Alberta Winter Highlights

Arrive in Calgary and transfer to Buffalo Mountain Lodge in the resort town of Banff. With its timber construction, high open ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces and cherry, pine and bent-willow furnishings, this is the perfect hotel for anyone looking for a Canadian lodge experience.

Stay: Buffalo Mountain Lodge

With three full days to play with, we can recommend any number of optional winter excursions. Popular options include a full-day snowmobile tour from Kicking Horse Canyon; a half-day snowmobile tour that includes plenty of picture stops and the chance to visit an abandoned silver mine; a four-hour guided hike that leads you across steel walkways built into the walls of Johnston Canyon to frozen waterfalls, caves and ice walls; a wildlife tour that sets out in search of elk, caribou and bighorn sheep; and a snowshoe trek through Marble Canyon that also gives an insight into the fur trade and its impact on Western Canada.

Stay: Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Transfer to Deer Lodge just minutes from the foot of enchanting Lake Louise. Much of the original charm of this century-old lodge remains, and where modern additions have been made they've proved most welcome, like the rooftop hot tub that offers 360° views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

Stay: Deer Lodge

Although it's possible to ski from both Banff and Lake Louise, the latter offers more varied skiing, meaning these two days are the perfect time to hit the slopes. For non-skiers there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the mountain scenery, including a highly recommended snowshoeing tour.

Stay: Deer Lodge

End the trip in style with two nights at the luxurious Fairmont Palliser hotel in Calgary. The city hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988 and the Olympic Plaza remains a popular gathering place. Those brave enough can even ride the bobsleigh track, reaching speeds of up to 120kmph over 14 twisting turns.

Stay: Fairmont Palliser

Head to the airport on the morning of day ten to catch your flight back to the UK.