Doing a big road trip to Banff and Jasper had been on our Canadian travel bucket list for years, and we’re so glad we were finally able to make it happen! The Canadian Rockies are such a beautiful part of the country and truly a must-do if you’re planning a big trip to Canada. We drove up in mid-May, which is the perfect time during shoulder season, and stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge with our small dog Theo. It was an incredibly romantic and adventurous trip, perfect for couples wanting a quintessential Canadian experience, especially if you’re travelling with your pet! We had such an amazing time and we already can’t wait to go back and experience the region in a different time of year. If you’re planning a bucket list trip to Banff and Jasper, keep reading for our full guide!
Banff, Alberta
Banff is one of Canada’s most iconic mountain destinations, located in Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains. It’s a resort town with an adorable village full of restaurants and shops, along with chateau style hotels and charming accommodations. With incredible hiking, skiing, and endless adventure activities available, it’s truly a world class destination all year round and the perfect spot to kick off an epic trip. Be sure to set aside a day to explore, grab lunch at a cute spot in town, take the gondola up Sulphur mountain for some sightseeing, and don’t forget to try a Beaver Tail!
Fairmont Banff Springs
Fairmont Banff Springs is a stunningly beautiful and world famous hotel in Banff. Known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”, it’s a top Fairmont property and has been rated the #1 luxury hotel in the world. It’s an absolute dream! Built in 1888, Fairmont Banff Springs has such a fascinating history, and it’s an iconic landmark in Banff National Park. We absolutely loved our stay there and it felt so special to experience such world class luxury, while being completely surrounded by nature. From the amazing dining to the gorgeous spa to the unique wilderness activities available, the hotel really is a destination in itself and we can see why people travel from all over the world to stay there. It really is the perfect spot to experience all that Banff has to offer!
We spent an amazing two nights at the Fairmont Banff Springs, and we can absolutely say that the hotel lives up to its reputation. It really is such a special place! Keep reading for our top tips for things to do during your stay.
Things To Do
Fairmont Banff Springs is a resort style hotel with so much to do right on the property. Our first recommendation is to start with a hotel history tour when you arrive! It’s such a unique property with so many interesting stories behind it (including some spooky ghost stories), and it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the property at the beginning of your stay. If you’re looking for some time to relax during your vacation, you should definitely check out the Fairmont Banff Springs spa. It’s a gorgeous 40,000 sq ft facility with soothing mineral pools, and a beautiful outdoor hot tub with views of the castle. You could absolutely spend a full afternoon taking it all in. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure during your stay, definitely take some time to enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds the hotel! Banff National Park is so stunning and you can book tours and activities like nature walks, forest bathing, and other guided adventures. Also, if you’re into golf, the hotel golf course has the most incredible views to take in while you play! Lastly, no amazing vacation is complete without amazing food, and this hotel will definitely blow you away with its dining experiences. Start with breakfast in bed and order from the excellent in-room dining menu, and eat while you’re admiring the “million dollar view” outside your window. Next, be sure to book an Afternoon Tea! Fairmont is very well known for their traditional tea service at different locations around the world, and the tea at Banff Springs is unforgettable (they can even do a fully vegan version!). Then, be sure to have cocktails at Rundle Bar and have a seat in the secret section behind the bookcase, if you’re into speakeasy vibes. And finally, enjoy dinner at Grapes Wine Cellar, they have an incredible wine list, an amazing menu, and a really romantic dining room.
Driving the Icefields Parkway
Once you’re finished with your time in Banff and ready to head to Jasper, it will be time to drive the famous Icefields Parkway. This stretch of Alberta highway is absolutely stunning and such an activity of its own. It’s even been voted one of Canada’s most beautiful drives! There are so many stops along the way you could truly take all day to explore, but be sure to give yourself at least three and a half hours to make the journey. There isn’t a lot of cell service along the way, so plan your route in advance and don’t forget to bring water, snacks, and some different clothing layers for the quickly changing temperatures. This drive was absolutely one of the highlights of our trip, and we couldn’t believe the views of the mountains, valleys, and icefields along the way. It’s such an iconic experience and definitely one of the best parts of this itinerary! Keep reading for our top tips on where to stop on the Icefields Parkway.
Lake Louise
Just outside Banff and at the start of the famous drive, is Lake Louise. Another iconic, bucket list destination, Lake Louise is a place that people travel from all over the world to see. It’s a beautiful, glacier fed lake with such gorgeous views, and it looks so different at different times of year. In the summer the water is a stunning turquoise blue and you can take a canoe out for a paddle on it, and in the winter it freezes over enough for people to ice skate! When we visited in mid-May, the lake hadn’t fully thawed yet and it still looked incredible. There’s really no wrong time of year to go. This spot can get really busy, so seeing it in shoulder season can be a great way to avoid the crowds, but any time of year it’s a very magical place.
Peyto Lake
About 30 minutes into the drive is another gorgeous lake called Peyto Lake. Also glacier fed, the water of Peyto Lake is a bright turquoise, and the surrounding views are absolutely majestic. It’s a short hike from the parking lot to the viewing platform, but it is completely worth it to take in the views. It’s an unforgettable spot!
The Columbia Icefields
The largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies, the Columbia Icefields is definitely worth a stop. About a one hour drive up from Peyto Lake, it sits on the northwestern edge of Banff National Park, and the south tip of Jasper National Park. If you have more time to explore, you can do an Ice Explorer tour on the Athabasca Glacier, as well as visit the Skywalk and the Glacier Discovery Centre, but even if you just have time for a short drive by, be sure not to miss it!
Sunwapta Falls
There are several beautiful waterfalls along the drive, but if you only have time for one we recommend Sunwapta Falls. About another 30 minutes past the Columbia Icefields, Sunwapta Falls is a pair of waterfalls on the Sunwapta River, and accessible by a short walk/hike from the parking area. It’s absolutely beautiful!
Jasper, Alberta
Once you arrive in Jasper, you will be blown away by the natural beauty. An iconic Canadian alpine town, Jasper is known for its beautiful glacier fed lakes, mountains, rivers, and forests. It is truly a bucket list destination with so many activities available including hiking, skiing, and water sports, along with so many opportunities to see wildlife and even the aurora. The town of Jasper is the jumping off point for Jasper National Park, and downtown Jasper is very charming and quaint. Be sure to leave yourself some time to explore, walk through the historic downtown, take the SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain, and take in the endless sights!
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper Park Lodge is such a unique Fairmont property, as it’s a remote wilderness resort surrounded by nature in the Rocky Mountains. Rather than one big hotel, there are cabins spread out over the 700 acre property, with unbelievable views of the mountains and lakes. It’s quite honestly one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen! The resort has an incredible spa, amazing dining, and an outdoor pool that overlooks the view. It’s such a perfect place for a romantic getaway or special occasion trip, and it’s also very dog friendly and a great spot to bring your pet! We loved our time there and it’s an experience we will never forget, we are already dreaming of going back to experience the resort in another season.
We spent an incredible two nights at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and it was definitely one of our all-time favourite travel experiences. It is such a unique place and the perfect way to see Jasper! Keep reading for all of our tips on things to do during your stay.
Things To Do
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a very special property, and truly somewhere you can create lifelong memories. Our first recommendation to make the most of your stay is to get out in nature and explore the grounds! There are so many beautiful trails around the resort, and it’s very dog friendly if you decide to bring your pup along with you! If you’re looking for a way to relax and recharge during your stay, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has an incredible spa on site. We highly recommend the ‘Forest Therapy’ treatment if you’re looking to de-stress, and then be sure to have a soak in the outdoor heated pool and hot tub that overlooks the lake! And if you’re blown away by the lake views, one of the best ways to see it is by going for a paddle out on the water. During the spring and summer season you can rent kayaks, canoes, SUPs, or pedal boats from The Boathouse, and the views from out on the lake are unforgettable. If you’re looking for something romantic to do during your stay, you can have a champagne picnic on the property! It’s the perfect way to celebrate something special with your partner or commemorate your trip, and the Fairmont team will put together the most beautiful picnic basket you’ve ever seen. And finally, one of the most incredible parts of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (as with any Fairmont location) are the dining experiences it offers. Be sure to grab a meal at The Great Hall, and if you bring your pup with you there’s a dog friendly section of the restaurant and patio. You can even order them something off the dog menu, which our dog Theo absolutely loved! As well, have dinner at Orso Trattoria and try the chef’s tasting menu. The restaurant serves modern Italian cuisine and the food and ambiance is amazing.
Our Personal Experience as a Lesbian Couple
One of our favourite things about travelling through Western Canada is definitely how safe and inclusive the region feels. Banff and Jasper are both very LGBTQ+ friendly destinations, and we were really happy to experience firsthand just how welcoming they are! The locals were incredibly friendly, and we absolutely felt comfortable being ourselves as an out and open lesbian couple. It’s a region that really feels like it’s for everyone, and we can definitely recommend it for other lesbian couples and queer travellers.
All in all, this was such an incredible trip to tick off our bucket list and it’s a trip that we want everyone to be able to experience! The Canadian Rockies are a really special place, and definitely a must-do for everyone, whether you’re travelling to Canada for the first time, or you’re a fellow Canadian who just hasn’t explored this area yet.
The biggest thank you to Fairmont for supporting this trip, they are one of our favourite partners and we are lifelong fans!
Disclosure: This trip was in collaboration with Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge! Both hotels hosted us for our stays and helped us to experience so much of what Banff and Jasper have to offer. We’re so happy to share these amazing destinations with our audience.
