Winter Girls Getaway: Banff & Lake Louise Edition

The time has come for the girlfriends to gather. A sacred time with no kids, no partners, no pets, and no responsibilities.

Time for dressed-to-the-nines dinners, heart-to-hearts, and inside jokes that only the girls understand.

So pack your bag!

Banff and Lake Louise are undoubtedly one of the best girl's trip destinations, in the world. If you love cozy restaurants, unique shopping experiences, and Events that make you feel like the main character in a Hallmark Movie, then Banff and Lake Louise are for you!

You're going on a 5-day trip before the holidays. Where the only appointments that matter are for the spa or dinner reservations.

Day 1: Arrive, Dine with a View & Explore Town

Depending on your group of gals, you might have different preferences when it comes to types of accommodations.

To soak in the most spa time possible, you’ll want to stay at The Rimrock Resort Hotel. It’s perched high above Banff offering breathtaking views in all directions. You can wander your way in slippers and robes to the in-house spa, then change for an on-site yoga or Pilates class. There's also one of the best restaurants in Banff right in the hotel!

If you’re craving a secluded retreat with cozy vibes and the bliss of limited cell service, check into Storm Mountain Lodge.

It feels like a backcountry escape, with the convenience of driving right up to the resort. Plus, you can indulge in Chef-crafted dishes in the lounge or take-out from the comfort of your cabin.

For a lively downtown Banff experience, book at the Moose Hotel. When you're ready to explore, enjoy restaurants and nightlife at your doorstep, or if a quiet night in calls, unwind in the stunning rooftop hot tub

Once you’ve checked in and swapped your travel pants for something chicer, make your way to Sky Bistro for a reservation with a view. To reach your mountaintop table, ride the gondola above the trees and through the clouds.

This is where the girl's getaway really gets started. Enjoy the views in the crisp mountain air on the mountaintop boardwalk, take in the stunning scenery and see the twinkling lights of Banff below you.

But the evening doesn’t end there. There are so many things to do in Banff that your only regret will be not staying longer.

When you've had your fill of mountaintop scenery, take a quick gondola and bus ride down to Cascade of Time Gardens to see the "In Search of Christmas Spirit" event (select nights in November and December).

The enchanted trail features local stories, and wildlife take center stage through radiant sculptures and soundscapes.

Local Tip: A brisk evening walk up Banff Avenue back to your hotel is the perfect way to soak in the town's charm and invigorate yourself.

Day 2: See the Sights & Banf Craft Beer Festival

In the warmth of daylight, it’s time to do as the locals do and hit the mountains, but not before finding the best breakfast in Banff!

To sit down and eat, go to Coyotes Deli & Grill in Banff or Trailhead Café in Lake Louise. Trailhead has limited seating, but their omelette-style breakfast bagels are worth the wait!

Once you’re fuelled up, it’s time to hit the metaphorical (or literal) trail.

You’ve probably seen the famous Instagram shots of Abraham Lake. The lake is often free of snow and unique bubbles form in the ice. It’s not a guarantee, but this is the best time of year to catch the natural phenomenon with the help of an Ice Bubbles and Heli Tour.

Banff and Lake Louise are historically one of the first places in Canada to open our ski hills for the winter. Get early-season turns in with a lesson at Lake Louise, Sunshine Village or Mt. Norquay ski resorts.

By now, you’ll have worked up an appetite, so head to a restaurant that prioritizes good food as much as a relaxing atmosphere. You can’t go wrong ordering anything on Block Kitchen & Bar’s menu, but the Block Fries will bring you back time and time again.

Don’t be surprised if everyone falls silent as soon as the food arrives.

At night, go to the Cave and Basin for the Banff Craft Beer Festival (November 21 - 23). There are too many good local breweries to visit them all in one trip, but the festival makes it possible!

Day 3: Head to the Market & Hot Springs

In true European fashion, start by finding a steaming espresso and pastry at Whitebark Café.

Once you've polished off your breakfast, make your way to Banff’s Upper Hot Springs. The water is said to have healing properties that people have travelled far and wide to experience.

This is particularly special in the winter; watch your strands of hair freeze while you bask in the gloriously warm natural spring water.

Even though European Christmas Markets are a full flight away, that won't stop you enjoying their delights right here in Banff.

To round off the day, we’re on to the Banff Christmas Market at the Heritage Train Station, which runs weekends between November 15 - December 8.

Stroll among the 150+ vendors and warm by the fire while you take the time to catch up on everything that’s happened since you last saw each other.

Now that you’ve found the perfect gift for everyone on your list, it’s time to get back to treating yourself.

What better place to do so than at the Fairmont Banff Springs’ wine Bar Grapes? A Charcuterie board and a glass of wine in one of the most iconic locations in Banff can't be beat.

Day 4: Relax at the Spa & In the Wilderness

You’ve had time to catch up, and not that there isn’t always more to say, but sometimes a moment of shared quiet can say more. Relax with a massage or treatment at Cedar & Sage Co.

Follow your morning spa appointment with a restorative yoga practice at Banff Yoga Practice, Flow State Yoga, or a private session with Emily Gionis.

To continue on your introspective path, take in the still sounds of winter on a Medicine Walk with Mahikan Trails or a guided snowshoe with Great Divide Nature Interpretation.

There are so many trails to explore in the mountains, but there’s one that takes a different shape this time of year: the Hot Chocolate Trail! From Mid-November to the end of December, cafés around town pull out all the stops with decadent, chocolaty, whip-cream-topped drinks.

At the end of all that, if the idea of getting dressed up for dinner seems like a little too much effort, put on your coziest sweater and cuddle up fireside at Bluebird Woodfired Steakhouse & Fondue.

Day 5: Last Minute Shots & Shops

Leaving the girls and returning to reality isn't something you want to admit to yourself, you can focus on soaking in the last few hours together! End your trip on a high note by visiting a scenic lookout.

Surprise Corner is a short walk from town and serves up magical views of the Fairmont Banff Springs.

For any remaining souvenirs or holiday shopping, stop into the locally owned Paper Den and Rocky Mountain Flannel Company

Get Your Trip on the Books

When you only get so much time away with the girls, it can be hard to make sure every moment counts.

Booking your girls getaway trip to Banff & Lake Louise gives you the perfect balance of fine dining, relaxation and things to do without any of the hustle and bustle, leaving you and your friends plenty of time to reconnect.