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Banff: In the Heart of the Rockies!

Banff, Alberta Canada, is a destination like no other on the planet. There are over 25 peaks that rise to over 3,000 feet in the immediate area. The words "awe inspiring" seem to almost belittle the natural beauty of the majestic scenery. A vacation in the region can include activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, skiing, canoeing, and just about any other outdoor endeavor you can imagine.

The town of Banff grew up around the hot springs that were discovered here in the 1880s. This discovery is highlighted at the Cave and Basin Natural Historic Site. This living history museum is located at the spot where railroad workers found the springs in 1883. There are displays that depict the town's development through the years following the discovery of the springs.

The Banff Centre is a highly renowned training center for performing artists, writers, visual artists, and musicians. The Centre is the place in town to catch a performance, from poetry readings to rock concerts. The facility has 16 buildings spread out over 43 acres. The Walter Philips Gallery focuses on contemporary works by Canadian and international artists.

A visit to Banff would be a incomplete without getting out and seeing some of Mother Nature's bounty. There is no better place to accomplish this than in Banff National Park. Wrapped in 2,564 square acres, the park is a musical symphony of hiking trails, historic sites, natural wildlife, and pristine lakes, all surrounded by the imposing peaks hovering overhead. The absolute jewel in the Banff National Park is Lake Louise. As synonymous with Canada as the Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise, fronted by the Victoria Glacier at the lake's end, and the phenomenally beautiful Chateau Lake Louise sitting on the lakeshore, is one of the most photographed attractions in North America.

A great way to see the magnificent terrain surrounding the Banff area is by driving the Icefields Parkway (highway 93) that extends from Lake Louise to Jasper. The road twists and turns through the Rocky Mountains, and has pull-offs so that visitors can enjoy the scenic views. Bow Summit is the highest peak along the route, and has a side road that leads to Peyto Lake viewpoint, which offers a mirrored image of snow-capped peaks in the brilliant blue lake water.

Skiers and snowboarders of any ability can find countless challenges within the three Banff and Lake Louise ski areas. Ski Banff at Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise provide more than 227 trails within their combined 7,558 acres. From wide-open bowls and tree-lined glades covered with fresh dry champagne powder, to meticulous groomed slopes and state-of-the-art snowmaking, visitors enjoy unspoiled scenery, short lift lines, all tucked in an unbelievably beautiful mountain setting.

If you really want to get off the main path, head south east on route 93 until you come to the scenic little town of Invermere, which sits on the banks of the Windermere Lake. You have left Alberta and entered British Columbia, and have made your way close to the rugged Purcell Mountain Range. The area is one of the most remote in Canada and brings hunters, anglers, and skiers from across the globe. A high range of granite spires, called the Bugaboos, is famous the world over with rock climbers.

Banff is bordered on three sides by the Kootenay, Jasper and Yoho National Parks, putting it in the middle of one of North America's most protected forest areas. This is where Mother Nature comes to play. Rivers, lakes, streams, and glaciers partner with mountain peaks in a perpetual tango of natural beauty. Now, knowing what you know about the area, don't you want to dance?