Banff & Lake Louise has a rich heritage as one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations. With easy access to pristine wilderness, endless outdoor adventures, and all the amenities you need, in Banff National Park you feel truly immersed in nature.
In the heart of the magnificent Banff National Park, surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks is the small resort village of Lake Louise. The big attraction, though, is four kilometres away. The vivid turquoise waters of glacier-fed Lake Louise, “the Jewel of the Rockies”, are recognised the world over. With the iconic Fairmont Château Lake Louise at one end, the stunning Victoria Glacier at its head and mountains all around, this is one of the world’s most photographed lakes and a “must-see” on any Rockies itinerary. Winter at Lake Louise is particularly magical; don a pair of ice-skating boots and glide across a frozen lake, breathing in the icy-cold air, surrounded by incredible mountainous scenery.
Banff & Lake Louise. Yes, This is a Real Place.
Banff makes you feel at home and exhilarated with wonder all at the same time. This all-year-round resort town is set at the side of the Bow River and surrounded on all sides by the magnificent splendour of the Rocky Mountains where you can find a vibrant community of artists, athletes, families, outdoor enthusiasts, restaurateurs and hoteliers nestled in a 6,641-kilometre squared national park. This is a town that truly celebrates its heritage, lives and breathes mountain culture and never takes its backyard for granted. With modern amenities and more than enough accommodations, restaurants and activities to choose from, Banff is a premier destination for authentic hospitality, mountain culture, relaxation and amusement. Visit the museums and galleries, Cave and Basin National Historic Site, and world-famous Lake Louise or stroll along Banff Avenue; enjoy the shopping, the restaurants and bars, and in winter, the après ski.
Banff is also the perfect base to explore from, and in the winter you’ll find the best value ski accommodation in the Rockies. Glide across the snow on a once-in-a-lifetime dog sledging experience; breathe in the fresh mountain air as you hike or snowshoe surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains, then finish off your day sat next to a cosy fireplace with a warm cup of hot chocolate - perfect.
Summer Activites
Hiking
The hiking in Banff National Park is about as good as it gets anywhere in the world. Choose any difficulty level, length and duration and you’ve got a multitude of options. Hike along the shores of dazzling blue lakes, up to quaint mountain teahouses, through carpets of wildflowers and up high to spectacular viewpoints.
Wildlife Tour
Alberta's 5 national parks and more than 250 provincial parks are home to nearly 600 species of wildlife. Whether you want to see wild animals in their natural habitat or learn about wildlife protection, there is a wildlife tour for you. Keep an eye out for moose, bison, elk, grizzlies and black bears, bighorn sheep and mountain goats.
Horseback Riding
There is a long tradition of horseback riding in Banff National Park. The first explorers used horses to travel through the rugged mountain terrain and pack supplies into hard-to-reach areas! Today you can enjoy the quiet, leisurely pace of a horseback trail ride and take in the views while your steed carries you onward.
Heli-Hiking
One of the most amazing itineraries you could take is a heli-hiking trip to a remote lodge where you will take part in a hiking program tailored to your exact abilities, making it suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. These trips really do get you away from it all.
Visit the Athabasca Glacier
Take a journey along the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield, then take a ride on an Ice Explorer onto the glacier itself. This can be done as a day trip from Banff, or alternatively, many self-drive and coach transfer passengers stop here en route to Jasper.
Banff Hot Springs
The hot springs in Banff National Park are what first made this destination so famous. Travellers, allured here by the medicinal qualities of the hot springs, journeyed to Banff via the Canadian Pacific Railway to take a dip in the mineral waters.
Winter Activities
Skiing & Snowboarding
Banff National Park is home to 3 ski mountains - Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village and the Lake Louise Ski Area, all linked by easy-to-use shuttles and accessible with a single lift pass. Cross country skiing is a great way to explore Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies during the winter months.
Dog Sledding
Sit under a blanket on a traditional dogsled and let a team of huskies lead you on a picturesque journey through mountain valleys. This is a once-in-a-lifetime and truly Canadian activity you won’t want to miss. For added excitement, try mushing the sledge yourself and guiding a team of dogs down the trail!
Snowshoeing
Strap on snowshoes and venture into the wilderness. Trained naturalists will accompany you to provide instruction on snowshoeing and to share their knowledge about the area. If you’re eager to experience more distant mountainous regions, heli-snowshoeing options are also available.
Après-Ski
Banff's many bars and restaurants are perfect to enjoy a relaxing drink or meal after a day in the snow or out on the slopes. Perfect for hanging out with friends and family, sitting by the fire with a nice glass of wine. Life is an authentic experience in Banff after a long day of fun winter activities.
Banff Gondola
A ride on the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain is a must for all visitors to Banff. From the top of the mountain, you can see across the entire Bow Valley and Banff townsite and beyond to the surrounding lakes and peaks. This is also a very popoular activity to do in the summer too.
More winter fun
During your winter stay in Banff you might also want to try tubing, winter caving, taking a sleigh ride, seek for the Northern Lights, ice-skating or warming soak in the Upper Hot Springs. There are plenty of activities to do for everyone and all skill levels. Banff in winter is a magical experience.
