Nestled between thickets of gargantuan pines, this hotel is
straight out of a fairytale. With its rabbit-hole setting, it has
old-world charm amplified by cosy stone fireplaces and leather
sofas. If you want to take a break from the slopes for a day,
you’ll be entertained with an array of outdoor pools that are
heated and lovely even on the snowiest of days, as well as the
Willow Stream Spa, complete with Roman-style columns.

The hotel also houses some of the area’s best restaurants with
world-class views. Sink into a chair in the Rundle Lounge with a
boozy salted-caramel hot chocolate and watch the sun’s reflection
turn Banff’s glaciers pink.

Set just below the hot springs, the Rimrock climbs the hill
overlooking Banff village. It’s one of the area’s most classic
stays, and with good reason; beautiful rooms have enormous windows
offering views of the Rockies, as well as a multitude of
restaurants, including Eden, which is one of only six diamond-rated
restaurants in Canada.

But its’s the spa that truly has our hearts at this hotel. Take
advantage of the natural healing benefits of treatments that use
locally sourced products, from the volcanic hot-stone massage to
the aromatherapy-intensive “weary traveller” which includes a
seriously luxurious foot massage and is an ideal post-ski
treat.

If you’re heading two hours north of Banff to check out the ski
area of Lake Louise (where William and Kate spent their honeymoon),
stray away from the typical Chateau Lake Louise route and head to
The Post. It’s a rustic dream with wooden beams, an immense stone
fireplace, and a babbling river ribboning past it.

When it’s not covered with a dusting snow, the hotel’s iconic
red rooftop stands out between the trees as you cross-country ski
back in on a wooded trail, beckoning you in for a few hours at the
Temple Mountain spa before dinner. The food here is fantastic, and
the hotel certainly has the wine collection to match; its cellar is
one of the largest in the country.

Another Lake Louise option, Deer Lodge is one of the area’s most charming choices. With spacious rooms and some of the most comfortable beds we’ve ever slept in, it’s one of the best choices for hardcore skiers who need a solid relaxation space between slope sessions. The best thing about the hotel? The immense stone rooftop hot tub, which looks out to the surrounding Rocky Mountains, as well as the Victoria Glacier, which separates Alberta from British Columbia. If you can brave running across the icy roof before hopping in, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular light show as the fiery sunset plays out against the sparkling peaks.