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Isn’t it a Canadian ritual? Taking a pilgrimage out West after university or high school to drink, party, hike and have fun? No, no, no. I mean to work hard, further your career, grow into a mature adult and enjoy the majesty of the Canadian Rockies.
What better place to go than Banff, Alberta, in Banff National Park? It’s one of Canada’s most scenic spots (and she adds patriotically, in a country filled with grand scenery and nature, that is saying a lot.)
While I only lasted a week as a waitress at Smitty’s Pancake House in Banff (I really hated the red faux peasant girl uniform) before moving on to the Columbia Icefields for three summers, I should have tried for a job at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. If I’d landed a summer job there, I might have lasted more than a week. Just look at longtime staffer David Moberg, he’s worked there for 51 years.
Work at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
NOTE: If you’re interested in a job at the Banff Springs Hotel, visit the search page on their Fairmont Careers Search page – and yes, they do have staff accommodation. Now let’s get back to this blog post!
About the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
If you’ve never heard of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, let me fill you in. It’s a castle-y hotel in the Canadian Rockies and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And you’d be surprised who has worked here. Filmmaker Norman Jewison for one, Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo for another. Cuddy was a bell boy. (Bell man? Bell person? I’m confused, let’s just say he worked at the bell desk.) The point is, be nice to the guy carting your bags or vacuuming the corridor because you might want his autograph one day.
A community of Banff Springs Hotel employees
And there are a lot of employees to be nice to. Also a lot of former staff. Let’s do the math (because we all love math). The Banff Springs opened in 1888. Some 1200 people work there in the summer season, so times that by 125 years, and it equals …. lots of people. While you may be hard pressed to find an alumnus from 1888 or even 1899, the air up there in Banff National Park is pretty fresh and the skiing and hiking health inspiring, so don’t rule it out.
So who else are these mystery former employees? The Banff Springs wants to know.
Hands off to former Banff Springs Hotel employees
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel wants to applaud you. Yes, it’s payback time for all you former desk clerks, dishwashers, chambermaids and bagpipers. (Seriously, I’ve heard bagpipers there.) 2013 is the Fairmont Banff Spring’s 125th anniversary and part of the celebration includes an alumni weekend in May, so if you worked there or know someone who worked there, pass the word on.
Oh, please, Carol. Give us more information!
The Fairmont Banff Springs 125th Anniversary Alumni Weekend runs from May 17th to 19th, 2013. Various events will include parties (because you didn’t do enough of that when you worked there) including a Thanks for the Memories Gala, a golf tournament, a Breakfast of Champions (whatever that is), memorabilia thingys and heritage tours. And special prices.
Follow the party on Twitter at #celebrate125 and while you’re at it, follow me @WanderingCarol even though I didn’t work there, and am neither Norman Jewison nor Jim Cuddy. There is also an event Facebook page.
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel mystery
Is the Banff Springs Hotel haunted? Read the comments below to find that there are some very chilling tales. And if anyone can can explain the mystery of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel’s Lost Guest Room, which sounds like something out of a Nancy Drew book, can you please dish because I’m consumed with curiosity?
Read more about Canada: For more about travel to Canada visit my Things to do in Canada article. Happy planning!
Quebec Nordic spas
I worked at the Banff Springs Summer of 1957 , worked as a houseman ,my supervisor was Miss Mcauley , enjoyed my time there wish I could br young again and return to same location ,left Toronto by CPR dome car of course CPR also owned the hotel all included for hotel staff members, what a wonderfully memory
ROD CROOKSTON
Hi worked in housekeeping during fall 1975 spring 1976 , great times learnt to ski, drank a ton, many friends. Ben from Montreal was my room mate, upper annex. Should have stayed longer.
I worked as a doorman at Banff Springs Hotel in the summer of 1953. My most poignant memory is helping Marilyn Monroe into a wheelchair and pushing her into the hotel lobby. Joe Dimaggio said to me “I’ll take the crutches.”
Hi Tom, I asked a House Historian I know how you could research your relative who worked at the Banff Springs Hotel and she suggested ancestry.ca.
My mother’s sisters’ father managed the Banff Springs Hotel sometime during 1899 and 1904. His name was Mueller (changed to Miller) a Danish man who died from TB about 1904. His wife lived to 1965, having remarried her husband’s best friend William Carysfort Proby, from which my mother came in 1920. Any idea how to get info from back then.
Neil Eaton
I was there in 1967, worked as a bartender 7nyil they hired a professional one who they fired a month later and asked me to work in the Randle lounge again but I kept the day job ,grounds crew. Would like to hear from anyone else from that summer.
I was 20 years old in 1973. Worked there over the skiing season that year for 3 months as a BB (BANISTER BUFFER) as we called it) during the day. It was great in that you saw the every inch of the Hotel. And what a grand old lady it was even back then. The beauty in the construction was outstanding as not a penny seemed to have be saved in putting her up. . Anyway, we stayed in separate workers quarters directly across from the Hotel & went back & forth through the underground tunnel, They had security down there & you couldn’t get to your room without them having an eye on you. My friend was quirky & adventurous enough to pinch a bottle of very expensive French champagne from the Mgrs.. office & was caught. Needless to say, he was fired, however was never charged. (probably weren’t interested in the bad publicity) If you were looking for love, good times, the majestic beauty all around you, it was there for the taking. (however, not the champagne )
Neil Eaton I worked what Banff in 1967 as bartender in the Rundell Lounge, my room mate was Bill Sharp and if I could locate him I would like to thank him for looking after mebehen I was sick.I enjoyed my time there.
I worked in the dining room in ’67. Had a great summer, still have best friends from way back then. I remember that summer, the staff put on The Banff Springs Revue somewhere in town. (I played Mr Weiland). Does anyone remember that? Was it a one-off, or was it done for several years? And where was it held? I thought in town, but maybe at hotel.
My name is Ross Stewart, in 1973 after i finished training as a chef in New Zealand I immigrated to Canada as was offered a job by CP Hotels as a chef de partie tournant at Banff Springs Hotel under the Executive chef Kurt Amsler.
Of all My cheffing career the best was at Banff Springs Hotel as the experience and privileged I learnt working all of the restaurants, Rob Roy even the Golf Club House plus the main restaurants within the hotel was truly amazing.
I lived in the staff quarters which was located in the lower staff annex with another kiwi chef named Micheal Tynan also who trained ass a chef in NZ, both us were trainee chefs and worked at the same hotel in New Zealand.
Working and living in Banff along with the Banff Springs Hotel was without a doubt the best time in my life which I have loads of memories of
I worked @ Banff springs hotel as a apprentice chef have a few great memories of working in RobROY never skied just went to cascade hotel and ordered 10 draft @ a time
Hi James, I wish I could see some of the secret hallways. The Banff Springs is such an iconic landmark.
I didn’t work there but when I was 15, (1978) my dad and I attended a week long convention there.
Friggin mind boggling place.
The following year, my girlfriends cousin Dana Sparks, was working as a waiter at the Banff Springs. He was really busy, but took the time to show me around. The annex, tunnel, some of the secret hallways etc. I didn’t see the actual tourist portion til leaving. Again….unbelievable.
Hi, I, Brina, waitressed (in the Rob Roy and Alhambra dining rooms at the Banff Springs Hotel during the Winter 1973. I recall the bunk bed in the Annex; the shared bathroom down the hall, and the exquisite view of the mountains from my shared room. I remember the tunnel I used to walk to and from the hotel to my “accommodation”. I just came across some photos from those olden days…one of me in the Rob Roy uniform (by the pay phone in the hallway of the Annex) , another from the Valentine’s Massacre Party February 1973 where I pose with Brian who worked at the front desk of the hotel, and another of me on skis at Mt. Sunshine in March 1973. There have been many changes since those days as I observed on my recent (2018) visit to Banff. Funny…this time my accommodation as a visitor was above my old room…This time, I was a paying guest …And now the Annex is “the Gatehouse”. I remember returning from the ski hills and dancing in ski boots with hotel guests. I remember the “Baked Alaska” desserts and their well received popularity.
I left my job at the Banff Springs and worked at Lucas Pizza Restaurant on Banff Avenue for a short while. Since no longer an employee at the hotel, I had to move out of the Annex.There was extremely limited accommodation in Banff. You had to be lucky to find a place. I commuted from Canmore. It was nice. The Three Sisters were a pleasure to see on a regular basis. I remember the Banff Springs Hotel’s great kitchen staff, other employees, and fabulous winter. I suppose one negative to my winter adventure was that I never received my BSH tips. Tips were included or added on to most if not all of the group trips. Those payments went through “the office” or maitre d’ or whomever was in charge for the dining rooms’ staff. They knew where to find me…my home address was on file. Oh well…all part of the experience…
Worked there in 77-78, also remember Lou Rawls played a few tunes one afternoon for staff in the Alhambra dining room we all sat on the steps to the dining room for our little private show.
Sound like you had a great time working there, John. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I’m another person who just happened along, while doing nostalgic research. I actually worked with Kim (above) in 1980 and had also been there in 1978, running the elevator on the night shift and skiing days. I remember idly chatting with Lou Rawls and Bruce Cockburn, among others, and having a future Governor-General who was then a journalist as a guest. Nights were fascinating. My favourite ghost was the drunk guy on the top guest floor who could be seen staggering through the walls (dimensions had been changed since his time). He was also seen standing outside on a balcony that didn’t exist. I never saw him, or any of the others, but a lot of the guest that talked with me claimed to.
Well, you’re not too late to comment, Kim. You do have some terrific memories.
Oh I’m so many years late!!! I just happened upon this site. Too bad. I worked as a elevator operator, worked on the golf course, etc. Starting way back in 1979-1980 and then some of my summer vacations while I was in University. I too got great tips, but the ones I loved most were the ski passes the tourists left behind for me as tips. I loved every minute of my time there. Most of all I loved the people I met. Some of which I still keep in contact with.
Sounds like quite an adventure, Cathy. As a former dishwasher at a ski resort, I know what you mean about being low down on the pecking order!
I worked there the summer of 1979. I was supposed to be a chambermaid but got stuck in the laundry instead. We weren’t allowed to walk in the hotel (ever!) and had to use the underground passages. To get to the laundry you had to go past the bakery which smelled horrible – I can still remember the skunky smell of yeast! I think the only folks lower in the pecking order than us were the “garbologists.” I also remember the staff cafeteria and the group group of guys that use to linger at the “Sugar Shack” and hold up numbers as the girls walked in. I lasted a month living in staff quarters – six girls, 3 bunk beds – before I went down the road to Wapta Lodge.
I worked at Smittys in Banff, too, Pat. For a week.
1970/71 worked on switchboard in the basement, midnightshift, hated it. Did not live onsite but the boss was always pushing me to, no way. Think I was fired, then worked at Smittys for 2 years. Prior to BS worked for Sam Christou at the Bowview. Great times in Banff, not the same today. 25cents for 2 beer at the Cascade, King Eddy was not the place to go. Dungeon in basement of Mt. Royal Hotel, Caberat at Banff Springs in the winter
A ghost sighting! Er, feeling. Thanks for writing in, Jane. What a fascinating story.
Hey sure does get in your blood I worked at the BSH in the summer of 1973 went back to London Ontario to finish grade 12 came back fall of 1974 as an elevator operator working for Moe Gomburg. Then worked at Hertz rent a car across the street for Ron Waterhouse ….. … A gardener out doors and looked after the conservatory under Larry Clay. Worked at Samos broiler on Main Street for Sam Christou for yrs. Then the film lab for Clare stortz. Worked for parks Canada road crew for a summer …as a bartender / cook at the Canmore golf coarse…..drank at the cascade or king eddy most nights….. Had a ghostly experience in the closed off stairs in the back of the Rob Roy dining room…. I was pushed on the stair case while i was watering the plants on the the stairs. I let out a scream knowing there was no one else in the dining room …… It was the best time of my life between living in Canmore and Banff I was there about 10 yrs and have only wonderful memories of all my dear friends. I have lost touch with everyone …. Just life got in the way births , deaths , jobs, family…. I miss the smell in the air of trees and mountain freshness…… the magpies every where and the joy of being 18 I guess…… Jane Levy ( Campbell)
I was a decade later. It was great, and I worked two ski seasons – fewer tourists, the town was small. Of course, Smitty’s was open and we would go and pay 20 cents for a bottomless cup of coffee. They probably hated us :) 20 cent draft at the Cascade – as a fledgling drinker, I could nurse one draft for the entire evening – another cheap outing. A friend and I would often go for pizza at Lucas Pizza Place and share a medium #11 (mushrooms), and play favourite tunes on the in-booth juke box. It was grand!
I’m an antique – worked at BSH in the summers of 1961 (houseman) and ’62 (busboy) when the hotel was open only in the summer. Smitty’s had just opened. Great memories of wonderful times – bonfires up the Spray, hitch-hiking on days off, friends from across the country and a few from abroad. Where are they now?… Missed the 2013 reunion but I’ll have to go back sometime.
What a fascinating story, Donna. I’d like to know what happened to the Otis elevators, too.
Greetings all!
Wish I’d known about the 2013 reunion too! This year is the 50th anniversary of the summer I spent working at the Banff Springs Hotel, as it was known then. Fifty years! Where have they gone? That was 1967, the summer of love! I was young, just 19 years old. I worked on the service elevators, taking staff where they needed to go to do their work. Taking the chefs up to the banquet rooms with their ice sculptures and the maids up to where they lived on the 13th floor. We had four elevators back to back with the front guest elevators. They were Otis elevators installed in the hotel in 1928. I wonder what’s there now? They were operated manually by a big up and down handle, had an array of lights that lit up to show the floors where someone was waiting, the metal accordion doors and another solid door too. We worked split shift, four hours on, four hours off and then another four hours on. Our boss was Sam, the old Scotsman who is purported to be a ghost at the hotel now. In fact, in Ghost Stories of Alberta, there is a story about old Sam. I think they mentioned that he had worked there for some 38 years. I could be wrong on that account as I haven’t got my book in hand at the moment, but it was a long time. We did live in the annex, the maids lived upstairs and married couples lived in another building. Running out of room here I’m sure, but it was a very good summer!
Well done on tipping the Smitty’s staff, Jacqueline. I would have loved to have worked there when staff quarters were in a tower. They have a separate building now. Thanks for reading.
Ah, I too wish I’d heard about the reunion. I worked there from August 1977 to July or August 1978 – and afterward in various places in Banff for the next four years. (Never at Smitty’s though!) My ‘one year’ after high school sort of extended itself!
So many great memories! Love, love, loved working there – wouldn’t have missed it. I don’t know about ghosts (and I worked in the Rob Roy restaurant for a few months – the location of the ‘staircase to nowhere’ that the ghostly bride ostensibly perished on), but the hotel itself had such a wonderful feel to it. The antique (and spooky looking!) carved oak chairs with huge round backs that could be converted to tables, the massive stained glass windows and little balconies overlooking the hall where they used to hold medieval dinners in full period costume (OK, those costumes were itchy and uncomfortable but FUN to work in), the fossils in the circular staircase leading to the Alhambra dining room that the bagpiper used to lead us down (protect your ears!!!),… Not to mention the labrynth underground tunnels that you could easily get lost in. The staff quarters waaay up in one of the towers. I could go on and on. The place had a presence that was hard to describe, and magical.
Not to mention, more friends, fun, skiing, and partying than one person should rightly have in a lifetime!
I also remember fun lazy Sundays at Smitty’s with pancakes, coffee, newspapers and a whole mess of people drifting in and out for hours. Always leaving huge tips for the poor staff, for having to put up with us!
I second you on being 21, Frances! I also spent many an hour at that Smitty’s.
Wish I had known about the reunion. I worked there the winters of 1973 & 1974. First time living away from home. Awesomely beautiful! Lived in the Upper Annex. Worked at different times as a waitress, housekeeper (I wanted day shifts) and as assistant to the head gardener, which was a great job. My usual haunts were the Cascade (I could nurse a 20 cent draft – plus 5 cent tip – for an entire evening), Smitty’s for the 20 cent, bottomless cup coffee, for several hours (they must have hated us), Lucas’ Pizza House (medium #11, if I remember correctly) with the juke boxes in the booths (my friend Heather always needed to play “Positively 4th Street”, the list goes on. Fabulous time, fabulous decade, with great people.
Where have the years gone? I want to be 21 again!!!
What a wonderful place to have worked – I hope you manage to connect with your former friends, Ian.
I found this by accident but what a wonderful time for me between 1989 – 1991. I remember many friends whose last names a forget but Kori, Nikki, Stephanie and Jeanine I rember well. Living a long way from Canada now but a;ways fond memories friends. Ian Scott
What a wonderful experience, Andy. Talk about memories!
I worked as a night houseman 1974/75. I was there to ski, but had a great time working. I do remember Jim Cuddy, when I saw the hockey team picture. We saw the first Japanese tourist shops go in that Christmas, a fantastic display of Music for the home sick ,250, Mexican help, served the King of Holand, and I rolled Justin Trudeau’s baby bed in late one night. ( he was called justin time , there was an election soon)
Note that the famous lawyer, Dennis Edney waited tables at that time.
I also remember the night cleaners getting fired, and I will keep the details to myself.
One of the best things I ever did and will never forget, great people,
Sounds like the perfect winter job, Rick. I worked in the Columbia Icefields for 3 summers. Loved it!
Hi all…I worked at the Banff Springs in 1973. Started off as a Grounds Men got fired then rehired as a Pot Washer. That lasted a week until I got a job as an Elevator Operator which led to a Doorman then Bellhop. It was all great after that. Good money and tips, always money in my pocket. Basically skied for free with all the left over ski passes that people would give me. Some of the best times of my life, good people and a wonderful atmosphere. Stayed in the Annex if anyone remembers that. And yes it is on my Bucket list. I just have to go back. Cheers
Now we all want to know why you got fired, Wally! Fill us in.
I worked as a night cleaner at the Springs Sept. ’74 till Jan ’75 never saw a ghost but absolutely loved the hotel it was a great adventure until we got fired! Been back many times and it always holds holds onto you!
My grandmother worked in the hotel in the 1950’s from April until Oct. She was part of the kitchen staff.. She had 13 children, one son in Vancouver some children in Ontario and some in the Maritimes. On her off time she would visit them so I never knew her to have a home. she had a newspaper article written about her thirteen children and sixty or so grandchildren at that time. I believe she worked at the hotel for quite a few years and always looked forward to her time in Banff. She loved the stampede and partied with the cowboys and Indians. She even had a pet bear named Wilbur. The plan was that I would go with her to work at the hotel when I was sixteen but unfortunately she passed away when I was fifteen. She loved her years there and had many great stories to tell the family. My aunt worked at the hotel as well as one of my cousins. I was able to visit the hotel a couple of years ago and it was an honour to walk the same floors that my grandmother walked.
I was a lifeguard at the Banff Springs from 1980-81. Loved my job! Alot of life’s experiences were learned that year at the The Springs, Banff and surrounding area.
I worked at Banff Springs hotel in dec 1974 through to summer of ’75. Would love to contact others from the same time. Many memories, great time. Was a chambermaid on 5th floor.
Fabulous photos, Carol. I drove (as a kid passenger) through Banff, think I ate at Smitty’s, would love to return now for a stay n spa at the Fairmont!
After hearing all these ghost stories I don’t think I’ll be visiting there… Hehe
Well, I had room 577, and it was not haunted. I loved it, especially the chandelier. It’s the room in the photo above. Thanks for all the great stories, people.
I worked there and found my beautiful wife there (little did I know at the time). There are many stories of Sam the bellman( a ghost apparently) the wedding dressed ghost who fell down the back stairs at her wedding and her dress caught on fire as she tumbled down. Many more stories as well. I worked security, and in Food and Beverage for a few years in the 90’s. Wish I could go back but unfortunately wont be for the 125th. good luck and hope for another 125. This place is magical to say the least!!!
I never worked there but I had my fair share of friends that did. I’ll pass the news of the 125th anniversary onto the friend I’m still in touch with. I wonder how many students have worked there in total over the years.
My best friend and I started our journey into grownuphood, at the Banff Springs in 1986. I remember “The Bean”, 6D, the Upper and Lower Annexes, the Golf Course Bar, Silver City, Safeway, The Grizzly House, I could go on and on… I loved it , learned way too much, and wish we could all go back, to 1986 that is!!! What was the name of the small bar by the laundry mat???
When I was 18 years old, I left Winnipeg by train with $300 in my pocket and a grand plan to go to Mexico. After purchasing a pretty garnet ring in Jasper and spending a night or two at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, I ran out of money and got a job at Smitty’s Pancake House. I too lasted only a week. Perhaps Smitty’s will have an alumni weekend!
The room on the 8th floor that is missing is just before 875. Like mentioned above, if you walk down the hall and look there are pot lights above each door and there is one just before room 875 that does not have a door. Also if you look at the floor under the potlight you will see the edge of the black doorstep. Lastly if you knock on the wall it’s hollow. The missing room was combined into room 875. I was a front office supervisor and housekeeping manager there for 9 yeears.
Room 457, a honeymoon suite does have a reputation as well for being haunted. The bathroom with jaccuzi is upstairs and the bedroom is downstairs, the staircase is a very large wide one. My housekeepers would not clean this room alone. A baby is said to haunt the bathroom and you can see handprints when the steam builds from the jaccuzi when cleaning it.
I think the room on the 8th floor a previous commentor was talking about was room 836. It was closed off in the early 80’s due to some disturbing paranormal type experiences some guests had encountered. It was re-opened and renovated around 1986, and there were not problems that I had heard about after that (I was a housekeeping supervisor on the 8th floor).
According to a lot of the Banff sights, the mystery room was when the hotel was undergoing some of it’s first expansions in the late 1800;s. Somehow the contractor who built the Banff Springs Hotel made an error in calculations, and an extra room without windows or doors was created with no one’s knowledge (other than the builders). The empty room was revealed during a fire in 1926. Some believed it was this hidden room that was responsible for the unusual sounds and sightings in the hallway near the room.
I worked as a night houseman in 1985. There were 2 sightings at the back of the Rob Roy resaurant by 2 other members of my crew. One was if a young girl standing still and the other was a woman in what appeared to be a wedding dress just behind the back doors towards the employees back corridor . Both of my fellow workers look white as a sheet after their encounters.
James
And ofcourse the haunted stair case with the ghost bride who fell to her death walking down them to meet her groom…
Room 457 is supposedly haunted as well. It has a large flight of stairs in it, which is… Odd to say the least, haha.
Oh, now I must go back. Even though I was just there a week ago. Thank you for filling me in! Now we have to get more details to solve the old crime, sleuth style. Fairmont, help us out, here.
From what I understand, the “missing” guest room was on the 8th floor. Tales of what happened in the room vary, but I think most include murder or death. At some point the door to the room was closed off, and it was added to a neighboring room, making the suite bigger. The hotel has actually gutted the 8th floor and renovated everything in the last few months, so all traces of the room are effectively gone.
HOWEVER, before the hallway was renovated, you could find the location of the old door by looking at the pot-lights in the ceiling. All the doors have light above them, and then there was a light with no door. Spooky, haha!