For many, the first image of Canada is of coniferous forests and soaring peaks and nowhere accentuates this perception more than Banff. The Banff National Park is Canada's most spectacular heritage site, with unique wildlife and a rugged landscape. The area is famed for its towering black mountains, white glaciers and rapid rivers, while the city is relatively small with businesses and restaurants packed into a small centre, though there is much to be discovered in the surrounding communities. At 4,530ft above sea level, Banff is Canada's highest town and is home to 6,000 people. Temperatures vary from as low as -18°C during the winter to 14°C in the summer, though rainfall usually peaks in June. Banff can be reached via Calgary International Airport with coaches, vans and rental cars available to take you directly to the park. Flights usually take around eleven hours from the UK.
| The area is famed for its towering black mountains, white glaciers and rapid rivers.... |
Best for...
Banff appeals to those who like to take a walk on the wild side with its blend of black mountains, wildlife and rapid rivers...
Banff is a major draw for families who want an active holiday with skiing during winter and horse riding, walking and other outdoor pursuits during the summer months. You should be wary however of the wild animals, including the large bear population which should not be approached. However, Banff is particularly popular as a gap-year destination with students taking treks across Canada and experiencing a true taste of the lifestyle. Due to its young population, Banff also has a seven-day-a-week nightlife with lots of dance music and British pubs. Despite the rural feel, many of the hotels are modern and luxurious, but you won't want to spend too long inside with hiring a car normally the best option to get around and experience the delights Banff has to offer.
What to do...
The surroundings, sights and wildlife of Banff are its biggest attractions with many tourists choosing to hire a car to enjoy some of the drive-through enclosures where you can spot black and grizzly bears, deer, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. For the most part the animals are docile, but they should not be approached. There are also tours available to discover much of the park's incredible scenery such as Bow Falls, Ice Field Parkway, Johnston Canyon, with its spectacular waterfall views and ice walks, along with the Surprise Corner viewpoint, which has some of the best photo opportunities in the area.
Skiing is also vastly popular throughout Banff, with the Mount Norquay Ski Area to the north, which can be reached after a spectacular drive along a mountain road. To the west is Sunshine Valley Ski Resort and the Lake Louise Area can also be reached further north. Indeed the skiing close to Banff is widely considered to be the best in the Rocky Mountains, with all of the resorts including vastly popular lodges where you can enjoy a drink or two. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has an internationally established reputation thanks to its neighbouring skiing options, excellent golf courses and its Willow Stream European-style spa.
Another popular spot is the Radium Hot Springs, which offers numerous hot spring pools, all of which are odour free, and give you the perfect chance to relax away those holiday aches and pains. Indeed the entire community is worth visiting and caters for almost every type of tourist thanks to its championship golf courses, fishing, go-carting, rafting and extensive shopping. Most holidaymakers usually wish to devote a day or two to the Radium Hot Springs.
