Banff, Alberta, Canada
Welcome to the town of Banff in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Rocky Mountains have long been an area of great significance to native peoples. The valleys were places of ceremony and celebration; the lakes and mineral springs offered rejuvenation for mind, body, and spirit. It was here, in 1885, that the Canadian Government created Canada’s first National Park. Today the Banff/Lake Louise area is a crossroads for international visitors and offers everything from spiritual retreats to contemporary art exhibits and theatrical performances.
Vacation possibilities here are as diverse as the Canadian Rocky Mountain landscape. Airplane tours offer guided flights for a unique view of the magnificent Canadian Rockies. Relax aboard glass-enclosed boats as you travel through the Minnewanka Valley to Devil’s Gap on Lake Minnewanka. Fish peacefully along the shore of an alpine lake or stream. Cast at will, timelessly drifting along. Tee off amongst the backdrop of dramatic mountain ranges, with local wildlife as your gallery.
Enjoy panoramic views, short hiking trails, interpretive exhibits, and restaurants. For the adventurer, take part in heli-sightseeing or heli-hiking. Learn a new skill with training programs for all skill levels in the disciplines of rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, outdoor leadership, avalanche awareness, and ski mountaineering.
For those who prefer a more relaxed, slower-paced alpine experience, backpacking or mountaineering adventures are offered. ATV tours are designed to get you off the main roads and into the wilderness. Kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, and floating are also part of the fun on the local rivers and lakes. Horseback ride through a pine forest with a nature guide hearing only hoof beats, bask in a natural hot spring or a luxury spa or explore a glacier at the Columbia Icefield.
Finally, enjoy strolling alongside locals and world-travellers in downtown Banff as you discover a cosmopolitan collection of galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Shops range from internationally recognized clothiers and independently-owned establishments to Canada’s oldest department store.