Summer Information For Banff / Lake Louise In Alberta






Jul 19, 08

Banff / Lake Louise
Alberta

Surrounded by Banff National Park

Banff, located 90 miles west of Calgary, has a history dating back 11,000 years with its prehistoric habitation.

Surrounded by Banff National Park, the town is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park, established in 1885, encompasses more than 2,500 square miles of wilderness, over 1,000 glaciers, and provides a home to an abundance of wildlife, including big horn sheep, black-billed magpie, black and grizzly bears, coyotes, deer, elk and wood bison. To make sure all of this beauty is preserved, development within the town of Banff is strictly controlled. For example, the residents here don't actually own their land - they lease it from the park.

Nearby is the town of Canmore, providing access to outdoor recreation that take full advantage of this Rocky Mountain playground. Although the Banff area boasts restrictions for preservation purposes, Canmore is a hot spot for many activities prohibited in the National Park.

Hikers will find more than 800 miles of trails at both low and high elevations in Banff. Walk through meadows and mountain passes, and along lakes and rivers. There is a trail to suit most every ability, from gentle strolls to strenuous climbs.

A 2.3 mile long paved trail follows the Bow River to Sundance Canyon, offering panoramic views and stunning vistas. Other popular spots include the trail from Upper Hot Springs Pool to the Sulpher Mountain summit, the Bow/Hoodoos Trail, and the Bow River and Spray River Loops. Operating summer-long, the Sulpher Mountain Gondola takes visitors to 7,500 feet for fantastic views and even more trails.

This is a paradise for nature lovers, but there are some restrictions on the numerous recreational activities. Many trails are open to mountain biking, ranging from easy to difficult, but bikers are not allowed everywhere in the park. Some of the popular areas for biking include Bow Summit on the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise, the Moraine Lake area, Goat Creek Trail between Banff and Canmore, Lake Minnewanka Road and Vermilion Lakes Road.

True adventure lies in white water rafting on the Kootenay and Kicking Horse rivers. For a truly relaxing experience, the Bow River, Forty-Mile Creek and Vermilion Lake have canoeing.

Climbers will find both indoor practice walls and outdoor rock faces. Beginners as well as the experienced will be pleased with the variety of climbing available.

Fishing Beyond Compare

The fishing here does not compare to any other. Numerous lakes and streams teem with fish. Rocky Mountain whitefish and seven species of trout, including brook, brown, bull, cutthroat, lake and rainbow can be found here. Splake trout, a variety uniquely bred in the Banff area can be found as well.

All types of fishing can be had, ranging from jigging to spinning to trolling to fly fishing. Some popular spots include Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack, Johnson, Moraine, Herbert and Vermilion lakes and the Bow and Spray rivers.

Banff has two 18-hole golf courses to challenge golfers of all skill levels. The Banff Springs Golf Course also includes a 9-hole course and three practice greens, all in an unforgettably beautiful setting.

History and Culture

Along with all its scenic beauty, Banff has no lack of cultural pursuits. The Banff Centre has dance, jazz, opera and drama performances as well as gallery exhibits, lectures and the internationally known mountain film festival.

Banff Park Museum and National Historic Site is a living history museum. It includes almost every living creature found in the area. For a look at the history and art of the Rocky Mountains, visit the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.

Several events characterize Banff during the summer. The Banff Festival of the Arts and Heritage Days are just a couple of the exciting happenings here!

Whitefish Mountain Resort