BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 52

child $2.50), which is the birthplace of Banff National Park and of the Canadian National
Parks system, reopened in 2013 after extensive renovations. Here in 1883, three men em-
ployed by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) stumbled on the hot springs now known
as the Cave and Basin and were soon lounging in the hot water—a real luxury in the Wild
West. They built a fence around the springs, constructed a crude cabin, and began the long
process of establishing a claim to the site. But the government beat them to it, settling their
claims for a few thousand dollars and acquiring the hot springs.
Bathhouses were installed in 1887, and bathers paid $0.10 for a swim. The pools were
eventually lined with concrete, and additions were built onto the original structures. Iron-
ically, the soothing minerals in the water that had attracted millions of people to bathe here
eventually caused the pools' demise. The minerals, combined with chlorine, produced sed-
iments that ate away at the concrete structure until the pools were deemed unsuitable for
swimming in 1993.
Although the pools are now closed for swimming, the center is still one of Banff's most
popular attractions. Interpretive displays describe the hows and whys of the springs. A nar-
row tunnel winds into the dimly lit cave, and short trails lead from the center to the cave
entrance and through a unique environment created by the hot water from the springs. In-
terpretive tours run three times daily in summer.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
These springs (Mountain Ave., 403/762-1515, 9am-11pm daily May-Oct., 10am-10pm
Sun.-Thurs. 10am-11pm Fri.-Sat. Oct.-May), toward the Banff Gondola, were first deve-
loped in 1901. The present building was completed in 1935, with extensive renovations
made in 1996. Water flows out of the bedrock at 47°C (116.6°F) and is cooled to 40°C
(104°F) in the main pool. Once considered for privatization, the springs are still run by
Parks Canada and are popular throughout the year. Swimming is $7.50 adults, $6.50 seni-
ors and children; lockers and towel rental are a couple of dollars extra. Within the complex
is Pleiades Massage & Spa (403/760-2500), offering a wide range of therapeutic treat-
ments, including massages from $60 for 30 minutes as well as body wraps, aromatherapy,
and hydrotherapy.