There are a couple ways to see the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. One is through the picture windows of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise as you sip an English-style afternoon tea. The more adventurous can snowshoe along trails overlooking the Great Divide with the Fairmont’s resident mountain guides, who camp out in a backwoods-style cabin at the hotel.

What else to do: Book a guided ice walk down nearby Johnston Canyon with Sun Dog Tours, or take part in Chateau Lake Louise’s winter activities (anyone for Bavarian curling?)

With boutique properties in four Canadian cities, hotelier Christiane Germain talks about where to dine and shop from coast to coast. Let her direct you to restaurants such as Charcut in Calgary, where you can tuck into house-cured charcuterie, or Victor, in Toronto, where the tasting menu pays homage to the city’s ethnic neighborhoods. For shopping, be prepared to try on the chicest Montréal prêt-à-porter finds.
Tips from the trade

Like a horoscope, “Winterscope” is a quiz to discern your Canadian winter personality, such as “Koala Tree Hugger,” “Hip-Hoppin’ Ice Kanga” and “Sprinting Snow Bear with Cubs.”  Just take our quiz on Facebook and find out what your “Winterscope” is.  The prize for entering? A chance to win a $10,000 trip for two to Canada.