Destination Spotlight - The Rockies, Alberta, Western Canada

Calgary	Banff	Lake Louise	Driving in Canada

Banff

Heading away from Calgary and west along Highway 1 towards the Rockies for an hour, you’ll be greeted by the dominant peaks at Canmore before arriving at the town of Banff.

The town has a plentiful selection of shops, boutiques, upmarket accommodation and inns, combined with a vast selection of restaurants and bars - making Banff a popular year-round resort. It is common for visitors to spend at least three days here, exploring Banff National Park and its array of activities. Take a boat trip along Lake Minnewanka, hike the Johnston Canyon, or ride the famous Banff Gondola up 698m to the very top of Sulphur Mountain and be left stunned at the panoramic view of the Banff landscape. To relieve yourself of any tensions, why not soothe your mind, body and soul at Banff’s hot springs, where you are able to take a dip in the mineral-rich waters, believed to be laden with soul-healing and tension-melting properties.

Ski-ing around Banff

Banff is also the hub for visitors to really get their teeth into some skiing. A fifteen-minute drive from town will bring you to one of the best ski resorts in Canada: Sunshine Village. Blanketed with a sea of natural snow from mid-November until May, visitors can board a state of the art high speed gondola which traverses more than 3000 acres of truly amazing alpine terrain in just over twelve minutes. Ski-runs are available to people of all abilities, but for those who feel they are of a more advanced caliber, the run down Goat’s Eye Mountain which takes in views of two provinces is simply unforgettable.

Also on hand is the equally as popular Ski Banff at Norquay resort. With a proud history of eighty-one years, Norquay delivers an impressive selection of terrain to suit all skill levels. Gentle beginner runs are on hand to help build confidence and ability, or for the more fearless, why not take on the Upper Lone Pine and Gun Run - arguably the most demanding of any trails in the Rockies, with its challengingly steep freefalls.