Banff
and grizzly and black bears cross
the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff
National Park via dedicated over- and
underpasses. The endangered Banff
Springs snail is found in seven thermal
springs on Sulphur Mountain—and
nowhere else on earth.
Walk, shop, eat and play along Banff Avenue
CHEESE & FONDuE
MAIN ATTRACTION
Established in 1885, Banff National
Park is the oldest of Canada’s national
parks. It’s also part of the Canadian
Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO
World Heritage Site. The 6,641 sq
km (2,564 sq mi) of Rocky Mountain
wilderness embraces the town of Banff
(pop. 9,700), the village of Lake Louise
(pop. 1,030), and three ski resorts
(Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Area and
Sunshine Village). The area was named
one of National Geographic Traveler’s
top destinations for 2017—the only
Canadian spot on the list that year.
Visitors can hike along rushing rivers
and through old-growth forests, alpine
meadows and canyons on more than
1,600 km (1,000 mi) of maintained
trails. The turquoise waters of Moraine
Lake are perfect for peaceful afternoons
spent paddling a canoe, while nearly
2,500 campsites throughout the park
make for spectacular slumber parties.
Get an up-close-and-personal look at
the park’s history with a visit to the
56 Rocky Mountaineer Magazine 2018
Visitor information 403-762-8421
www.banfflakelouise.com
REGIONAL CuISINE
› The Bison serves Rocky Mountain
Banff Park Museum, home to more than
5,000 vintage specimens—including
taxidermy, fossils and plants. Built in
1903, it’s the oldest natural history
museum in Western Canada.
WILDLIFE
Banff National Park is home to over
260 types of birds and 53 species of
mammal. Make that 54: a small herd
of young plains bison was reintroduced
to Banff National Park in 2017 (see
feature, page 12). Elk, bighorn sheep,
›
farm-to-table fare in a two-level
restaurant with a view of the
mountains. Pull up a seat beneath
the rustic Douglas fir beams and
watch the chefs prep seasonal,
locally sourced dishes such as elk
tartare or Bow River trout.
Take the Banff Gondola to Sky Bistro
at the top of Sulphur Mountain, to
dine at 2,282 m (7,486 ft). Antler
chandeliers hang overhead, and
views of the Bow Valley accompany
Canmore pasta gnocchi or twice-
cooked Alberta pork belly.
The Water Cure
Ready to relax? Soak up the spectacular scenery at Banff upper Hot Springs. Valued for
their curative powers by local First Nations for thousands of years, these mineral-rich
waters have been a popular destination for tranquillity-seekers since the first bathhouse
was built in 1886. Soothing water bubbles up from 2.5 km (1.5 mi) beneath Sulphur Moun-
tain, keeping the public pools at a constant temperature of 32°C (90°F) to 46°C (116°F).
If you’re travelling light, there are towels and swimsuits for rent. Settle into the steaming
water at sunrise or sunset for a particularly stunning view of the surrounding mountains.
Ready, set, exhale. BY CHLOË LAI
LAkE LOuISE
PoPulation 9,700
time Zone mountain
Tucked away in the Fairmont Banff
Springs Hotel, the tiny Grapes Wine
Bar is a cheese-lover’s dream. Sample
outstanding cendré des prés, a soft, brie-
style cheese, or bleu fumé. At nearby
Grizzly House, four-course fondue din-
ners featuring unusual ingredients such
as shark, alligator, rattlesnake, ostrich
and buffalo await the adventurous.
Meanwhile, Swiss-Italian restaurant
Ticino is beloved for its classic gruyère-
and-emmental fondue, as well as its
namesake goat-cheese-stuffed chicken
breast with a hazelnut crust.