9/28/24 Update

Banff, Alberta Sept 17-21 2025- We have taken 38 rooms at the Banff Springs Hotel, another former Canadien Pacific property like the Chateau Frontenac. These hotels are from a bygone era, and are not to be missed. I have not developed the itinerary yet, but it will include a trip to Lake Louise, some local hikes, and other venues that show off the unique beauty of the Canadien Rockies.

Even though this trip will be more expensive (I am guessing $5500- $6000/couple) due to the cost of the hotel rooms and the resort pricing model in Banff, we are oversubscribed and have a wait list. If you are interested and have not signed up yet, please let me know as people will drop out from both the trip and the current wait list.

 

7-9-24 Update

Banff National Park Alberta Canada- Wednesday  Sept 17-Sunday Sept 21 2025 - I also gave details of the trip in earlier correspondences. We will be staying at the historic Banff Springs Hotel (the one you always see in the travel magazines). It is one of the magnificent hotels built across Canada by the Canadian Pacific Railroad at the turn of the last century. We had a Class trip to Quebec City in 2019 and we stayed at the Chateau Frontenac, another CP hotel and those who were on that trip can vouch for the special nature of the accommodations. I am working on the itinerary, but a day at Lake Louise, just taking in the amazing natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies,  and some hiking (suitable for all abilities) are on the list of things to do. I started out with 25 rooms, but due to overwhelming interest, have gotten a few more. The trip will be more expensive than the usual +/- $4000 due to the cost of the hotel. It will probably be in the $5500-$6000 range as it stands now. I have established a wait list, as I cannot get any more rooms, but please sign up if you are interested. I have always gone to the wait list due to cancellations, and I am sure spots will open up.

 

Previous Update

Banff National Park Alberta Canada- Wednesday  Sept 17-Sunday Sept 21 2025 - I also gave details ofthe trip in my January 15 correspondence. We will be staying at the historic Banff Springs Hotel (the one you always see in the travel magazines). It is one of the magnificent hotels built across Canada by the Canadian Pacific Railroad at the turn of the last century. We had a Class trip to Quebec City in 2019 and we stayed at the Chateau Frontenec, another CP hotel and those who were on that trip can vouch for the special nature of the accommodations. I am working on the itinerary, but a day at Lake Louise, just taking in the amazing natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies,  and some hiking (suitable for all abilities) are on the list of things to do. I started out with 25 rooms, but due to overwhelming interest, have gotten a few more. The trip will be more expensive than the usual +/- $4000 due to the cost of the hotel. It will probably be in the $5500-$6000 range as it stands now. I have established a wait list, as I cannot get any more rooms, but please sign up if you are interested. I have always gone to the wait list due to cancellations, and I am sure spots will open up.

 

Original Correspondence:

 

BANFF NATIONAL PARK ALBERTA CANADA-  WED SEPT 17-SUN SEPT 21 2025-

Whenever you see a promotion for Banff National Park, you see a picture of beautiful mountains and rivers with a large castle-like structure prominently displayed in the background. That is the Banff Springs Hotel in the town of Banff. It is one of the Canadian Pacific hotels built in the 19th century for travelers to stay in during their rail trips across Canada. They now stand as spectacular symbols of a bygone era. We stayed in another CP hotel, the Chateau Frontenac, during our class trip to Quebec City in 2019. Most people on that trip would say that the hotel was one of the greatest parts of the trip. I have taken 25 rooms at the Banff Springs Hotel on the dates noted above. I have elected to take the Fairmont Gold package the hotel offers, which gives us a very high level of service, our own lounge area with continental breakfast every day, late afternoon snacks and an honor bar. We did this at the Chateau Frontenac, and it was a huge hit with the group.

Banff itself is one of the most picturesque areas on the face of the planet. We will take day trips to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, which have amazed visitors for years. We will spend some time in the quaint town of Banff, and do some easy hikes in the area (there will be harder options for those who want them). But the main attraction is the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, and the hotel itself. We will arrange for a tour of the hotel as we did for the Frontenac.

I only took 25 rooms for this trip as it will be a bit more costly than our usual 4 day adventures. The cost will be around $5500-$6000  (assuming the exchange rate stays the same). That is due to the price of the hotel rooms. But this is a bucket list kind of journey, and well worth the cost.

Robby