| For the first time ever, my husband and I are | | | | face with a grizzly bear while exploring an |
| going to go skiing in the majestic Rocky | | | | interpretive museum. Banff Lake Louise offers |
| Mountains: in March of 2006 we are going to go | | | | something for everyone. |
| to stay a week in Banff, Alberta and we are also | | | | Enjoy the spectacular views from the Brewster |
| going to explore Lake Louise, the turquoise jewel | | | | Gondola, explore the Columbia Icefield from |
| of the Canadian Rockies. As we have never been | | | | aboard the enormous snocoach, rent a bike and |
| to this region, I have started to do some | | | | ride around the park or get up early and enjoy a |
| research and contacted the official visitor | | | | bird walk in the spring. There's also guided tours |
| information website for the communities of Banff | | | | through Johnston Canyon, nature walks, a |
| and Lake Louise in Banff National Park. | | | | skateboard park and several fine patios for |
| I had a chance to speak with Quintin Winks, | | | | enjoying a cool refreshment after hours of |
| Manager of Media Relations for | | | | exploration in the summer sun. That's just the tip |
| Banff Lake Louise Tourism, who was able to | | | | of the iceberg. |
| provide me with excellent background information | | | | 6. Banff / Lake Louise's history is connected to |
| about the Banff / Lake Louise Region. | | | | the expansion of railways across Canada. Please |
| 1. Please provide us with some general information | | | | give us a brief historical overview of the area. |
| about Banff/Lake Louise. Where is it located, | | | | 1883 |
| what is the weather like? | | | | The railway passes through the Banff area and |
| Banff is located within Banff National Park, in the | | | | reaches Laggan Station (Lake Louise). Three |
| Canadian Rockies of Western Alberta. The town | | | | railway workers, Frank McCabe, Tom McCardell, |
| of Banff is famous for its spectacular setting, but | | | | and William McCardell, stake claim to the natural |
| it is more than just a pretty place. As Canada's | | | | hot springs on the side of Sulphur Mountain. |
| first incorporated municipality in a national park, | | | | - 1884: Lord Steven, a former CPR director, |
| Banff is a very special community. It is | | | | christens the area "Banff" after his birthplace, |
| environmentally-conscious, balanced, rich with | | | | Banffshire, Scotland. |
| character and culture and a friendly and open | | | | - 1885: The federal government sets aside a 26 |
| community. The elevation of Banff townsite is | | | | km² reserve surrounding the hot springs |
| 1,383 m (4,537 feet), the highest town in Canada. | | | | discovered two years earlier. Two years later, |
| The elevation of Lake Louise is 1,536 m (5,039 | | | | that area is increased to 670 sq. km. The |
| feet), the highest permanent settlement in | | | | Canadian Pacific Railway Company and the federal |
| Canada. | | | | government cooperate in promoting the area as |
| Summer (July - August): | | | | an international resort and spa as a way to |
| The summer season usually has low humidity, | | | | support the new railway and ease the financial |
| warm temperatures and daylight hours lasting until | | | | pressures on Confederation. |
| 11:00 p.m. at the height of the summer equinox. | | | | - 1888: The Canadian Pacific Railway Company |
| Autumn (Sept - Oct): | | | | builds the area's first large tourist accommodation, |
| Fall sees diminishing daylight hours and warm days | | | | The Banff Springs Hotel. |
| with cooling evening winds. | | | | - 1911: Automobile access to Banff is made |
| Winter (Nov - March): | | | | possible by the construction of the Banff/Calgary |
| Although it can and does snow at any time of the | | | | Coach Road. |
| year, the first snows generally begin to fall in | | | | - 1917: The park's area is increased to 7 125 |
| November. The average temperature during the | | | | km². The Canadian government passes the |
| winter months is around -12º C (6º F); | | | | first National Parks Act. |
| however it is not unusual to have a two-week | | | | - 1930: Rocky Mountains Park is renamed Banff |
| cold snap during December or January where | | | | National Park and its size becomes fixed at 6641 |
| temperatures plummet into the -30 degree C/F | | | | km². |
| range. Fortunately Banff and areas west and | | | | - 1933: The Banff Centre for Continuing Education |
| south, regularly receive a welcome weather | | | | is founded. |
| phenomenon called Chinooks, warm winds that | | | | - 1985: Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National |
| produce spring-like temperatures in a matter of | | | | Parks along with four adjacent provincial parks are |
| hours. | | | | declared a World Heritage Site by the United |
| Spring (April - June): | | | | Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural |
| Rain and warming temperatures begin to melt | | | | Organization (UNESCO). |
| winter away from the valleys in April, however | | | | - 1990: Through a joint agreement between the |
| snow does not leave the mountain passes until | | | | local citizens and the federal and provincial |
| mid-summer. While the average precipitation is | | | | governments, the town of Banff becomes the |
| relatively low during this time, snowmelt pushes | | | | only incorporated municipality within a Canadian |
| the rivers to their crests. | | | | national park. |
| 2. How can one get to Banff/Lake Louise and | | | | 7. Our readers would like to find out about the |
| what is the best way of getting around locally? | | | | festivals and special events in Banff/Lake Louise. |
| Situated in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, the | | | | Festivals and special events are many in Banff |
| town of Banff is located inside the boundaries of | | | | and Lake Louise. The most immediate two are |
| Banff National Park. It is situated 128 kilometres | | | | Ice Magic and Winterfest. Ice Magic involves |
| (80 miles) west of Calgary, 401 kilometres (250 | | | | artists from all over the world converging on Lake |
| miles) southwest of Edmonton and 850 kilometres | | | | Louise and carving 300 kilogram blocks of ice into |
| (530 miles) east of Vancouver. Commercial airlines | | | | spectacular sculptures (January 27-29). Winterfest |
| service each of these three Canadian cities, and | | | | is a series of fun activities. The most up-to-date |
| buses to Banff and Lake Louise run year round. | | | | information on all festivals and special events can |
| Banff is easily accessed by bus or car using the | | | | be found at |
| Trans-Canada Highway. Calgary to Banff driving | | | | 8. What about restaurants and entertainment in |
| time is about 2 hours depending on traffic and | | | | Banff / Lake Louise? |
| road conditions. Speed limits inside the national | | | | With inventive panache, chefs relentlessly reach |
| park are 90km/hour. | | | | new culinary heights. Recipes change according to |
| The closest major airport is the Calgary | | | | the seasons and make use of the freshest local |
| International Airport. Scheduled van and | | | | ingredients. During the fall and winter, this means |
| motorcoach shuttle services connect Banff with | | | | game, squash and legumes, while spring features |
| Calgary Airport. Departures are limited (usually 3 | | | | asparagus and mushrooms and summer highlights |
| or 4 per day). | | | | edible flowers and fresh fruits. |
| 3. What are some of the major sights in and | | | | The town has a wide variety of tourism-related |
| around Banff/ Lake Louise? | | | | businesses including over 118 restaurants with |
| Banff is famous first and foremost for its | | | | food to suit every palette. There's Indian cuisine, |
| spectacular natural scenery, but also for its | | | | sushi, Korean, Chinese, Western, Pasta, Thai, |
| museums, national historic sites and heritage | | | | Greek and just about every other variation. |
| buildings. | | | | Banff is also home to The Banff Centre. This |
| Architectural and heritage guidelines ensure the | | | | institution is host to many forms of |
| town retains its mountain culture and charm. Banff | | | | entertainment, including art galleries and |
| also has three historic sites (Cave & Basin, Banff | | | | installations, theatre productions and concerts |
| Park Museum and Bankhead) and numerous | | | | ranging in variety from string quartets, blues, jazz, |
| heritage buildings, one of the best performing art | | | | ethnic and rock 'n' roll. There is something |
| schools in the country (The Banff Centre), | | | | happening virtually every week of the year. Banff |
| top-notch art galleries (The Walter Phillips Gallery | | | | also has a cinema, bowling lanes, water slides and |
| and Canada House Gallery among others) and a | | | | indoor pool and billiards hall. There's an indoor |
| world-renown museum specializing in the art and | | | | rock-climbing wall, skating rink, tennis courts and |
| history of the Canadian Rockies (the Whyte | | | | myriad other things to do for entertainment |
| Museum of the Canadian Rockies). | | | | regardless of the weather. |
| Wildlife is also abundant within Banff National Park | | | | 9. What are some of the shopping opportunities in |
| and many visitors return home with memorable | | | | Banff / Lake Louise? |
| photographs of species that make use of the | | | | Enjoy strolling alongside locals and world-travellers |
| park. | | | | as you discover a cosmopolitan collection of |
| >From bridge to biking, there is so much to do in | | | | galleries, boutiques and cafés. Shops range |
| the Banff area including airplane tours, barbecues, | | | | from internationally recognized clothiers or |
| billiards, boat tours, bowling, dogsledding, downhill | | | | independently-owned establishments to Canada's |
| and cross-country skiing, fishing, golf, hiking, | | | | oldest department store. |
| snowshoeing, nature tours, horseback riding, | | | | 10. What type of accommodations options are |
| carriage and sleigh rides, mountaineering and | | | | available in Banff / Lake Louise? |
| climbing, hiking, hot springs and spas, museums | | | | >From five-star elegance to the cozy comfort of |
| and art galleries, gondolas, snocoach tours, | | | | cabins or chalets, Banff Lake Louise has more |
| sightseeing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and float | | | | than 100 hotels, motels, condominiums resorts, |
| trips. | | | | lodges and bed & breakfasts that will make you |
| 4. Please tell us about the skiing opportunities in | | | | feel at home whatever your tastes. |
| Banff/Lake Louise and other winter activities on | | | | 11. What are some of the major events and big |
| offer in your area. | | | | news stories coming up in 2006 and beyond in |
| Three outstanding ski resorts, Ski | | | | Banff/Lake Louise? |
| Banff@Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise | | | | Banff looks poised to host a skins golf game this |
| provide more than 7,700 acres and 240 trails | | | | summer that will attract some of the biggest |
| offering countless options to skiers and | | | | names in golf. |
| snowboarders of any ability. From wide-open | | | | Also big in the news is the commencement of |
| bowls and tree-lined glades covered with fresh | | | | Banff Refreshing, a sidewalk expansion program |
| dry champagne powder, to meticulous groomed | | | | and greening that will make downtown Banff |
| slopes and state-of-the-art snowmaking, visitors | | | | much more pedestrian friendly and reduce the |
| enjoy unspoiled scenery, short lift lines, and | | | | amount of traffic using the downtown core. |
| guaranteed friendly local hospitality. The last major | | | | The first phase of the Trans-Canada Highway |
| snowstorm through this area was less than one | | | | twinning project will also swing into high gear this |
| week ago and the snow conditions are powder, | | | | summer, making transit through Banff National |
| powder, powder. More snow is forecast in the | | | | Park faster and safer than ever. Of note with this |
| coming days. | | | | project are state-of-the-art wildlife crossing |
| There are over 80km of cross-country trails | | | | structures to keep animals off the highway. |
| within a short drive of the Banff townsite alone. | | | | Passing of a recent lighting bylaw means that |
| The vast network of track-set and untracked | | | | Banff's night sky will become more and more |
| trails, and telemark slopes throughout Banff | | | | clear as time passes. |
| National Park calls nordic skiers of all abilities. The | | | | Thank you, Quintin, for your time to provide us |
| Banff National Park Service keeps up to date trail | | | | with more information about the beautiful Banff |
| conditions and weather forecasts. | | | | Lake Louise area. We look forward to exploring |
| Banff also offers guided snow-shoeing tours, ice | | | | your area first-hand in March! |
| walks, dog sledding and ice climbing, not to | | | | For further information about Banff/Lake Louise |
| mention heli-skiing. | | | | please contact: |
| 5. What about activities during the summer time? | | | | Banff Lake Louise Tourism |
| Ride through a pine forest hearing only hoof | | | | P.O. |
| beats, zoom down waterslides, or come face to | | | | |