One of the most anticipated wellness openings in Canada in years, BASIN Glacial Waters arrived at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in September 2025 — and it was worth the wait. A concept two decades in the making, the 19,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor thermal spa was designed by Milan-based architect Matteo Thun and sits on the shores of Lake Louise itself, built atop the foundation of the hotel's original outdoor pool from 1926. Remarkably, it's the first new structure built on the property in roughly 40 years — a significant feat given its location within Banff National Park.

The experience centres on thermotherapy — the ancient practice of moving between hot and cold to restore circulation, calm the nervous system, and leave you thoroughly renewed. Finnish and Bio saunas, an Aufguss sauna with a dedicated Aufgussmeister, steam rooms, a reflexology pool, a waterfall feature pool, a Kneipp Walk, an ice-temperature plunge pool, a Himalayan salt room, and a hot stone relaxation room make up the circuit — all framed by dramatic arched windows looking directly out over the turquoise lake and Victoria Glacier. The sprawling infinity pool extending from the interior to an outdoor deck may be the finest pool setting in the Canadian Rockies.

A strict no-phones policy keeps the atmosphere exactly as it should be. Three-hour access passes are $275 CAD per person and are currently available exclusively to overnight guests of the Chateau — book well in advance as capacity is intentionally limited.