BE WOW BY THE PURE BEAUTY OF NATURES & SCENIC ADVENTUROUS SITE

Brief Introduction:

North America, extending to within 10° of latitude of both the equator and the North Pole, embraces every climatic zone, from tropical rain forest and savanna on the lowlands of Central America to areas of permanent ice cap in central Greenland. Subarctic and tundra climates prevail in N Canada and N Alaska, and desert and semiarid conditions are found in interior regions cut off by high mountains from rain-bearing westerly winds. Ok, let’s embark on the Cheap Luxury Holidays North America Canada Banff National Park (Banff National Park vacation) –Live in style on Low Cost Spending!

BANFF NATIONAL PARK CANADA

The elements that make the Canadian Rockies a year rounddream destination are all right here in Banff National Park, a beautiful 90 minute drive west of Calgary. Established in 1883 after three railway workers stumbled onto a thermal mineral spring, it became Canada’s first national park in 1885. Today it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park protects 2,564 square miles of mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers and forests within the Canadian Rockies. Located in the province of Alberta, it is surrounded by protected forests, parks and wilderness areas on all sides, including Jasper National Park to the north.

Nestled in the heart of the park, the town of Banff and nearby hamlet of Lake Louise have all the creature comforts and are your gateways to year round adventures.

Top 10 Most Popular Attractions in Banff National Park Canada

1. Moraine Lake

A spectacular sight, Moraine Lakeâs blue waters are surrounded by towering mountains, including 11,500-foot Mount Temple, the third highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Known as the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this area offers hiking, paddling, and dramatic photographic opportunities. Moraine Lake, can sometimes feel crowded in summer. If you go, arrive early to enjoy canoeing (rentals available), as well as hiking before the crowds arrive. Best time to visit is before 11 am or after 5 pm. The road is closed between mid-October and mid-June.

2. Icefields Parkway 

The Icefields Parkway connects Lake Louise and Jasper, parallelling the Continental Divide through some of the most wild and remote parts ofBanff and Jasper national parks. Stretching for about 143 miles between Lake Louise and the town of Jasper, the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) delivers more magnificent scenery. En route you’ll pass forests, river valleys, mountains with peaks reaching 10,000 feet and Peyto Lake, the bluest in the Canadian Rockies. The color results from how the fine particles of ground rock, called rock flour, scatter the sun’s rays. Bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goats and ravens can often be seen. Take your time driving this route in summer and stop for picnics and short hikes.

3. Bow Lake and Bow Glacier

Bow Lake is one of the more scenic and accessible lakes for fishing. The turquoise blue water is the source of the Bow River. From here you can view the majestic Bow Glacier.

4. Banff Gondola

The eight-minute, enclosed gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, elevation 7,486 feet, gifts you with panoramic views. At the summit, stroll the Banff Skywalk along the ridge to Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station or try the more difficult South East Ridge Trail hike. If you don’t want to walk, take in the view from the restaurant’s observation deck, a good spot to base yourself with toddlers. Arrive early to avoid the long lines for the lift in summer.

5. Banff Hiking and Wildlife

With more than 1,000 miles of trail, Banff National Parks offers plenty of paths. For a relatively easy hike, we like the Tunnel Mountain trail. Accessible from the town of Banff, the 1.4-mile trail leads to the mountainâs summit, providing great views of the Bow Valley. Both Emerald Lake and Lake Louise offer additional easy family hikes with little elevation gain but with gorgeous scenery. In July and August wildflowers lace the Garden Path Trail, at Sunshine Village ski area. For more difficult hikes, a favorite of ours is the half-day, 4-mile round-trip trek up to Lake Agnes and the Tea House, accessible from Lake Louise. On the half-day, 4-mile Stanley Glacier hike, much of the 750-foot gain in elevation is near the beginning. The 15-mile trail through narrow Johnston Canyon leads you across wooden footbridges and past waterfalls. Several outfitters offer guided hikes within the park, including the Mountain Heritage Guide Program at the Chateau Lake Louise.

No one dares to breathe as we focus on the sound of branches snapping in the bushes. There’s definitely something big in there. An enormous bull elk emerges from the thicket, and when he turns his majestic head and stares right into your camera lens, you know you’ve got the shot of a lifetime. And you just nailed one of Alberta’s all-stars – elk, moose, bear, bison, cougar and wolf.

Accessible and rewarding wildlife viewing is year round in Alberta. Set off at dawn or in the evening, when the animals are most active. Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, beaver, coyotes, white-tailed and mule deer are often spotted.

And for all you birdwatchers, Alberta is the only place in North America where the prairie, boreal forest and mountain ecosystems coexist. As a result, the province is a haven for indigenous and migratory birds – more than 400 species, and counting. Spring and fall migrations are optimal viewing times.

 6. Banff Ice Skating

During the winter the Canadian Rockies have a formidable beauty and the entire family can ice skate with towering peaks and pines as a backdrop. The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel has an ice skating rink and when Lake Louise freezes, you’ll glide through a picture-book setting.

 7. Skiing and Snowboarding

Step out and meet winter face to face in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Imagine your next ski holiday, flying down the mountainside against a backdrop of white peaks ablaze with sunshine, ice glittering on the evergreens.

Slice through amazing powder as you cut fresh lines on the slopes. Alberta is one of the few places on earth blessed with conditions that create the fabled feather-light snow revered by skiers and boarders worldwide.

Head the legendary resorts in our protected national parks, where you can take lessons and rent equipment. Or go bysnowcat or helicopter to the backcountry, where pure virgin runs await. Experts will meet the challenge of their dreams in the bowls, pipes and chutes of the Rockies. After a blissful day on the slopes, unwind in the lodge for some well-deserved après ski.

With three ski areas Banff National Park offers nearly 8,000 acres of terrain plus a long ski season, stretching from mid-November through mid-May. As U.S. slopes close down in April, Banff is the perfect place for ski buffs to extend the season, and even during the spring months Banff practically guarantees snow. Sunshine Village, about 20 minutes from the town of Banff, has 3,300 acres of terrain. Lake Louise, with 4,200 skiable acres, is the largest of Banff’s three ski areas. You can purchase lift tickets that allow you to ski all three areas. In addition, the park has 50 miles of groomed cross-county trails.

8. Lake Louise (The Lake)

The emerald hues and glacial backdrop of Lake Louise have wowed visitors since the 1890s. The lake offersphotographic moments, a lakeshore stroll, canoeing and horseback riding. From July through September, the best time to visit is before 11 am or after 5 pm. From November through June, avoid travel beyond the boathouse on the left side of the lake due to avalanche hazard.

9. Banff Upper Hot Springs

Put the Banff Upper Springs at the top of your list of things to do in Banff.  Soak in the steamy hot mineral waterwhere travellers have come to ‘take the waters’ for over a hundred years.  Banff National Park’s only hot springs pool welcomes you for an authentic heritage experience that is a favorite among visitors.   When in Banff do as the locals do – come in the morning for the most relaxing visit.

Relax in the comfort of soothing natural hot springs where travellers have come to ‘take the waters’ for more than a century.

It’s all about the water!

The top five minerals found in the Banff Upper Hot Springs are:

• Sulfate
• Calcium
• Bicarbonate
• Magnesium
• Sodium

At 1,585 meters of elevation (5,200 feet), the Banff Upper Hot Springs is the highest in Canada. Water volumes from the spring are affected by this unique location and may fluctuate.  Currently, 100% natural mineral water is flowing at the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

10. Sleigh Rides

Glide through the snow accompanied by jingling sleigh bells in the winter and you’ll feel as if you have landed in a living Hallmark card. The daytime rides are warmer than the evening ones, but either way bundle up and use the blankets provided by the stable.

In summer, set up camp and explore 1,600 km (1,000 mi) of trails as you watch for deer, elk, moose and bear. Take in the Banff Summer Arts Festival, with over 200 events by local and international artists. Tee off in the alpine paradise of the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Resort. See for yourself why National Geographic rated the Icefields Parkway one of the 10 Greatest Drives in the World.

Come back in winter and dive into deep powder on skis and snowboards. Enjoy snowshoeing, dog sledding and canyon ice walks.