When you think of the Canadian Rockies, you think of big skies, fresh mountain air, gorgeous scenery, rugged country, and friendly people. And that is exactly what you get at the Fairmont Mountainside Vacation Villas.
Located approximately three hours west of Calgary, Alberta and three hours north of Kalispell, Montana, the Fairmont Hot Springs are the largest, odorless naturally occurring pools in Canada. Relaxing the therapeutic waters is just one of the many activities in the area, however. During the warmer months, championship golf courses with panoramic views of the mountains invite both the expert and the novice. For those more adventurous, there are several hiking areas, including Mount Assiniboine, called the "Matterhorn of the Rockies" due to its resemblance. For those you enjoy the water, there is rafting and fishing around Windemere Lake and the Columbia River. During the winter months, several ski areas are located all around the resort, including a lift right at the resort.
The villas are also an excellent place just to go and relax to get away from it all. While all the rooms come with fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces, washer and dryers, cable tv and the Internet, they also have no telephones! And if you want to venture out from your cozy room, you can always take advantage of the sauna and hot tubs, indoor pool, lounge area, library, pool tables and shuffleboard courts, tennis and racquetball courts, and exercise room.
For those wishing to venture into town, be sure to check out the community museums which o
ffer an excellent history of the area. The Artym Galleries offers excellent samples from local artists, and the general store, which doubles as the local post office, is where you can pick up anything you need, and partake in the local gossip.
And while you are in Fairmont, along with the friendly people, do not be surprised to see plenty of other, more wild residents in and around the grounds. Deer are a common appearance, and the majestic bald eagle is not uncommon. And if you decide to venture into the wild, be on the lookout for grizzly bears and bighorn sheep.
Whether your perfect vacation is riding the rapids, hiking through mountains, playing 18 holes, catching some air on your snowboard, or just snuggling up next to the fireplace with a good book in a beautiful setting, the Fairmont Mountainside Vacation Villas has everything for you and more. From its own ski hill open in the winter and two championship golf courses in the summer, Fairmont is the perfect alpine getaway.