A weekend in Banff National Park — but three cloudy nights foiled the array of starry time-lapse shots I had hoped to take. But on Sunday night, July 10, I did get a nice evening shot of the Moon over the most famous Banff landmark.

This is the Banff Springs Hotel, in the deepening twilight as the gibbous Moon shone over Sulphur Mountain behind the hotel. I shot this from the overlook across the Bow River on Tunnel Mountain Drive, a popular spot by day for tourists to disembark by the busload and get their requisite shot. But at this time of night, about 11 p.m., I was the only one there. That’s the beauty of nightscape photography — you have the scene to yourself! And the bears.

Banff Springs is the epitome of a grand hotel. Opened in 1888 but since reconstructed and added to several times, the hotel was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway as the focal point for the tourists it planned to bring into the new Rocky Mountain Park, to take “the waters” in the Park’s sulphur hot springs and enjoy mountain wilderness in genteel splendour. I had the pleasure of staying there one night, in an upper room, courtesy of the Hotel as part of an astronomy outreach program we did there for Earth Hour in 2010. It was truly splendid!

For this shot, I combined three different exposures (1/2 second, 1.3 seconds and 3.4 seconds) in a High Dynamic Range stack, to bring out dark foreground detail but retain the still bright sky, and prevent the Moon from becoming too overexposed. So some Photoshop trickery was involved. But unlike many picture postcard scenes of the Moon sitting above a landmark, this one is real and has not had the Moon pasted into place, usually in a spot and orientation that is astronomically impossible! We astronomers hate that!

— Alan, July 11, 2011 / Image © 2011 Alan Dyer

Are you a nature buff? The Banff Park Museum showcases the early authentic solution to pure historical past by the Geological Survey of Canada. The residence of this museum is a 1903 log making in the architectural design of what the federal park structures looked like back again then. They present an intensive assortment of more than 5,000 purely natural record specimens. Fantastic for the young children to see some incredible wildlife up shut and individual.

Historians will really like the romance of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Heritage played an critical portion of Banff. If it wasn’t for this transcontinental railway forging by means of the Rockies and staff, finding the natural very hot springs, Banff would not be the spot it is today.

In fact, Banff was the initial Canadian Nationwide Park in the nation. It was given this title in 1885. Back then, Canada starting marketing this region as an worldwide resort and spa to assist help the new railway. Persons from all more than the planet could take the train to this universe class getaway spot. Readers currently are however savoring the Canadian Rockies on board the Rocky Mountaineer Train.

With the discovery of the organic springs, arrived the construction of the Banff Springs Hotel. It really is a castle nestled in the Rocky Mountains. If you’re wanting for a stress-free position to get away from the hustle and bustle….this will suit the bill. The hotel offers the Willow Stream Spa with a few waterfall therapy whirlpools, indoor mineral pool, out of doors heated pool and jacuzzi.

The Banff Springs Resort could be a romantic weekend getaway, an remarkable marriage ceremony venue or honeymoon destination. If you are a golfer, the Banff Springs Golf Program gives you internationally renowned scenery and a varied terrain. If you are hunting for holiday options for your annual household holiday getaway or spring break, this is a excellent solution. Several pursuits are available for young ones from the in depth pool to black light bowling, from skiing/snowboarding to wildlife patrol.

Mainly because of the diversity of the mountain ranges all within the Banff spot there are 3 earth class ski resorts. Norquay is 5 minutes from the town of Banff. Sunshine Village only 20 minutes away and Lake Louise fifty minutes by auto or shuttle. All these ski resorts present a small distinct terrain, from find out to ski, delicate slopes for novices, to the black run maniacs. What’s excellent about Sunshine Village is you can ski til the third week in Could, providing outstanding spring skiing. Banff could be a spring break family vacation possibility.

Back to the Banff townsite after a day of skiing, snowshoeing, golfing, hiking or biking is some excellent dining. There are through hundred eating places, some specializing in good Canadian Cuisine. What I like very best about this vacation destination is the flexibility….there is a little something to do in every season. There is Spring skiing at Sunshine Village, there’s hiking, biking, and golf in summertime and drop. In addition skiing, skating and puppy sledding while in the winter season year. There is so much much more to see and do here in Banff.

There are so lots of wonderful details to see and do in this romantic journey destination. Just take that “specific someone” to Banff. I’m a hopeless romantic. I enjoy the factor of surprise when setting up a little something particular for that cherished one.

Browsing for some romantic tips for that fantastic romantic weekend getaway? Are you another person who just doesn’t have the creativeness for organizing one thing memorable. To start with… Banff is attractive in summer time or winter season. Individuals majestic Rockies seem gorgeous in all seasons.

We have some pretty romantic hotels in the location. The Banff Springs Hotel is a “castle.” It’s surrounded by mountains on all sides with staggering views. The companies presented right here array from twelve choices of cuisine, the globe class Willow Stream Spa, a scenic golf course and a lot significantly extra.

There are some attractive parks for that traditional “romantic picnic.” Cascade Backyard is one of a kind and a good example of the Canadian landscape correct in town.

Ok?
Seriously, what was I supposed to expect?
We’d known each other for a short period of time. Yes we had feelings, but was I really expecting her to move back to a city she left years ago?
“I got the job” landed so awkwardly with me.
I was happy for @mediamindjen. I knew she was on the hunt and it was only a matter of time. But this job was keeping her in Calgary and with my parenting schedule there was no way I was moving.

So here I am staring at the very real possibility of what I never wanted: A long distance relationship.

The battery on my phone was running dangerously low and in true form I had left my charger at home. Texts to @tvarmstrong would have to be short and strategic. In between the infatuated texts of our newly declared love, the phone was strictly off.

After firing off a quick message that included a pic of me in my wedding dress (his reaction would be a good test, I thought teasingly), a voicemail notification popped up. I didn’t recognize the number but I had been on the edge of my seat waiting for news on the job interview I had before we left for the mountains. Over the last few months, I grew more desperate as my bank account dwindled but I was determined to hold out. Whether it came to my 9-5 or relationships, I wasn’t settling anymore and this job seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

Of course it was an open ended voicemail to call them back as they had reached a decision. My instinct was to question how they came to it so soon and if they even had time to check references but I stayed positive and said a little prayer that my phone would hold out.

I got the lady after a few rings. Standing in the grand foyer in a consuming white dress, I held my breath, folded my lips in nervously and looked to the ceiling just bracing for the news.

The job was mine. The pay was great. I’d finally be able to make it on my own. I couldn’t wait to share the exciting news with @tvarmstrong but when I thought of him, my heart sank a little. How would he take the news? We suddenly transitioned from a harmless test to a very serious one.

We just told each other we loved each other and with this new job, it was definitive: I’m not moving back to my hometown anytime soon. With him having two little ones, I doubted he was packing up anytime soon. I decided to leave the outcome in the hands of fate and with that, I made another phone call.

I was smiling. How could I be so happy? I was leaving @mediamindjen and I was driving away from a gorgeous hotel and the spectacular Banff views. I faced four long boring hours of driving. Yet I was thrilled. I didn’t know when I’d see @mediamindjen again, but I knew I would. I also knew she’d be texting whenever she had a chance. I knew she’d phone me tonight to fill me in on the day. I was getting my kids the next day and was excited to see the world through their innocent eyes. Then it hit me: I’m happy. Not happy in a single moment, but happy in life, which for me was a reversal.

At work I’m called “dark cloud”. I’ve earned it through a few stories of uncovering things and making some people’s lives a little difficult. It’s also earned because, as I’ve stated before, I’m a glass half empty kind of guy. I prefer realist. Not negative, or a whiner, just strong, critical opinions. But here I am, grinning almost giddy. My recent past hadn’t allowed for that too often, a separation, reconciliation, followed by a divorce and all the fun that comes with it. A dating scene that was more games then I’d ever covered while a sports reporter. Some ups and down professionally. Other than my kids, my whole family lives in Ontario, a very long and expensive flight away. So the struggle was a lonely one but now I was solid in the fact I had @mediamindjen with me and that loneliness was disappearing.

I received a text; it was a picture of her in a wedding dress for the photo shoot. She looked gorgeous. As the drive continued, my music selection didn’t seem to work, Metallica and Godsmack (my angry, get out of my way music) just wasn’t hitting the acoustic craving. I dug through some discs to find one I’d listened to once. I only bought it because it was Godsmack’s lead singer Sully Erna’s first solo effort. But it was way too slow, for my usual taste. However I wasn’t in my usual state. I put in the disc and within minutes, texted back to @mediamindjen “do you like being a bride? I found our wedding song”

My Light by Sully Erna:

Here I am,
What a nice place to be,
I never thought I’d see the skies separate for me,
And here I am,
What a nice surprise,
If only I had known what life was like on this side.
 
You always bring me life
And you helped me find my way,
A gentle kiss good night,
Is the innocence I crave.
 
Here I am,
Humbled and amazed,
This beautiful little miracle of life,
Was gifted to me.
And here I am,
I never thought I’d say,
If ever I could live my life again,
I’d live it your way.
 
You’ve always brought me life
And you’ve helped me find my way,
A simple kiss good night is the innocence I crave,
I’d never waste your time,
I’ll never cause you pain.
I’ll love you all my life,
I’ll love you everyday. 
 
Under the light you shine on me,
 
I promise I will be there for you baby,
(I never wanna leave you anyway, you’ve become my
light)
I cross my heart that’s in your hands,
That I hope you will always be my best friend.
I promise I will be there ’til the end.
 
You’ve become my light.
 
Under the light you shine on me,
I promise I will be there for you baby,
(I never wanna leave you anyway, you’ve become my light)
Cross my heart that’s in your hands,
And hope that you’ll always be my best friend,
I promise I will be there ’til the end,
 
You’ve become my light.

You couldn’t have asked for a better evening. Snow was blanketing the small mountain town and the castle was keeping us warm. It was a fresh start in every way possible that started with three irreplaceable words. Although it was work that brought us on this adventure, it was a little unfortunate that I had an interrupting obligation to attend to. The exciting part was that I got to try on a wedding dress for the first time in my life. It was hard to contain my enthusiasm to @tvarmstrong and so I let my inner little-girl-playing-dress-up out a little on the way back to the room. He embraced all of it, which was unexpected and comforting. I was so used to that deer-in-the-headlights look from guys at the first hint of a more serious commitment. @tvarmstrong just smiled and took it all in.

We had an hour or so to kill before I had to be at the fitting. I could only imagine what @tvarmstrong had in store for me. Capping off this night of firsts with intimate and heated passion would take this surreal experience to an unimaginable fairytale realm.

But, the closer we got to the room, the more self-conscious I got. My delicious dinner of spaghetti and meatballs made from scratch was starting to digest and as a result, I could feel my belly growing. “Great,” I thought, “I’m getting a food baby.” The more the feeling of fullness turned to discomfort, the more I tried sucking in my stomach, which did not help me feel any more attractive. Geezus, how was I going to look graceful in this wedding dress fitting, let alone naked in front of @tvarmstrong?!

The moment of truth came the second we got into the room. I was a few steps in front of @tvarmstrong. With a deep breath, I whirled around with a smile on my face – forcefully ready for his embrace. As I turned to take him in my arms, I watched him slink into the bed. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one who dinner had gotten the better of. He was so out of it, he seemed drunk. I knew he wasn’t. We shared two bottles of wine on our first date and only had a couple of drinks over dinner. On top of that, he was trying to play it off and not have me fuss over him but he was completely immobile. The only thing to do was get into bed next to him. Before I knew it, I woke up in a panic – just in time for my fitting. The lights were still on in the room, so I grabbed my phone for an update. The crew was snowed out of the mountains and wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow. With that, I drifted back into my coma. Both @tvarmstrong and I were nursing our food babies. Romance wasn’t dead… it was sound asleep next to me.

You know when you’re so thirsty you can’t even swallow? Then you get that cold glass of water, you feel it going down and it’s instant relief? That’s the only way I can describe the feeling of telling @mediamindjen just how strongly I felt for her. It was something that we’d both wanted to say for a while but to have it out there, to have her respond with the same, suddenly the light in the hall seemed brighter and my shoulders felt lose and my head clear.

We could’ve sat there all night staring into each other’s eyes repeating those three words over and over again, however our stomachs, now free of butterflies were empty and letting us know about it. We made our way through the Springs to the Castlo Ristorante.

We were the first couple there, escorted to a table where one side was a booth seat the other a chair. I pulled the chair out for @mediamindjen. She smile grabbed my arm and said we’re sitting together on the booth side. We ate and chatted, drank, repeat, repeat, repeat.

Every once in a while I’d break eye contact with @mediamindjen to watch huge flakes of snow gently fall. You could not have asked for a better atmosphere, company or food. I finished my meal and knew I was full. But @mediamindjen reluctantly gave up half way through her plate. It was by far the best meals either of us had in a very long time. Temptation overcame and I had a bite, then another bite, and eventually finished her meal. As the last bite went down I knew it was one too many. I was stuffed and she had a fitting to get to so we headed back to the room. I wasn’t expecting what happened next.

Jenna & her team did an awesome job on all the decor & I was stoked to have Julie as my second shooter for the day. There was definitely a lot to capture! We photographed the ladies getting ready at the Willow Stream Spa in the Banff Springs & then joined the happy chaos over where the boys were staying to shoot some bubble hockey games & a stop at the St. James Gate pub downtown.

After a lovely ceremony and some portraits outdoors, the party began! Dinner was delicious & then before everyone hit the dance floor, Lyndsay & her dad surprised everyone with their own twist on the “Father/Daughter” dance!

It has been really great to get to know Mike & Lyndsay a bit over the last year, they are such genuine people. Hearing what their friends & family had to say about them only reinforced how great they are together. Thank you both again for the privilege of capturing such special memories!

-Tessa

Ceremony/Reception Venue: Mt. Stephen Hall, Banff Springs Hotel

Groom & Groomsmen’s Accommodation: Hidden Ridge Resort

Wedding Planner: Signature Weddings by Jenna

Second Shooter: Julie Williams

Flowers: Kayla Smith McCowen

Hair & Make-up: Willow Stream Spa, Banff Springs Hotel

DJ: Patrick Smiley – Class Act DJ

Wedding Cupcakes: Bliss Cupcakes

Marriage Commissioner: Robyn White

Decor Rental: Amy Slater – Down to Their Socks

Videographer: John Thiessen – Alta Resort

We had some extra onlookers during the formals….:)

A perfect example of how brilliant it is having a second shooter: Julie took the awesome shot on the right

I barely slept.
@mediamindjen’s mattress was a slab of concrete, and her bizarre earless and short tailed black cat kept moving around, meowing, or scratching.
But when the alarm went off, I felt more rested then I had in months.
After some running around we were on our way to Banff. We had to go in separate cars as I was leaving the next morning because @mediamindjen would be working all day.
That drive west is one of my favourites, the mountains provide such a beautiful view. However, I was finding myself distracted by the sight in my rear view mirror.
You could see blonde hair bouncing, side to side, up and down. Looking closer, @mediamindjen is in full singing and dancing mode.
The views just kept getting better, pulling up to the Banff Springs. @mediamindjen had described it, I’d looked at it online, but nothing compares to actually seeing it with your own two eyes.
We dropped off her bags in the room, and set out to explore.
Every corridor is spectacular. Never letting @mediamindjen’s hand go, we moved room to room taking it in. Despite the beautiful background, that’s all it was, @mediamindjen had my full attention. Including my heart’s attention. It was pumping hard and fast, while the butterflies in my stomach felt more like fighter jets.
I knew without a doubt I was in love with this woman. Here I am in one of the most beautiful places in the country with the most beautiful girl. More than once I stopped myself from just blurting out those three words, but they felt natural. You couldn’t ask for a better setting, but this is our second “date”. I wasn’t only worried about scaring her away but I was scaring myself. Was I really ready for this? Was I ready to admit it out load? 
As we sat down in an amazing room I looked her in the eye and saw an indescribable glow, I gave her a kiss, and the next thing I said changed everything.  

It really is both an amazing location nestled in the mountains and a remarkable building. Walking through the hotel, it quietly whispers opulence from the two-floor lobby, to the stairwells, the ballrooms, the spas, and out onto the wide stone terrace overlooking the outdoor pool, the golf course and the Bow River.

Room rates appear to start in the mid-400 dollar range and go up (way up) from there, so if you’re thinking about staying, you might want to start saving.

Processing notes: This is an HDR image from 3 handheld exposures. I used Photomatix (as usual) to combine the images and tone map the result. Once in Photoshop, I used Viveza to fine-tune the shadow areas that were left a bit dark from the HDR process. I used my favourite Color Efex Pro filter – tonal contrast – to selectively enhance the textures in the image. I then processed it through Silver Efex Pro to add the border and selectively mute the colours.

The video below provides a montage of vistas from some of the most popular sites.

via Google Images

During our recent short trip to Edmonton, AB. we drove the scenic route through the Rogers Pass and Banff National Park.  While tootling around the town-site my husband made the discovery that I had never been inside this National Historic Site and immediately drove us over there to rectify the situation.

Although it looks like a castle, it has never really functioned as one.  Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway it has always operated as a hotel.  When Fairmont Hotels & Resorts bought the hotel, they did extensive renovations and corrected a construction mistake made when the  entrance and lobby were located facing the river side. (The architect is said to have declared “you built my hotel backwards!”)

Built in 1887 following the plans of architect, Bruce Price, it was originally a 4 story wooden structure in what has been described as Scottish Baronial Style.

circa 1902 via google images

From 1903 to 1928 there were many wing and tower additions, a couple of fires, wing duplications and the addition of stone cladding from nearby Mount Rundle.

via canada4gifts.com

This photo (above) was not dated but appears to be before the 1906 reconstruction.  That’s Mount Rundle in the background.

circa 1929 via

The plans for the central tower is credited to Walter Painter, the chief designer for the Canadian Pacific Railway.     The hotel was winterized in 1968 and has been opened year-round ever since.

my photo

Don’t you just love that stone!

my photo

This is the lobby where I’ll check in next time I visit Banff!

my photo

Sorry for the grainy quality of this photo (just had my pocket digital) but I love, love, love this chair.  The back on this baby is veeery high.

via Google Images

via google images

via Google Images

How about these bedroom interiors for some inspiration for your next reno or refresh project???

I know that a lot of people just jump to the design magazines for decor inspiration (nothing wrong with that!), or stop in at every show home they see (also one of my favorite things to do), but don’t pass-over the opportunity to stop and drool over the interiors (& exteriors) of hotels – historic or not.

via Google Images

Simple Changes or Complete Transformations – design simply works.

Here it is, from a photo taken in 1929, a year after the Banff Springs Hotel was renovated. Heaven on earth! Image via Wikipedia

Not many people are eager for a vacation involving ice, snow and air so cold it hurts to breathe. Your breath freezes onto your scarf, leaving a shelf of rime. Your moist nostril hairs lock together and, as your body warmth condenses and freezes inside the lenses, your eyeglasses are useless.

But so worth it!

I’m in Banff, Alberta for another two days, a week in all, and it will be heart-wrenching to leave behind such spectacular beauty. I wake up every morning, in my little 8th. floor aerie, and peer out at the snow-capped peaks, painted pink with the dawn’s light or flirting through mist and snow squalls.

Why Banff? I’m Canadian, so it’s been part of my fantasies and visual vocabulary for years, although popular with Europeans as I hear British and Irish, French and Spanish and German accents all over town.

My father even made a film here, for Walt Disney, called “King of the Grizzlies.” Although I didn’t join him on location,  he told me how to wrangle a grizzly — jelly doughnuts (held out to entice him forward) and low-voltage wiring (to keep him on the path.)

I’ve settled into an astonishing place, built in 1888 and renovated in 1928, The Banff Springs Hotel, and have reveled in its combination of elegance, history, luxury and warmth. Tea is taken in a room whose wall of windows faces a valley. A heated pool outdoors shoots plumes of steam into the frigid air. Stained glass windows overlook a curling rink.

I feel like Eloise of the Rockies! (If you have never read the Eloise books, about Eloise, a six–year-old girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel in New York with her nanny, her dog Weenie and her turtle, Skipperdee, they are a delight. Inspiring, too.)

The hotel is so large they hand you a map to help you locate your room, and their many amenities, from a bowling alley to the spa to the sushi restaurant to the pub in the woods. I’ve been working on a photo project involving one small, beloved white stuffed bear I’ve had forever, posing him throughout its rooms and halls; I’m calling it The Unregistered Guest.

And every day brings the distinctive clomp-clomp-clomp of skiiers trudging the hallways in their ski boots.

Today’s balmy — only -8 (Celsuis.) Off to go dog-sledding!

Since New York and I seem to be on a snow kick I thought I’d take this weekend getaway post somewhere that’s known for its snowy mountains and winter activities, Banff. Located in the Alberta Rockies of Canada, Banff is one of the number one places to rent (or bring) a pair of skis and hit the slopes with family and friends. Now, I have not been skiing since I was cruising down the bunny slopes in a hot pink ski suit at the age of five but it’s been something that I’ve wanted to try out again. However, regardless of the skiing, I’ve always wanted to rent a cabin with friends and spend days partaking in winter activities, curling up by the fire and cooking big meals and well, Banff seems like the perfect place to do that.

Aside from my desire to lounge around a cabin with a wintery cocktail in my hand, there are also a number of places I’d like to explore in Banff. Year round, visitors can explore multiple caves hidden within the rockies, bathe and swim in the hot springs surrounded by views of mountains and take gondola rides up and down these steep peaks to get an aerial view of the surrounding area. However, since we’re focusing on winter today (thank you Mr. Weather for bringing 8 inches of snow to New York City yesterday), Banff offers practically every winter activity you could possibly imagine: snow shoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, etc. However, something that I’ve never heard of before but am dying to try is Banff’s “Evening Icewalk” which features a moonlit walk around the icy Lake Minnewanka followed by a warm and cozy hang-out around a giant campfire.

If you couldn’t already tell, all this snow is making me stir crazy for some fun winter activities…and since a trip to Banff in the next few weeks is totally out of the question I guess I’ll just have to make do with what I’ve got; Central Park, here I come.

• nothing like seeing an elk bull in the wild •

• hot springs image from the 1920s •

• hot springs today – sign me up! •

• interior view of one of Banff’s many caves •

• don’t you just want to rent this cabin out for a week? or two…or three? •

• I wouldn’t mind staying at the Banff Springs Hotel either though •

Have you ever been to Banff?

–

Feel like skiing or boarding? Head down the Trans Canada and you can hit the slopes at Norquay in about 15 minutes, or Sunshine a few minutes further. Cross country skiing? Canmore boasts the awesome Nordic Ski Centre, with over 65kms of trails bounded by evergreens and jaw-dropping mountain views. Or head to Banff or Lake Louise and hit the free trails there. Hockey? Canmore’s got a couple of great outdoor rinks (plus a sweet frozen pond).

With Banff only 15 minutes from Canmore, it’s easy to almost lump them into a dual town. Both towns boast a staggering number of pubs, bars and restaurants, so there’s no shortage of places to spend your hard earned cash. There are also some great coffee shops, bakeries, and food stores. Feeling some culture? Both towns have various establishments offering live music. As for history, Banff has the small but stunning Natural History Museum, a beautiful century old building right downtown that’s been restored to its former glory. The well known Whyte Museum is just down the street too.

Sure, Banff is a serious tourist town, but if you look beyond main street, you can find some great local spots (such as Wild Flour Bakery and Cafe) or leave downtown behind and go for a walk along the Bow River. And even though Banff’s best known destination, the epic Banff Springs Hotel, is a little out of the price range for many, it’s open to the public and well worth a visit. I’ll give the place credit – you can’t help but feel like you’re on a relaxing vacation wherever you go in the hotel, even if it’s just stopping in for a beer or tea (well it might not be too relaxing at $35+ for afternoon tea, but I digress).

I joined in on an historic tour of the hotel, hosted by a seasoned staff member who’s been there for nearly 50 years. He spouted off an endless list of celebrities that had visited the hotel, but more interesting was the story behind the hotel (such as the fact that it was built backwards with the main view to town not the mountains!) and seeing so many elaborate rooms. The main entrance  is easily one of the most impressive areas of the hotel, but so was Mt. Stephen Hall with its giant windows and sprawling wooden ceiling.

The tour also passed by the Wine Bar, an intimate spot with a great view (of course), and eventually into the renovated ballroom with accompanying enclosed veranda (with an even better view). From here you can see the twin curling rinks built for the winter in one of the hotel’s courtyards. Spare no expense indeed. Our tour finished up with a visit to the Presidential Suite, accessible via a private elevator to the top of the building. I can think of a few better ways to spend $3000 than on a night here, especially considering the dated furniture (although I suppose guests can console themselves with one of the hotel’s only wood burning fireplaces). And it does offer a great outside deck for photos.

On my way out of the hotel, and down to the Waldhaus Pub (beside the outdoor skating rink – no surprise I suppose) I just about bumped into a deer chowing down on a winter meal. I still haven’t got used to seeing so much wildlife, especially after having seen so little all the way from Ontario. The Waldhaus is everything you’d expect from a five star historic hotel – dim lighting, beautiful exposed beams and an atmosphere that makes you feel like you wandered back in time. I’m assuming that this Tudor style building is original, unlike so many of the faux pubs that we find nowadays.

It was a sweet spot to enjoy a Big Rock Centennial Ale (brewed, or more likely labeled, exclusively for the hotel), a tasty amber beer. Add in a morning cross country ski, and a late night game of shinny, and it made for a memorable day. I can’t help but note how good outdoor hockey is on a winter’s night. I don’t care how typically Canadian it might be – in fact I’ll embrace it – because it’s one of the great joys of life.