Banff National Park - Canada's first park, which was established in 1885. Located in Alberta, about 110 kilometers from Calgary, it is also considered the largest national park in Canada and one of the largest in the world.

Getting there

The nearest international airport to the park is in Calgary. A bit closer is the airport Springbank - 80 kilometers from the park - but it arrives only domestic flights. In the park itself, Banff also has an airport, but passenger planes do not land there.

By car

Approximately one and a half hours to the park you can get from Calgary on Highway 1. On Highway 11 to the park can be reached from Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer, and on Highway 93 from Radium Hot Springs and Cranbrook.

By bus

Greyhound and Brewster buses depart regularly from Calgary, as well as from many cities in British Columbia . In addition, you can book an excursion to Banff Park and get there by excursion bus. Most of these excursions in Calgary and Vancouver:

Transport

In order to travel around the park, you will need a car that can be rented in Calgary, Banff or Lake Louise. In addition, you can rent a bicycle, however, keep in mind that it is rather difficult to ride it on mountainous terrain, and it is better not to do this if you have never used mountain bikes before. You can also rent a bicycle in Banff or on Lake Louise. And finally, you can rent a moped in Bactrax / Snowtips.

Banff hotels

Most of the hotels in the park are in the city of Banff. The HI-Banff Alpine Center starts at $ 32, and at Banff Y Mountain Lodge - from $ 46 per room or $ 22 per dorm room. Both hotels have a kitchen, laundry and internet.

Banff Ptarmigan Inn and 333 Guest House are located in the heart of the city, close to most shops and restaurants, but the prices for accommodation there are somewhat higher. And if you are not limited in money, you can stay at The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the most luxurious hotel in the whole park.

On Lake Louise, the hotel is somewhat smaller, but if you want to stop there, you can do it. Hostels HI-Castle Mountain Wilderness, HI-Lake Louise Alpine Center and HI-Mosquito Creek have dorms, which cost 25 - 30 USD per night, and the last two have separate rooms, the cost of which starts from 70 USD, in depending on the season. In addition, next to the lake there is a beautiful upscale hotel Chateau Lake Louise, but the prices in it are extremely high.

Banff Restaurants

Almost all local restaurants are also located in the city of Banff. In the restaurant Balkan, owned by the Greek family, you can dilute the beautiful, but undoubtedly cool landscapes of the Rocky Mountains with a festive southern atmosphere. And at Wildfire Grill you will be warmed by excellent steaks, reasonable prices and warm service - in addition, the view from the windows there is simply excellent.

In the luxurious The Maple Leaf you can be offered an extensive wine list and fine cuisine, and a huge selection of cocktails can be found on the lower floor of the Saltlik Steakhouse. And, since you were in Banff Park, be sure to visit Grizzly House - it's unlikely that you will soon have the opportunity to visit an equally original institution and try the same unusual kitchen.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Banff

There are two companies in the park that can offer you gondola tours - Banff Gondola and Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola. If you are interested in golf, do not miss the opportunity to play in such a picturesque place. You can do it in The Fairmont Banff Springs, created by Stanley Thompson, a famous Canadian architect specializing in golf courses.

Cave and Basin National Historic site is the place where the first Canadian national park originated. There you can find several hot sulfur springs and a real Canadian bathhouse, built in 1887.

And at Banff Park Museum you can see a lot of animals that live in this region that hide too well among trees so you can notice them just by walking in the park. In Canada Place you will be introduced to the history of Canada, local customs and culture. In addition, it is worth to visit Lake Peita, in picturesqueness hardly inferior to Lake Louise.

Also Banff Park is a real find for lovers of downhill skiing and snowboarding. At Sunshine, located eight kilometers west of Banff, you will be raised to a height of 2730 meters, and before going down you can see the whole of British Columbia (64 USD for adults and 49 USD for students). Even on skis and snowboards you can ride in Lake Louise and a little more budgetary Mount Norquay.

Security

In winter, if you are not used to driving a car in the snow, use some other means of transportation. If you decide to go deep into the park, do not forget about the possibility of convergence of avalanches. In addition, in any case, do not ski or snowboard anywhere except in specially designated places.

Despite the fact that attacks of bears and pumas are extremely rare, statistics show that wild animals are the main cause of injuries in national parks. To avoid unpleasant incidents, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• Moose and deer can be no less dangerous than bears or wolves, so do not approach them closer than 30 meters. Also, better leave the idea of ​​taking pictures of them near, even if you are in a car. The most aggressive are females with young calves (from May to July) and males during the mating season (from September to November).
• If you see a bear, wolf, coyote or puma, try to keep the distance no less than 100 meters.
• Sheep are much more friendly, but stay away from them at least 10 meters.
• In order to view animals near, use binoculars.
• If you decide to get out of the car in the wild roadside part of the park, first look around and wait a little.

In the event that some wild animal is already in the immediate vicinity, you should do the following:

• If there are small children near you, immediately pick them up.
• Try to appear more, you really are the weight - for example, lift your hands or some large object over your head.
• Do not turn away from the animal and move slowly. Do not run and pretend to be dead.
• Keep constant eye contact with the animal, do not look away.
• If the animal continues to approach you, shout, swing a stick or throw stones.
• If the animal still tried to attack you, resist. Hit it with a heavy stick or stone.

The most complete information on the safety rules can be obtained directly from the employees of the park.