You might expect that walking on a lake would feel different than walking on the ground, but after a winter of snow had piled upon Lake Louise, I couldn’t tell where the ground ended and the lake began. I explored this winter wonderland outside of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, whose charming Swiss-themed interior is matched only by the stunning view of Mount Victoria rising at the end of Lake Louise.
“The hotel was built for the more adventurous travelers,” said Rose. “When people came looking to climb mountains, they first hired local guides, but it turns out none of us Canadian boys knew how to climb. So they hired Swiss guides, which inspired the hotel’s theme.”
At my next hotel the following day, my dream of staying inside a castle fit for a princess came true. The Scottish Baronial-themed Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel seemed fit for any fairy tale with its picturesque architecture and surrounding snowy mountains. The hotel’s interior kept up the opulent theme with medieval-style hanging rugs, suits of armor and stained-glass details.
The hotel lies close to the delightful town of Banff, which kept me occupied with shops, restaurants and attractions like Ammonite in the Rockies.
“I came to Banff one holiday and never left,” said Margaret Higginbottom, owner of Ammonite in the Rockies. “People say when you call God in Banff, it’s a free call. You’re already in heaven.”
The Ammonite in the Rockies shop educates visitors on the colorful ammonite stone that can only be found in Canada. Ammonite is a fossil created from giant underwater snails that have been extinct for millennia. It is believed that the beautiful swirling colors come from Canada’s minerals. I browsed the shop’s exhibits and high-quality jewelry after learning about the fascinating fossil.
After exploring the town, I viewed Banff from above on a Sulfur Mountain Gondola. An eight-minute gondola ride took me to the 7,400-foot summit, where I stood on top of the world. Mountain peaks and snow-covered evergreens stretched out beyond the horizon. If you are looking for a hallelujah moment in life, this is the place to go.
As I stood there soaking in the dazzling panorama, I was so thankful that I had braved a bit of cold weather for the reminder that this is a miraculous world.
Collette Vacations
800-340-5158
www.collettevacations.com
