Banff
Banff is one of the world's great ski resorts – but in summer Banff has wonderful hikes and bike riding too. This is a picture-postcard town, with elk roaming the main street and log buildings contrasting quite nicely with some elegant spots.
Soak in the springs - Banff was originally made
famous as a health spa, complete with natural "healing hot springs." In town, enjoy Banff Upper Hot Springs Pool, and outside town the Radium
Hot Springs, both offer family passes to enjoy hot
outdoor pools and steam rooms.
Ride up to the sky -This is one gondola you'll want to take, it's a knockout view from the platform at the top. The mountains seem much grander, the sky seems endless. Best time to go is sunset for a one-of-a-kind experience. More info: Banff Sulpher Mountain Gondola
Soak in the springs - Banff was originally made famous as a health spa, complete with natural "healing hot springs." There are lots of ways to have the experience. Most economical: in-town the Banff Upper Hot Springs Pool and outside town the Radium Hot Springs both offer family passes to enjoy 105/40 degree hot outdoor pool and steam rooms.
Rent a bike - Rent bikes in town, and head out along the Spray River, Lake Minnewanka, or- Sundance Canyon rries), ask for a biking map at the rental shop and head out along the Spray
River, cruise Lake Minnewanka, or Sundance Canyon.
Walks and hikes - Stop by the Banff Visitor
Information Centre to get information about day hikes in the area.
There are lots to chose from – some short and
easy, some quite challenging, a few even have interpretive signs about local
plants and animals. A short hike from town will take you past dramatic Bow
Falls, and along the scenic Bow River on easy-to-follow trails.
Horseback riding - Half a dozen outfits in the Banff
area have horses you can ride for an hour or spend a week riding and camping
in the mountains.
You
don't even have to saddle up to enjoy ranches here. Check
out local barn dances complete with local bands and BBQ. A big outfit in town: Banff Trail Riders.Museums -
Start at the Banff Park Museum, oldest natural history museum in Canada, and its display of local wildlife exhibits.At the Cave & Basin National Historic Site you squeeze through a tunnel to "discover" the cave where the hot springs were first seen by pioneers. Then walk along the
boardwalk above the Check out the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum display of Stoney, Blackfoot, Blood, Sarcee, and Peigan tribes peoples with dioramas of both First Nations and "pioneer" life styles. Head for the Natural History Museum for the geological history of Banff with its displays of gemstones and fossils, and model of Sasquatch: Bigfoot of local legend. Let it snow - Banff is a world-class ski resort, and the wintertime options are endless: down hill, cross country, snowshoe, sledding, tubing, whatever you like, you can do it here in spectacular scenery
Skiing - You can virtually ski in town at Norquay with it's great runs and beautiful lodge, then there's the big one -- Sunshine just north of Banff is state-of-the-art, huge, the fastest lifts, stunning runs. Try the smaller Nakiska- and- Fortress Mountain about 45 minutes south of Banff.Sleigh rides - Take family sleigh rides across the meadows in Banff. Sleigh rides are December to April.Sledding - Go sledding on Spray Meadows Hill (Banff Springs Hotel) or Casacade Ponds (good for little kids). Pick up inexpensive sleds in town.Dog sled tours - Experience the snowy wilderness on a dog sled! Two hour rides through the forest are perfect for kids, offered by Howling Dogs.Fun food -
Like most international ski resorts, Banff offers lots of choices: Tex-Mex, sushi, BBQ, but for something uniquely Banff, try buffalo, venison, or rattlesnake fondue, or maple sugar candy and cookies.
Shopping -
The town is a wonderful place to stroll, window shop and pick up treasures. Explore little passages off main streets that may lead to home-made sweets shops or artisan displays.
