Take your tastebuds on a culinary journey by attending any of these food and drink-focused events in the mountains this autumn.
Día de los Muertos Celebration
When: October 26 and 27
Celebrate Día de los Muertos in style at the Fairmont Banff Springs this year with not one, but two foodie-focused events at the hotel’s Rundle Bar. On October 26, reserve your spot for an intimate Mexican dining experience with a menu created by executive chef Atticus Garant and mixologist Sam Clark, and featuring Antonio Sallas, son of the El Tequileño distillery founder. And on October 27, there will be an evening celebration at Rundle Bar that includes a Mariachi band, featured tequila cocktails, complimentary calavera face painting, a welcome drink, canapés, and a special food and drink menu with Mexican flavours available for purchase.
405 Spray Avenue, Banff, 403-762-2211, banff-springs-hotel.com
Indigenous Culinary Journey
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When: October 26 to 27
On October 26 and 27, chef Shane Chartrand of The Maple Leaf Seafood and Chophouse will take diners through a five-course, immersive experience showcasing Indigenous storytelling, cuisines and cooking techniques from a variety of First Nations communities. The menu includes a microgreens starter, a seared tuna tataki salad, bison ravioli and sweet, fried squash blossoms before ending with chaga tea. Reservations for the Indigenous Culinary Journey are priced at $149 per person and require advance booking.
137 Banff Avenue, Banff, 403-760–7680, banffcollective.com
Taste for Adventure
When: October 26 to November 9
Embark on a two-week culinary experience in Banff National Park during Taste for Adventure. From October 26 to November 9, visit any of the 28 participating eateries that range from Mexican and Greek restaurants, to steakhouses and wine bars, to craft breweries and distilleries. Each participating restaurant will have a different offering during Taste for Adventure — some may offer prix-fixe menus or specials, or have their standard menu available — to represent a diverse selection of mountain-based cuisine. Some restaurants may also require reservations in advance, so make sure to check online first.
Multiple locations, banfflakelouise.com
Christmas in November
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When: November 3 to 12
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s annual food and wine festival is back with a lineup of delicious events hosted by food, drink and decor experts such as Anna and Michael Olson from the Food Network and local chefs like Milpa’s chef Elia Herrera, who was also a contestant on Top Chef Canada and Top Chef Mexico. Christmas in November features presentations, activities and events such as the welcome reception where attendees are encouraged to wear their most memorable Christmas sweaters, photos with Santa Claus, live music, a grill class, a four-course gala dinner and more. To attend, guests can select from three packages that include accommodations, meals and beverages, sessions and gratuities, and then register for individual events or classes. The VIP package includes additional perks.
1 Old Lodge Rd., Jasper, 780-852-3301, christmasinnovember.com
Hot Chocolate Trail
When: November 17 to December 31
Warm up with a hot, chocolatey cuppa from a plethora of restaurants and cafés throughout Banff and Lake Louise during this year’s annual Hot Chocolate Trail. From November 17 to December 31, select eateries are offering limited-edition, holiday-themed hot chocolates to satisfy your sweet tooth. More details, including a list of participating restaurants and themed- drinks, will be added online closer to the start of the event, so check back soon for more information and to plan your route.
Multiple locations, banfflakelouise.com
Banff Craft Beer Festival
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When: November 23 to 25
One of the festivals under the Alberta Beer Festival umbrella, Banff Craft Beer Festival is a three-day celebration of craft beers, spirits and bites that’s hosted at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Ticket packages come with entry and a commemorative sample mug (and can also include $40 worth of sample tokens for an upgraded fee), and are for the evening sessions on Thursday and Friday and for evening or afternoon sessions on Saturday. Note that this year, the festival will only be accessible by shuttle, walking, biking or drop-off, as no parking for personal vehicles will be available at the historic site.
311 Cave Ave., Banff, albertabeerfestivals.com
Pints & Pino Run
When: November 25
Take in a breath of fresh mountain air, an eyeful of gorgeous Jasper views and then a mouthful of a tasty drink during the Pints & Pino Run, a late-fall running event that takes you up scenic Pyramid Lake Road in Jasper. Choose from one of four races — the 16-kilometre “Full Pint” run, eight-kilometre “Half Pint” run, five-kilometre “Pino” run or one-kilometre “Babes” run — that range in price from $30 to $70 (prices increase as the race day draws nearer). Each race entry includes custom event merchandise, a medal at the finish line, fluid stations along the route, post-race snacks and more. $5 from every registration will be donated to charity, too. Registration is available online until noon on Friday, November 24 or when the event is sold out.
Jasper, pintsandpino.run
Banff Whisky Experience
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When: December 1 to 2
This whisky experience promises to be like no other. Dive into hundreds of whiskies at this event that welcomes more than 70 distilleries from around the globe to the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The two-day experience includes tastings, masterclasses, presentations and panel discussions, and then finishes off with a grand tasting event on the evening of December 2. Packages with hotel and festival passes or festival tickets are available online.
Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr., Banff, banffwhiskyexperience.com