from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
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| The
Magnificent Canadian Rockies in Banff, AB 1 |
There is a place in Western
Canada where
massive glaciers jut from the landscape, piercing the clouds above and cradling
the emerald green lakes below. A place where these snowcapped giants have towered
over the land for more than 100 million years. It's where the great Canadian
Rockies meet the expansive Albertan
Prairies, and it's where Banff
was established more than 100 years ago.
In these mountains, three
Canadian Pacific Railway workers stumbled upon a cave containing hot springs
in the fall of 1883. Banff
National Park was born two years later as a result of conflicting
claims over who had the right to develop these natural wonders. This proved
to be very beneficial as the town of Banff has since developed into a picturesque
mountain village that is open for all to enjoy. The park itself was designated
a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and together with the town of Banff and
the neighbouring community of Lake
Louise, this breathtaking land attracts roughly 4 million visitors
each year.
LIFE IN A NATIONAL
PARK
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The
Banff Upper Hot Springs 2 |
Though the town is no more
than 260 ha (1,284 acres) in area, Banff has in fact come a long way from its
humble beginnings. Focusing on quality instead of quantity, it managed to grow
into Canada's first incorporated municipality located within a national park.
To achieve this, the township has had to maintain a very high standard of development
and quality of life, all while minimizing the impact this may have on the surrounding
environment.
In recent years, the town's growth has led to a population of
over 6,000 (with a shadow population of 1,000 people who come and go with the
seasons) and to concerns of environmentalists who fear this growth will harm
the wilderness of the surrounding national park. In response, the federal government
has restricted development in the town and mandated that only people who can
demonstrate a “need to reside” may take up permanent residence in
the community. A permit is also required for all visitors to Banff National
Park and is available at the park entry gates and visitor centres.
It's plain to see that life in a Canadian National Park is a
completely unique experience, different from other towns and cities in more
than location alone. Yet even with all of its governmental restrictions, the
town of Banff now sits high on the list of world's most desirable destinations.
It's primarily sustained by and dedicated to tourism and as such, guests are
always welcome here. Of course, with the Upper
Hot Springs and Fairmont
Banff Springs Golf Course overlooking the town's bustling streets,
plus three world-class ski
resorts found less than an hour away, most who visit are happy
they did.
LITTLE TOWN, BIG PARK
Located within Alberta's
Rocky Mountains, the town of Banff soars at an elevation of 1,383
m (4,537 ft), making it the highest town in all of Canada. It is situated just
off of the Trans
Canada Highway, about 90 minutes west of Calgary,
two hours from the Calgary
International Airport and four hours from the B.C.
border.
The hamlet of Lake Louise is set 50 minutes west of Banff and
is the only other community within Banff National Park.
CHINOOKS AND ULTRA VIOLET RAYS
Due to the Rockies' high altitude and uneven mountain topography, the weather
throughout the region is extremely variable. Summers are hot and dry but winter
temperatures can dip as low as –30ºC (-22ºF). Fortunately, during
winter, Banff and the surrounding area is often treated to a pleasant weather
phenomenon called a Chinook. These unique high-pressure systems can produce
spring-like temperatures in a matter of hours and last for days or even weeks.
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| The
View from Banff Springs Golf Course 3 |
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Banff's peak season is in the
dry months of July and August, when average highs are around 21ºC (70ºF)
and night-time lows reach 7ºC (45º F). It may snow at anytime in Banff
National Park, but the first real snow usually falls sometime in November. December
and January are regarded as the coldest months and average around -12ºC (6ºF).
Because of the altitude and the sun's angle, the UV rating for
Banff and its surrounding area is usually high throughout the year. Because
of this, people's skin tends to burn much faster than usual and sunscreen, a
shade hat and sunglasses are highly recommended.
IN MOTION
Most international and national travellers will land at the
Calgary Airport. From there they will join the throngs of vacationers as they
zip between Banff and its metropolitan counterpart. Transportation options to
and from the airport include rental
cars, Greyhound
Bus and shuttles
like the Banff
Airporter.
Within Banff, taxis and a local bus
service offer year-round transportation throughout town and up
to the Hot Springs and Banff
Gondola. Shuttles are available to and from the three surrounding
ski destinations of Mt.
Norquay, Sunshine
Village, and Lake
Louise Mountain Resort. The town of Banff also features several
car rental
agencies.
ATTRACTIONS AND DISTRACTIONS
Banff has no shortage of
attractions, that's why it's as popular as it is. There's an excess of 1,600
km (1,000 mi) of hiking trails in the park and more than 2,400 campsites. Castleguard
Caves, in the northwest corner of Banff, makeup Canada's longest
cave system while seven National Historic
Sites—Skoki Lodge, Abbot Pass Hut, Howse Pass, Cave and Basin,
Banff Park Museum, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and the Cosmic Ray Station
on Sanson Peak—each provide a unique look into the park's history. For
those looking for some serious R&R, the town is home to a number of world-class
spas
but for any who seek adventure, the region is a world destination for outdoor
activities.
The list goes on and on, making it obvious why each year millions choose Banff
for their holiday getaway.
The Town
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Red
Earth Spa in Banff 4 |
Sitting on the floor of a deep
valley cut by the Bow
River, the town of Banff can seem like a sanctuary from the modern
world. The streets are quiet but not empty as locals go about their business and
visitors pop in and out of store fronts. It's important to note that even though
many of the tourist-friendly shops
and restaurants
are centered around Banff Avenue, plenty of treasures can be found elsewhere on
Bear Street, Caribou Street and all the nooks and crannies of downtown—take
the time to explore.
Secluded but not disconnected, the town of Banff is incorporated
and as such it offers all basic services and many modern conveniences. Amenities
include grocery
outlets, hospitals,
an RCMP detachment, a post
office, a public
library, churches,
government offices and a court of law.
Throughout the year, some of the biggest acts can be seen at
the Banff Centre on Tunnel Mountain Drive. Banff is also
home to the well-known Banff
World Television Festival, Banff
Mountain Film Festival, the Rocky
Mountain Music Festival and more.
Lake Louise
About 40 minutes west of town and sitting at 1,520 m (5,000 ft), the village
of Lake Louise rests on the banks of a picturesque, turquoise lake of the same
name. Framed by blue mountains and white glaciers, this secluded community is
the access point to one of Canada's largest and most popular ski areas.
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| A
Snowy Scene at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel 5 |
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Accommodations
For a town its size, there is an impossibly high amount of accommodations
in Banff. The townsite hosts more than 30 hotels,
inns
and lodges
that range from luxurious to ultra luxurious. There are some more moderately priced
hotels in the area but don't expect to find anything remarkably inexpensive. Bed
and breakfasts can provide a quiet alternative to the big, busy hotels
and they are just as plentiful. When weather permits however, it can be hard to
compare anything to camping in this great landscape. Thankfully, there are plenty
of campsites
to choose from.
The Mountains
There are a number of popular mountains located within the immediate vicinity.
These include Mount
Rundle and Cascade
Mountain, both popular scrambling mountains, along with Mount Norquay
which is used for skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. Tunnel
Mountain is situated within the townsite. This is a very popular
mountain for quick day hikes since one can reach its summit in less than half
an hour. It was named Tunnel Mountain because initially surveyors for the Canadian
Pacific Railroad wanted to run a tunnel directly through the mountain. They
later decided to build along the Bow River.
Sulphur Mountaim
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A
Winter Sunrise in Banff, AB 6 |
The north face of Sulphur
Mountain, one of Banff's most popular attractions, climbs directly
out of town. Head south over the Bow River Bridge and follow Mountain Avenue to
find three reasons why it's so popular. Stop partway up the hill and soak up the
Banff Upper Hot Springs or spend a night at the Fairmont
Banff Springs Hotel. Then push on beyond those inviting pools and
that magnificent, 778 room structure up to the end of Mountain Avenue, where the
Banff Gondola is waiting to transport visitors the rest of the way up Sulphur
Mountain. At the other end, a mountain-top boardwalk leads to Sanson
Peak where a historical stone cabin—home to the first meteorologist
in this area—overlooks the whole valley. Alternatively, Sulphur Mountain
can be ascended on a moderate 5.3 km (3.2 mi) switchback trail.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- The Magnificent Canadian
Rockies in Banff, AB; Banff, AB, Canada
- Banff Lake Louise Tourism;
The Banff Upper Hot Springs; Banff, AB, Canada
- Banff Lake Louise Tourism;
The View from Banff Springs Golf Course; Banff, AB, Canada
- Banff Lake Louise Tourism;
Red Earth Spa in Banff; Banff, AB, Canada
- Banff Lake Louise Tourism;
A Snowy Scene at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel; Banff, AB, Canada
- Banff Lake Louise Tourism;
A Winter Sunrise in Banff, AB; Banff, AB, Canada
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