Fairmont Hot Springs Resort offers hot springs pools to relax your tired muscles after a ski day, a perfect family-friendly getaway in winter.
The resort is located in a small community of Fairmont Hot Springs in British Columbia, between the beautiful Purcell and the Rocky Mountains.
Whether you like skiing, snowshoeing or soaking in hot pools, you can find it around the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.
This is our honest review of the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort & Ski Area.
We drove from Calgary to Fairmont Hot Springs, which usually takes over 3 hours. But in reality, it takes much more. Several stops along the way are worth a visit.
If youβre a fan of road trips as much as we are, youβll appreciate the stunning landscapes and stops along the way. First, you drive through Banff National Park, then Kootenay National Park, and then through the Columbia Valley. I particularly liked seeing Marble Canyon frozen and dressed in white snow while driving through Kootenay National Park.
When we arrived at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, a giant stuffed bear named Percy welcomed us, which our 2.5-year-old son very much appreciated. Making our way to the reception, I noticed the place was huge and cozy, with couches and a fireplace going.
We checked into our room and went outside to check out the view. While it was dark out already, we could still see Purcell Mountains and lots of festive lights that lit up the way to Canadaβs largest natural mineral hot springs.
The Natural Mineral Hot Springs area consists of a large soaking pool (39C), and a swimming pool (32C). All pools are included in the stay at the resort. If youβre not a resort guest, you can access the pools for FREE for every lift ticket purchase at the ski hill, or buy a one-day membership for 20$.
If youβre walking from the resort, remember that itβs freezing outside. While the resort provides bathrobes, it might be easier to walk to the changing area in your clothes, then change to swimsuits and bathrobes.
To our surprise, thereβs also one smaller pool (38C) next to the reception area. This is for resort guests only, and you can access it through the indoor wellness area, which has a steam room, sauna, cold plunge, gym, and yoga room.
The pools are extra busy when the ski hill closes, and rightfully so. Do you know of a better winter combo than SKI & SOAK?
In the morning, you can make your breakfast if you book a room with a kitchenette (click here to see what rooms and cabins are available) or visit Steamers CafΓ© or Antlerβs at the Lodge right in the resort.
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Ski Area has two lifts and a magic carpet for the little ones. With 14 runs of all difficulties, it’s great for beginners and intermediate skiers. When youβre ready to head out for the day, you must drive up the hill from the resort for about 10 minutes.
And the best part? There are no lines or crowded trails! I took all the photos you see here throughout the day without waiting for the hill to be empty.
The ski area has a rental shop with everything skiers or snowboarders might need. And the ski lodge is big enough for all to enjoy a nice hot meal. Enjoy your picnic, or try their chilli soup and a burger; we all were delighted with the food.
While Michal and I took turns on the hill, our son tried skiing for the very first time, so Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area will always have a special place in our hearts. I can honestly say that the whole family had lots of fun skiing.
When we returned to the resort, we immediately changed and went straight to the large hot spring pool. Itβs shallow enough for small kids to walk around independently, and the perimeter around the pool has lots of space for everyone to enjoy the hot soak.
After the pool, it was time to fill our bellies. I love that we didnβt have to get into the cold car to get dinner as the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort has two restaurants to choose from β Bearβs Paw Bar & Grill and Antlerβs at the Lodge (serving different meals than Bearβs Paw on Fridays and Saturdays). One dinner, in particular, was super delicious when they had lamb with veggies and mashed potatoes as a special.
We ended each day at the reception area, where we played board games by the fireplace or in the yoga room stretching.
The resort provided us with everything a family-friendly getaway should have, and I highly recommend a winter visit.
If youβre looking for more activities, try the following:
- Snowshoe trail around the resort; complimentary snowshoes are provided
- Check out the historic bathhouse where you can soak your feet in a small hot pool (the building is visible from the resortβs main entrance)
Outside of the resort, I recommend:
- Hoodoos Trail β drive around 5 km south and take an easy 1-hour hike to the sandy Hoodoos
- Windermere Lake β from Kinsmen Beach in Invermere, you can access cross country ski trail on the lake or ice skate on the 30 km long cleared trail, the worldβs longest skating trail!
- Westside Legacy Trail β a 25 km long cross-country ski trail connecting Fairmont Hot Springs and Invermere
Thank you, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, for hosting our stay. As always, the opinions expressed above are our own.
