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its lush green forests, majestic
snowcapped peaks, sparkling blue glaciers
and alpine meadows ablaze with
wildflowers, its no wonder that Banff is
Canada's most popular park. It's also one
of the countries largest parks, at 6,640
square kilometers, allowing for a wealth
of visitor experiences. |
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Banff is a part of the
UNESCO Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, some 23,000 square
kilometers of spectacular mountains, lakes, glaciers and alpine, which
also includes Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks. Together,
they represent one of the worlds most magnificent natural areas.
Visit our new site for Banff and the Canadian
Rockies |
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It's
surprising how easily accessible this wilderness
is. Most of Banff's beauty and splendor is within
easy reach of the Trans Canada Highway and the
connected Icefieds Parkway. By car, Calgary is
less than two hours away, with Edmonton a couple
of hours more and Vancouver less than a day. |
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There are hundreds of
hikes in the park. An excellent
choice in the alpine is Sunshine
Meadows. With an average
elevation of 2220 meters, the
meadows straddle the Continental
Divide and the boundary between
Alberta and British Columbia. You
can take in views of some of the
highest peaks in the park along
with some of the abundant
wildlife that make this area
their home. |
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For
mountain bikers, there are the parks fireroads or
jeep track with scenery that will overwhelm you.
You access seemingly endless backcountry on day
rides, or as another option put on some panniers
and ride some extended trails to some of the best
bike camping in in the Rockies. |
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There are numerous climbing
areas in the park. Aside from the challenges offered, the crags also
gives you a chance to see some of the park's wild and remote sections.
Of course there are easily accessible areas too. You might want to
start with Castle or Cascade Mountain, or perhaps Mt. Rundle near
the Banff townsite. In the Lake Louise area, check out Mt. Fairview.
Once you've experienced the ones with easier access, you can hone
you skills as a mountaineer and travel deeper into the park to bag
some peaks. Swiss Guides Centennial 100th anniversary of the Canadian Pacific
Railway (CPR) introducing professional mountain guides from Switzerland
to the Canadian Rockies. Visit our new
site for Banff and the Canadian Rockies |
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winter you can ski on trackset trails in
Banff and Lake Louise or you can choose
to do some ski touring in the
backcountry. Backcountry skiing ranges
from short loops, to multi-day hut to hut
traverses. This may well be the best way
to see the park in winter. |
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You can snowshoes just
about anywhere in Banff. Follow the tracks of winter animals like
the wolf and deer or head up to one of the accessible lookouts. Winter
camping, huts and backcountry lodges are also available for the snow
shoe enthusiast. Visit our new site
for Banff and the Canadian Rockies |
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Books: The following are all
recommended reading depending on your area of
interest:
The Canadian
Rockies Trail Guide by Brian Patton & Bart
Robinson, Summerthought Books
Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies by
Doug Eastcott & Gerhardt Lepp, Rocky Mountain
Books
Canadian Rockies Access Guide by John Dodd &
Gail Helgason (Leslie & Mark Degner), Lone
Pine Books
Sports Climbs in the Canadian Rockies by John
Martin and Jon Jones, Rocky Mountian Books
Selected Alpine Climbs in the Canadian Rockies by
Sean Dougherty, Rocky Mountain Books
Canadain Rockies Whitewater - The Southern
Rockies by Stuart Smith, Headwaters Press
Ski Trails in the Canadain Rockies by Chic Scott,
Rocky Mountain Books
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Adventure
Sports Opportunities
in Banff National Park |
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Visit
our new site for Banff and the Canadian
Rockies
Banff is Canada's most famous National
Park. It is one of the four parks, (Jasper, Banff, Kootenay &
Yoho) that were declared a World Heritage Site in 1985 by the United
National Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer and other large animals
live in the park. Of course, this includes their predators such
as grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines. Banff National
Park is one of the last great protected ecosystems remaining in
the Rocky Mountains.
Go to Out-There's Alberta for more
information about the province
Alpine Climbs - Dave Stephens
Scrambles - Dave Stephens
Travel
& Transportation
Via Rail
Rocky Mountianeer
Railtours
Air Canada - Canadian
International Airlines
Calgary International
Airport
- Closest to Banff
Edmonton International
Airport
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| Adventure
Guides and Outfitters |
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Blue Moose Tours provides
adventures in the spectacular Canadian
Rockies. All equipment, food,
accommodation and transportation is
provided for your 1 to 10 day guided
camping and hiking... more |
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| Employment Banff-Jasper Jobs
Resources
Friends of Banff
Rocky
Mountain Parks
Jasper National Park AB
Yoho National Park BC
Kootenay National Park BC
Mount Robson Provincial
Park BC
National Parks in Alberta
- Locator Map
Official Site: Banff National Park
Banff Lake Louise Tourism
Alberta Tourism
Visit
our new site for Banff and the Canadian
Rockies
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