Western Canada with Fairmont Hotels

Vancouver

Start your Western Canada adventure in cosmopolitan Vancouver, surrounded by sea and mountains and plenty of green spaces. Start with the delightful Stanley Park, named Top Park in the World in 2014, and don’t miss the precariously located Capilano Suspension Bridge, set inside the leafy park of the same name – come for the hikes and the stupendous views. Later, perhaps take a trip over to the bustling markets and boutique shops of Granville Island.

Victoria

Take the ferry to Victoria, the former Capital of Canada and named after Queen Victoria, whose statue stands on the front lawn of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings. If you’re here on a sunny day, look around the glorious flowerbeds, ponds and waterfalls of the Butchart Gardens or if not, perhaps treat yourself to a grand afternoon tea at your hotel. You’ll be staying at the Fairmont Empress, home of the decadent Empress cake and serving a choice of 21 loose leaf teas.

Whistler

Check in to the magnificent Fairmont Chateau Whistler, hidden in the forest at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. In winter, you can ski right to the door; in summer hike among the alpine wildflowers or cycle the Valley Trail and cool off with a dip in the warmest swimmable lakes in Whistler. While you’re here, don’t miss seeing the slopes from above on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, whisking you across the 1.88-miles between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Sun Peaks

Move on to the mountain resort of Sun Peaks, offering plenty of outdoor activities such as canoeing, tennis, stand-up paddle-boarding and off-road Segway. The complex is set within Canada’s second largest ski area after Whistler-Blackcomb, so grab your ski boots or snowboard and hit the slopes. If you’re here in summer, there are plenty of walking and cycling trials to choose from too, as well as admiring the mountain scenery of course.

Jasper

Continue to Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hike to the dramatic canyons, shimmering glaciers and steaming hot springs, perhaps with a dash of white water rafting thrown in. You’ll spend two days at the iconic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge surrounded by nature. Take your time to hike the paths and canoe the rivers then as you leave, follow the scenic Icefields Parkway drive to Banff via Lake Louise.

Lake Louise

Stay at the iconic Chateau Lake Louise, a romantic spot surrounded by snowy mountains, a turquoise-tinged lake and a carpet of alpine forest. Deplete your camera battery at the impossibly blue Lake Louise and the sparkling Victoria Glacier and tour the mountains on foot, on skis or even by horse-drawn carriage. Alternatively, chill out in the spa – however you choose to discover Lake Louise, it’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

Banff

Arrive in Banff and enjoy the cosy atmosphere of this quintessentially Canadian mountain town. Staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs, you’ll be right in the heart of Banff National Park, giving you plenty of opportunity to ski, play golf or hike amongst the stupendous scenery. Just a short stroll away are various local museums and galleries as well as the Banff Gondola and the soothing waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Calgary

Enter Alberta’s prairies and discover the vibrant city of Calgary, home of the annual Calgary Stampede rodeo festival, held each July. Start exploring with a visit to the Heritage Park Historical Village, Canada’s largest living history museum, then take a look around the Olympic Park and have a go at bobsleighing on the 1988 Winter Olympic course. You’ll stay at the hundred-year-old Fairmont Palliser, which offers unique tours of their honeybee hives by BMW.