Calgary to Fairmont Hot Springs is a drive of about 295 km, or just under four hours, through two national parks. For Calgary families and adventure seekers, it means a weekend of mountain views, hot pools and ziplining in BC. Here is what to know and how to plan it.
Mineral Mountain Ziplines sits at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in the Columbia Valley. That makes it an easy anchor for a road trip, with the drive itself as part of the fun.
The Best Route From Calgary to Fairmont Hot Springs
The most popular route takes you through Banff and Kootenay National Parks:
- Head west from Calgary on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) into Banff National Park.
- Turn south onto Highway 93 at Castle Junction, between Banff and Lake Louise.
- Follow Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park to Radium Hot Springs.
- Continue south on Highway 93/95 for about 36 km, past Invermere and Windermere, to Fairmont Hot Springs.
Plan for about 3 hours and 50 minutes in normal traffic, not counting stops. If you'd rather avoid the parks, you can come up from the south instead, taking the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) and then Highway 95 north through Canal Flats.
Stops Worth Making in Kootenay National Park
Highway 93 runs right through the park, so the best stops are close to the road. Here are three that fit easily into a drive day.
Marble Canyon
This short walk is about 1.9 km return and crosses the canyon seven times on bridges. It's easy enough for young kids and one of the best views per step in the Rockies.
The Paint Pots
About a kilometre from the parking area, these iron-rich mineral springs stain the ground red, orange and yellow. The Ktunaxa used the ochre here for generations.
Radium Hot Springs
Right where the park meets the Columbia Valley, Radium is a good place to stretch your legs and grab a bite before the last stretch south.
Know Before You Go
A little prep makes the drive smoother:
- Park pass: you'll need a Parks Canada pass if you plan to stop in Banff or Kootenay National Park. Check current rules and fees at Parks Canada before you leave.
- Cell service: there's no service through much of Kootenay National Park, so download your maps ahead of time.
- Road conditions: Highway 93 can close for rockfall or avalanche risk in shoulder seasons. Check DriveBC the morning you travel.
Day Trip or Weekend Getaway From Calgary?
Fairmont Hot Springs shows up on plenty of lists of day trips from Calgary, and you can do it in a day. But with close to eight hours of driving round trip plus a 2-hour tour, it's a long one.
A weekend getaway from Calgary works better for most people. You get time for park stops on the way out, a relaxed zipline tour and a soak before you head home. If you only have one day, skip the long stops and book a morning tour so you're back on the road by early afternoon.
Here's a simple weekend plan:
For more to see and do around the valley, check our Columbia Valley road trip guide.
What to Expect on a Kootenay Zipline Tour
Our tour is the reward at the end of the drive. Here's what's included:
- Six ziplines across Fairmont Creek
- A 1.5 to 2 hour fully guided tour
- Two trained guides with every group
- Transportation to the launch platform, handled by our guides
- Views of larch and Douglas fir forest, hoodoos and Columbia Lake
Tours run May to September, for groups of 2 to 10. Guests need to weigh between 50 and 265 lbs, and anyone under 19 needs a guardian-signed waiver. See our zipline FAQ for what to wear and bring, and our tour rates and details for current pricing.
Pair Your Tour With a Soak
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort's natural mineral pools are some of the largest in Canada, and they sit right beside our course. A morning on the lines followed by an afternoon in the pools is the classic Fairmont combination. For ideas, see how to pair ziplining with hot springs, or plan your stay with Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.
Calgary to Fairmont Hot Springs FAQ
How Long Is the Drive From Calgary to Fairmont Hot Springs?
About 295 km, or roughly 3 hours and 50 minutes without stops, via Highway 1 and Highway 93.
Do I Need a Park Pass for the Drive?
You need a Parks Canada pass to stop in Banff or Kootenay National Park. Check parks.canada.ca for current rules before you go.
Is Fairmont Hot Springs a Good Day Trip From Calgary?
It's doable, but it's a long day. Most visitors enjoy it more as a one or two night getaway.
When Is Mineral Mountain Ziplines Open?
Tours run May to September. Check our website for this season's dates and book online.
Plan Your Mountain Weekend
The drive from Calgary to Fairmont Hot Springs packs national parks, canyon walks and hot pools into one trip. Finish it with six guided lines above Fairmont Creek. Check tour rates and book your spot for the season.
Mineral Mountain Ziplines runs guided 6-line zipline tours at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in BC's East Kootenays, May to September, about four hours from Calgary through Kootenay National Park.