Name three great Ski Lodges

Name three, just three of your favorite ski lodges. Could be all in the same ski resort (some resorts have that many that qualify in my book) or more likely three lodges at the base of three different mountains. Could be a grand hotel, could be condo, or today’s popular condo / hotel. Might be a simple Inn or a B & B that just feels right.



Where would your top three (but only three) ski lodging be? It’s not easy picking out just three, it is? Send me a blog message with your selections – I’d like to know your top three. Just one rule … you need to have stayed there at least once, and skied the nearby terrain.



Meanwhile, here is the first of my three, all time favorites …



The Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Alberta, Canada



This is Canada’s Castle in the Rockies, and I think fair to say the Banff Springs is one of the truly Grand Hotels in all the world of skiing. Built in 1888 by Canadian Pacific Railroad as one of a string of elegant tourist destinations along their western rail line, the Banff Springs stand today as a reminder of slower paced, and in some senses more refined age – at least if you were wealthy.



The property has gone through several complete renovations and expansions and now boasts over 700 rooms and over a dozen outstanding suites. Splurge a little and ask to be upgraded to suite accommodations. You will not be disappointed. A number of these suites are on the top floors of the castle and are serviced by a private elevator that travels outdoors, up the side of the building. As you open the door to your suite, you step into another world.



Within the Banff Springs, you will find 12 unique restaurants and lounges offering a variety of cuisine. The Willow Stream Spa is remarkable, with every pampering treatment imaginable, and a waterfall pool with music piped in underwater.



The town of Banff offers almost unlimited shopping, dining and entertainment options. This is a very pretty ski town, surrounded by huge craggy peaks. The entire area is within the Canadian National Park system, so you can imagine how pristine the landscape really truly is.



Finally, outstanding skiing is 20 minutes away, at Sunshine. Or for a fun half day, consider smaller, but steep Mount Norquay, just 5 minutes outside of town. A 40 minute ride on the free shuttle will take you the biggest downhill terrain of all in this particular region, that being majestic Lake Louise. This huge ski mountain is itself just 5 minutes from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – but that’s another story altogether. Stay tuned from two more great ones!

Labels: Ski Lodging

posted by Mr. Ski Organizer @ 3:59 PM