Travel Article: Banff: A Little Town in a Big Park

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


	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 �30�C (-22�F). 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.


The View from Banff Springs Golf Course ³

Banff's peak season is in the dry months of July and August, when average highs are around 21�C (70�F) and night-time lows reach 7�C (45� 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 -12�C (6�F).

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


	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.


A Snowy Scene at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel ⁵

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


	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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Banff: A Little Town in a Big Park