ALBERTA'S MAJESTIC BEAUTIES

In any season you are bound to find Albertans commemorating some aspect of their multifaceted province. And with the Canadian Rockies blocking eastbound pacific moisture, odds are great that whatever the event, it will take place in sunshine.

Alberta is a nature lover's paradise... a place where unspoiled landscape lends itself to exploration throughout the year. Banff, Canada's first national park, is the setting of two glorious Fairmont Hotels: The Fairmont Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise.

The Banff Springs has been the pride of the Rocky Mountains since 1888 when it opened up as an oasis of luxury in the wilderness. Canada's "Castle in the Rockies" offers luxurious accommodation, white-glove service, splendid dining, incredible views and lots to do whether it's a massage at their Solace Spa or a hiking trip up their majestic mountains.

Guests can enjoy daily use of the 35,000 square-foot internationally acclaimed Solace Spa, complete with cascading waterfalls, mineral whirlpools, indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, solarium, steam rooms, saunas and a variety of treatments. Altogether we found them relaxing and invigorating beyond expectation.

There is also a world-renowned 18+9-hole golf course set a mile above sea level. Designed by Stanley Thompson in 1928, the course has been voted one of the top resort courses in the world by readers of the Robb Report. From our luxurious suite, we could see the golf course and it was amusing to watch a herd of elk take over the golf course, while the players waited until the herd moved off ever so slowly.

You can explore the enchanted castle from the inside out. There is a 30-minute walking tour offered daily that goes through the hallways and grand rooms of the hotel, giving visitors an insight into the visions and dreams that make the Banff Springs the Canadian landmark it is today.

In Bow River Valley, popular ski resorts, restaurants and shops, surround the quaint town of Banff. The highlight of our town touring involved the theme "Year of the Great Bear" which honors the role of the bear as a symbol of North American wilderness and an indicator of ecosystem health, and to encourage greater understanding of black bears and grizzly bears.

The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies features Bears: Imagination and Reality, an educational exhibit that explores the cultural and ecological significance of bears in North America. To discover a spectacular view of the Rockies from the best seat in the house, a trip on the Sulphur Mountain Gondola is a must-do.

We took the Lake Minnewanka Devil's Gap cruise, a historical journey back in time. Just up the valley is Lake Louise, with its "Diamond in the Wilderness" - The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Built in 1890, it is considered by many to be among the most romantic hotels in the world. On the shores of one of North America's most beautiful glacial lakes, where the view has been rated numero uno in the world, the Chateau is a favorite among skiers in the winter and golfers, tennis players, hikers and bikers in the summer.

The dramatically rigged mountain views, glacier-fed turquoise waters, exquisite dining and luxurious accommodations converge to create an unforgettable experience. Here amid the majesty, comfort and service of this fine heritage resort you can experience the Canadian Rockies at their most impressive. This resort was rated one of the top 20 foreign resorts in the world by Conde' Nast Traveler. It offers visitors an extensive Mountaineering and Interpretive Hiking program.

We booked one of the many tours available within the park, the Brewster Columbia Icefield Snowcoach Tour 1-877-423-7433. Visitors travel along one of the most scenic highways - Icefield Parkway, approximately an hour-and-a half north of Lake Louise. We even got out and walked on a real glacier!

We flew in and out of Calgary International Airport, the gateway to Alberta at the foot of the Rockies. In Calgary we stayed at The Fairmont Palliser, Calgary's Grand Canadian Railway Hotel, an elegant and sophisticated Alberta landmark. Guests enjoy traditional elegance with all the excitement of downtown Calgary right outside the door. Calgary is considered one of North America's cleanest and safest cities, famous for warm western hospitality, exuberance and charm.