Until last year, I could not imagine spending Christmas Day in any place but my mother’s house.

Making the trek back home had become almost a tradition in itself.

But I discovered that, constrained by my younger brother’s term times, my family had decided to use the school break for a much-needed holiday. To Canada.

Undeterred, I booked connecting flights from Malta and after spending the best part of a day on a plane or coach, we were reunited at the gorgeous, historic Fairmount Banff Spring Hotel.

My mother had reasoned that she may as well blow the budget on this five-star accommodation in lieu of buying any presents.

I couldn’t agree more.

The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel is nicknamed the ‘Castle in the Rockies’ due to its iconic design.

Perched on a lofty hill overlooking the picturesque town of Banff, the Fairmont is nicknamed the ‘Castle in the Rockies’ and looks like Hogwarts on a Christmas card: surrounded by mountains and pine forests, with fields of smooth, white snow and a frozen river wending through the town below.

Inside, it had the most extravagant yet tasteful Christmas decorations I have seen outside of Harrods department store, exaggerated by the smell of cinnamon and mulled spices being pumped discreetly through the entrance hall.

This hall contained a massive tree and imitation gingerbread house, which provided a backdrop to many families’ photos.

Huge wreaths and evergreen ornaments hung from the walls, ceilings and occasional suits of armour, while more giant trees dominated the dining and entertainment suites. Elsewhere, I might have wondered where the trees came from, but a peek through the frost-rimmed window showed no end of taller brethren.

Spending Christmas Eve in a heated outdoor pool, sipping a cocktail, took my mind off the cold

Temperatures were firmly in the minus numbers, but spending Christmas Eve in an outdoor pool, heated to sauna level, while sipping cranberry cocktails soon took my mind off the cold.

Part of our itinerary was to go skiing in the Rocky Mountains and we pushed our abilities while admiring the vistas at Sunshine Village and Lake Louise mountain resorts, both of which require a lengthly bus transfer. However, there was also plenty to do in Banff, including some great shopping.

The town is very touristy and sells a mix of corny souvenirs and high-end winter gear, but the streets are perfectly maintained and enjoyable to walk around if you wrap up and keep a wary eye out for elk, which can roam freely.

Hotel guests join in carol singing by a massive tree on Christmas Eve.

A four-piece choir led hotel guests in a carol-singing session on December 24, complete with vats of throat-warming hot chocolate.

Christmas Day was so festive it was almost sickening, so after exchanging token gifts we escaped to the slopes for the afternoon.

Returning tired and hungry, we tucked into a Christmas Fayre buffet with small hillocks of vegetables, five choices of meat and entire tables of bread and desserts. The ensuing party for guests in their finery lasted into the night.

On Boxing Day we booked a sleigh ride, which was slightly disappointing as the super-sleds carried around 20 people and the blankets provided stank quite badly.

However, arresting 360° views of the different mountains surrounding the valley made the shrieks of excited children more tolerable.

It was possible to skate on the hotel’s own ice rink but we chose to rent sledges and whizz down a small hill behind the building.

I’m ashamed to admit my little brother was far better at steering but in the spirit of goodwill, I didn’t bear a grudge. I just wish I could be back at Banff this year to settle the score.