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Banff by Robby Robinson
Seventy-eight classmates/spouses/significant others convened at the spectacular Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 to begin a magical four-day tour of Banff and the surrounding area. As always, people came from all over the United States, and a small group arrived on the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver, which provided a wonderful preview of the Canadian Rockies. The first event was dinner at the hotel, where people caught up with old friends and began making new ones. Drew Levada and his wife Ellen were on their very first ‘72 trip!! Thursday morning, after a filling breakfast at the hotel, we headed northwest to see the turquoise/blue waters of both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. The glacier-fed lakes are both even more stunning in person than photos can ever show. We had lunch at the old Lake Louise train station, which was a lesson in the history of the area. After a last look at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, an original Canadian Pacific Hotel like the Fairmont Banff Springs, we headed back to the hotel. Dinner Thursday night was at the Sky Bistro, a restaurant at the top of Sulpher Mountain, which overlooks Banff. We got up and down the mountain on the gondola, which was an experience in itself. We were treated to 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies and Banff Village, and also a wonderful dinner. Friday we embarked on a journey on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic roads in North America. After stopping at Peyto Lake, another glacial lake with the color of the Caribbean Sea at its best, we arrived at the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in North America’s Rocky Mountains. The ice field connects and feeds five glaciers. Special “ice buses” took us to the ice field where it connected to the Athabasca Glacier. It was truly a special moment for the Class of ’72 to frolic on a glacier!! On the bus ride back to the hotel, the guides told us stories about “The Boss” and Split-lip”, two grizzlies who are well known in the area. We never did see them…. Dinner was at the Brazen restaurant in Banff Village, a well-known local establishment. Saturday’s group activities did not begin until 11:30, so many in the group took a hike, organized by Bob Wright, around the breathtaking Banff Springs golf course. We saw elk in various spots, and also heard male elks “bugling”, as they alerted their female counterparts that it was mating season. The group then went into Banff Village, where our expert guides showed us Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens, and the mysterious “hoodoos”, very unique geological formations. We then had lunch at Mount View BBQ, a great cowboy experience in a bucolic setting. Lunch was followed by a boat cruise on turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka, which meant we were truly in Banff’s backcountry, which most people don’t get to see. After a history tour of the hotel (originally built in 1887, two years after Banff was designated Canada’s first National Park) upon our return, we convened for our final dinner in the hotel, bedecked in our black and orange finery. Sunday morning was the time for goodbyes, as people headed home. We all will remember the majesty of the Canadian Rockies, the foresight of the Canadian Pacific Railroad to build grand hotels in strategic locations, and most of all, all the great friendships we create and enhance on these trips.
PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND HERE
______________________________________________________________________________________ 4-17-25 Update Banff Sept 17-21- 2025 As mentioned in previous emails, this trip is oversubscribed and we have a wait list. I have started going to the wait list and I will get more cancellations. So if you are interested in joining the wait list, I encourage you to do so. We are staying at the Banff Springs Hotel, and highlights include a visit to Lake Louise, some mild hiking, and taking the Icelands Parkway to Jasper National Park, one of the most beautiful drives in North America.
11-5-24 Update Banff, Alberta Canada, Sept 17-21 2025- We are still oversubscribed for the trip to Banff, Sept. 17-21 2025. As mentioned in previous correspondences, we will be staying in the Banff Springs Hotel, one of the most photographed structures in the world and part of the iconic Canadian Pacific Hotel group built to service the Trans Canadian Railroad. I am still working on the itinerary, but it will include visiting Lake Louise and Lake Moraine, and finding ways to take advantage of the spectacular vistas in the Canadian Rockies. I have already gone to the wait list, so don’t hesitate to add your name to it if you are interested. People always change plans!!! 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 |
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