1 Strategies for Seeing & the Canadian Rockies Banff › images › db › pdf › ... · Banff &...
4
1 Strategies for Seeing Banff & the Canadian Rockies COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
Transcript of 1 Strategies for Seeing & the Canadian Rockies Banff › images › db › pdf › ... · Banff &...
1 Strategies for Seeing Banff & the Canadian Rockies
COPYRIG
HTED M
ATERIAL
8B
anff
& t
he
Can
adia
n R
ock
ies
5
11
95
93
93
93
40
43
1
1
16
16
1
TalbotLakeTalbotLake
MaligneLakeMaligneLake
KinbasketLake
KinbasketLake
AbrahamLakeAbrahamLake
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka
MedicineLakeMedicineLake
Columbia Reach
To EdmontonTo Edmonton
To CranbrookTo Cranbrook
Yellowhead Hwy.
BRITISHCOLUMBIA
ALBERTA
SaskatchewanRiver CrossingSaskatchewanRiver Crossing
Ski Marmot BasinSki Marmot Basin
Lake LouiseSki AreaLake LouiseSki Area
Banff Mt.Norquay
Banff Mt.Norquay
Mt. RobsonProvincial
Park
Mt. RobsonProvincial
Park
YOHONATIONAL
PARK
YOHONATIONAL
PARK
WillmoreWilderness
Park
WillmoreWilderness
Park
GLACIER NATIONAL
PARK
GLACIER NATIONAL
PARK
BugabooAlpine
Recreation Area
BugabooAlpine
Recreation Area
MountAssiniboineProvincialPark
MountAssiniboineProvincialPark
KOOTENAYNATIONAL
PARK
KOOTENAYNATIONAL
PARK
BANFFNATIONAL
PARK
BANFFNATIONAL
PARK
JASPERNATIONAL
PARK
JASPERNATIONAL
PARK
MT. REVELSTOKE
NATIONALPARK
MT. REVELSTOKE
NATIONALPARK
ColumbiaIcefields
JasperJasper
BanffBanff
RevelstokeRevelstoke
GoldenGolden
Lake LouiseLake Louise
Radium HotSprings
Radium HotSprings
KananaskisVillage
KananaskisVillage
CanmoreCanmore
HintonHinton
FieldFieldRogersPass
RogersPass
TalbotLakeTalbotLake
MaligneLakeMaligneLake
KinbasketLake
KinbasketLake
AbrahamLakeAbrahamLake
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka
MedicineLakeMedicineLake
Columbia Reach
To EdmontonTo Edmonton
To CranbrookTo Cranbrook
Yellowhead Hwy.
BRITISHCOLUMBIA
ALBERTA
SaskatchewanRiver CrossingSaskatchewanRiver Crossing
Ski Marmot BasinSki Marmot Basin
Lake LouiseSki AreaLake LouiseSki Area
Banff Mt.Norquay
Banff Mt.Norquay
Mt. RobsonProvincial
Park
Mt. RobsonProvincial
Park
YOHONATIONAL
PARK
YOHONATIONAL
PARK
WillmoreWilderness
Park
WillmoreWilderness
Park
GLACIER NATIONAL
PARK
GLACIER NATIONAL
PARK
BugabooAlpine
Recreation Area
BugabooAlpine
Recreation Area
MountAssiniboineProvincialPark
MountAssiniboineProvincialPark
KOOTENAYNATIONAL
PARK
KOOTENAYNATIONAL
PARK
BANFFNATIONAL
PARK
BANFFNATIONAL
PARK
JASPERNATIONAL
PARK
JASPERNATIONAL
PARK
MT. REVELSTOKE
NATIONALPARK
MT. REVELSTOKE
NATIONALPARK
ColumbiaIcefields
JasperJasper
BanffBanff
RevelstokeRevelstoke
GoldenGolden
Lake LouiseLake Louise
Radium HotSprings
Radium HotSprings
KananaskisVillage
KananaskisVillage
CanmoreCanmore
HintonHinton
FieldFieldRogersPass
RogersPass
40 mi0
0 40 km
A L B E R T AA L B E R T A
BRITISH BRITISH COLUMBIACOLUMBIA
IDA
HO
WASHINGTON
CANADACANADAUNITED STATESUNITED STATES
Lac la Biche
LesserS laveLake Lac la
Biche
JasperJasper
LakeLakeLouiseLouise
BanffBanff
Vegreville
GoldenGolden
Grande Prairie
Spokane
Lethbridge
CalgaryCalgary
EdmontonEdmonton
A L B E R T A
BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADAUNITED STATES
Jasper
LakeLouise
Banff
Golden Calgary
Edmonton
Area of map
2
16 16
2
93
40
1
Banff & the Canadian Rockies
Previous page: Photo opportunities can arise anywhere—even on the road between sites.
9B
anff &
the
Can
adian
Ro
ckies
TalbotLake
MaligneLake
KinbasketLake
AbrahamLake
Lake Minnewanka
MedicineLake
Columbia Reach
To Edmonton
To Cranbrook
Yellowhead Hwy.
BRITISHCOLUMBIA
ALBERTA
SaskatchewanRiver Crossing
Ski Marmot Basin
Lake LouiseSki Area
Banff Mt.Norquay
Mt. RobsonProvincial
Park
YOHONATIONAL
PARK
WillmoreWilderness
Park
GLACIER NATIONAL
PARK
BugabooAlpine
Recreation Area
MountAssiniboineProvincialPark
KOOTENAYNATIONAL
PARK
BANFFNATIONAL
PARK
JASPERNATIONAL
PARK
MT. REVELSTOKE
NATIONALPARK
ColumbiaIcefields
Jasper
Banff
Revelstoke
Golden
Lake Louise
Radium HotSprings
KananaskisVillage
Canmore
Hinton
FieldRogersPass
The beautiful Canadian Rockies are a vast area with so much to see and do. Your time is precious and you need to
plan according to the seasons, the length of your visit, and your goals and tastes. Don’t try to do it all—the magic in Banff is in the quietest moments. In this chapter I have several tips to help you make the most of your time.
way that provide twists and turns—there are few straight lines in the Canadian Rockies. And along the way from A to B, there’ll likely be dozens of photo opportunities and maybe even some wildlife sightings. Plan to get out of the car often, and take your time while driving.
Rule #5: Come in the shoul-der season Not only will it save you money, but you’ll avoid the crowds. June is con-sidered off-season, and September (my favorite month in Banff) is great for hiking. For winter travelers, try pre-Christmas December for good deals and April for spring skiing.
Rule #6: Be prepared for weather In the Rockies, it’s common to see all four seasons in a day, any time of the year. Even in the middle of summer, don’t be surprised to see snow—bring appropriate clothing and never hit the trail with-out a good jacket, sunscreen, and a bottle of water.
Rule #1: Get out of town!While the Town of Banff holds most of the lodgings and restaurants, not to mention shops and nightlife, it’s what you’ll find in the rest of the park that will most astound you. Those particu-larly interested in solitude should head to a nearby national park—Jas-per in the north, or Kootenay and Yoho to the west—or to one of the many backcountry lodges dotted throughout the park. Even day trips in a car or a short hike count towards spreading your wings here.
Rule #2: Go to the experts and visit the Parks Canada Information CentresThese should be your first stop, whether it’s in the Town of Banff, at Lake Louise, or in Jasper. Pick up maps and permits and take in interpretive exhibits that will greatly enhance your experience in the Canadian Rockies. The friendly staff members have the lat-est trail, road, avalanche, and wildlife reports, and can answer just about any question you have.
Rule #3: Don’t over-scheduleJam-packing your days from an early-morning bird-watching trip to a late-night stargazing excursion will only leave you exhausted. The loveliest moments in Banff are those that sur-prise you—spotting a wolf on a quiet road, or having a leisurely picnic by the river. Give yourself time for spon-taneous adventure and explorations.
Rule #4: Allow plenty of travel timeNot only are the distances great, but you’ll find lots of mountains along the
The Lake Louise visitor centre provides maps, permits, and park information.
10B
anff
& t
he
Can
adia
n R
ock
ies
Rule #8: Pick one central activity each day, then plan around it Some low-key days will be for relax-ing and strolling Banff Avenue. Oth-ers, like when you’re heading out for a hike, require you to plan ahead—get your lunch the day before, check trail and weather con-ditions, bring lots of water, and get a good night’s sleep. Be logical so that you don’t have to back-track.
Rule #9: Think outside the parkSave cash by staying in a hotel just outside Banff. The Town of Canmore, just 20km (12 miles)—a 15-min. drive—east of Banff, is a lovely moun-tain town with an impressive list of affordable hotel options.
Rule #10: Use this book as a reference, not a concrete plan Don’t worry; I won’t be hurt if you don’t follow every single tour I lay out here. Read through the options I present, pick the ones that most appeal to you, and adapt them to your personal circumstances.
Rule #7: Try something new Banff is a great place to do some-thing you’ve never done before—or something you haven’t done in years. Hiking isn’t just for the super-fit and horseback riding ain’t only for cowboys. The campground up at Lake O’Hara may be the most acces-sible backcountry camping in the mountains, so give it a try. In winter-time, take a snowboard lesson or try ice skating. Vacations are for breaking free!
Care-free skiing in the off-season.
Mountains at every turn can make for winding roads and slow driving.
