Banff

Jan 18-20 UA1780 IAH-YYC, AC8104 YYC-IAH

Although we love visiting the mountains, we’re not normally big winter vacation people. As our good friends from Houston do a regular annual pilgrimage to the Banff Springs Hotel, we decided to tag along for a short getaway. The winter temperatures were pretty intense, but it could have been much worse and it did make for some beautiful scenery.

Jan 19

After arriving the night before and staying nearby the Calgary Airport, we got up early on Saturday morning and made our way to Banff and the incredible Banff Springs Hotel, which we were happy to splurge on for one night. After we checked in, we met up with our friends and explored the area immediately around the hotel. In the afternoon, we got a little further out into the national park and the town of Banff.

Heading out of Banff, we stopped at a turnout at Lac des Arcs

Exploring the Bow River just below the hotel

In the town of Banff, one of the numerous snow sculptures, a key attraction of the Snow Days celebrations

Impressive owl carving

Looking back on the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs

Castle Mountain internment camp statue recognizing the World War I camp

Making our way along the Bow Valley Parkway

Clouds blending into mountains

Our good friend Karen and I playing in the snow

Some of the winter wildlife

Snow gliding

Back at the Fairmont before cocktail hour

After making our way back to the hotel, we enjoyed happy hour together before having a nice dinner in the hotel.

Jan 20

After breakfast, we headed out with Karen to explore Lake Louise and made our way up the Banff Gondola to Table Mountain.

After visiting many times in warmer weather, this is was our first view of frozen Lake Louise

Ice Magic Festival, ice castle

Intricate detailing in one of the competing carvings

The beauty of the sculptures helped distract from the bitter cold

First place prize in the ice sculpture competition went to “Ice Queen Treasures”

I’m guessing this car isn’t going anywhere soon

Looking down on the Fairmont Banff Springs as we make our way up Sulphur Mountain

Beautiful panoramic views, the big payoff for the Gondola ride

Dancing Bear statue at Sulphur Mountain

Although it was a bit icy, they did at least clear the path allowing for a quick hike

We made our way back down the mountain to check out of our hotel and headed back to Calgary for our flights home to Houston and Toronto.