Banff in Alberta, Canada is set in the heart of the Banff National Park, surrounded with the Rocky Mountains, some of which are Sulphur mountains, Mount Rundle, Mount Norquay and Cascade Mountain. It is popular both summer and winter, and some of the hotels make provision for storing skis and ... Read review
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Advantages: Popular town in winter and summer Disadvantages: Expensive and loads of tourista
Banff in Alberta, Canada is set in the heart of the Banff National Park, surrounded with the Rocky Mountains, some of which are Sulphur mountains, Mount Rundle, Mount Norquay and Cascade Mountain. It is popular both summer and winter, and some of the hotels make provision for storing skis and snowboards. There are many restaurants with all tastes catered for, and for those who haven't tired themselves out touring the surrounding countryside there ... ...to the TransCanada Highway, between Banff and Lake Louise.
There are lots of shops encouraging you to spend your dollars, tempting fudges, warm clothing for exploring the mountains, sports equipment, designer bags and cases. Loads of shops selling postcards, touristy presents and a shop of Christmas items.
But not everyone likes shopping so you can learn more about the area by visiting a museum or several museums. These ... more
Banff in Alberta, Canada is set in the heart of the Banff National Park, surrounded with the Rocky Mountains, some of which are Sulphur mountains, Mount Rundle, Mount Norquay and Cascade Mountain. It is popular both summer and winter, and some of the hotels make provision for storing skis and snowboards. There are many restaurants with all tastes catered for, and for those who haven't tired themselves out touring the surrounding countryside there are nightclubs too. About 90 miles from Calgary, it is a popular stopping off point for people touring the Rockies. At 1,463 m or 4,800 ft, it is the town with the highest elevation in Canada.
The Bow valley Parkway or Highway 1A is a more scenic route to the TransCanada Highway, between Banff and Lake Louise.
There are lots of shops encouraging you to spend your dollars, tempting fudges, warm clothing for exploring the mountains, sports equipment, designer bags and cases. Loads of shops selling postcards, touristy presents and a shop of Christmas items.
But not everyone likes shopping so you can learn more about the area by visiting a museum or several museums. These days most things are expensive but at the Heritage Hall you can discover all about the western mountains and the Banff Springs.
Across the Bow River from the town is the Banff Park National Historic site, with displays of birds and mammals, it is an elegant building but there is a small charge here. There are several other museums in and around the town, one about the buffalo and native people and another about local caves and springs and how the National park was created.
Across the bridge from the town is a lovely garden called the Cascade gardens, there are pools, water features and some beautiful flower gardens. We stopped here briefly before heading just out of Banff to Surprise corner where we climbed up to the viewpoint to look across the Bow River to Banff Springs and the large hotel built there. Further on we left the coach and climbed up a little way to see the Hoodoos, unusual shaped spires, carved by the forces of water and wind. Here we saw a wedding and listened to the haunting sound of bagpipes, with the piper in full Highland Dress - yes we had travelled from Scotland to Canada and felt we were at home!
I love looking at water, although don't ask me to swim in it, and we weren't disappointed with the beautiful Lakes and waterfalls and rivers near Banff. We stopped at Two Jack Lake which is near Lake Minnewanka, a glacial lake. The peaceful scenery was stunning, and a few little Columbian ground squirrels played around near us, hoping for titbits.
To get an overall view of the countryside around Banff then a trip on the Gondola is a must. Just five minutes ride from the centre the Gondola ride is not for people afraid of heights. There are often queues at the ticket desk, but we soon climbed into the four seater gondola and found ourselves being transported up to the summit of Sulphur mountain, 2.281 feet above sea level. Once at the upper level you can get a 360 degree view, have a snack or a meal in the restaurant, buy gifts from the shop or do the boardwalk to Samson's peak just 1km up to the first meteorologist station in the area. Walking back down is an option if you find the gondola ride too hair -raising but the path zigzags it's way down hill and it over 5km! The eight minute ride costs $26 for adults and $13 for children, under 5's go free.
There is a row of hotels leading up to the town, and so you can choose where you want to stay, from high class hotels to motels and hostels. There are also lots of places to eat, again from high class to the hamburger bar or sandwich bar. In the one shopping centre there were several places to buy your food and then sit in the communal eating area. You can eat Asian, Greek, Italian, Mexican, Swiss, German, French and Steaks, a very good and varied choice.
I loved Banff and the area around it but I will never forget our stay at Lake Louise, in Banff National park, about 35 miles west of Banff. We stayed at the Chateau on the edge of Lake Louise and experienced a storm when the lake turned rough, then it returned to its peaceful beauty when the sun came out. We also heard the glacier calving, which sounds like thunder. Lake Louise is described as Canada's Diamond in the Wilderness, a place to explore with guides, popular both in summer and winter. Glaciers, waterfalls, beautiful lakes, amazing scenery when we left Lake Louise behind it was a long way along the highway before another town, about a 3 hour journey to Jasper, the wilderness is the right name for this hauntingly beautiful lonely place.
We travelled with the Rocky Mountaineer coach as we explored the Rockies towards Jasper where we went by train to Vancouver. The hotels we stopped at en route have been reviewed separately.
Advantages: Range of activities, scenery, hotels Disadvantages: Slightly more expensive than other parts of Canada
Banff in the heart of the Canadian Rockies is a very unique place. It seems to be a town born to serve tourists. I do not mean that it is a tacky commercial town but instead a geared up to serve the needs of tourists. I was lucky enough to work out there for a year between 1995 and 1996 and had the opportunity to experience the town in both the winter and summer.
Banff is nestled in amongst the Rocky Mountains and this affords some of the most beautiful ... ...hostel to the 5* luxury Banff Springs Hotel. What ever your budget is you are sure to find acceptable accommodation.
The range of activities to keep you active is also wide and varied from Golf to Skiing, bike to white water rafting. There is no reason why anyone should find themselves bored and even if you are not into activities, just looking up at the Rockies will ensure your happiness.
The nightlife is extensive and again caters for all tastes, ...
rrisk 16.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Banff (Canada)
Advantages: Beautiful scenery, friendly people, great skiing, good hotels and so much more. Disadvantages: Prices can reach quite a high level.
...information on the park.
Banff has lots of great spots that are spectacular to camp in.There are lots of cabins looking out onto Banff's many lakes,surrounded by nature these serene and secluded area are by far the best to take a relaxing trip to.If you are one of the people who would rather stay in a hotel instead of roughing it there are tons of four star hotels in the Banff region.
After kicking off your shoes and having a peaceful sleep in ... ...see everything expect to pay a fair amount.
Banff really shows you the beauty that is in Canada's national parks and why it is such a prime vacationing location.Even if you are with the family of just by yourself you will be truly amazed by the breath taking scenery. ...
ChrisGauvin 06.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banff (Canada)
...to go just to ski
Banff is about an hours transfer from Calgary slightly more if you are one of the hotels ant the end of the drop off (Inns of Banff is always the first and Rimmrock and Chateau are last - who says money can buy you everything!!).
Should you wish to there are other ski areas not included in the lift pass all within half a days travelling from Banff these are
Kicking horse
Panorama
Whitewater
Nakiska
You will be able to book ... ...on a reasonable tariff - Banff Inn is a family run hotel that goes out of its way to help- nice rooms - nice bar - so hot tub, give the breakfast a miss on some days and go next door to the local dinner (pancakes to die for). Inn of Banff is a large international hotel but prides itself on its price and service. I have stayed there twice and would recommend it every time. The outdoor hot tub is amazing and the views from it are spectacular. Plus ...
kent-ledger28 07.10.2005 (25.10.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banff (Canada)
Advantages: Amazing snow, Breathtaking sights, wonerful people. Disadvantages: need transport to get to skiing
This Easter I went to Banff for an action pact adventure holiday! I was going to the Rocky Mountains. (I really thought that sounded cool).
Travel & transport
We got a flight from Heathrow with Air Canada to Alberta Calgary.There wer other flghts but none straight to Calgary, some to stop off at Houston and other U.S.A areas. The flight took about 9 hours. The chairs were slightly uncomfortable but the air hostess’s were on the ball! The food was ... ...the Rocky Mountain resort in Banff we had a big kitchen, two bedrooms and a sitting room, with a pool and many other features There are alot of properties for ssale all around, at the Rocky mountain resort, Cairs on the bow and bears foot.
Banff has great shops for souviineirs, restraunts and is great fun to just explore the town. There are also hot springs in Banff, which is pure water that passes the centre of the earth and comes back up through ...
mattyme1 14.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banff (Canada)
Advantages: Superb scenery, good sports Disadvantages: none
Banff is one of my favourite places in the world. I worked near there for about 8 weeks last year and it's a place I can see myself living in.
Banff is a town in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Everything about the town reflects the fact that it nestles in some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the world.
You will never be short of things to do if you visit here. Mountain sports are, obviously, top of the list. There are easy walks along ... ...summits around the town. Banff is a popular destination for skiing, it has some excellent slopes with modern facilities- definately a rival to Europe.
Rock climbing fans will find vast faces of warm, sunbathed rock and plenty of exposure. Theres also a climbing wall if the weather is really bad.
If rivers are more your thing you can try white water rafting and kayaking on the Bow river which flows through the town.
Cycling is popular, both mountain ...
pishton 12.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banff (Canada)
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Advantages: Great Skiing, amazing scenery and amazing snow Disadvantages: Not such a great resort for Apres Ski
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