Banff Hotels.org

Banff Ski Resort Opening Dates

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skier enjoying awesome snowIt’s early November and it’s beginning to look a lot like winter with fresh snow on the ground in the towns of Banff and Lake Louise, which means thoughts about skiing and snowboarding have started to enter the minds of snow sports lovers across the country. Probably the most common question for skiers and riders is:

“When do Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mount Norquay open for the 2018-2019 ski season?”

Well, it’s official that the ski season will be officially starting this week, with all 3 ski hills due to open on Friday November 9!!

Mount Norquay has a confirmed opening date of November 9 2018.

Lake Louise Ski Resort has a confirmed opening date of November 9 2018.

Sunshine Village has a confirmed opening date of November 9 2018.

Although the opening dates have now been confirmed, it is always recommended to check snow conditions directly with the ski hills if you are planning to head up the mountain on opening day.

Thanksgiving Special Menus

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turkey dinnerIf you are planning to spend 2018 thanksgiving weekend in Banff, you will no doubt be searching for a special meal to mark the occasion. While all Banff restaurants will be open for business as usual, you may find that the following special Thanksgiving menus will make your holiday weekend that bit more festive:

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel will be serving a brunch buffet in the Vermillion Room from 11am to 3pm on Saturday October 6th and Thanksgiving Sunday October 7th, costing $54pp (kids 6-12yrs $27), which will include the usual wide selection of breakfast and lunch items.
Also at the Fairmont Banff Springs, a Thanksgiving dinner will be offered on Saturday October 6th, Sunday October 7th and Monday October 8th (5-10pm) in the Vermillion Room for $85pp. The special menu will include traditional turkey plus all the trimmings, and the regular menu will also be available.

The Juniper Bistro has some of the best mountain views in Banff, so what better place to take in the snow covered Canadian Rockies while enjoying a hearty Thanksgiving feast? Celebrating local ingredients, their special menu starts with a choice of roasted squash soup, goat’s cheese phyllo pastry, or salmon gravlax. The entree is no less delicious with duck fat confit turkey leg with apple and walnut stuffing and maple glazed sweet potato, or 10oz striploin with summer squash gratin and char grilled broccolini, or a trio of acorn, butternut and summer squash with beluga lentils and charred corn. For dessert they will be serving Eggnog Panna Cotta with mulled wine jelly and cacao crunch, or pear & cranberry cobbler with coconut cream gelato. This menu will be available October 5 & 6 from 5-10pm and October 7 & 8 from 5-9pm and costs $59 + tax.

Crave Mountain Grill at the Banff Park Lodge will be serving a Thanksgiving brunch on Sunday October 7th 2018 from 10am to 2pm. The buffet will include the usual breakfast items and omelette station plus Thanksgiving specials such as roasted turkey with all the trimmings. You will also find a selection of delightful desserts! The cost is $34 for adults, and $19 for children 6-12 years. Be sure to bring a good appetite!
Crave Mountain Grill is also offering a plated turkey dinner on the evenings of Sunday October 7 and Monday October 8 from 5-8.30pm for $28.

The newly renovated Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant at Buffalo Mountain Lodge on Tunnel Mountain is hosting a 3 course dinner on the evening of October 7 costing $57 per person. The first course comprises sweet potato, corn, spinach & lentil chowder or spiced pear, spinach & radicchio salad with goat’s cheese. The entree will be a choice of free range roast turkey with pine nut, pancetta & sage stuffing, maple roasted yam mash, brussel sprouts and gravy, or boar loin chop & braised boar belly, mushroom ragout with double smoked bacon barley risotto. This tempting holiday special is rounded out with dark chocolate & pumpkin cheesecake or maple pecan apple tart with bourbon ice cream.

At the Rimrock Resort Hotel, a 4 course Turkey dinner is being served in the Primrose Dining Room on the evenings of October 6, 7 and 8. The delicious menu (pdf), costing $54pp includes braised bison shoulder or cider brined & herb crusted roast turkey with all the trimmings. A special children’s menu is also available for $27pp.

Melissa’s Restaurant is serving a Thanksgiving dinner from 4pm on Sunday October 7 and Monday October 8 which includes a salad and bread starter followed by roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and vegetables of the day for $29.95 for adults. Dessert is not included in the price, however pumpkin pie will be available as an extra for those who have saved room for it!

The Bison Restaurant will be featuring a turkey dinner special with cranberry compote, costing $42 on October 7 & 8 from 5pm. Their regular menu will also be available for your starters, desserts, and a wide range of other entrees.

*The menus below from last year will be updated as soon as this year’s menus have been finalized*

The Evergreen Restaurant at the Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge have put together a mouth-watering Thanksgiving menu, starting with soup of the day or pear, walnut & blue cheese salad, followed by roast free range turkey with sage stuffing, whipped potatoes and grilled harvest vegetables. Finish with a dessert of lemon souffle. This Thanksgiving special costs $35 per person and is available from October 7th-9th.

Banff’s Irish Pub St. James Gate is featuring a Thanksgiving Day Feast all day on Sunday and Monday. The 2 course option costs $20 and includes a choice of salad or butternut squash soup as a starter followed by traditional turkey dinner. For an extra $5 you can have the 3 course option which also includes a dessert of pumpkin cheesecake.

*The above prices do not include tax or tip.
Please contact the above restaurants directly to book your table.
To avoid disappointment, early reservations are recommended for Thanksgiving events at all Banff restaurants.

Thanksgiving Weekend in Banff

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you are planning to spend Thanksgiving weekend in Banff you should consider making your Banff hotel reservation as soon as possible while there are still rooms available.
To check availability and rates at several Banff accommodations for Friday October 5, Saturday October 6 and Sunday October 7 2018, click here and enter your travel dates.

If you live in Alberta and are looking for a special hotel package for Thanksgiving weekend, you may wish to try the Alberta Resident Rate at the luxury Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Although this package is not specifically for Thanksgiving, it is available over the Thanksgiving weekend, subject to availability. This offer gives you a discount of up to 30% off the best available rate.

Although most Banff hotels are not offering Thanksgiving deals as such, there are many other properties which still have vacancies for Thanksgiving weekend. For a complete list of accommodations in Banff, please visit our hotel, motel or condos & chalets pages.

Many hotels and restaurants in Banff will be offering special menus for Thanksgiving dinner or Thanksgiving brunch.
Click here to see some great options for Thanksgiving dinner in Banff.

* The above rates are generally based on double occupancy and are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability, and subject to change without notice. For current information and for reservations, please click on the links provided.

Visit Banff for Easter Weekend

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Easter is a excellent opportunity for a springtime visit to the Canadian Rockies. With Easter Sunday 2018 falling relatively early on April 1, there is a good chance that the weather in the town of Banff will be spring-like, while the ski and snowboard season will still be in full swing at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Mount Norquay. Easter is also a great time to go sightseeing in Banff National Park as the views of the snow-capped peaks are stunning at this time of year, and the roads are very quiet compared to the summer months. Alternatively, strolling through the streets of downtown Banff discovering the excellent restaurants and shopping can be a fun and relaxing way to spend the Easter holiday weekend.

Banff Lodging for Easter 2018

Easter weekend is usually a busy one for hotels in Banff, and most Banff accommodations do not offer specific Easter packages or special deals. That being said, at the time of writing, availability is quite good for Easter weekend and it is recommended that you make your reservations as early as possible while there is still a wide selection of hotels to choose from. As the holiday weekend approaches, vacancies for the night of Saturday March 31 are likely to become limited, while Friday March 30 and Sunday April 1 will probably have more openings.
To check rates and availability for several Banff hotels, click here.

Skiing and Snowboarding

The Banff area is blessed with a long winter which means that by Easter the ski resorts often have some of their best snow of the whole season. Both Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Mountain Resort are open until May and Mount Norquay will also still be open for Easter weekend skiing.

Easter Sunday Brunch in Banff

One of the best things to do on Easter Sunday in Banff is to treat yourself to one of the amazing brunches offered by several hotels in town, and we have listed some of the most popular options below. These events are extremely popular and are likely to sell out, which means early reservations are strongly recommended.

Easter Sunday Brunch at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Sunday Brunch at the Banff Springs Hotel is legendary, and their Easter Brunch is no exception. In addition to the impressive breakfast and lunch specialties, there are often extra Easter themed treats which make the Easter Brunch buffet even more special. Also, the Brunch for Easter 2018 will take place in the Alberta and New Brunswick Rooms, and the Cascade Ballroom, with the buffet being located in the Riverview Lounge, which is a rare opportunity to experience these venues which are reserved for special occasions.
When: April 1 2018, 10.00-14.30
Where: Alberta & New Brunswick Rooms, Cascade Ballroom
Cost: Adults $85, Children 6-12yrs $50, 5yrs + under free
Reservations: 403 762 6860

Rimrock Resort Hotel Easter Brunch
Sunday Brunch will be offered in the Ballroom at the Rimrock Resort Hotel, and will feature a buffet with breakfast and lunch items and chef attended carving stations.
When: April 1 2018, 10.00-13.00
Where: Ballroom
Cost: Adults $49, Children 6-12yrs $24.50, 5yrs + under free
Reservations: 403 762 3356

Easter Sunday Brunch at the Banff Park Lodge
The Banff Park Lodge will be serving Easter Sunday Brunch in the Crave Mountain Grill from 10am to 2pm. The buffet includes a wide selection of breakfast and hot & cold lunch items, including omelet station, waffles, carving station & salads. Make sure you leave plenty of room for the excellent desserts and chocolate fountain!
When: April 1 2018, 10.00-14.00
Where: Crave Mountain Grill
Cost: Adults $42, Children 6-12yrs $23, 5yrs + under free
Reservations: 403 762 4433

Easter Brunch at Buffalo Mountain Lodge
On Tunnel Mountain, the sophisticated yet rustic Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant at Buffalo Mountain Lodge will be offering a delectable Easter breakfast buffet including carved bone-in ham, omelet station, banana bread French toast, breakfast pastries, and other tasty breakfast items.
When: April 1 2018, 08.00-12.00
Where: Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant
Cost: Adults $28
Reservations: 403 760 4484

*The above rates for Easter Sunday Brunch do not include tax and service charge.

Hotels in Banff with Pools

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pool at the fairmont banff springs hotelAfter 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 $12 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 enjoy a relaxing soak in the indoor pool after a day of skiing or hiking in the mountains.

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.

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.

The indoor pool, hot plunge pool, and hot tub at the Banff Park Lodge can be used by guests of sister hotel, 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 (public swim price $5.50 adults, $3.50 5-15 yrs), or the pool with waterslides at the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets ($12).

Ski Packages at Banff Hotels

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With the 2018-2019 ski season just a couple of months 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 up to $109 per person, the prices for the 2019 ski and hotel packages are very reasonable indeed:

*The following packages were available last winter and will be updated as new information is released*

Banff Lodging Company is offering specials at any of its Banff accommodations, including Caribou Lodge, Inns of Banff, Ptarmigan Inn, Moose Hotel & Suites, Tunnel Mountain Resort and Hidden Ridge Resort. The deal is based on a minimum 3 night stay and includes lodging plus discounted Tri-Area lift ticket with a 15% saving on the room rate. In addition, when skiing for 3 days or more you will receive a 2 for 1 voucher for ski rentals at Ultimate Ski & Ride.

The Banff Park Lodge has discounted prices for lift tickets for hotel guests throughout the winter. Simply purchase a lift ticket from the front desk the day before you want to ski and ride.

Banff’s most famous luxury hotel, the Fairmont Banff Springs is offering a ski & stay special which includes passes plus accommodations. 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 $559 per night and is valid until April 30 2018, subject to availability.

* 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 2019, you may wish to view some special New Years hotel packages by clicking here.

Family Day Weekend in Banff

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For anyone living in Alberta, Monday February 19 2018 will be the annual Family Day holiday, meaning that Family Day Weekend from Feb 16 to 19 2018 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 17 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 17, however accommodation for Friday February 16, and Sunday February 18 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.

New Year Hotel Packages in Banff

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new years eve 2017 banffBanff 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 2017/18 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.

NYE Party in Downtown Banff

To mark the start of 2018 there will be an outdoor family friendly party in downtown Banff between Buffalo Street and Wolf Street from 7pm to midnight on Dec 31 featuring street entertainers, games, kids’ activities, food stalls, campfires, story telling, music and of course the usual spectacular firework display.

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

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 2017 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 2017
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 live band, Barry Shaw and The Fairmont Banff Springs Orchestra, 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.
6pm-1am
Cost for the whole evening $345 adults, $190 teenagers (13-17 yrs)
Cost for dance only $165 adults, $110 teenagers (13-17 yrs)
Cost for dinner & kids party $195 (6-12 yrs)

New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet – Dec 31
A worthy feast to celebrate the last day of the year featuring local cuisine.
5-9pm in the Bow Valley Grill
Adults $83, Children 6-12 yrs $47

New Year’s Day Brunch – Jan 1 2018
What better way to start off 2018 than to enjoy the New Year’s day brunch in the Bow Valley Grill? A veritable feast and, for many, a New Years institution.
11.30am-2pm, Adults $68, Children 6-12 yrs $38

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 which you will receive when you check in.

Rimrock Resort Hotel

The Rimrock Hotel has several dining options for New Year’s Eve, including a 6 course gourmet dinner in the 5 Diamond Eden Restaurant, a five course New Years Eve menu in the Primrose Dining Room, and a family friendly Mardi Gras Gala including buffet dinner plus Jazz Trio and DJ, as well as children’s entertainment.

Banff Park Lodge

The Banff Park Lodge has a tradition of celebrating the Holiday Season in style, and the last day of the year will be no different:

New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet – Dec 31 2017
Your last meal of 2017, so make it a good one! Generous buffet in Crave Mountain Grill which the whole family will enjoy, including salads, cold appetizers, grilled pork tenderloin medallions, seared chicken breast supreme filled with prosciutto & goats cheese, carving station with Alberta prime rib and roast veal shoulder filled wild mushroom duxelles, plus a flambé dessert station and a chocolate fountain!
6pm-10pm, Adults $68, Children 6-12 yrs $41

New Years Day Brunch – Jan 1 2018
Delectable brunch buffet in Crave Mountain Grill to celebrate the first day of 2018.
10am-2pm, Adults $39, Children 6-12 yrs $21

*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.

Christmas Packages at Hotels in Banff

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christmas in banffChristmas 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 2017 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 festive dining and celebrations 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!
To check room only rates and availability at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel click here.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel offers two Christmas packages for 2017:
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 double occupancy in a Fairmont Room for a minimum 3 night stay from December 21 2017 to January 2 2018.
For families or couples who are looking for luxury accommodation with holiday ‘extras’ included, the Christmas at the Castle Package may be just the ticket. This package includes accommodation in a Fairmont Room, self parking, a decorated Christmas tree in your room, plus a whole host of festivities taking place over the holiday period. The package is valid from Dec 17 to Dec 31 2017, with rates starting at $539 per night based on double occupancy in a Fairmont Room.

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, Christmas carols, ice skating, wilderness walks, teen games room 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 festive flair in the Bow Valley Grill.
5-9pm, Cost $82 adults, $47 kids 6-12 yrs, 5 and under free

Cascade Family Christmas Buffet – Dec 24
Decadent Christmas dinner buffet in the Cascade Ballroom.
5-9.30pm, Cost $84 adults, $50 kids 6-12 yrs, 5 and under free

Christmas Day Brunch – Dec 25
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Christmas Day brunch in the Riverview Lounge, Alberta Room & Cascade Ballroom – sure to impress!
9.30am-1.30pm, Cost $84 adults, $50 kids 6-12 yrs, 5 and under free

Christmas Afternoon Tea – Dec 24, 25 & 26
Traditional Afternoon Tea on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day in the Rundle Lounge with some of the best views in the Canadian Rockies.
11am-5pm, Cost $65 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 which you will receive on check-in.

Banff Park Lodge

If your idea of getting into the festive spirit is to listen to some live holiday music while enjoying pre-dinner drinks, you should check out the Terrace Lounge by the lobby of the Banff Park Lodge. They often feature a live pianist in the early evening on December 24th and 25th, and we are hoping this year will be no exception.
Crave Mountain Grill at the same hotel will be offering a Sunday Brunch with Santa from 10am-2pm on Christmas Eve with a selection of breakfast and lunch items including eggs benedict, omelet station, carving station, cold cuts, salads, and fresh vegetables. Be sure to save room for dessert which includes a chocolate fountain! Adults $39, Children 6-12 yrs $21.
Crave Mountain Grill will also be presenting a traditional feast on the evening of December 25th with their Festive Christmas Dinner Buffet. You find roast turkey on the menu with all the trimmings, a carving station with Alberta striploin of beef and house made porchetta, maple soy cedar plank salmon filet, pan seared gnocchi with grilled vegetable ratatouille, salads, charcuterie & seafood appetizers and festive desserts including a Crepe Suzette station and a chocolate fountain. The price for adults is $68, with children 6-12yrs costing $41.
La Terrazza, an Italian restaurant at the Banff Park Lodge, will be offering a plated 5 course Christmas menu on the evening of December 25 with a choice of entrees including turkey breast & confit turkey thigh with garlic cheese whipped potato, OR crispy skin Brome Lake duck breast with fingerling potatoes & pancetta, OR slow roasted AAA Alberta beef striploin with fingerling potatoes & pancetta, OR pan seared Oceanwise red snapper filet with garlic chili lime risotto. Combined with an equally delicious soup, appetizer, palate cleanser and dessert, this special costs $80 per person with an optional wine pairing for an additional $39 per person.
To check room rates at the Banff Park Lodge click here.

Rimrock Resort Hotel

The Rimrock Resort Hotel has lots of fun activities taking place over the Holidays, such as children’s crafts, ice skating & curling with hot chocolate, a Christmas Eve celebration, campfire singalong, scavenger hunts, a visit from Santa on the morning of December 25th, and a selection of venues to enjoy Xmas dinner.
To check rates for the 2017 Holiday Season click here.

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.

**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.

Ski In Ski Out Accommodations in Banff

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ski in ski out lodging, sunshine mountain lodge
One of the best ways to maximize your time on a ski trip is to stay in accommodation as close as possible to the slopes. Ski in ski out hotels are as good as it gets in terms of convenience and proximity to the ski lifts, which is why they are so popular throughout the Alps and in many of North America’s most popular ski resorts. In the Banff area there is only one ski in ski out hotel, namely Sunshine Mountain Lodge. In fact no other hotel is within walking distance of the ski lifts, making this property the only one in Banff National Park that does not require driving your own vehicle or hopping on a ski bus to take you to the slopes.
Located at the top of the gondola at Sunshine Village, one of Banff National Park’s three ski resorts, guests of Sunshine Mountain Lodge can clip into their skis or snowboards right outside the Lodge entrance and within seconds glide to the Standish, Strawberry, Angel or Wawa chairlifts without worrying about road conditions, parking, or lift lines at the base of the gondola. If part of the family wants to be on the first lift, while others enjoy a more leisurely start to the day, no problem, just swing by the Lodge and pick up the late starters whenever they’ve finished their morning latte and pastry at the Java Lift Coffee Bar! Likewise at the end of the day, for some apres ski may start earlier than for others – easy – just head to the historic and characterful Mad Trappers Smokehouse at whatever time suits and sip on a hot chocolate or something stronger while waiting for the die-hards to finish their last run. Is the afternoon a bit warmer than you expected? Just ski back to the hotel and peel off some layers in the privacy of your own room. Powder Day? What could be better then getting straight out for fresh tracks while others are still brushing snow off their cars? You get the picture… the convenience of lodging on mountain is hard to beat!

Accommodations at Sunshine Mountain Lodge

sunshine mountain lodge at nightThere are several room options at Sunshine Mountain Lodge; guests looking for the ultimate in luxury ski in ski out Banff hotel rooms will appreciate the West Wing Loft Rooms which feature huge windows with spectacular views of the slopes and ski lifts of Lookout Mountain, as well as in floor heating and 42 inch flat screen HD TVs. The main floor has 2 queen size beds plus a bathroom with jetted tub, while the loft features a king bed with its own private bathroom. The West Wing Premiere Rooms are similar but without the loft, so are suitable for smaller groups.
The Main lodge Suites are also blessed with beautiful mountain views and offer a king bed plus a double sofa bed, with space to unwind. There are two types of smaller Deluxe View Rooms, one with open mountain views plus a slope-side balcony and the other to the rear of the Lodge with closer views of the Waterfall Run. Each of these rooms features a queen size bed and a single ‘trundle’ bed.

Dining Options

Just because you are staying on-mountain above 2000m in altitude, doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on your food choices. On the contrary, there are multiple choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and any snacks or treats you need in between!
The Chimney Corner, located in Sunshine Mountain Lodge, is a casual family restaurant with fireplace seating and fantastic slopeside views, and an outdoor terrace for the warmer spring days. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is an excellent spot to refuel at any time of day.
For a more casual breakfast, panini for lunch, or a hot chocolate and a treat at any time of day, Java Lift Coffee Bar fits the bill nicely, located just off the Lodge’s main entrance.
Eagle’s Nest is Sunshine Mountain Lodge’s upscale restaurant, and is open for dinner only, while Mad Trapper’s Smokehouse is located just a few steps outside of the Lodge and has a pub-style atmosphere where you can enjoy lunch and apres ski in the historic Old Sunshine Lodge. Perfect for a ‘night out’!
During the day, at the neighbouring Lookout Lodge there are further dining options including The Alpine Grill self-serve cafeteria open for breakfast and lunch, and the Sunshine Burger Company and Lookout Kitchen & Bar each open for lunch.

Lodge Amenities & Activities

outdoor pool at sunshine mountain lodge As a guest of this on-mountain Banff hotel, you can be on your skis or board one minute, and then unwinding in their outdoor hot pool or dry sauna the next. For the next level of relaxation, why not try a massage or treatment at Verde Day Spa?
If a day of skiing isn’t taxing enough, you could always workout in the gym, or spend your time more leisurely with the video games and pool table in the activity room.
For outdoor fun, snowshoeing and tobogganing are available at Sunshine Village on select days after the lifts close, and on Friday nights you can take a shuttle bus into Banff and come back to the Lodge on the last gondola at 10pm.

Sunshine Mountain Lodge offers more than just ski in ski out accommodation. This property gives guests a truly unique opportunity to spend the night in a stunning mountainside location surrounded by the winter wonderland of the Canadian Rockies.
For more information, visit www.sunshinemountainlodge.com.