Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PARKING PROBLEMS (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)
The downtown core of Banff is busy year-round, but especially so between late June
and early September after 10am. If you're staying in a motel along Banff Avenue or
on Tunnel Mountain, don't drive into town-walk or catch a Banff Transit bus (ask
at your accommodation for a schedule).
If you do drive into downtown, don't let not finding a parking spot on Banff Av-
enue ruin your holiday. Head to the parking garage at the corner of Bear and Lynx
Streets, cross the Bow River and park in the recreation grounds, or cruise for a space
along Lynx or Beaver Street.
For travelers with RVs or trailers, finding a downtown parking spot can be a
challenge. If you're planning on staying at one of the campgrounds on Tunnel
Mountain, check in first, then walk or catch the Roam bus (it departs the camp-
ground every 30 minutes; $2) to downtown. If you must bring your rig into town
and the few RV-only parking spots at the corner of Lynx and Wolf Streets are taken,
there are no options other than the suggestions I give above for regular vehicles.
Lake Louise is 56 kilometers (35 miles) northwest of Banff along the TransCanada High-
way, or a little bit longer if you take the quieter Bow Valley Parkway. The hamlet of Lake
Louise, composed of a small mall, hotels, and restaurants, is in the Bow Valley, just west
of the TransCanada Highway. The lake itself is 200 vertical meters (660 vertical feet)
above the valley floor, along a winding four-kilometer (2.5-mile) road. Across the valley
is Canada's second-largest winter resort, also called Lake Louise. It's a world-class facility
renowned for diverse terrain, abundant snow, and breathtaking views.
When you see the first flush of morning sun hit Victoria Glacier, and the impossibly
steep northern face of Mount Victoria reflected in the sparkling, emerald-green waters of
Lake Louise, you'll understand why this lake is regarded as one of the world's seven natur-
al wonders. Overlooking the magnificent scene, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is without
a doubt one of the world's most photographed hotels. Apart from staring, photographing,
and videotaping, the area has plenty to keep you busy. Nearby you'll find some of the
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