Banff

BANFF NATIONAL PARK IS CANADA’S ALPINE ADVENTURE.

Nestled amongst the peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is known as a traveler’s mecca for good reason. Whether by car, bicycle, hiking boots, skis, snowshoes or canoe, in Banff National Park you can enjoy year-round discovery of the 6,641 km2 mountainous landscape. As the first national park established in Canada and a coveted UNESCO World Heritage Site, what makes Banff National Park so special is its combination of vast unspoiled wilderness, mountain lakes like Lake Louise, and the gateway to it all: theTown of Banff.

Whether you’re on a camper’s budget or living it up in luxury, Banff offers a choice of accommodation, restaurants, boutique shops and activities to make your trip a memorable one. The history of this mountain town is also well preserved at a number of museums and heritage sites, while new memories are created throughout the year at world-class festivals and events.

The allure of Banff is also its close proximity to the park’s incredible attractions and best-kept wilderness secrets. With 1600 kilometres of trails, two gondolas, three ski areas, an exciting heritage and more dining options and activities than you have time for, Banff National Park is a premier destination for authentic hospitality and outdoor exploration.

THE HISTORY OF CANADA'S FIRST NATIONAL PARK

With its towering peaks and stunning glacier-fed lakes, it’s hard to believe that an area as beautiful as the Canadian Rockies once lay dormant to Western eyes, known only by the native peoples who dwelled in the valleys below. It wasn’t until the 1700s that Europeans arrived, thus beginning an exciting tradition of exploration in the mountain landscape.

In 1883, two years before the completion of Canada's first transcontinental railroad, three railroad workers stumbled upon a series of hot springs on the lower shoulder of what is now called Sulphur Mountain. By 1885, after a heated ownership dispute, the springs and surrounding area were set aside as Canada's first national park. The Canadian Pacific Railway immediately recognized the tourism potential of the Canadian Rockies. In 1888, under the direction of William Cornelius Van Horne, they opened the elegant 250-room Banff Springs Hotel.

The railway then constructed a series of grand hotels along its main line and began advertising Banff as an international tourism stopover on the steel highway that had suddenly become the fastest and most direct route from Europe to the Far East. The Rockies quickly became popular with the Victorian gentry, who came to drink in the scenery and soak in the soothing hot springs.

Soon visitors were not just stopping over - they were coming to stay. Now, approximately 8300 people call Banff their home. Residents of both Banff and Lake Louise are proud to share their local knowledge and appreciation for the nature, history and culture of this World Heritage destination. The history of the area is also captured by a number of museums, including the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff Park Museum, Luxton Museum and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.

1. Sky Bistro

Sky Bistro is a unique dining experience in Banff National Park that incorporates an adventure at the Banff Gondola. Starting at the base of Sulphur Mountain, you ride the gondola up to the peak, where you are greeted with a multi-level interpretive experience that features a theatre, Parks Canada ecology exhibit, gift shops, and a rooftop viewing platform and the boardwalk experience to Sanson Peak. Spend your time exploring before having lunch or dinner at Sky Bistro while overlooking the surrounding mountain peaks.

Local tip: go for dinner in the colder months when the sun sets early, and witness a Rocky Mountain sunset from the top of Sulphur Mountain through the floor to ceiling windows in the restaurant.

2. Juniper Bistro

Another one of three Banff restaurants on OpenTable Top 100 is the Juniper Bistro at the Juniper Hotel. Perched at the beginning of Mount Norquay Road and overlooking Banff town, Mount Rundle, Vermillion Lakes, and the Bow Valley, the Juniper Bistro is the perfect place to relax after a day of adventures. In winter, it offers a unique après menu to compliment a day of skiing, and in summer, the patio offers breathtaking views over the valley. 

3. Eden at the Rimrock Hotel

The last of the three Banff restaurants to be featured in OpenTable Top 100 and the only five-diamond restaurant west of Ottawa, Eden, is a fine dining experience like no other. The butler-like service at Eden remarks a past-time era of elegance and class. Located on Sulphur Mountain overlooking Mount Rundle, the Fairmont Banff Springs, and the Bow Valley, Eden has a new chef who has brought a unique flair from his years of international experience at top restaurants worldwide.

There’s a reason everybody’s heard of Banff. The mountain town's got a lot to love: historic charm, super beautiful natural surroundings, and all the amenities you could ask for. Hit the shops and restaurants on Banff Avenue and try gravy-smothered poutine while wearing your new favourite moose T-shirt. Then, after a day of ice-walking, skiing or sightseeing in the Rockies, visit a brewpub or distillery for a drink and a bison burger. You've earned it. ● Must-See: That castle across the river? That’s the historic Fairmont Banff Springs. Explore the hotel's history and hauntings before treating yourself at the amazing thermal spa. ● Rise Up: Ride the Banff Gondola for an unbeatable mountaintop view.

Check out the weather today and what is forecasted for the next 5 days in Banff & Lake Louise. Keep in mind that temperatures will vary depending on what time of day it is and what elevation you're at. Wind is also a factor, especially in winter. 

You can read about general weather conditions and the seasons in Banff National Park here. Also take a look at our live webcams to stream the weather right to your screen. The Parks Canada website also has some great resources.

Getting to Banff is Easier Than You Think

Landing at the Calgary International Airport on a clear day, you can see snow-capped peaks rising in the distance. These are the beautiful mountains of the Canadian Rockies, and your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Once that airplane hits the tarmac, you’re just a short drive away from the heart of it all: Banff and Lake Louise.

The final drive to Banff takes just 90 minutes, with Lake Louise requiring only an additional 45 minutes. But, this is no ordinary drive: As you leave Calgary you have vast farmland to gaze at before rolling foothills indicate that larger mountains are about to come into view. Suddenly, that landscape changes and you’re winding through valleys nestled amongst some of Banff’s most famous peaks. These mountains sure know how to welcome you. 

How you make that final drive is up to you! Once you’ve picked up your bags, you have your choice of transportation options leaving straight from the airport.

Local Tips:

• All visitors entering the national park will need a Park Pass, which you can purchase at the park gates or order your pass in advance and bring it with you to save time.
• Try downloading a GyPSy guide tour to take you through the natural wonders during your trip to Banff. 

TAKE AN AIRPORT SHUTTLE

For travellers not requiring a car or looking for alternate transportation, a number of companies, such as the Banff Airporter or Brewster Express, operate airport shuttle services that will deliver you to the doors of your hotel or chosen accommodations.

Trust the locals on this one! Many swear by airport shuttles and buses to get them from A to B. This is a relaxing way to travel, and if you’re looking to connect with work or family back at home, most shuttles offer free WiFi.

Tips:

• If you have time to wait for your shuttle, drop your bags off at the registration desk and grab a snack or move your legs before you are required to board.
• Travelling with small children? Shuttles offer car seats and booster seats, so be sure to ask for one when you book your seats!
• Some shuttles offer a discount on round-trip bookings, so you can save money by booking your return transportation at the same time.

TAKE THE ON-IT REGIONAL TRANSIT

With ten departures from Calgary every Saturday, Sunday, and long weekend Monday from May 20 to September 2022, it’s easier than ever to get to Banff. Tickets on the On-it Regional Transit are just $10 each way, with children between the ages of two and five riding free. Board the bus in downtown Calgary or the Crowfoot LRT station and enjoy the scenery while you ride stress-free.

OTHER OPTIONS FROM CALGARY

If you've enjoyed some time in Calgary, and the On-It bus isn't available, you've always got the option of The Banff Express. With two departures a day, The Banff Express will deliver you to the Banff Train Station and collect you from four different locations in Calgary.

RENT A CAR

If you like the flexibility and convenience of having your own vehicle, a number of car rental companies are located at the airport or nearby (off-site rentals require only a short shuttle ride to retrieve your vehicle).

Tips:

If you do have a vehicle, squeeze in some extra exploring before you arrive in either the Town of Banff or the hamlet of Lake Louise. Some ideas?

• Turn right towards the Lake Minnewanka Road at the first exit to Banff. On this loop, you can explore Lower Bankhead (an abandoned mining town), Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake.
• Get off at the second exit to Banff and take a quick right onto Vermilion Lakes Road. This quiet drive takes you past three lakes and offers that famous view of Mt. Rundle

If you’re going all the way to Lake Louise, take the Bow Valley Parkway. This road parallels the Trans-Canada Highway, but is much slower-paced, giving you the chance to enjoy the scenery and, if you’re lucky, see some wildlife.

 

Mountain weather can change rapidly. It's possible to get rain, snow, wind and sunshine on the same day. Generally, the mountain air is cool and dry. Days are usually warm June through September, but it can get cool at night. April, and October through early November, see weather ranging from summer to winter conditions. Winter temperatures dip below freezing, with frequent snowfalls. Temperatures can be as high as 30C/86F in the summer to as low as 30C/22F in the winter.

SNOW

Canadian Rocky Mountain powder snow is world-renowned. Our champagne powder is dry and light. That's because our snow has an average moisture content of 7 percent. Compare this to the average of North American and European Resorts, where 10 percent is typical. December is full of celebrations to mark our white Christmas and the New Year with the town embracing the festive season with lots of decorations, Santa Claus Parade, carolers in the streets, sleigh rides and fireworks. The peak snow months are typically February and March, but as our season extends until end of May, spring (April/May) skiing is wonderfully warm and sunny.

For a smallish town by population Banff enjoys an incredibly rich menu of cultural pursuits. Museums showcase an amazing insight into geological and natural history of the Rocky Mountains. Art galleries feature local artists and mountain culture themes like nowhere else. Our treasure however is the Banff Centre which features acclaimed festivals such as Mountain Book and Film, WordFest, Summer Arts series, Opera, Dance and other art series.