Banff – Lake Louise: Breathtaking Elegance and Character At Its Greatest in the Canadian Rockies

For the initially time ever, my spouse and I are going to go snowboarding in the majestic Rocky Mountains: in March of 2006 we are going to go to continue to be a 7 days in Banff, Alberta and we are also heading to explore Lake Louise, the turquoise jewel of the Canadian Rockies. As we have under no circumstances been to this location, I have started off to do some research and contacted the formal visitor details web-site for the communities of Banff and Lake Louise in Banff Countrywide Park.

I experienced a possibility to talk with Quintin Winks, Manager of Media Relations for
Banff Lake Louise Tourism, who was able to give me with superb track record info about the Banff / Lake Louise Area.

1. Remember to deliver us with some normal info about Banff/Lake Louise. The place is it situated, what is the climate like?

Banff is positioned inside Banff Nationwide Park, in the Canadian Rockies of Western Alberta. The town of Banff is popular for its spectacular environment, but it is a lot more than just a really spot. As Canada’s very first integrated municipality in a countrywide park, Banff is a extremely unique group. It is environmentally-mindful, balanced, rich with character and society and a pleasant and open neighborhood. The elevation of Banff townsite is 1,383 m (4,537 toes), the optimum town in Canada. The elevation of Lake Louise is 1,536 m (5,039 toes), the maximum long term settlement in Canada.

Summer (July – August):
The summer time year generally has small humidity, warm temperatures and daylight several hours long lasting until finally 11:00 p.m. at the height of the summer season equinox.

Autumn (Sept – Oct):
Drop sees diminishing daylight several hours and heat days with cooling evening winds.

Winter season (Nov – March):
Though it can and does snow at any time of the yr, the to start with snows usually commence to drop in November. The common temperature through the winter months is all-around -12º C (6º F) having said that it is not unconventional to have a two-week chilly snap through December or January in which temperatures plummet into the -30 degree C/F assortment. Luckily Banff and regions west and south, regularly receive a welcome temperature phenomenon identified as Chinooks, heat winds that deliver spring-like temperatures in a issue of hrs.

Spring (April – June):
Rain and warming temperatures commence to soften wintertime absent from the valleys in April, on the other hand snow does not leave the mountain passes right until mid-summertime. Even though the ordinary precipitation is somewhat reduced during this time, snowmelt pushes the rivers to their crests.

2. How can 1 get to Banff/Lake Louise and what is the best way of acquiring close to locally?

Located in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, the city of Banff is situated inside of the boundaries of Banff National Park. It is situated 128 kilometres (80 miles) west of Calgary, 401 kilometres (250 miles) southwest of Edmonton and 850 kilometres (530 miles) east of Vancouver. Business airlines provider each individual of these three Canadian metropolitan areas, and buses to Banff and Lake Louise run year round.

Banff is very easily accessed by bus or auto working with the Trans-Canada Freeway. Calgary to Banff driving time is about 2 hours dependent on traffic and highway conditions. Pace restrictions within the countrywide park are 90km/hour.

The closest key airport is the Calgary Global Airport. Scheduled van and motorcoach shuttle solutions join Banff with Calgary Airport. Departures are minimal (generally 3 or 4 for every day).

3. What are some of the big sights in and about Banff/ Lake Louise?

Banff is well known first and foremost for its magnificent purely natural scenery, but also for its museums, countrywide historic websites and heritage properties.

Architectural and heritage pointers make sure the city retains its mountain tradition and attraction. Banff also has 3 historic web-sites (Cave & Basin, Banff Park Museum and Bankhead) and several heritage properties, a single of the finest executing art faculties in the region (The Banff Centre), prime-notch art galleries (The Walter Phillips Gallery and Canada Property Gallery amongst other people) and a globe-renown museum specializing in the art and background of the Canadian Rockies (the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies).

Wildlife is also abundant within just Banff Nationwide Park and many visitors return residence with memorable pictures of species that make use of the park.

From bridge to biking, there is so a great deal to do in the Banff place such as airplane excursions, barbecues, billiards, boat tours, bowling, dogsledding, downhill and cross-place skiing, fishing, golfing, mountaineering, snowshoeing, nature tours, horseback using, carriage and sleigh rides, mountaineering and climbing, hiking, sizzling springs and spas, museums and art galleries, gondolas, snocoach excursions, sightseeing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and float outings.

4. Make sure you tell us about the skiing prospects in Banff/Lake Louise and other wintertime activities on offer in your location.

3 fantastic ski resorts, Ski Banff@Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise give far more than 7,700 acres and 240 trails offering countless solutions to skiers and snowboarders of any ability. From vast-open bowls and tree-lined glades protected with fresh new dry champagne powder, to meticulous groomed slopes and condition-of-the-artwork snowmaking, guests get pleasure from unspoiled scenery, limited lift lines, and guaranteed welcoming local hospitality. The past big snowstorm by means of this area was less than one week back and the snow problems are powder, powder, powder. Much more snow is forecast in the coming times.

There are over 80km of cross-region trails in a quick push of the Banff townsite on your own. The huge network of keep track of-set and untracked trails, and telemark slopes during Banff Nationwide Park calls nordic skiers of all abilities. The Banff National Park Provider retains up to date trail situations and weather conditions forecasts.

Banff also provides guided snow-shoeing tours, ice walks, pet dog sledding and ice climbing, not to point out heli-skiing.

5. What about functions in the course of the summertime time?

Journey via a pine forest hearing only hoof beats, zoom down waterslides, or occur confront to deal with with a grizzly bear though exploring an interpretive museum. Banff Lake Louise gives some thing for everyone.

Appreciate the spectacular views from the Brewster Gondola, discover the Columbia Icefield from aboard the tremendous snocoach, lease a bicycle and experience all over the park or get up early and appreciate a chook wander in the spring. There’s also guided excursions by means of Johnston Canyon, mother nature walks, a skateboard park and many fine patios for enjoying a neat refreshment right after hrs of exploration in the summer months sunlight. Which is just the tip of the iceberg.

6. Banff / Lake Louise’s background is related to the growth of railways across Canada. You should give us a temporary historical overview of the spot.
1883

The railway passes as a result of the Banff space and reaches Laggan Station (Lake Louise). 3 railway staff, Frank McCabe, Tom McCardell, and William McCardell, stake assert to the all-natural scorching springs on the facet of Sulphur Mountain.

– 1884: Lord Steven, a previous CPR director, christens the location “Banff” just after his birthplace, Banffshire, Scotland.

– 1885: The federal government sets aside a 26 km² reserve bordering the scorching springs identified two yrs earlier. Two many years later on, that location is amplified to 670 sq. km. The Canadian Pacific Railway Organization and the federal govt cooperate in advertising and marketing the place as an global vacation resort and spa as a way to aid the new railway and simplicity the monetary pressures on Confederation.

– 1888: The Canadian Pacific Railway Company builds the area’s very first big tourist accommodation, The Banff Springs Lodge.

– 1911: Auto access to Banff is made possible by the development of the Banff/Calgary Mentor Highway.

– 1917: The park’s location is elevated to 7 125 km². The Canadian government passes the to start with National Parks Act.

– 1930: Rocky Mountains Park is renamed Banff National Park and its dimensions will become preset at 6641 km².

– 1933: The Banff Centre for Continuing Schooling is started.

– 1985: Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay Nationwide Parks along with 4 adjacent provincial parks are declared a Environment Heritage Web-site by the United Nations Instructional Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

– 1990: Through a joint arrangement between the nearby citizens and the federal and provincial governments, the town of Banff results in being the only included municipality within a Canadian nationwide park.

7. Our readers would like to discover out about the festivals and special occasions in Banff/Lake Louise.

Festivals and specific gatherings are many in Banff and Lake Louise. The most speedy two are Ice Magic and Winterfest. Ice Magic consists of artists from all in excess of the earth converging on Lake Louise and carving 300 kilogram blocks of ice into magnificent sculptures (January 27-29). Winterfest is a sequence of entertaining pursuits. The most up-to-date information on all festivals and distinctive events can be uncovered at http://www.banfflakelouise.com/

8. What about eating places and leisure in Banff / Lake Louise?

With inventive panache, chefs relentlessly reach new culinary heights. Recipes modify according to the seasons and make use of the freshest regional elements. Throughout the fall and winter, this usually means activity, squash and legumes, though spring features asparagus and mushrooms and summertime highlights edible bouquets and fresh new fruits.

The city has a extensive assortment of tourism-associated corporations like over 118 eating places with foodstuff to match each palette. There is certainly Indian cuisine, sushi, Korean, Chinese, Western, Pasta, Thai, Greek and just about each and every other variation.

Banff is also household to The Banff Centre. This establishment is host to quite a few sorts of enjoyment, including art galleries and installations, theatre productions and concerts ranging in range from string quartets, blues, jazz, ethnic and rock ‘n’ roll. There is some thing going on pretty much each individual week of the calendar year. Banff also has a cinema, bowling lanes, water slides and indoor pool and billiards hall. You can find an indoor rock-climbing wall, skating rink, tennis courts and myriad other things to do for leisure irrespective of the temperature.

9. What are some of the buying prospects in Banff / Lake Louise?

Get pleasure from strolling along with locals and earth-travellers as you uncover a cosmopolitan selection of galleries, boutiques and cafés. Outlets array from internationally recognized clothiers or independently-owned institutions to Canada’s oldest section store.

10. What type of lodging solutions are readily available in Banff / Lake Louise?

From 5-star class to the cozy comfort of cabins or chalets, Banff Lake Louise has additional than 100 hotels, motels, condominiums resorts, lodges and bed & breakfasts that will make you come to feel at house whichever your tastes.

11. What are some of the major activities and significant information tales coming up in 2006 and over and above in Banff/Lake Louise?

Banff appears to be like poised to host a skins golf recreation this summer season that will appeal to some of the major names in golf.

Also huge in the information is the graduation of Banff Refreshing, a sidewalk growth software and greening that will make downtown Banff a great deal much more pedestrian friendly and reduce the quantity of traffic using the downtown main.

The 1st phase of the Trans-Canada Highway twinning challenge will also swing into higher equipment this summer season, generating transit via Banff Countrywide Park a lot quicker and safer than at any time. Of notice with this undertaking are state-of-the-art wildlife crossing constructions to hold animals off the highway.

Passing of a modern lighting bylaw usually means that Banff’s evening sky will come to be additional and more very clear as time passes.

Thank you, Quintin, for your time to supply us with a lot more details about the wonderful Banff/Lake Louise region. We glance ahead to discovering your region to start with-hand in March!

For more data about Banff/Lake Louise remember to make contact with:

Banff Lake Louise Tourism

P.O. Box 1298, Banff, Alberta, T1L 1B3, Canada

Cellular phone:403-762-8421 Fax: 403-762-8163

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.BanffLakeLouise.com