Banff & Lake Louise
Trip Planner
Welcome
Cross Country Skiing
The seasons in Banff National Park are like two different
sides of the same coin.
Summer
In summer, glaciers ooze through gaps between rocky
peaks, clear mountain air blows across turquoise-blue
lakes, wildf lowers bloom and animals roam in expansive
alpine meadows.
Winter
Winter is peaceful, but exhilarating. Cool air freezes
rivers to a standstill as deep, powdery snow covers the
land, smoothing sharp ridges under a thick white blanket.
As Canada’s first national park, Banff was
created as something to be shared. And with such a
breathtaking landscape, it’s no surprise that Banff
National Park has been nominated time and again as a
“must-see” destination for travelers around the world.
Rafting the Bow River
Banff Avenue
B ANFF
Biking Tunnel Mountain
Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a town
that makes you feel at home and exhilarated
with wonder all at the same time.
Once known as “Siding 29” on the Canadian Pacif ic
Railway, the Town of Banff was intended to be a
tourist town from its very inception. The park ’s f irst
superintendent, George Stewart, even oriented the town’s
f irst street in such a way that it would offer the best
possible views of Cascade Mountain.
There is no other place in the world where you can f ind a
vibrant community of artists, athletes, families, outdoor
enthusiasts, restaurateurs and hoteliers nestled in a 6,641
square-kilometre 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.
Mt. Norquay
Sightseeing on
Sulphur Mountain
L a k e Lou i s e
Moraine Lake
Lake Louise has become symbolic of the quintessential
Canadian mountain scene. This alpine lake,
known for its sparkling blue waters, is situated at the base
of impressive glacier-clad peaks that have long been at the
heart of Canadian mountaineering. At about 2.5 kilometres
long and 90 metres deep, the lake offers a surreal paddling
experience in the warm summer months and one of the most
scenic skating rinks in the world in winter.
The hamlet of Lake Louise, located just minutes from the
lake itself, has been developed over the last century to serve
the needs of people visiting this astonishingly accessible and
picturesque area of Banff National Park. Located nearby,
Moraine Lake, with its turquoise blue waters surrounded by
the Valley of the Ten Peaks, is another one of Canada’s
most iconic lakes.
For vacationers seeking the purest of alpine experiences, Lake
Louise is a protected mountain destination that is located in
close proximity to world-class hotels, postcard perfect
lodges, dining options and both summer and winter activities.
Sleigh Rides at Lake Louise
Canoeing at Lake Louise
SUMMER
Canoeing on Vermilion Lakes
No matter the size of your adventurous spirit, it could
take a lifetime to explore the 1000 kilometres of trails,
multitudes of lakes, rivers and streams and illustrious
scenery of Banff National Park.
Top summer activities
Get Out There: Hike to an alpine teahouse where hot tea
and apple pie await or through high passes to a backcountry
campsite to sleep under the stars. Have a guide join you for
hiking, mountaineering or take a helicopter to access hikes at
higher elevations.
Hit the Water: Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle on the
bluest waters you have ever seen. Enjoy a float trip or take a
faster-paced whitewater-rafting trip down rushing waters.
Get Up High: Take the Banff Gondola up 2,292 feet to
the Upper Terminal on Sulphur Mountain or the Lake Louise
Gondola, where you’ve got a great chance to see a grizzly bear.
For a little more adventure try the Via Ferrata at Mt. Norquay.
Hit the Links: Swing your heart out at a golf course.
Caution: beautiful mountain views can cause serious
distractions!
Catch a Ride: Sign up for a horseback ride or rent a bike
and scoot along scenic, winding roads. Head out for a picnic
at Lake Minnewanka, where you can also pick up a ride on a
boat cruise.
Shopping on Banff Avenue
Winter
Dogsledding
In winter, Banff and Lake Louise become a giant playground
with a backyard full of fresh snow and impressive peaks. Don’t
worry, there are also plenty of chances to warm up and relax!
Top winter activities
Hit the Slopes: With three world-class ski areas located
within 45 minutes of Banff, you’ve got 8,000 acres of mountain
terrain to choose from on one interchangeable lift ticket.
Find Some Ice: A canyon full of rushing water in
summer, Johnston Canyon freezes in winter to form a
sparkling wall of ice. Pull on your ice cleats and take a guided
tour. For the even more adventurous, take a jab at ice climbing
with the help of an experienced guide.
Explore the Trails: Strap on some cross-country skis or
snowshoes to access trails and reach spectacular viewpoints
whether on your own or on a guided tour.
Hitch a Ride: Nothing could be more special than
sipping on a cup of hot cocoa as you ride through
snow-filled trails on a horse-drawn sleigh. For something
truly unique, take a guided dogsledding tour and try mushing
the sled yourself!
Take a Soak: Open year-round, the Banff Upper Hot
Springs are especially great for relaxing in winter. Treat
yourself to a day at a spa facility in Banff or Lake Louise.
Mt. Norquay
F e sti vals & E v e n t s
The richness of Banff National Park’s
mountain culture comes alive in a variety
of festivals throughout the year.
Snowdays (January-February) Banff National Park is the cool
place to be this winter – in more ways than one! Celebrate the
wonders of this exciting season with SnowDays, a fun-filled month
of heart pumping, mid-week activities and weekend festivals jampacked with adventures of all kinds.
Ice Magic Festival (January) Watch master artisans carve
300 pound blocks of ice into unforgettable works of art.
Lake Louise Pond Hockey Classic (February)
Soak in the spirit of Canada’s game in one of the country’s most
iconic locations.
springstART (April) Springtime breathes new life into the
landscape just as springstART showcases Banff’s cultural, historic
and artistic scene.
Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival (May)
Sample international wines, ports, scotches and beers paired with
gourmet food prepared by Banff’s finest restaurants and hotels.
Banff Summer Arts Festival (June-August) Attend the
Banff Centre’s annual feast of emerging and established artists from
Canada and around the world.
Banff Marathon (June) This race offers one of the planet’s
most incredible and beautiful running experiences.
Banff National Park Bike Fest (June) Watch over 400
competitive cyclists race along scenic courses in a variety of events.
Performance in the Park (June) Enjoy a live musical
outdoor performance at the Cascade Gardens.
RBC GranFondo Banff (August) This mass participation
cycling event is the only one in North America fully contained
within a national park.
Lake Louise Fall Festival (September) Celebrate this
festive season and Canada’s birthplace of mountaineering.
Subaru Banff International Triathlon (September)
Cheer on competitors of this exhilarating race through the
beautiful terrain of Banff National Park.
Banff Mountain Film & Book Festivals (October –
November) Experience the adventure, excitement and inspiration of
mountain stories coming from the world’s top adventurers.
Bon Appétit Banff (November) Relish unique culinary
experiences as restaurants offer “prix fixe” menus that use locally
sourced ingredients.
WinterStart Festival (November – December) Ring in the
holidays! Highlights include Christmas in the Rockies in Banff and
World Cup alpine ski racing in Lake Louise.
Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise
History & Culture
Horseback at Lake Louise
(The Whyte Museum)
We know much about the history of the Banff area because of
stories, artwork and literature left behind by early mountain
residents – explorers, outfitters, surveyors, railroad workers
and entrepreneurs. With a superb collection of galleries and
museums, Banff makes it easy to retrace the steps of people
from long ago and explore the culture that exists today.
Explore
Visit a National Historic Site. There are seven in
Banff National Park and two located right in the Town of
Banff: the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Banff
Park Museum.
At the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
you can walk through historic homes of Banff ’s first pioneers
to get a glimpse of the exciting stories and local personalities.
Enjoy a performance at The Banff Centre, one of the
world’s leading arts institutions, where artists come to be
inspired by the landscape.
Pay a visit to the Buffalo Nations Museum to learn
about the cultures, traditions and values of the First Nations
people that first inhabited the land.
Vermilion Lakes Drive
(Glenbow Museum)
Take time to peruse the many galleries in Banff,
which feature internationally acclaimed artists and pieces
interpreting the mountain landscape.
S c en i c Rou t e s
To Jasper
93
3 Vermilion Lakes
These three picturesque lakes are located along Vermilion
Lakes Drive near the Banff Norquay exit of the TransCanada
Highway. A popular area for viewing sunrise, sunset and
wildlife, you can also paddle on Vermilion Lakes or bike the
road, which joins up with the Bow Valley Parkway via The
Legacy Trail.
To Red Deer
11
7
4 Mount Norquay Road
Winding its way up to the lower slopes of Mount Norquay
towards its namesake ski area, the Mount Norquay Road
offers exquisite views of the Town of Banff and Mt. Rundle.
To access this scenic road, take Lynx Street in Banff towards
the TransCanada Highway and continue straight. Keep
your eyes on the lookout for bighorn sheep and an obvious
viewpoint that locals call “The Green Spot.”
LAKE
LOUISE
1
6
5
To Vancouver
4
3
BANFF
2
1
1
To Calgary
93
To Radium
Hot Springs
5 Bow Valley Parkway – Highway 1a
This peaceful two-lane road travels from Banff to Lake
Louise, paralleling Highway 1. Accessible by both bike and
car, the parkway is punctuated by interpretive displays and
unique sites. Watch the towering cliffs and swampy areas for
glimpses of wildlife.
6 Banff to Lake Louise – Highway 1
1 Tunnel Mountain
The ride up Tunnel Mountain Drive starts close to the Town
of Banff and offers great views of some of Banff’s most iconic
landmarks. Explore the impressive geological formations of the
Hoodoos, which can be seen from a viewing deck or up-close
on a short hike from the road. For a view of Bow Falls and the
Fairmont Banff Springs, take a swing around Surprise Corner.
2 Lake Minnewanka Loop
Give yourself at least an hour to do this 10km loop or spend
a day to enjoy it all. Located just outside the Town of Banff,
this loop takes you past Two Jack Lake, Johnson Lake, Lake
Minnewanka and the ghost town of Bankhead. Keep your
eyes peeled for bighorn sheep.
This stretch of the TransCanada Highway is chock-full of
scenic roadside stops. By taking this modern and upgraded
corridor, you’ll wind your way past the flowing waters of the
Bow River and striking peaks, such as Castle Mountain and
Mount Temple.
7 Icefields Parkway
Rated one of the world’s great scenic highways by National
Geographic, the Icefields Parkway is a journey through
expansive mountain wilderness, ancient glaciers, sweeping
valleys and alpine lakes of every shade of blue. Popular stops
include Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. This road
heads north from Lake Louise towards the Columbia Icefield,
where you can hop on the Ice Explorer and venture out onto the
Athabasca Glacier.
Accom modat io n s
Whether you’re peeking out from a tent f lap, out the
window of a mountain lodge or off the veranda of a lavish
hotel, the surrounding views will make you
rub your eyes in disbelief.
Banff National Park prides itself not only in its scenery
but also in the variety and quality of accommodations
located within the park. Whatever your needs are,
hoteliers consider it a privilege to offer you customized
service, dining options onsite or in nearby venues, advice
on activities in the local area and access to spa and
wellness facilities.
Make yourself at home at one of the local hotels,
motels, bed and breakfasts or mountain lodges or, if
you’re looking to get closer to nature, get cozy at a tent or
RV campsite or stay a few nights at a backcountry lodge,
accessible by hike or cross-country ski.
Dining
As two authentic mountain communities, Banff and
Lake Louise don’t skimp out when it comes to dining and
shopping. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
This travel destination has attracted some of the very best in
Canadian and internationally inspired foods, also known as
Canadian Rocky Mountain Cuisine. Many
restaurants help you sample the regional fare, bringing in organic
and sustainably sourced Alberta beef and bison, fine cheeses and
wines. If you’re in the mood for sushi, Thai, Mexican, Swiss fondue
or pizza, you’ve got more than enough choice of restaurants to try.
After dark, kick up your heels at a local dance club or relax with a
beverage at a groovy lounge.
Shopping
If you’re looking to shop, both Banff and Lake Louise have
vendors to help you gear up for your next adventure, get custom
fitted with new ski gear, buy a perfect souvenir from a boutique
shop or a piece of art from a first-class gallery. With the
assortment of shopping experiences in in these mountain towns,
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
you’re sure to find something special to remind
you of your trip to the Canadian Rockies.
GETTING HERE
Banff National Park is only a 90-minute
(140 km/87 mi) drive west of Calgary, Alberta,
via the TransCanada Highway, a well-maintained road that
winds its way through the majestic Canadian Rockies. Many
international airlines service Calgary International Airport,
making it easy to reach Banff and Lake Louise from locations
around the world. Banff National Park is also accessible by
rail, charter coach and scheduled bus service. The hamlet
of Lake Louise is located only 45 minutes
(58 km/35 mi) from the Town of Banff.
If you prefer to drive, major car rental agencies are
conveniently located in Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise.
Driving Bow Valley Parkway
Quick Facts
Currency: Canadian Dollars. Banks and currency exchanges
are available in the Town of Banff and Lake Louise.
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC - 7 hours).
Measurements: Metric.
Electricity: 110 volts. Plugs are two flat parallel prongs or
two flat and one round prong.
Sales Tax: 5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST).
There is no provincial sales tax in Alberta.
Calgary
International
Airport
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Toronto
Chicago
Dallas
Houston
Newark
Gratuities: Satisfied customers leave a gratuity of
15-20 percent of the total bill. Tour guides and bus drivers
are generally tipped $1 to $2 per day, per person.
Banff National Park Pass
Visitors are required to purchase a Park Pass for travel inside
Banff National Park. Entry and service fees are charged at most
National Parks and National Historic Sites in Canada and are
used to support visitor services and facilities. Park Passes can be
purchased at any of the park entry gates, Visitor Information
Centres or online at ParkPass.BanffLakeLouise.com
Our Seasons
Summer ( June - September)
Winter (November - April)
Banff enjoys warm, comfortable summers, but it is not
uncommon to have cooler temperatures. July and August
daytime highs sit at an average of 18°C/64°F. Weather can
change at a moment’s notice, so be sure to pack a jacket that
repels rain and water, as well as a warm sweater and hat.
The winter air in Banff tends to be cold and dry with average
highs of 2°C/36°F. While the peaks and ski resorts in the area
receive a large amount of snow, the Town of Banff receives
a moderate amount. To stay cozy and dry, you’ll need warm
clothing, a heavy jacket, hat, mitts and waterproof footwear.
Fall (September - October)
Spring (April - May)
Autumn in Banff has an average high temperature of
5°C/41°F that is quickly warmed by the heat of the sun. By
mid-October, the air turns crisp in the mornings and leaves
start to fall. Bring warm clothing if you are visiting at this
time of year and expect to see some snow on the peaks!
During springtime in the Rockies you may find yourself
caught between seasons, enjoying summertime temperatures
while a good amount of snow lingers on the ground. High
temperatures at this time of year average 10°C/50 °F. Bring
lighter-weight clothing along with a few sweaters and layers
for good measure.
For more information visit
www.BanffLakeLouise.com
or contact our destination experts at:
Banff Information Centre
224 Banff Avenue
Lake Louise Visitors Centre
Samson Mall
Phone: (403) 762-8421
info@BanffLakeLouise.com
CONNECT WITH US TO FIND OUT
WHAT’S HAPPENING
facebook.com/banffnationalpark
@real_banff & @banff_squirrel
theRealBanff.com
11&12
AUGUST
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