episode 41 season 1

Welcome back to Valerie's Variety Podcast About recent getaway to the mountains. One of my most favourite things is being outside when the weather is cold and brisk but the sun is lighting up the day. With barely a cloud in the sky and it's so cold and crisp under your feet.

Lake Louise

First stop - Lake Louise, 2 hours north west of Calgary nice drive into the park. Once you pass Canmore of brown lands we were becoming suspicious to the rumours about the snow, but as soon as we passed the park gates Snow Snow Snow

Check out my site for some videos of our drive the day was amazing to travel the abundance of snow hanging on the fence stumps looking like mushroom tops was incredible -  this is snow. Also the Chinook arch was beaming with delight. A site to see if you’re not from around here our Chinook arches are a staple here in the mountains swinging our temperatures from minus 10 to plus 10 over night. Feels like spring when we’re in our coldest season.

Listening to the people enjoying the snow, skating on the majestic Emerald Lake, hiking, The mountains are encapsulating us from every direction. the sound, is solid. The 80 cms of snow or 31 inches absorbs the sounds. It's really quite amazing, if you stop to listen when it snows it's almost silent.

Me with my family, we enjoyed the scenery capturing a few memories, smiling at all the tourists, people skiing, kids digging into the snow, jumping. Dogs loving it up. Being with like minded people who appreciate a good picture in the freshest air.

Aren't cameras fun...seeing all the people capturing this moment with loved ones, clicking their cameras big and small to get this moment, to savour this moment just like us.

You know what's amazing to me is people from all over the world are enjoying the same place as me - in my country, my backyard...I don't know what they are saying but you can just imagine...this are is beautiful, take a picture of me over here...

From Ice Castles that you can stand in and have a drink in complete with bartender, take pictures peeking out through the windows - yes inside the ice castle. Surrounded by the most in credible 6 mountains. When you stand outside the hotel and looking from left to right the mountains are:

Fairview Mountain

Aberdeen (which kind of hides behind Fairview)

Lefroy

Victoria (the big one in the centre)

Whyte (with Mount Niblock connected to its right)

St. Piran

We walked all around this amazing place. Nestled within these mountains, this chateau and can't you hear is so quiet with people just taking it all in around us. Taking family pictures. Savouring this experience.

What time is it? I don't know I say...when I'm on vacation or holidays or away from my busy life I like to loose track of time...this helps me unwind and be in the moment, whenever and whatever I'm doing.

Dig out your boots, your snow pants, favourite warm mitts and toque head to the mountains, get that fresh air on you and in you. This my friends, heal souls and refreshes minds to undertake your next challenge. This is my happy place. What’s your happy place? Why how does it make you feel  is it a thing, a song, a person  share this with me.

Banff Park Lodge

Next Stop ....checking into the Hotel, we've always wanted to Stay at the Banff Park Lodge located on Lynx Street between Wolf Street and Caribou Street - see the theme here? It's boasting many flags on the outside of the building. True to Banff's style it's rock and wood and feels good inside - at the time we were there it was still decorated like Christmas - the trees were as tall as the ceilings over 20' - stunningly decorated . Although we booked our room online. Here's our checking in experience.

Like all checkins you need to park your car and mosey up to the reception desk to check in...our gal was lovely....hair dryer to room..so funny.

Parking is underground, in a warm basement, daily parking is advisable,