A White Christmas in Canada is Everything You’ve Always Imagined 

Fresh snow drapes the trees like icing sugar. Frost clings to windowpanes. Smoke curls from chimneys into crisp alpine air. A white Christmas is something we all dream of. The kind conjured by carols and Hollywood films, all snowflakes and sleigh bells, glowing windows and fireside warmth. In Canada, that dream comes alive.  

The lead up to the most wonderful time of year on APT’s The Twelve Days of Christmas tour is full of festive magic. And when Christmas Day dawns in the Rockies, it’s everything you’ve imagined. 

Your Christmas, Your Way 

No two snowflakes are the same, and neither are holidays. That’s why APT’s Freedom of Choice™ experiences let you shape the ultimate Christmas in the Rockies, whether that means adventure, relaxation, or a little of both. 

In Jasper, head into the backcountry with a local expert to spot wildlife — perhaps a herd of elk or bighorn sheep navigating snowy ridges. Or explore one of the world’s largest dark-sky preserves at the Jasper Planetarium. Inside a cosy dome, learn about Indigenous star stories before peering through telescopes at distant galaxies. 

Lace up for a guided icewalk along the towering walls of Maligne Canyon, where time and water have carved frozen cathedrals. Or strap on snowshoes and crunch through alpine meadows beneath snowy peaks. 

In Banff, discover the thrill of dog sledding with spirited huskies. Or embrace the thrill of ice hockey, Canada’s national winter sport — suit up with the Canmore Eagles players and coaches, sharpen your skills on the rink, and score your first goal on NHL-calibre ice. 

If you prefer to unwind during the busiest time of year, indulge in the mineral-rich pools of the Fairmont spa — a modern homage to the hot springs that inspired the creation of Canada’s first national park in 1885.

All Is Bright: A Winter Escape to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise 

Once a simple chalet for early mountaineers, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise now rises like a snow-globe castle at the edge of the lake. In winter, it becomes a wonderland of festive charm. 

Dine on fondue feasts at Walliser Stube, sip cocktails by the fire in the Lakeview Lounge, or enjoy après-ski favourites at Alpine Social. Outside, the frozen lake transforms into a stage for winter enchantment — skate across the ice, toast marshmallows by the Lakefront Campfire, and sip mulled wine or spiked hot chocolate at The Ice Bar, sculpted entirely from 20 blocks of ice. 

Inside, seasonal workshops range from festive bingo to DIY crafts. Outside, nothing says Canadian Christmas quite like a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the forested lakeside trail. Wrapped in warm blankets, you’ll ride past snow-dusted spruce trees and the glistening surface of Lake Louise as the winter landscape quietly unfolds around you. 

An Enchanting Christmas Day at Fairmont Banff Springs 

Rising from snowy pines like something from a fairy tale, the Fairmont Banff Springs has stood sentinel over the Rockies since 1888. Today, its turrets and towers still deliver all the wonder and grandeur of a traditional white Christmas. 

Oak beams arch overhead and stained-glass windows catch the winter light. In December, yuletide threads its way into every corner of the castle. You’re never far from a twinkling tree, with the tallest standing proud at 20 feet beneath the soaring vault ceilings of Mount Stephen Hall. Evenings are touched with wonder as Mrs Claus reads bedtime stories by the fire, and in the lobby, a handcrafted gingerbread replica of the hotel fills the air with the scent of cinnamon and icing sugar. From enjoying a production of A Christmas Carol to wandering lantern-lit trails that shimmer with snow, there are countless ways to step into the season. 

On Christmas Day, you will find everything you need right within the grounds of this historical hotel. There’s a heated outdoor pool surrounded with snowy peaks, festive cocktails at the Thirsty Reindeer bar, and cosy corners perfect for a glass of Okanagan red. Dining is a highlight — think festive afternoon tea in the Rundle Bar, brunch in the Riverview Lounge, and a Christmas feast with all the trimmings: golden roast turkey, gammon, crispy potatoes, gravy and honey-roasted parsnips. 

Here, amid alpine grandeur and blankets of pristine snow, a Christmas of magic awaits, and it’s one that will linger long after the season fades.