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'Basin Glacial Waters' opens at Lake Louise
A new luxury wellness destination has launched on the shores of Lake Louise with the opening of Basin Glacial Waters at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The C$130-million project is part of a broader property investment by Oxford Properties and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts that also included guest room renovations and a redesign of the Fairmont Spa.
Basin Glacial Waters is designed as an all-sensory thermal bathing facility, drawing on ancient traditions of thermotherapy while reinterpreting them through a modern lens. Developed over two decades and realized by architect Matteo Thun, the facility incorporates Nordic sauna culture and global bathing practices. Its minimalist structure is integrated into the mountain landscape, offering views of glaciers and alpine scenery.
Guests move through a sequence of saunas, steam rooms, relaxation areas, and indoor-outdoor pools, including an infinity pool that extends onto a terrace. Experiences range from contrast bathing to meditation in dedicated quiet rooms. Five curated wellness “trails” guide visitors through options such as the Stillness Trail for deep rest and the Presence Trail for grounding and awareness.
The outdoor Aufguss sauna will host the facility’s signature “Aufguss Ceremony,” led by trained practitioners in the European tradition, blending aromatherapy, heat, and steam in a theatrical format. Guests can also access the Glacier Lounge, which serves light dishes, wellness-focused beverages, and Champagne.
Initially, access is reserved for overnight guests of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The year-round programming shifts with the seasons and includes guided outdoor activities such as forest bathing, meditation walks, and glacial cold plunges.
Tracy Lowe, general manager of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, says the project reflects a “remarkable honour” for the resort and aims to “set an entirely new standard of luxury wellness.” Tyler MacDonald, senior vice-president and head of hotels at Oxford Properties, calls Basin a “next-generation facility” that reimagines the traditional bathhouse while anchoring it in the natural surroundings.
Emma Darby, global vice-president of spa and wellness at Fairmont Raffles, describes Basin as a flagship addition to the company’s global wellness portfolio, adding that “we truly believe this is the finest bathing destination in North America.”
Basin Glacial Waters represents a significant expansion of luxury wellness offerings in Canada and is being positioned as a model for future Fairmont developments worldwide.
