| One of the most beloved travel destinations in | | | | can be door to slope and return service. Most |
| Canada is the Banff and Lake Louise area located | | | | skiers opt to ski all three resorts during their |
| in the province of Alberta. The town of Banff is | | | | stays.Lake Louise is about 45 minutes (35 miles) |
| 90 minutes (75 miles) west of Calgary and is | | | | further into the mountain range and home to one |
| within the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World | | | | of the largest ski areas in North America. World |
| Heritage site. One can see the Rocky Mountains | | | | class events are held here as well as a previous |
| from Calgary since the Banff area is at the | | | | winter Olympics and the resort Lake Louise is |
| eastern edge of the Canadian Rocky Mountain | | | | serviced by the ski shuttle system from Banff. |
| range. It is also one of the most visited areas in | | | | Even for non-skiers, a day trip to Lake Louise is a |
| Canada all year round since the rugged beauty of | | | | must. The largest hotel there, the Chateau Lake |
| the mountains and the protected wilderness | | | | Louise, is right beside the beautiful Lake Louise |
| draws tourists from around the world. During the | | | | itself. There is a glacier named Victoria Glacier |
| winter, the three local resorts of Sunshine Village, | | | | which is nestled between snow capped mountains. |
| Norquay Mystic Ridge and Lake Louise offer | | | | During the winters, the lake is completely frozen |
| some of the best snow skiing around.There are | | | | and people can walk right across it. The hotel |
| numerous shops, restaurants and small to | | | | usually sets up a skating area on the lake. During |
| mid-sized hotels in the town of Banff which is | | | | the summers, one can still see some of the white |
| why the majority of travelers use it as the base | | | | snow capped peaks along with the glacier but |
| during their stays. The town itself is small enough | | | | what makes things really special is the lake itself |
| to walk around in since large scale development is | | | | too which is an emerald green color. On certain |
| limited since Banff is located within a national park. | | | | days and hours, the lake gives a stunning |
| As a result, the town of Canmore just outside | | | | reflection of the mountain/glacier scene. This |
| the national park boundary has become a recent | | | | combination offers one of the most beautiful and |
| spot of development. This offers tourists with | | | | photographed scenes in Canada. No motorized |
| rental cars another choice for accommodations. | | | | boats are allowed in the lake but there are canoe |
| There is a complete range of accommodations | | | | rentals available. Taking a canoe across the lake |
| from budget motels to the ritzy and majestic | | | | while seeing the glacier and mountain range is one |
| Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel overlooking the | | | | of the most special, peaceful activities one can |
| nearby valley. Many hotels have views of the | | | | do.The wildlife in the Banff and Lake Louise area is |
| mountain ranges and I can personally claim that | | | | another attraction. There are wildlife spotting |
| there is something very magical about waking up | | | | tours available but every time I have traveled to |
| and seeing a snow capped peak first thing in the | | | | the area, I've seen deer and elk along the roads |
| morning, particularly during the non-winter | | | | and highways. I've even seen them wander right |
| season.Like the choice of accommodations, the | | | | into the front of the Banff Springs hotel. The road |
| range of dining opportunities covers the entire | | | | that leads up to the Norquay Mystic Ridge ski |
| spectrum as well. Travelers can dine at the most | | | | resort just outside of Banff is a golden spot for |
| fancy eating establishments or buy their own | | | | wildlife. On every drive up that particular road |
| groceries at the local grocer. One thing for beef | | | | whether during the winter or summer, I have |
| lovers is not to miss the Alberta prime rib here | | | | always seen curly horned mountain goats. Many |
| which is a local specialty. It practically melts in | | | | are so used to cars that they would just move |
| your mouth. Some restaurants serve very | | | | aside for vehicles to get by but would still stay on |
| generous 24 ounce (or higher) portions called | | | | the roads. This makes great photo |
| mountain cuts for those who think they can eat it | | | | opportunities.One thing to be careful of especially |
| all.There are numerous activities during the | | | | when hiking is the possibilities of bears. During the |
| non-winter seasons including hiking, horseback | | | | non-winter seasons, pay attention to the local |
| riding, fishing, golf and a hot springs spa heated | | | | rangers who give reports of bear sightings as it is |
| naturally by the mountain. The wonderful mountain | | | | not recommended to go on trails where bears |
| scenery just makes these activities seem that | | | | have been recently.Many world tourists think of |
| much more special here. Imagine golfing with | | | | Canada as a land of wonderful natural scenery |
| views of mountains in the background and | | | | and although the country is much more than that, |
| glimpses of elk. Of course, the winters have the | | | | the Banff and Lake Louise area is probably one of |
| skiing and snowboarding but there are other | | | | the best examples of Canadian natural beauty. It |
| winter activities such as dog sledding and | | | | is a place that draws visitors, foreign and |
| snowmobile tours. For skiers and boarders, there | | | | Canadians alike, back to the area like it does for |
| is a very good bus shuttle system set up which | | | | me every few years.Clint Leung is owner of Free |
| picks skiers up at various locations around town | | | | Spirit Gallery an online gallery specializing in Inuit |
| and transports them to any of the three ski | | | | Eskimo and Northwest Native American art |
| resorts mentioned earlier. Some shuttle stops are | | | | including carvings, sculpture and prints. |
| right outside of the many hotels so for many, it | | | | |