Fairmont Banff Springs

Yesterday we had the equivalent of a sea day on a cruise ship. We started with a history tour of the hotel, learning about how it all started in 1888 as a 250 room hotel. Surprisingly, the original blueprints didn't include compass coordinates so the orientation of the rooms got "flipped" from what was intended and they faced away from the "million dollar view" of the mountains. They faced the valley and the river. When guests first stayed here, they stayed for a whole season. At check-in they needed to bring certification that they had at least $50K in their bank accounts. After some fires and the need to expand, stone towers were built which "fixed" the earlier building error so that rooms could now face that million dollar view.  

The hotel is simply a massive compound. Easy to get lost in. There are twelve restaurants plus at least eight bars. Countless conference rooms and ballroom spaces. Our guide Ewen told us that the wedding wait list is five years. Some will get on the list in hopes that they find a spouse in that time!! So much outdoor space, all with that amazing view. For more details, make sure you are following Trips with Angie .

After our history tour we had some lunch at one of the twelve restaurants. This time it was a Stock which is a quick service place. I believe it is normally open 24 hours but only 6 AM to 11 PM since this is to their short shoulder season before things get busier in a few weeks when the golf course, river rafting and other activities open up. They even plan on offering paddle boarding this summer. We had a salmon bagel, BLT and broccolini salad. All very good.  

After lunch we had our next activity which was a ninety minute hike around the property. The hotel, and the whole town of Banff, are all located within the massive Banff National Park. 

We walked down some trails and could see where both grizzly bears and black bears had scratched many trees. They think the long scar on this tree is when a bear lost their balance and tried to hang on. 

 This was their home after all. We were just guests. I learned the key difference between black bears and grizzly bears. And it isn't their fur color. Answer down below.   

Our hike crossed the Spray River where we had a magnificent view of the hotel. 

 We then wound our way around to the golf course. Such an amazing view from the 15th while. Our guide want sure how much a round was, although certain room categories include a round or two. But if you are a golfer, I would think you'd pay any price to shoot a round here.  

After our tour, Angie had some work to finish up while I relaxed in the lobby. We met up outside the Rundle Bar enjoying the great weather and amazing views. 

 We needed a snack so went inside to have some delicious cauliflower soup, pulled pork sandwiches and lettuce wraps.  

It was then time for our next activity which was Creative Crafting. We met another member of the activity staff Will who guided us through some string art. You picked a stencil. I chose a bear and Angie chose a butterfly. Is it a grizzly or a black bear? Then you lay that stencil on top of a corkboard and press in small small brads (nails) over the image. Then pull the stencil off and start winding yarn around the nails. It was harder than I expected since you had to make sure the nails were pushed in enough so there was tension to hold the yarn. Otherwise it unravelled. I decided my final creation was decent for an amateur. I haven't decided whether I will sign it or leave it anonymous. Maybe the next time I'm on a cruise ship, I'll see if they want to include it in their art auction.  

After that activity we headed over to the bowling alley - yes the hotel has one. It was five pin bowling which I had never heard of. Ten pin. Candlepin. Duckpin. Very familiar with those. I did a little research and found it is something created in Canada in 1909 when many people felt that ten pin bowling was too strenuous. The pins are about three-quarter of the size of a ten pin and the balls are made of rubber. It was a very popular place and swarming with children. We had considered grabbing a snack and beverage here, but there was nowhere to sit. Instead we headed back to the main hotel where I had a grilled cheese sandwich from Stock and an unremarkable potato and leek soup. It was then time to head back to the cabin - I mean room.  

Today we will check out of the hotel and move to a hotel in downtown Banff for one night later this afternoon. Before that, we'll be taking a gondola to the top of the mountain!! It will be chilly up there with an expected high of 1° - almost freezing.   

The main way to tell the difference between a grizzly bear and a black bear is a very noticeable "hump" on the back of a grizzly bear. Also, if you ever were "lucky" enough to see both standing on their hind legs, an adult grizzly bear would tower over an equivalent aged black bear. Grizzly bears can be seven to nine feet tall when on their hind legs and weigh up to 700 pounds. Black bears would still be intimidating, but only stand about five or six feet and less than 200 pounds. Luck held out for us. We didn't see any, but our guide did have bear spray "just in case".