Among many other firsts, the creation of Banff National Park was a major milestone in the development of Canada's tourism industry.
It allowed pioneers and visionaries like William van Hoorn, the Swiss Guides, the Brewster family and countless others to spend the last 125 years developing this area of Alberta into one of the world's best holiday destinations.
To truly experience the magnificent scenery, you should partake in one of the many outdoor activities available within the park.
The trail ride is a quintessential cowboy experience and a fantastic way to explore the area, even if you are not a "horse person." I think my adventure with Wrangler on this morning's segment made it abundantly obvious that you do not need to be an expert!
The season for trail rides is 100 per cent weather dependent but typically would run from June through October. The Brewster family has been offering trail rides in the area for six generations. You can do a short ride around Lake Louise or go on a two or four-day horseback pack trip. There are a numerous options and price points. Check out Brewster Adventures' for more info.
If you are more comfortable on your own legs, either a self-guided or guided hike is a great option. For serious trekkers, check out Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. They are the premier provider of mountaineering, ice and rock climbing, backcountry skiing and trekking experiences in the Canadian Rockies. For over 30 years, they have hosted thousands of clients from Canada and all over the world. Their Lake Louise Classics Mountaineering tour is a favourite. This program has a three-day or six-day offering and the peaks climbed (including Mt. Victoria and Mt. Lefroy) are some of the most recognizable in the Canadian Rockies.
As part of the 125th celebrations, the park recently opened the Banff Legacy Trail, a 26-kilometre paved recreational trail suitable for walking, cycling and in-line skating. The hard surfaced trail runs from the East Gate to the Bow Valley Parkway (or roughly between Canmore and the town of Banff). The trail is an environmentally friendly way to enjoy some of our country's most iconic scenery. Check out the tourism website for more info.
Banff's peak season is the summer, but that doesn't mean there are not things to do for the winter-time traveller. The skiing in the area is amazing and because it is "off peak" time, there are numerous deals to be had at area hotels. The most popular ski hills are the Big 3 鈥� Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise. There are some great packages currently out there that include free nights, lift passes and complimentary shuttles between your hotel and the ski hills. Check out:
Got an idea for a travel segment, or a question for Loren? Send us an email at traveltips@ctv.ca
