Get ready to immerse yourself in some of Canada’s most frigid glacial temperatures. The highly anticipated BASIN Glacial Waters at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will officially open on Sept. 15, 2025.
This world-class indoor-outdoor facility is inspired by the traditional bathhouse and has been reimagined in this contemporary lakeside update.
Embedded within the world-famous scenic views of Banff National Park, this new wellness retreat will be a peaceful haven for cold plungers, wellness tourists, and nature lovers alike.
What to expect
The concept has been two decades in the making, using the healing benefits of natural springs and long-established Nordic wellness practices as inspiration to deliver a luxurious spa experience in the heart of the mountains.
Resting at an elevation of 1,600 m (5,200 ft), guests will enjoy uninterrupted vistas of the iconic Lake Louise and nearby Victoria Glacier.
“Capturing the spirit of Lake Louise was at the heart of the architectural intention, to respect the richness of the landscape with a design that represents simplicity, purity, and the uniqueness of the location,” says environmental architect Matteo Thun, who led the design of the project. “Nature and the beautiful surroundings of the lake and the forest become the protagonist – architecture and interior the stage,” he muses.
The space will include self-guided circuits that vary in heat and humidity. Among the available offerings are traditional Finnish and Bio Saunas, an Aufguss Sauna, steam rooms, and a hot stone massage room.
In the Silent Salt Relax Room, a Himalayan salt wall will provide a warm glow and gently ionize the air. A series of diverse temperature pools — including the Reflexology Pool, an Infinity Pool spanning the outdoor terrace, and a Knepp Walk for standing contrast bathing — will be available.
Two wet treatment rooms further enhance the thermotherapy cycle, one of which is modelled on a traditional Hammam for full-body exfoliation.
Guests looking for direction can also opt to follow one of five thoughtfully curated wellness journeys — called “Trails” — for a preferred wellness outcome.
The Stillness Trail is designed to soothe the nervous system and usher in a state of deep rest, while the Presence Trail will promote grounding and awareness to counteract the effects of jet lag and calm an anxious mind.
You’ll also have the option of relaxing and rehydrating in the Glacier Lounge, an open-air communal space with a light menu and curated selection of elixirs, tonics, nootropics and adaptogens. For those looking to celebrate, premium Champagne and craft beverages will also be available to complement the experience.
“Wellness at Fairmont has always been about creating meaningful experiences, and now, BASIN represents an evolution of this,” says Emma Darby, global vice president of spa & wellness at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
“Our vision with this concept was to create an all-sensory space that felt both intentional and immersive, where guests can slow down, take a breath, and feel genuinely restored,” she continues. “The BASIN experience is not prescriptive but is instead deeply connected to the landscape and focused on the guest’s individual mindset.”
That means your journey wading through the pools and waters can be fully self-guided. Open year-round, BASIN’s indoor-outdoor thermotherapy experience will reflect the shifting nature of Lake Louise’s seasonal changes.
So whether you’re ready to take the plunge in Calgary’s frigid -40°C temperatures or simply want to cool down during our notoriously hot summers, the BASIN Glacial Waters will be waiting. Check here for a list of frequently asked questions about this exciting new luxury wellness retreat.
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Em Medland-Marchen
Em is a Staff Writer for Curiocity Calgary. They are passionate about live music, rose gardens, iced coffee, their dogs Bandit and Stanley, and walks along the Bow River.
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