The past few weeks have been so busy, filled with work, travel, family, and preparing for the holidays. With that said, this beautiful weekend getaway couldn’t have come at a better time. Nothing fills up my soul like spending quality time with the people I love most. I got to spend the entire weekend with Justin, the kids, my parents and Justin’s parents, and while it was jam-packed, we loved EVERY second of it. The Fairmont Banff Springs is one of my favourite places for a winter weekend getaway. Each year, they transform the hotel into a winter wonderland, with festive activities, dining and special events throughout the holiday season.
My favourite part about Christmas at the Castle, is that it is in support of Make A Wish Foundation! We partnered with Fairmont Banff Springs, and a local designer, Cory Christopher, to decorate the stunning two-bedroom Majestic Suite! All of the proceeds from this room will be going to Make A Wish Foundation, which I’m so happy about. Here are some of the highlights from our trip.
Christmas Cocktails at The Thirsty Reindeer
Christmas Cocktails at The Thirsty ReindeerWe kicked off the weekend with a visit to The Thirsty Reindeer, which is a festive bar with themed crafted cocktails and over-the-top Christmas décor. The atmosphere was SO fun, and we were able to enjoy a drink while Annie and Leo joined a gingerbread decorating activity.
Banff Christmas Market
On Saturday morning, we bundled up to visit the Banff Christmas Market at Warner Stables. This market is inspired by European Holiday Markets with a mountain twist. We listened to live music, met the stable horses and even picked up a few Christmas presents from local artisans. What a perfect way to spend a winter morning.
A Walk Through Cascade Gardens
On Saturday evening, after a full day of activities, we headed down to Cascade Gardens to experience In Search of Christmas Spirit. This was SO CUTE. The live Christmas story was narrated by the animals of Banff National Park in the illuminated garden, it was so beautiful.
Fire Pit and S’mores Experience
On Sunday afternoon, we headed to the Upper Terrace to roast marshmallows over a cozy fire with the views of the mountains. This was such a special afternoon and I just loved spending this quality time with my family!
Festive Dining
We started Sunday afternoon with holiday-themed afternoon tea in the Rundle Bar and finished off the evening with a family-style dinner. The space was warm and festive, and the food was to-die-for!! Santa made a special visit to see the kids, which was so magical. After dinner, we topped off the night with a game of musical chairs lol!! This was the perfect way to wrap up our visit!
The Decorated Majestic Suite
The holiday magic of Fairmont Banff Springs was not just limited to the activities, but was even extended to our room in the Majestic Suite. From the Christmas decorations to the stunning mountain views, this room was the ideal setting for cozying up together. Justin and I couldn’t get over how beautiful this room was!!
If you’d like to find out more about Christmas in the Castle, you can find all the information on Fairmont Banff Springs’ website, events and tickets page, or book a stay here.
This was a weekend I will never forget!! If you’re looking for a magical getaway to enjoy the holiday festivities, the Fairmont Banff Springs is the place to go. I already can’t wait to go back!
xo
Jilly
