Slopeside the Sunshine Village Ski Area, Heated Pool/Hot Tub, You Feel More Like a Visit- Sitting Right Along the Continen- Ing Royal Than a Hotel Guest
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annual “Wine Summit,” featuring name. Whether in the comfort of your suite, SKI BANFF– SUNSHINE their incredible 30,000-bottle wine the tranquility of The Willow Stream Spa, tak- cellar, a must for oenophiles. ing afternoon tea or floating in the outdoor Slopeside The Sunshine Village ski area, heated pool/hot tub, you feel more like a visit- sitting right along the Continen- ing Royal than a hotel guest. BANFF– LAKE LOUISE TOURISM PHOTO BY PAUL ZIZKA tal Divide, is just a 15-minute ride Banff is a unique place. The town is buzz- from the town of Banff. It boasts ing with excitement and thankfully there is a seven-month-long season, virtu- no development or condo sprawl, just natural ally no lift lines, the longest verti- beauty as far as the eye can see. After all, you cal drop in the Canadian Rockies are in a national park; kudos to Canada for and 3300 acres of light dry powder keeping the perfect balance of “preservation with terrain for every ability level and playground.” from beginner to expert. Tree ski- Fly non-stop from Newark to Calgary on Air ers will love it and extreme skiers Canada. Banff National Park, the town of Banff can test themselves on the thrilling and the ski areas are an easy two-hour ride away. Delirium Dive. Hop on the Conti- Some helpful sites: nental Divide chairlift and you can www.banfflakelouise.com even ski in two provinces, Alberta www.skibanff.com and British Columbia, on the very www.Banfftours.com same run. The eco-conscious Sun- www.travelalberta.us shine Village Hotel also has one www.skilouise.com of the most unique hotel check-in www.fairmont.com. experiences. Drive up, park your car, drop your luggage and take the gondola up to the hotel where JOHNSTON CANYON ICE WALK AND your luggage will be waiting in FAIRMONT LAKE LOUISE SNOWSHOE your room. Change into ski gear, There are those of us who just can’t sit still, but click into your skis and off you go, thanks to the abundance of adventure-activities at right out the front door. The cozy both Fairmont Lake Louise and Banff Springs, you’ll Chimney Corner Lounge provides have to search for “down-time.” Top of the list is the a perfect slopeside après ski spot. Johnston Canyon Ice Walk. Pile into a Discover Banff The gateway to all this natu- Tour mini-bus for a short ride to the Canadian back- ral beauty is the town of Banff. country, where ice-cleats affixed, you’ll enter a fro- Touristy, yes, but a quintessential zen world. A four-hour trek takes you past the lower ski town, ringed with mountain FAIRMONT CHATEAU, LAKE LOUISE and upper falls, through grottos and over suspended BANFF BANFF– LAKE LOUISE TOURISM peaks and pulsing with culture, catwalks where the blue ice falls away to the gorge CANADA’S PROTECTED PLAYGROUND dining, shopping, nightlife and below. Keep your eyes peeled for those intrepid souls BY RICH SILVER festivals all year round. As a mat- who scale the towering frozen liquid with ice axes and It seems that everyone who has been to the Banff- like Rock Garden to test your ability. Here’s a ter of fact, winter isn’t even considered the crampons. But remember, although your Egyptian Lake Louise region of the Canadian Rockies says special ski tip: contact Lake Louise ski area and peak season, so hotel rates are reasonable and cotton sheets are just a short ride away, you’re in the it’s the most beautiful place they’ve ever skied. inquire if they can hook you up with longtime outdoor activities abound. Hiking, biking, wilderness and that means boots, hats, gloves and by Now, after experiencing Banff’s breathtaking local, Sandy Best, to take a couple of runs in canoeing, golf and horseback riding in the all-means, a few layers. landscape first hand, I’m a believer. “Sandy’s secret stashes.” summer; ice skating, snowshoeing, dog sled- And if you’re hankering for that “Call of the Wild” Three ski areas actually lie within the bound- At the end of a long day on the mountain, ding, sleigh riding and the incredible ice can- adventure, the concierge at Fairmont Lake Louise aries of the Banff National Park, a UNESCO the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the per- yon walking in Johnston Canyon just outside can arrange for a guided snowshoe trek. Meet your World Heritage Site, where dedication to pre- fect spot to relax, unwind and relish the jaw- of town in the winter. There is even a family serving the environment provides unspoiled dropping views overlooking the lake. friendly ski area right in town – Norquay – guide, lash those snowshoes to your boots and head natural beauty, spectacular views and nearly Alberta is known for its beef and bison, so which has lots of beginner terrain, night skiing across the frozen lake and up into the high country. 8000 acres of world class skiing. for dinner, why not try some regionally inspired with a fully lit terrain park, snow tubing park There are animal tracks aplenty, fauna and foliage to The Lake Louise ski area with its long and locally sourced meats and fish at The Deer and fire pits for roasting marshmallows and identify as you begin to warm up to the task. Trudg- frontside cruisers and easily accessible backside Lodge, just a short walk from the hotel. No visit enjoying hot chocolate. ing through the snow-pack will raise that heart rate powder bowls, is as good as it gets. It has only to the area would be complete without a stop at All of this can be experienced at the very spe- as you breath in the sharp, cold, mountain air. As you eight lifts covering its massive terrain yet it’s The Post Hotel, an elegant yet intimate, old world cial hotel fondly known as “The Castle.” Cel- approach tree line and the valley opens up before you, surprisingly easy to navigate. But, just when luxury hotel where Andre and George Schwarz ebrating its 125th anniversary, The Fairmont you’ll be channeling Jack London. you think you’ve tackled it all there’s another welcome guests with ”good food, good wine and Banff Springs Hotel with its stately facade and -Bruce Koffsky fluffy snowfield over the ridge, or the moon- good company.” Each year the brothers host the majestic entrance hall, truly lives up to its nick- 168 WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM 169.