In winter, Calgary is like a dream with mountains covered with white snow. The air is filled with coldness and freshness, and every moment of snowflakes falling seems to add a bit of magic to the city. Every cottage and resort in the ice and snow world is like a fairy tale, quiet and cozy.
For travelers who love skiing, choosing a ski resort that is both comfortable and convenient can not only greatly improve the quality of the entire holiday, but also determine whether the journey is easy and pleasant. A well-equipped ski resort, a warm room and a cup of hot cocoa are the most luxurious enjoyment in winter. Careful selection is the first step to start a perfect snow season.
1. Fairmont Banff Springs: Exclusive experience in the ice and snow castle
Hotel history and overview
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel was built in 1888. It is a landmark building during the Canadian National Railway period and is known as the “Castle of the Rockies”. Its Gothic Revival architectural style is a major attraction in itself, and with its luxurious service with a history of more than 130 years, it is the preferred accommodation for high-end skiers.
Location and transportation conditions
The resort is located in Banff National Park. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Calgary International Airport. You can take the airport shuttle bus directly to the door. It is close to the two major ski resorts, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay, and the location is extremely advantageous.
Cost
A standard double room costs about 800 to 1,000 Canadian dollars per night in the peak winter season. The price of luxury suites and view rooms is higher, which is suitable for travelers with sufficient budget and value experience.
Surrounding attractions
Natural beauty such as Banff Town, Icefield Parkway, and Bow Falls are within reach. During your stay, you can also enjoy the hotel’s hot spring SPA, afternoon tea and many exquisite restaurants.
Hotel booking platform
It is recommended to book through Booking, Expedia and Fairmont official platforms. Some third-party platforms offer package discounts in certain seasons.
Recommended group
Suitable for couples, honeymooners, family tourists and skiing experts who are looking for a high-end vacation experience.
2. Lake Louise Inn: A cost-effective choice at the foot of the snow-capped mountains
Hotel history and overview
Lake Louise Inn is a small resort hotel located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, famous for its warm and comfortable family-style service. Although it does not have a century-old history, it has become one of the regular choices for skiers over the years.
Location and transportation conditions
The hotel is located in the center of Lake Louise Village, only a 5-minute drive from Lake Louise Ski Resort, and provides a free daily shuttle bus. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Calgary.
Cost
The peak season price of a standard room is about 250 to 350 Canadian dollars per night, and the apartment suite is more than 400 Canadian dollars, which is a cost-effective choice.
Surrounding attractions
In addition to the ski resort, the lake area itself is an excellent winter photography location. At night, you can also watch the aurora and the starry sky near the hotel.
Hotel booking platform
It is recommended to use Agoda, Hotels.com and Expedia for booking. Many platforms often have discounts and group purchase options during the ski season.
Recommended groups
Suitable for family tourists, small group ski enthusiasts and travelers who value cost-effectiveness.
3. Sunshine Mountain Lodge: Original style on the ski slope
Hotel history and overview
This is the only hotel in Banff National Park built directly on the ski slope. It can be said to be a true ski-in/ski-out accommodation. Sunshine Mountain Lodge has attracted many naturalists with its natural cabin style and environmental protection concept.
Location and transportation conditions
Located in the Sunshine Village ski resort, take a shuttle bus from Banff to the foot of the mountain, and then take a cable car to the hotel. The whole journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Cost
The peak season price is between 350 and 600 Canadian dollars per night, including the cable car ticket and ski pass package, which is very cost-effective.
Surrounding attractions
In addition to daytime skiing, you can also participate in night snow hiking, snowshoeing and other activities. Because it is located on the top of the mountain, the snow scenery at night is quiet and pure.
Hotel booking platform
It is most convenient to book through Expedia, Booking and Ski.com platforms. Ski.com often sells it with ski passes.
Recommended crowd
Suitable for deep skiers, adventurers who love snow life, and couples seeking pure mountain experience.
4. Kananaskis Mountain Lodge: An ideal place for family skiing
Hotel history and overview
Kananaskis Mountain Lodge belongs to the Autograph Collection series, emphasizing the design concept of symbiosis with nature. It was one of the service reception hotels for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and has a strong historical heritage.
Location and transportation conditions
It is only an hour’s drive from Calgary, and the transportation is very convenient, suitable for tourists who do not like long-distance travel. The hotel is close to the Nakiska ski resort, suitable for beginners and family tourists.
Cost
Winter room rates are about 280 to 500 Canadian dollars per night, depending on the room type and whether the weekend is in peak season.
Nearby attractions
In addition to skiing, there are many snow hiking trails, sled routes and natural hot spring pools in the surrounding area. The hotel also has a children’s play area and a ski school.
Hotel booking platform
It is recommended to use the Marriott Bonvoy platform to book to accumulate points. There are also package promotions on Expedia and Booking.
Recommended groups
It is most suitable for family travel, tourists who are just starting to ski and short-term vacation travelers.
5. Mount Engadine Lodge: A snow retreat immersed in nature
Hotel history and overview
Mount Engadine Lodge is an alpine lodge located in the Kananaskis Country Reserve, emphasizing the “undisturbed” natural experience. In the early days, it provided supplies and accommodation for climbers, and now it has developed into a secluded hotel away from the hustle and bustle.
Location and transportation conditions
It is about 2.5 hours’ drive from Calgary and can only be reached by car. Due to its remote location, it is recommended to prepare snow tires and navigation equipment during the snow season.
Costs
Room rates range from 300 to 450 Canadian dollars per night, and the price usually includes three meals and afternoon tea, which is very suitable for long-term stays.
Nearby attractions
There are no large ski resorts, but it is suitable for in-depth experiences such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow photography. This is an ideal place to experience “ice and snow life” besides skiing.
Hotel booking platform
Booking can be made through Mount Engadine Lodge’s official partner platforms such as Expedia and Airbnb, and some room types can also be found on VRBO.
Recommended groups
Suitable for couples, small groups and independent travelers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and find an in-depth natural experience.
6. Things to note when traveling to Calgary for accommodation
Book in advance to avoid peak holidays
As a famous tourist city, Calgary attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, especially during the “Cowboy Festival” in July every year. If you plan to go during festivals or holidays, be sure to book accommodation at least 1-2 months in advance, otherwise hotels, apartments and B&Bs in popular areas are likely to be fully booked and prices will skyrocket.
Choose accommodation areas reasonably
If you are mainly visiting downtown landmarks (such as the Calgary Tower, Stephen Avenue, etc.), it is recommended to stay in Downtown or Beltline areas, where you can reach many attractions on foot; if you are skiing or enjoying natural scenery, suburban hotels near Banff are more suitable. In addition, accommodation near the airport is suitable for transit passengers, but commuting in the city is relatively inconvenient, so you need to weigh your options.
Pay attention to accommodation facilities and transportation convenience
When choosing accommodation in Calgary, you should not only pay attention to price and location, but also pay special attention to whether the accommodation facilities are complete. For example, if you travel in winter, you need to confirm whether heating, hot water and free parking spaces are provided; if you plan to drive yourself, it is recommended to choose accommodation with an indoor parking garage to prevent inconvenience on snowy days. In addition, give priority to accommodation near bus stations, C-Train light rail lines, or airport bus stops to avoid having your overall trip affected by inconvenient transportation.
Calgary is not only the gateway to skiing in the Rocky Mountains, but also has world-class ski resorts and natural beauty. Whether you want to enjoy luxury, travel with children, ski advanced, or escape from the city to embrace the forest, you can find an ideal place to stay in the mountains around this city. By choosing a hotel reasonably, booking in advance and understanding the surrounding facilities, you can make the entire ski vacation safe, comfortable and memorable from the first day of your stay.
Let’s take our skis and cameras and set off from Calgary to the winter paradise for snow lovers. Are you ready?
