In the year 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.

Banff is the largest town in Banff National Park, in southwestern Alberta within the Canadian Rockies. Banff is located about 135 kilometres (85 miles) west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. Banff National Park is the birthplace of Canada's national park system and part of the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.

This spectacular town, in the heart of Banff National Park, is a coveted tourist spot owing to its stunning natural mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, four-season recreation and world-class accommodation in a protected National Park setting. One can really celebrate life in Banff soaking oneself in its distinctive mountain lifestyle, exploring the grandeur of Banffs pristine surroundings, skiing the famed Canadian Rockies and spoiling oneself with international culture and cuisine. The Banff Area offers a multitude of opportunities ranging from shopping to relaxing in the naturally heated mineral waters of the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Banff can boast of natural heritage in abundance, from the birthplace of national parks at the Cave & Basin, to the mysterious formations called "the hoodoos" and the frozen shores of Lake Minnewanka. Banff is also well known for its abundant wildlife.

Some distinctive aspects of Banff :

- THE HOT SPRINGS - Natural mineral water is flowing at the Banff Upper Hot Springs; it is a great place to relax and enjoy. The naturally heated hot pool will melt away all fatigue and tiredness.

- MOUNTAINS Banff is flanked on all sides by Alberta's Rocky Mountains; from here one can see more mountains in a moment than most see in a lifetime!

- CULTURE AND HERITAGE The Banff area is a crossroads for international visitors and offers everything from spiritual retreats to contemporary art exhibits and theatrical performances. Prominent places of interests are Banff Park Museum National Historic Site, Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum, Canada Place, Canadian Ski Museum West, Cascade Plaza Cave and Basin National Historic Site, and the Whyte Museum of The Canadian Rockies.

- WILD LIFE OF BANFF - Banff is also well known for its abundant wildlife. Banff National Park is home to 53 species of mammals (including porcupine, pika, beaver, hoary marmot, moose, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, mountain sheep, bison, wolves, coyote, cats, black bear, grizzly bear, and weasels), over 260 species of birds (including Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, American Robins, Clark's Nutcrackers, Pygmy Owls, Cassin's Finches, Cliff Swallows, Robins, Starlings, House Sparrows, Pygmy Owl, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Harlequin Ducks, etc.) and several varieties of fish (including cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, arctic grayling, northern pike, mountain whitefish, and lake whitefish).

SKIING AND ADVENTURE - Three outstanding ski resorts, Ski Banff@Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise provide more than 7,700 acres and 240 trails offering countless options to skiers and snowboarders of any ability. The Bow Valley is an incredible mountain playground. One can venture into climbing up a frozen waterfall, hike into the back country, climb peaks, or take a horse drawn sleigh ride.

Jay Hanson
http://www.skibanff.com
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Picture: Banff The Fairmont Springs Hotel