Where to best spend Christmas in Canada?

For a Christmas to remember, experience a luxurious stay at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”. Celebrate with a traditional Christmas Day brunch with all the trimmings in the festively decorated grandiose, medieval-like Mt Stephen Hall, with its rare antiques, paintings and oak-carved ceiling. During your stay, enjoy a sleigh ride through Banff’s spectacular snow-laden mountain meadows, go on a dogsledding adventure or simply rejuvenate in the mineral pools of the Willow Stream Spa. Arriving in Banff pre-Christmas? Explore the festive Christmas markets for unusual gifts, treats, toys and trinkets for friends and family back home. 

For a fairytale white Christmas, be sure to spend your Christmas holiday in the magnificent Fairmont Château Lake Louise. Wake up to breathtaking views of the stunning frozen lake set against icy mountain scenery from your Lakeview Room or perhaps venture outside to marvel at the famous ice sculptures on Lake Louise. You can even skate across the frozen lake if you’re feeling brave. Roast marshmallows under the stars, listen to carollers singing and snuggle up beneath thick woollen blankets as you take a traditional sleigh ride around the lake’s edge.

Head to the quaint alpine village of Whistler, nestled against picture-perfect snow-clad mountains and majestic glaciers. A favourite winter destination, Whistler has a plethora of activities for the perfect Christmas escape. Test your balance skiing and snowboarding, explore the winter wonderland by snowshoe or even enjoy the thrill of winter zip lining high above the alpine forests. Prefer to admire the mountain scenery, snow dusted forests and frozen lakes? Enjoy incredible 360-degree views as you ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. End your day at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler resort with a hearty alpine dinner complete with crackling log fire before unwinding with a spice-laden winter cocktail in The Mallard Lounge.

Spend your Christmas holiday in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jasper National Park and stay at the charming, yet luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, set on the shores of pristine Lac Beauvert. By day, get up close to nature on a Maligne Canyon icewalk, marvel at the astonishing ice bubbles beneath the surface of Abraham Lake or simply relax in the luxurious Fairmont Spa. By night, the constellations light up the sky and the Dark Sky Preserve of Jasper is the perfect place for stargazing, before cosying up in your Junior Suite, complete with a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

Soak up the magic of Christmas with a stay at the lavish Fairmont Empress Victoria. Stroll through the beautiful Butchart Gardens and experience the Christmas festivities with a dazzling display of lights and scenes depicting The Twelve Days of Christmas. Hum along as traditional carollers sing festive tunes and warm up with a delicious hot chocolate. Back at the Fairmont Empress, admire the thousands of twinkling lights that light up the grounds, warm up with a holiday-themed cocktail, or enjoy the famous Afternoon Tea in the sophisticated Lobby Lounge.