gala, and indeed throughout the holiday period there is a whole host of exciting festive activities and events taking place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, as well as several ways to spend New Years Eve itself:

New Year’s Gala – Dec 31
This is Banff’s big New Years celebration – in the Van Horne Ballroom a wonderful 4 course dinner is served including wine service and a host bar, with a nine piece band playing in the background. Following dinner the music becomes livelier and dancing begins for a fully fledged New Year’s Eve party until 1am, with a midnight buffet included. After dinner from 8pm children aged 6-12 yrs are invited to attend the New Year’s Kids Party (see below).
7pm-1am
Cost for the whole evening $295 adults, $149 teenagers (13-17 yrs)
Cost for dance only $125 adults, $90 teenagers (13-17 yrs)
Cost for dinner & kids party $149 (6-12 yrs)

New Year’s Kids Club Party – Dec 31
This children’s party is ideal for the 6-12 year old kids whose parents are attending the New Year’s Gala party (see above), and includes dancing, bowling and kids’ activities.
8pm-1am in the Upper Level of the Banff Springs Conference Centre
Cost for gala dinner & kids party $149 (6-12 yrs)
Cost for kids party only $79 (6-12 yrs)

New Year’s Family Skating Party – Dec 31
Two course family dinner in the Waldhaus Pub, followed by ice skating on the Waldhaus Rink
6-9pm, Adults $50, Children 6-12 yrs $25, skate rental extra.

Hunters Brunch – Jan 1
What better way to start off 2012 than to enjoy the New Year’s day brunch in the Bow Valley Grill? A veritable feast and, for many, a New Years institution.
11am-2pm, Adults $56, Children 6-12 yrs $28

To check room rates and availability at the Banff Springs Hotel for the holiday period click here.
For further details of all the festive activities and dining events taking place over New Years, take at look at the Banff Springs Hotel’s Christmas at the Castle Guide by clicking here.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Buffalo Mountain Lodge is offering a New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Package, valid for one night on December 31st 2011. The package includes lodging and a gourmet dinner with a glass of sparkling wine, DJ entertainment, plus a buffet breakfast the next morning. Rates start at $277 per person based on double occupancy.

Ptarmigan Inn

The Banff Ptarmigan Inn is offering a New Year’s package for a 2 night stay which includes accommodation as well as a buffet and a lively New Year’s Eve Party at Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon, plus a hot buffet breakfast each morning. Rates start at $269 per person, valid for stays from December 30 to Jan 1.

Restaurant Le Beaujolais

Le Beaujolais is Banff’s premier fine dining restaurant and for New Year’s Eve they have put together several delicious menus, ranging from 3 or 4 course dinners with early seating from 5.30-6.30pm to a superb 6 course Gala dinner with seating at 8pm. There is also a late seating 3 course option at 9.30pm. No matter which dinner you choose, at Le Beaujolais your last meal of 2011 is sure to be a memorable one.
To view the full menus and prices visit www.lebeaujolaisbanff.com.

Rimrock Resort Hotel

The Rimrock Hotel has several dining options for New Year’s Eve, including a 6 course gourmet dinner in the Eden Restaurant, a five course New Years Eve menu in the Primrose Dining Room, and a Ballroom Gala including a dinner buffet, wine and live music.

*The above rates are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability, subject to change without notice, and hotel room rates are generally based on double occupancy. For current information, please contact the Banff accommodations directly using the links provided.
If you are spending Xmas in Banff, you may be interested in reading our article about accommodation packages in Banff at Christmas.
If you are looking at various options in the Rockies for New Years, you may also wish to consider New Year’s Eve in Lake Louise.
If you cannot find a vacancy at a hotel in Banff for December 31, you may wish to consider spending New Year’s Eve in Canmore, just 20 minutes drive east of Banff, where room availability can often be better.

Banff Ski Resort Opening Dates

It’s mid November and with snow on the ground in the Banff and Lake Louise area thoughts about skiing and snowboarding have already started to dominate the minds of snow sports lovers across the country. Probably the most common question for skiers and riders from now until the season starts is:
“When do Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mount Norquay open for the 2011-2012 ski season?”
Well, the long wait for the winter season is now over and all of the ski resorts in the Banff Lake Louise area will be open by the end of the week!

The Lake Louise Ski Area has already enjoyed its opening day on November 5 2011 and is now open 7 days a week until early May 2012.
After a 40cm snowfall over the weekend Sunshine Village has a confirmed opening day of Thursday November 17 2011 with Strawberry, WaWa, Wolverine and Jackrabbit quads all expected to be running.
Mount Norquay opened on November 5 2011 for limited operations at weekends only, with just the Cascade Chair running from 9am to 4pm. Full operations at Norquay are due to start on December 2 2011.

The reason of course that some of these opening days are ‘tentative’, is that the resorts need enough snow on the ground to operate. For this reason the dates are subject to change so be sure to confirm the actual opening day and the current conditions directly with the ski areas nearer the time if you are planning to head up the mountain on the first day of the season.

Christmas Packages at Hotels in Banff

Christmas in Banff is a truly magical experience for many reasons; the snow covered Canadian Rockies, warm hospitality, world class skiing, and a great selection of winter activities make Banff the perfect destination for your 2011 Christmas vacation. Although Christmas is much quieter than New Years in Banff, it is still advisable to book your hotel accommodation early.

Find a Room

Hotels in Banff know how to celebrate Christmas in style and although many Banff hotels do not offer specific Christmas packages, they are certainly open for business right through the Christmas period, with no shortage of festivities throughout the town.
To check availability and compare rates at several Banff hotels for the Christmas period, click here.

If you are looking for special Xmas packages offered by Banff accommodations, you may be interested in the following options:

Christmas at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

It is difficult to imagine a more idyllic setting than the Banff Springs Hotel to celebrate the Christmas of your dreams with your family or loved ones. As soon as you arrive at the ‘Castle in the Rockies’ during the holiday period and see the enormous and lavishly decorated Christmas trees and hear the festive music you know you’re in for a truly memorable experience. Throughout the holiday period there is a whole host of fun and festive activities taking place at the hotel – in fact there is so much going on, they produce a special Xmas guide booklet to help you keep up with all the fun!

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel offers two Christmas packages for 2011:
Couples just looking for a room at a favourable rate should consider the Couples Holiday Getaway Package, which is basically a ‘stay 2 nights and get the 3rd night free’ deal. The package is based on a minimum 2 night stay from December 17 to December 30 2011, with rates starting at $299 per night based on double occupancy in a Fairmont Room. Click here for details and to check availability.
For families or couples who are looking for deluxe accommodation with plenty of ‘extras’ included, the Family Christmas in Banff Package may be just the ticket. This packages includes deluxe accommodation, self parking, a welcome gift, a Christmas tree in your room, breakfast each day and gratuities. The package is valid from Dec 22 to Dec 30 2011, with rates starting at $499 per night based on 2 adults in a Deluxe Room for a minimum 2 night stay. Click here for details and to check availability.

Once you have booked your room, you can look forward to taking part in Christmas activities such as the gingerbread house workshop, the great Santa send-off, Santa’s workshop, cookie decorating, curling, the Traditional Christmas sing-along, ice skating, snowsheing and much much more.
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining, there are a variety of options including:

Traditional Christmas Dinner Buffet – Dec 24 & Dec 25
A Christmas buffet with international flair in the Bow Valley Grill.
6-9pm, Cost $74 adults, $37 kids 6-12 yrs, 5 and under free

Cascade Supper Club – Dec 24 & Dec 25
A sophisticated adult-only 1940s themed dinner & dance in the Cascade Ballroom, with a five course meal and a five piece band.
Seating at 6.30pm, 7.00pm and 7.30pm Cost $125

Christmas Day Brunch – Dec 25
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Christmas Day brunch – sure to impress.
9.30am-1.30pm, Cost $56 adults, $28 kids 6-12 yrs, 5 and under free

Christmas Day Afternoon Tea – Dec 25
Traditional Afternoon Tea on Christmas Day in the Rundle Lounge with some of the best views in the Canadian Rockies.
noon-4pm, Cost $45 adults, $22.50 kids 6-12 yrs, 5 and under free

Family Christmas Buffet with Children’s Entertainment – Dec 25
Extravagant Christmas dinner buffet in the Alberta Room.
6-9pm, Cost $70 adults, $35 kids 6-12 yrs, 5 and under free

For full information about Christmas activities and Christmas & Boxing Day dining at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, be sure to view the official Christmas at the Castle Guide.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Buffalo Mountain Lodge is offering a Christmas Package which includes one night’s accommodation on December 25th, Christmas dinner, plus a buffet breakfast on Boxing Day, December 26th. Rates start at $195 per person plus tax, based on double occupancy.

Juniper Hotel

Last year 2010 the Juniper Hotel offered a Sugar Plum Christmas Package which included 2 nights in Mount Norquay accommodation and a 3 course Christmas dinner in the Bistro on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We will bring you details of the package for Christmas in Banff 2011 as they come available.

**The above hotel rates are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability, subject to change without notice, and generally based on double occupancy. To confirm details and availability for all hotel packages and Christmas dining, please use the links provided.
If you are going to be in Banff for New Year’s Eve, you may also be interested in seeing some Banff New Year hotel packages.

Pet Friendly Hotels in Banff

If you are bringing your pet to the Canadian Rockies and you need to find a pet friendly hotel in Banff, you have plenty of options to choose from as there are several Banff hotels which are pet friendly where your dog or cat will be made to feel welcome. Most Banff pet friendly hotels have allocated a limited number of rooms to be used for pets, and it is important that you inform your hotel at the time of booking to make sure one of the pet friendly rooms is available for you. All pet friendly hotels in Banff will charge you a daily fee for your pet ranging from $10-$35 per pet per day, and we have provided links to the hotels’ pet policies where available. It is advisable to contact the individual Banff accommodations directly to find out details of any rules or restrictions regarding pets staying at the property.

Showing 1-16 of 16 pet friendly accommodations in Banff

The Juniper Hotel & Bistro The Juniper Hotel & Bistro 1 Juniper Way, Mount Norquay Rd, Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day Pet Policy: Click here Website: www.thejuniper.com Phone Number: 1 866 551 2281 Located at the base of Mount Norquay, the Juniper Hotel is just a short drive from downtown Banff while enjoying a unique setting with some of the most impressive views of any Banff hotel. Extensively renovated in 2003/4 with strong consideration for the environment, guest rooms boast a contemporary design influenced by natural materials, and include free local calls, free internet access, mini fridge, and organic bath amenities. The Juniper Bistro is one of Banff’s favorite dining establishments, and the views from the patio are nothing short of magnificent. The hotel prides itself on pampering any pets that come to stay and provides a plush pet bed, food dish & water bowl, towel, organic cookies, pet-friendly trail maps and clean up baggies.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel 405 Spray Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per day Pet Policy: Click here Website: www.fairmont.com Phone Number: 403 762 2211 One of the most famous hotels in Canada, the Fairmont Banff Springs was the first hotel to be built in Banff, and has been attracting visitors to the area for more than 100 years. Sometimes known as the Castle in the Rockies, the Banff Springs offers luxury accommodation in an impressive setting, with a variety of excellent restaurants, a world class spa, and outstanding views of the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Springs is a pet friendly hotel and pets are provided with a water bowl, food bowl and snacks.

Best Western Siding 29 Lodge Best Western Siding 29 Lodge 453 Marten St Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $10 charge per pet per day Pet Policy: Click here Website: www.bestwesternsiding29.com Phone Number: 1 800 937 8376 Situated a short 5 minute walk from downtown, the Best Western Siding 29 Lodge offers Banff pet friendly accommodations to suit all budgets at a standard you would expect from a Best Western hotel. At the economy end, their Single Rooms have either one queen or one king bed and would suit one or two people, while the Standard Rooms are good for up to four people in two queen beds. Standard Plus Rooms are larger with a small fridge and pull-out sofa, and there is also a selection of suites some of which offer a Jacuzzi, full kitchen and fireplace. Hotel amenities include a free hot breakfast, heated indoor pool and hot tub.

Rimrock Resort Hotel Rimrock Resort Hotel 300 Mountain Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $35 charge per pet per day Pet Policy: Click here Website: www.rimrockresort.com Phone Number: 403 762 3356 Often compared with the Banff Springs, the Rimrock is Banff’s alternative luxury hotel, and its location above the town of Banff at the foot of Sulphur Mountain provides it with arguably even better mountain views than it’s rival. Rooms are exquisitely appointed, are of a good size, and are well positioned to benefit from the amazing views. The lounge bar with walk-around fireplace is very welcoming, and the Eden restaurant is one of the best in western Canada. This is one of the most luxurious Banff dog friendly hotels and provides your pet with a food and water bowl, a fresh dog biscuit and doodoo bags.

Homestead Inn Homestead Inn 217 Lynx St Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $15-$25 charge per pet per day depending on ‘package’ Pet Policy: Click here (pdf) Website: www.homesteadinnbanff.com Phone Number: 1 800 661 1021 This affordable downtown inn is a popular choice among visitors from Alberta, who enjoy its convenient location within easy walking distance of the restaurants and shopping of downtown Banff, as well as being close to the river walking trails. All rooms have 2 double beds, en suite bathroom, TV, coffee maker, and mini fridge. The hotel is cat friendly and dog friendly and as far as we know, this is the only pet friendly hotel in Banff that offers different ‘packages’ for your pets. At $25 per pet per day, the Bed, Meal and a Treat package includes a pet bed, water dish, welcome treat and premium pet food from IAMS or Friskies, while the Stay Only package costs $15 per pet per day if you want to provide your own food and equipment. Also the pet fees are only charged for the first 5 days and are waived for any additional days (up to 14 days), which could add up to big savings on a long stay.

Banff Voyager Inn Banff Voyager Inn 555 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $20 charge per day – max 1 pet per room Pet Policy: Click here Website: www.banffvoyagerinn.com Phone Number: 1 800 879 1991 This simple and comfortable pet friendly accommodation is located a 15 min walk from downtown Banff, and offers an affordable option for visitors and travellers on a budget. Guest rooms have a balcony, en suite bathroom, cable TV and coffee maker, and most rooms have two queen beds. The Voyageur Lounge bar is popular with long time Banff locals and is a good place for a beer and some casual pub food. This pet friendly hotel wants “pet guests to have the same experience as our human guests” and provides ground floor rooms with easy outside access, plus food and water bowls.

Driftwood Inn Driftwood Inn 337 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day Pet Policy: Click here Website: www.bestofbanff.com Phone Number: 1 800 661 8310 The Driftwood Inn is one of the most affordable pet friendly Banff motels which suits budget travellers looking for good value who want to be close to the action, just one block from the downtown core. Standard rooms are simply furnished and can accommodate either two or three people, and there is also one room with 3 beds for up to six people and a room with 4 beds for up to eight people. Guests can use the facilities of the Ptarmigan Inn close by, including sauna, steam room, and indoor hot pools. This cat and dog friendly hotel provides a pet bed, bowls, and special treats on arrival.

Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets Tunnel Mountain Rd Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per dog per day Pet Policy: Click here Website: www.douglasfir.com Phone Number: 1 800 661 9267 Located above the town on the quiet slopes of Tunnel Mountain, the Douglas Fir offers dog friendly accommodations around 5 mins drive from the centre of Banff. The resort offers variety of condos, A-frame chalets, and specialty suites to suit all group sizes. Each unit has a well equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and most units have a wood burning fireplace. The family facilities are excellent and include two large waterslides, swimming pool, kids’ pool, indoor & outdoor playgrounds, and the adults will enjoy the jacuzzis, steam room, saunas, fitness room and outdoor tennis. For your groceries, there is a small grocery store and liquor store conveniently located on site, and there are two large supermarkets in downtown Banff.

Hidden Ridge Resort Hidden Ridge Resort 901 Hidden Ridge Way Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day Pet Policy: Click here Website: www.bestofbanff.com Phone Number: 1 800 661 1372 The Hidden Ridge enjoys a quiet and secluded location, hidden away from the other properties on Tunnel Mountain. The mountain views are spectacular and you get a true feeling of being in nature, yet you are just a 5 min drive from downtown Banff. All condos have a balcony or patio, wood burning fireplace, full kitchen, and have between 1 and 4 queen size beds, depending on the size of the condo. There are several hiking trails close by, and two hot pools. These pet friendly condos allow dogs and cats and provide each pet with a pet bed, bowls, and special treats on arrival.

Mount Royal Hotel Mount Royal Hotel 138 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day Website: www.mountroyalhotel.com Phone Number: 1 877 442 2623 With a convenient location in the centre of town, the Mount Royal is one of the most historic Banff hotels, which offers guests a high standard of accommodation in keeping with the heritage of the building. Choose between standard and superior rooms, or one or two bedroom suites. For dining, the Tony Roma’s restaurant is very popular, while the Paddock Bar is good place for pub food and to watch live sport. Other amenities include hot tub and guest laundry.

Banff Ptarmigan Inn Banff Ptarmigan Inn 337 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day Website: www.bestofbanff.com Phone Number: 1-800-661-8310 With a convenient location just one block from the downtown core, the Banff Ptarmigan Inn offers comfortable lodging in standard, superior or premium rooms, with the premium rooms offering a fireplace plus a jetted tub and seperate shower. Free tickets for the Banff transit bus are included for all guests, and other amenities include two whirlpools, steamroom, sauna, plus an Italian style restaurant.

Red Carpet Inn Red Carpet Inn 425 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $10 charge per pet per day Website: www.banffredcarpet.com Phone Number: 1 800 563 4609 Located just 3 blocks from downtown Banff, the Banff Red Carpet is a good choice for budget minded visitors, with several room types ranging from 1 to 3 beds, plus some Jacuzzi rooms. All rooms have en suite bathroom, mini fridge, cable TV, free wireless internet and air conditioning. Also offers free continental breakfast and hot tub.

Inns of Banff Inns of Banff 600 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day Website: www.bestofbanff.com Phone Number: 1 800 661 1272 Located on the edge of town, the Inns of Banff offers spacious hotel rooms for a variety of budget levels, including some with impressive mountain views and large private balcony. Larger groups or families will appreciate the newly renovated three or four bedroom condos, each with a modern full kitchen with stainless steel and granite. Hotel facilities include an indoor pool, sauna, large rooftop hot pool, selection of restaurants including the Japanese Restaurant Miki and the Bear’s Den Pub.

Bumper’s Inn Bumper’s Inn 603 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $10 charge per pet per day Website: www.bumpersinn.com Phone Number: 1 800 661 3518 Very economical accommodation, located 20 mins walk from the centre of Banff. Rooms are simply furnished with 1 or 2 queen beds, en suite bathroom, TV, and wireless internet. Next door, Bumper’s Beef House restaurant specializes in local Alberta beef and an all you can eat salad bar.

Irwin’s Mountain Inn Irwin’s Mountain Inn 429 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $10 charge per pet per day Website: www.irwinsmountaininn.com Phone Number: 1 800 661 1721 With a good location just out of the downtown core, Irwin’s Mountain Inn offers comfortable pet friendly Banff motel style lodging in several different room types, including some one bedroom suites, with some units offering fridges, microwaves and jetted tubs. Facilities include a jetted tub, sauna, fitness centre and free wireless internet. The on-site El Toro restaurant is a long time favorite among Banff locals and serves good food at reasonable prices.

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort Banff Rocky Mountain Resort 1029 Banff Ave Banff, Alberta, Canada Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day Website: www.bestofbanff.com Phone Number: 1 800 563 8764 Located on the outskirts of Banff, a 10 min drive or complimentary shuttle ride from downtown, the Rocky Mountain Resort offers accommodation spread throughout 8 acres of grounds, surrounded by the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, and loft suites are available, all with kitchen, living/dining area, full bathroom and fireplace. Standard suites are also available without kitchen. For dining, the casual Peppers Bar & Deli is open all day and the more sophisticated Seasons Restaurant is open for dinner each evening. The sports facilities are impressive with a well equipped gym, sauna, indoor swimming pool, indoor whirlpool, squash courts, outdoor hot tub, and outdoor tennis courts.

*The above rates for pet fees are subject to applicable taxes and subject to change without notice. Several hotels allow a maximum of 2 pets per room, some restrict the type of pet they will accept, and some hotels may not allow pets to be left unattended in the room. For current information regarding fees and pet policies, please contact the hotels directly. When booking Banff hotels pet friendly rooms need to be requested at the time of reservation in order to guarantee that your dog or cat will be accepted.

New Years in Lake Louise

If you are planning to celebrate New Years in the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise is well worth having on your shortlist of potential destinations. With attractive hotel packages, awe inspiring scenery, and world class skiing on your doorstep, New Years in Lake Louise is sure to provide an experience to remember.
If you are looking for a New Year package at a Lake Louise hotel, we have listed some interesting options below:

New Years at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Surrounded by magnificent views on the shore of Lake Louise, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise boasts an idyllic location for any occasion, and will indeed be a memorable place to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2011. Throughout the Christmas and New Year period the hotel is offering a special Holiday Package which includes your hotel accommodation, one sleigh ride per stay, daily breakfast, and self parking. The package is valid from December 1 2011 to January 5 2012 with rates starting at $329 per room per night.
Click here for details and to check availability.

In true Fairmont style, the Chateau Lake Louise has a wide variety of fun activities and events taking place during the holiday period, with several options for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day:

New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet – December 31
In the Victoria Ballroom, a family friendly New Year’s Eve dinner buffet will be offered on December 31 2011, including face painting and kids’ entertainment.
6-9pm
Adults $89, Children 6-12 yrs $44.50

Fairview Dining Room – December 31
An adult only New Years celebration featuring a four course New Year’s Eve menu.
6-10pm
Adults $95

Glacier Saloon – December 31
See in 2012 in a fun pub style atmosphere in the Glacier Saloon, including a live DJ. (not recommended for children)
10pm-2am

Lakeview Lounge – December 31
A sophisticated venue for enjoying your favorite drink and celebrating New Year’s Eve.
9pm-12.30am

New Year’s Day Brunch – January 1
For your first meal of 2012, the famous New Year brunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is sure to please the whole family, with an impressive buffet including children’s specialties, taking place in the Victoria Dining Room.
1st Seating 10.00-11.00am
2nd Seating 12.30-1.30pm
Adults $59, Children 6-12 yrs $29.50

As well as the dining options above, there is a whole host of festive activities taking place at the Chateau Lake Louise on December 31 and January 1 including Ice Walks, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Fondue Lessons, and Children’s Sledding.
To check availability and rates for the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Click Here.
For details of New Year events and activities, take a look at the official Chateau Lake Louise Christmas Guide.

New Year at the Lake Louise Inn

At the time of writing, the Lake Louise Inn still had rooms available for a 2 night stay or longer over the New Year period. To check current availability and rates, click here.
If you are interested in a special package, the Lake Louise Inn also has a 2 night deal for New Years, which includes accommodation for two nights, plus a New Year’s Eve dinner buffet. This package is valid for arrivals on December 30 or 31 2011 and rates start at $220 per night.

Deer Lodge New Year’s Eve

Deer Lodge is offering a one night special package for New Year’s Eve. The New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Package includes accommodations for one night, plus a gourmet dinner with a glass of sparkling wine on December 31 and a buffet breakfast on New Year’s Day, with rooms starting at $450.

*The above rates are generally based on double occupancy, are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability, and subject to change without notice. To check current rates and availability please use the links provided.

Ski Packages at Banff Hotels

With the opening day for Banff’s 2011-2012 ski season just a few weeks away, now is a great time to be thinking about visiting the mountains for a few days of skiing or snowboarding. A great way to take a ski vacation in Banff Alberta and save money is to take advantage of one of the many Banff ski deals on offer where the hotels offer a great value package including lodging and lift ticket. These Banff ski packages include Tri-Area lift tickets, which can be used at any of Banff’s 3 mountain resorts, namely Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, or Mount Norquay, and considering a day pass can cost over $75 per person, the prices for the ski and hotel packages are very reasonable indeed:

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has two different ski and stay specials to choose from this winter, each of which includes passes plus accommodations at Banff’s most famous luxury hotel.
If you are just looking for a room and a lift ticket, the Ski & Play for Free is the most economical of their Banff ski packages. Starting at $299 per night the package includes your overnight accommodation, 2 Tri-Area ski passes per room per night, free storage for your skis and boards, 15% discount on equipment rentals at the Banff Springs Ski Shop, plus bus transportation to the resorts. If you do not wish to hit the slopes, you can replace each ski day with a $100 resort credit per room per night.
The Luxury Ski the Canadian Rockies Package includes your overnight accommodation, 2 Tri-Area lift tickets per room per night, transportation to the mountain, daily breakfast (a la carte or buffet), plus a daily pass to the Willow Stream Spa. Rates for this special start at $419 per night.
The above hotel & ski packages at the Fairmont Banff Springs are available from November 11 2011 to May 23 2012, subject to availability.

The Mount Royal Hotel has a 1 day ski deal available which includes 1 night’s accommodation, breakfast at Tony Romas, a 1 day Tri Area lift pass for skiing at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise or Mount Norquay, plus bus transportation to and from the hill. Prices for this Banff ski package start at $140 per person based on double occupancy of a standard room.

Banff Lodging Company is offering specials at several of its Banff accommodations which include lodging, breakfast, plus one Tri-Area lift ticket per adult per day. Their nightly rates based on 2 adults sharing a room start at $270 for a superior room at the Inns of Banff, $278 for a superior room at the Ptarmigan Inn, $298 for a one bedroom condo at the Rocky Mountain Resort and $298 for a standard room at the Caribou Lodge & Spa.

The Banff Park Lodge has specials throughout the winter including hotel and lift ticket, with prices ranging from $104 per person per day for a 5 or more night stay for early and late season skiing and from Jan 3 to Feb 16 2011, up to $164 per person per day for a 3 night stay or longer over the Christmas and New Year holidays. These rates are based on double occupancy, are valid Sun-Fri and a supplement starting from $30 per room is added for Saturday night stays. Ski shuttle transportation is extra, costing $5 per person per day.

For lift ticket & hotel deals in Banff with condo or suite style accommodations with a kitchen, the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets has several options including a Ski & Stay package which includes your accommodation plus one Tri-Area lift pass per adult per night plus one ‘cook your own’ breakfast delivered to your condo. Rates vary depending on dates of travel and accommodation type, for example a one bedroom condo from Jan 8 to Feb 15 2012 is advertised at the reduced rate of $281 per night. This package does NOT include transportation to the resorts.

* The above Banff package rates are generally based on double occupancy and are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability, subject to change without notice, and blackout dates may apply. For current information and for reservations, please contact the Banff hotels directly.
If you are coming to Banff for New Years Eve 2012, you may wish to view some special New Years hotel packages by clicking here.

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