Fairmont Mountain Resorts encompasses four iconic Canadian hotels; Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and Fairmont Chateau Whistler. It can be tricky to decide which one to apply to, so luckily, Fairmont offers an interactive quiz to help you figure out which mountain hotel is right for you. We have also done our own deep dive on the towns and hotels to help you make this tough decision.
Fairmont Banff Springs
Ever dreamed of being a prince or princess? Working in Canada’s ‘Castle in the Rockies’ certainly has some pinch me I’m dreaming moments. The biggest and busiest of all four hotels, Fairmont Banff Springs offers a killer employee events program, a free meal per working day, studio apartment-style staff accommodation, and sweet discounts on gym, golf, ski, spa and hotel restaurants.
Located just a few minutes away from the hotel is the bustling town of Banff. Banff is known for always having an opportunity for a good time - sunny days might see you hiking Tunnel Mountain or playing a round of golf followed by a nice meal on one of Banff’s best patios (perhaps with a cheeky drink at Rundle Bar after?). “Bad” weather is rare in Banff, but when it happens, Banff has plenty of opportunities to keep you out of the elements, with cinemas, bowling alleys, museums and shops galore. For cheaper groceries and everyday goods, the idyllic town of Canmore is twenty minutes away and for a weekend city escape, Calgary is only an hour and a half away with plenty of transportation options available.
Banff is perfect for those seeking adventure, enjoy having options for nightlife, don’t mind living in a busy town, and like having easy access to the option of a city break.
Local’s Tip: For a low key summer day, we love to hit up the Banff Farmers Market followed by pizza on the Three Bears Brewing Co patio (best pizza in Banff!).
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Located forty minutes away from Banff, Lake Louise is the smallest of the four towns. The highlight is - you guessed it! - Lake Louise. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits on the shores of Lake Louise, which means your Insta-feed will never look better.
In the summer, this gorgeous lake offers ample opportunities for world-class hiking, kayaking and canoeing. In the winter, the lake transforms into a real-life snow globe with ice skating, skiing and snowshoeing right at its doorstep. Steps away from the lake, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers their own on-site staff pub (karaoke night is a must-do!) which is the best way to meet awesome new friends. Their staff accommodation is apartment style, and they also offer one free meal per working day. The town of Lake Louise is much smaller, with more limited options for groceries, restaurants and entertainment, but locals love catching the bus into Banff for a fun day out.
Lake Louise is perfect for you if your ideal day is exploring the outdoors followed by a pint in the pub with your best friends!
Local's Tip: The Lake Agnes Tea House hike is a Summer must-do!
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Two hours down the iconic Icefield Parkway (this drive is simply breathtaking!) is Jasper. Like Goldilocks’ porridge, Jasper is smaller than Banff but bigger than Lake Louise and perfect for nature and adventure lovers who prefer a big-ish small town but a slower pace of life.
Jasper is cabin country, and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge doesn’t disappoint - their colleagues get to enjoy the authentic experience and live in cabins built in the early 1900s!
Jasper is home to many different types of quintessentially Canadian wildlife, including bears, elk and moose. Get your camera ready - you are guaranteed to see some majestically creatures right at your doorstep.
A few steps away from their staff accommodation is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course, which is largely regarded as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world - and is heavily discounted for staff! After a round of golf, head over to the staff pub ("The Grizz") for a great, cheap meal - the garlic fingers are the bomb.
In the winter, colleagues at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge can experience the best of winter right on their doorstep, as Mildred Lake transforms into a bonafide Winter Wonderland. Colleagues have the opportunity to go skating, sledding and cross-country skiing just steps away from staff accom. Not to mention - Jasper is home to one of best ski hills in Alberta!
Love the idea of saving heaps of money, having breathtaking hikes steps away from your staff accom, whilst also having easy access to play golf until your heart’s content? Jasper might be the place for you!
Local’s Tip: We love Wicked Cup for brunch and the Edge of the World Hike is one you won’t find in any guide book!
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Changing provinces and located a short drive from Vancouver is Whistler, home to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Known for out of this world skiing and snowboarding in the winter and mountain biking and hiking in the summer, this easy-going town is the epitome of a fun time. Warmer than the Alberta properties, Whistler is a great way to ease into the Canadian climate if you’re coming from somewhere a little warmer!
Fairmont Chateau Whistler embraces what we’re here for (the incredible slopes) and offers ski-in, ski-ski-out staff accommodation (I know - our jaw dropped, too!). The coolest perk in our opinion is that all full time employees are eligible to access a subsidized ski pass, golf club membership at their award-winning golf course, or a leisure benefit of their choosing.
More than ‘just’ a ski town, Whistler is also known for their Arts & Culture scene, including the Whistler Film Festival, Whistler Writers Festival, Art on the Lake and more. Bonus: get your lumberjack on with some axe throwing at Forged Axe Throwing!
Local’s Tip: The Train Wreck has become one of the most Instagramed spots in Whistler. An easy trail behind Olive’s Community Market will lead you to the site!
Ready for an adventure? Visit FairmontMTNJobs.com to learn more about what it's like to live, work and play in Fairmont's Mountain Region.
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