With tea the second most consumed beverage in the world, exceeded in consumption only by water, the centuries old tradition of afternoon tea isn’t likely to end anytime soon. Why not plan your own high tea?
The Rundle Lounge in the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel serves afternoon tea every weekday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., noon to four on the weekends. A stunning panoramic mountain view is your dining companion as you consume a delightful assortment of goodies.
The Castle Tea includes a variety of dainty finger sandwiches – English cucumber, egg salad, smoked salmon & cream cheese, and spicy ham. Even if nothing else was on the menu, the homemade Victorian scones served with rich Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves alone are worth the trip to Banff. Delectable pastries such as tarts, profiteroles, sponge cake napoleon, and other sweets as well as a mélange of seasonal fresh fruit are included. To wash it all down, the Fairmont Blend of Tea is provide for your palate’s pleasure.
Fairmont Banff Springs Special Blend Tea
The Fairmont Banff Springs Special Blend Tea was crafted for the hotel with careful consideration for the mountain water that flows around the area. The beverage is a combination of teas from Assam, Kenya, Ceylon, China, and India. The Assam element gives the tea its malty and full-bodied character. The Kenyan aspect provides the floral touch and the coppery infusion. The Ceylon component opens the blend with its piquant flavour. The Chinese element gives the tea its burgundy undertone with a light oaky touch. Teas from three tea estates in South India provide the finishing touch – a superb fruity flavour that incorporates a surprisingly lively taste. The combination is unbelievable! The perfect whole milk is on hand for those who like their tea white.
Other specialty blend teas are available for those who want something different. Black tea choices include Fairmont Earl Grey, Empress Orange Pekoe, and the Willow Stream Spa Blend (decaffeinated). Green tea offerings are Kyoto Cherry Rose and Jasmine Butterfly #1. For herbal tea lovers, the blends include Berry Berry, Cascade Peppermint, Egyptian Camomile, and Montebello Apple Spice. If you prefer organic tea, try the Vanilla Orchid.
The Rundle Lounge is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Canada to have high tea. While the food, service, and the tea are top notch, the setting is so spectacular the rest is merely an added bonus. The magnificent Bow Valley is framed by enormous windows as faint strains from a pianist add to the already perfect ambiance. The hotel takes great pride in its traditional Victorian high tea.
Afternoon tea service is $38 a person. To include a glass of sparkling wine and a gift tea box, add $10. For an additional charge you can swap the glass of sparkling wine for a glass of Moet Chandon Champagne or a martini. The cocktail is made tableside from the Fairmont’s unique tea blends resulting in a one-of-a-kind iced Mar”tea”ni.
Reservations are recommended as the seating capacity is 75. Call 403.762.6860 to book your table. Dress at the Rundle Lounge is resort casual.
One place that doesn’t have a dress code beyond “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” is the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse in Lake Louise.
Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse
Access to the teahouse is either by foot or on horseback. If going by foot, it is 5.5 kilometres to your destination from Chateau Lake Louise. Even in the warm summer months you can encounter snow so dress accordingly. The first two kilometres are a relatively flat grade, a good warm-up for the incline that follows. As a bonus, you quickly lose the tourists that poured out of buses and into the woods as you claimed your spot in the parking lot. Cross a footbridge over Louise Creek and follow the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail to the far end of Lake Louise. Watch out for fresh deposits from the horses that share the trail. The footpath is well maintained but look out for loose rocks. After a brief trek beside Louise Creek, the incline increases sharply. The trail offers spectacular views of Mount Victoria, Mount Lefroy, and the sparkling Lake Louise. Follow Plain of Six Glaciers Trail and, after a series of switchbacks, you will discover the teahouse. After the elevation gain of 370 metres, you’ll be more than ready for your afternoon tea!
The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse was constructed in 1925 by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a part of their plan to encourage tourism in the west and lure travellers onto their trains. The teahouse is open from June to September. Supplies are flown in at the beginning of the season and are packed in during the summer months.
Plain of Six Menu
Plain of Six operates the same as it has for the past eighty years and serves everything you expect from a teahouse and more. Great sandwiches of many varieties satisfy hungry hikers. Their freshly made soups make the perfect accompaniment. The homemade scones with sides of honey, butter, and jam are always a big hit. A constant flow of lemonade quenches the thirst of the hikers who didn’t bring enough water for the steep climb. Hot chocolate and sweets round out the repertoire. And as with any teahouse, an assortment of teas are available; a popular choice is the blackberry tea.
While you dine, the rumble of avalanches break the peaceful silence as the bravest of the chipmunks try to nosh off your plate. The six glaciers that the place is named for surround the teahouse. The scenery is breathtaking and feels like it is within reach. You are now in mountain goat territory so watch out for the four-legged creatures with their white coats and thin black horns.
According to the Tea Association of Canada, Canadians drink almost nine billion cups of tea a year. Black tea is the most popular choice across Canada except in Western Canada where specialty teas are consumed the most. These include hot herbal, green, and flavoured black teas. And they taste even better when you’ve hiked up a mountain to drink them!
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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