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With
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.
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, |
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which
also includes Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks. Together,
they represent one of the worlds most magnificent natural areas.
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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 the Rockies. |
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There
are innumerable climbing areas in the park. Aside from the challenges
offered, the crags also give 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. The area recently celebrated the Swiss
Guides Centennial, 100th year anniversary of the Canadian Pacific
Railway (CPR) having introduced professional mountain guides from
Switzerland to the Canadian Rockies. |
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In
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. You
can snowshoe 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 ski and snow shoe enthusiast. |
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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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| Visiting
from outside Canada:
Depending on your country of origin you may have little
to understand or adapt to when you visit Canada. On the
other hand many of Canada's customs, its commerce and
cultural may be very new to some you. We have put together
a list of helpful information to assist you in your planning
and later when you have reached your destination. |
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Resources
Banff
is Canada's most famous National Park. It is one of
the four National 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.
Banff
Banff's
Neighbours
Official
Sites:
Banff National Park
Banff Lake
Louise Tourism
Alberta Tourism
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