Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This 6,641-square-kilometer (2,564-square-mile) national park encompasses some of the
world's most magnificent scenery. The snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains form
a spectacular backdrop for glacial lakes, fast-flowing rivers, and endless forests. Deer,
moose, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bears, wolves, and cougars
inhabit the park's vast wilderness, while the human species is concentrated in the picture-
postcard towns of Banff and Lake Louise—two of North America's most famous resorts.
Banff is near the park's southeast gate, 128 kilometers (80 miles) west of Calgary. Lake
Louise, northwest of Banff along the TransCanada Highway, sits astride its namesake lake,
which is regarded as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The lake is rivaled
for sheer beauty only by Moraine Lake, just down the road. Just north of Lake Louise, the
Icefields Parkway begins its spectacular course alongside the Continental Divide to Jasper
National Park.
One of Banff's greatest draws is the accessibility of its natural wonders. Most high-
lights are close to the road system, but adventurous visitors can follow an excellent system
of hiking trails to alpine lakes, along glacial valleys, and to spectacular viewpoints where
crowds are scarce and human impact has been minimal. Summer in the park is busy. In
fact, the park receives nearly half of its four million annual visitors in just two months
(July and August). The rest of the year, crowds outside the town of Banff are negligible. In
winter, three world-class winter resorts—Ski Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise
(Canada's second-largest winter resort)—crank up their lifts. During this low season, hotel
rates are reasonable. If you tire of downhill skiing and snowboarding, you can try cross-
country skiing, ice-skating, or snowshoeing; take a sleigh ride; soak in a hot spring; or go
heli-skiing nearby.
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