Detailed Itinerary

Fly into Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and pick up your rental car at the airport. Opt to stay overnight in Edmonton to rest up.

Then, drive to Jasper (about a 4 hour drive from Edmonton)

Jasper: 2-3 nights at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Jasper is a low-key and unpretentious mountain town that provides easy access to the treasures of beautiful Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are outdoor activities available for every season, from golfing in the summer months to skiing in the winter - not to mention great hiking and star-gazing year-round. It is the perfect base to explore the wilderness, and experience many of Canada’s most iconic natural wonders.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Tucked within the beautiful Jasper National Park on the shore of Beauvert Lake, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is arguably the top choice accommodation when staying in Jasper. It is the highest rated property in the area (4 star), and has great amenities on-site to let you fully unwind & relax between epic sight-seeing adventures.

This Fairmont property is a classic lodge-style resort on a beautiful 700-acre property, surrounded by nature and wildlife. There are 8 on-site restaurants, stables, an extensive spa, and a heated outdoor pool that overlooks the lake. Its award-winning 18-hole golf course has been attracting golf lovers since 1925 with its stunning views and challenging holes; it’s easy to see why it was named Canada’s #1 Golf Resort Course.

There are so many activities available at the resort, no matter what time of year: horseback riding, skating, fishing, boating, hiking, tennis, yoga, and more.

 The resort's charming village of cedar chalets and Luxury Signature Cabins, all connected by picturesque paths, offer guests unique access to explore the natural environment surrounding the resort.

Jasper is a hot spot for wildlife of all kinds: bears, moose, mountain goats, and elk all call this place home, among many more forest critters. The best way to get up-close and personal with the local ‘residents’ is to go on a guided wildlife tour. The evenings are especially popular for this, as it becomes an ideal time for viewing.

Also during your time in Jasper, make sure to see Maligne Canyon, home to a stunning waterfall tucked within a limestone slot canyon. As is a common theme in Alberta, the canyon is awesome to visit any time of year, but if you plan to visit during the coldest Winter months you’ll be treated with the magical experience of ice walks through the canyon (pictured).

Alternatively, if you visit in the Summer, Spring, or Fall months, you can take a scenic boat tour of beautiful Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, one of the most famous sites in Canada and a must-see site.

Did you know that Jasper National Park is the world’s second largest dark sky preserve? It is one of a handful of places that has committed to protecting and preserving the night sky by trying to reduce or eliminate light pollution. This makes it an ideal place for star-gazing around the world.

The Jasper Dark Sky Festival takes place every year in October, and 2020 is their 10th anniversary celebration! Taking place from October 16 - October 25, 2020, this special annual event brings together everyone from recreational stargazers to professional astronomers to celebrate all things about the beautiful night sky.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19, this year’s festivities will be smaller than usual, but it will still offer lots of opportunities to learn and see the stars.

Spend 2 nights at Glacier View Lodge

Glacier View Lodge

This newly refurbished luxury mountain lodge is situated at the Athabasca Glacier, perfect as a mid-way point between Jasper and Lake Louise.

Glacier View Lodge is so much more than just another hotel; it is a unique alpine experience in the Rockies and the ultimate glacier getaway.

The Lodge features Scandinavian-style minimalism that makes the most of its stunning surroundings, with large glass windows showcasing incredible mountain and glacier views in every direction. Enjoy an atmosphere of calm and “luxe hygge-style hibernation” that juxtaposes the wild untamed beauty just outside.

At meals you’ll enjoy live entertainment while you feast on Canadian contemporary cuisine. You’ll get to sample gastronomic delights like tea-smoked King Cole duck, and artisan greens served with Canadian goat cheese.

Rooms are clean and modern, each with their own exceptional view. They are fairly simple (as the focus is on the destination itself) but offer everything you need to stay cozy and warm - including plush bedding, a seating area, and a Nespresso coffee machine.

The Lodge offers room-only rates, or a fantastic all-inclusive packages that include your room, a champagne reception upon arrival, plus first-class dining and special outdoor adventures, such as…

• A private evening tour of the Athabasca Glacier

• Star-gazing with expert interpreters and telescopes

• Exclusive morning excursion by ice explorer vehicle across the Columbia Icefield

• Private tour of the famous Columbia Skywalk (pictured below)

Your two-night stay at the Glacier View Lodge will be packed with incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences sure to leave you in awe.

Lake Louise: 3 nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The town of Lake Louise is definitely deserving of its name, “The Jewel of the Rockies”. There are incredible mountains, turquoise-hued lakes, forests and valleys all around, but Lake Louise is also home to one of the most luxurious and iconic resorts in the country.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Enveloped by soaring mountain peaks, the majestic Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake, the natural beauty of this destination permeates every nook of this historic resort. It is a fantastic base for outdoor enthusiasts and alpinists, with extensive hiking trails in every direction.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a year-round luxury resort that specializes in offering extensive Guided Mountain Heritage programs, unparalleled skiing in the winter, exceptional food and beverage experiences, and a new wonderful spa. The Lakeview Lodge Restaurant in particular has some knockout views, and becomes an outdoor patio in the summer.

The Chateau is situated right on stunning Lake Louise itself, making for easy access to paddle the lake’s glacial-blue waters or go hiking on nearby trails without getting back in the car.

Make sure to arrange your own mountain adventure during your stay here, on which you can soak up Lake Louise’s spectacular natural beauty and learn about its rich mountaineering history, with different tours available for summer vs. winter.

Speaking of which - the Chateau fully embraces and celebrates its locale’s stunning seasonal changes, offering summer wellness workshops and Fall foliage walks, but it is especially spectacular in the Winter. Have a look at what’s available for you to experience in the winter months in the below video.

After a few days uncovering the treasures of Lake Louise, take yourself on a day trip to the nearby town of Banff, just 40 minutes’ drive away.

It is close enough that you don’t need to switch hotels to stay in Banff, although booking a night at the Fairmont Banff Springs is a fantastic option if you’d like to extend your stay in Banff a bit more.

For this particular itinerary, I’ve chosen to just include a short visit to the Willow Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs, to cap off your day in Banff (as you’ll read below).

Day Trip to Banff

Soaring mountain peaks encircling the quaint alpine resort town of Banff, making for a very picturesque little spot. Its main street is a nice area to walk around, checking out the many shopping boutiques and restaurants. Many are locally-owned, brimming with Canadian-made art and photography.

The food offerings found in Banff are ethnically diverse, but they include homegrown favourites such as Alberta steak, bison and elk. You can find many excellent restaurants here, depending on what you’re looking for.

After shopping in town, make your way to the base of Sulphur Mountain, to hop aboard the Banff Gondola.

The quick eight-minute journey in an enclosed cabin with windows brings you to the summit overlooking the town. The view is absolutely breathtaking: soak in the vista of dramatic peaks and glaciers, lush meadows of alpine wildflowers, and wildlife roaming freely.

Grab a table at the Sky Bistro, “the dining sanctuary in the sky” where you can take in the amazing views while tasting the unique flavours of Canada through a handpicked selection of regionally-sourced local meats, produce and ingredients.

They also offer an all-Canadian wine program with wines from coast to coast, and a menu of creative, classic cocktails and local craft beers.

Sky Bistro is located on the third floor of the Banff Gondola summit, and “as part of your dining experience, enjoy a collection of world-class adventures. From sunset to stargaze, explore the interpretive centre and theatre, capture that perfect photo along the one kilometre mountaintop boardwalk, or warm up with rooftop fire pits.” - Sky Bistro

Finally… to end your day in Banff in the most relaxing way possible, book yourself a spa treatment at the award-winning Willow Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. This allows you to visit the ‘castle in the Rockies’ without having to stay overnight somewhere new.

Take in the hotel’s panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle, and Tunnel Mountain. It is quite a spectacular setting.

There are also two renowned golf courses at this property, if you are visiting in the summer and want to play a round. Impressive views come with each tee time, of course.

As your holiday winds down, check out of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and drive your final stretch of road to Calgary (about a 2 hour drive).

Drop off your car at the Calgary airport, and catch your flight home.