Tag: Banff National Park

Banff Sunshine Village Hosts Indigenous Days

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BANFF, Alberta, August 27, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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In an effort to share the cultures that represent Canada, Banff Sunshine Village will host its third annual Indigenous Days celebration on Aug. 30, 31, and Sept. 1, 2024.

“At Banff Sunshine Village, it is our goal to operate a resort worthy of our location in Canada’s first national park and UNESCO world heritage site – Banff National Park. Historically the lands and waters found within Banff National Park have been used for sustenance, ceremony, travel, and trade, by Treaties 6, 7, and 8, as well as Métis peoples. Our goal with hosting Indigenous Days is to create space for First Nations communities to share the beauty of their culture. We’ll have teepee demonstrations, pow-wow dances, and stories from elders,” shares VP of Brand and Communications at Banff Sunshine Village, Kendra Scurfield.

The Indigenous Days activities will take place outside of Banff Sunshine’s Centennial Day Lodge, starting daily at 10 a.m. All activities of Banff Sunshine’s Indigenous Days are complimentary for all Sunshine Mountain Lodge guests and are included with any valid Sunshine summer sightseeing lift ticket or season pass.

After the performance, Banff Sunshine encourages you to get up and hike the beautiful and maintained trails of Sunshine Meadows. At present, Canada’s highest alpine meadow is a bloom with colorful wildflowers. Sunshine Meadows is a family-friendly mountain experience with accessible viewpoints and moderate hiking trails. Purchase your family sightseeing ticket for only $140 + GST. The family sightseeing ticket includes two adults and up to three children living at the same address.

About Banff Sunshine Village: Located 7,000 feet above sea level (2,133 meters) lives Banff Sunshine Village, nestled between the peaks of the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park. The world-class resort is known for its all-natural snow, as skiers and riders visit the premier alpine resort during its seven-month-long winter ski season, spanning from mid-November to late May. Starting late June, summer blooms up at Banff Sunshine Meadows, as Alberta’s natural wildflowers paint hundreds of untouched and preserved acres with a vibrant and colorful landscape. From skiing and riding on Canada’s Best Snow in the winter to hiking the Sunshine Meadows during the summer, Banff Sunshine is the ultimate year-round destination for nature enthusiasts. The fully serviced Canadian Rockies resort is open until Sept. 22, 2024, for summer operations.

For more information about the Indigenous Days celebrations, please visit skibanff.com or email Kendra Scurfield, VP of Brand, Marketing and Communications at kscurfield@skibanff.com. To explore Banff Sunshine’s summer side, please visit banffsunshinemeadows.com.

Source: Banff Sunshine Village

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August 27, 2024
Top Things to Do in Banff & Lake Louise in the Winter • The Blonde Abroad

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Banff in the winter is a dreamy escape for those seeking a perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and natural beauty. It’s a hugely popular destination year-round—I fell in love with summer in Banff when I visited a few years ago.

And, after traveling back to Banff just before Christmas, I have a hard time choosing a favorite season!

From the thrill of dog sledding to the indulgence of a stay at Fairmont Banff Springs, the breathtaking views from the Banff Gondola, and the exhilaration of skiing, every moment in this winter wonderland is a chapter in an unforgettable story.

Join me as we explore the top things to do in Banff during winter, where snowy landscapes meet thrilling activities and cozy experiences!

Go Dog Sledding with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours

There’s nothing quite like the exhilarating adventure of dog sledding! We joined Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. You have the option to self-drive your sled, which is so fun.

The baby and I were cozied up under a sheepskin in the sled while my husband commanded the pack. We sprinted along an evergreen-lined trail as soft snowflakes fell from above.

It was straight out of a fairytale!

We traveled to Banff with our 17-month-old toddler, and he was JUST old enough (from our experience) for the adventure. Remember, every child is different and this is an adventurous experience that might be better suited for an older kiddo!

We opted for the shortest “Powder Hound Express” tour, which is advertised as 2 hours, but it was more like 4 hours from start to finish with bus transfers. Things got a little hairy after we finished dog sledding because we pushed nap time, but our little one LOVED the dog sledding!

Stay at Fairmont Banff Springs

For a bit of indulgence in the heart of Banff National Park, book a stay at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs. Nestled against the backdrop of the Rockies, this castle-like hotel offers a blend of luxury and natural beauty.

Cozy up by the fireplace after a day of snowy adventures, or unwind in the heated outdoor pool surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

And don’t miss the 360° Dome, an enclosed dining room with panoramic views of Banff.

The Fairmont Gold accommodations are an extra luxury experience. It’s truly a hotel within a hotel with private check-in, concierges, and lounges – and the rooms are stunning.

If you travel to Banff during the holidays, you’ll experience extra magic here—they go ALL out for Christmas!

Banff Gondola and Lunch at Sky Bistro

Ascend to new heights with a ride on the Banff Gondola. Marvel at the snow-covered landscapes as you glide up Sulphur Mountain, where panoramic views await.

Once at the top, don’t miss a meal at Sky Bistro, where the menu is as impressive as the scenery. The views were truly incredible, and the food was delicious.

Be sure to book in advance to secure your spot!

Go Skiing

Banff is a winter sports paradise, and a massive highlight of traveling to Banff in Winter is hitting the slopes. That said, we traveled to Banff as a family, skipped skiing this year, and still had MORE than enough to do.

I love that Banff is a haven for adventurers but still has tons to do for leisure travelers.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time skier, the local resorts cater to all skill levels. Strap on your skis and carve through the powdery slopes of Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village, or Lake Louise Ski Resort.

Johnston Canyon Ice Walk

For a unique winter adventure, embark on the Johnston Canyon Ice Walk. Follow a frozen path through towering canyon walls adorned with glistening ice formations. The frozen waterfalls are incredible; you might even spot some ice climbers on them!

Take a guided tour with Discover Banff Tours for an in-depth look at Banff’s winter landscape.

Day Trip to Lake Louise

A trip to Banff wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lake Louise! Go ice skating on the frozen lake and cozy up on a horsedrawn sleigh. Fairmont Lake Louise is one of the most iconic hotels in North America. Book afternoon tea or a fondue dinner here for an opulent dining experience.

NOTE: The Fairmont Lake Louise is undergoing renovations, including creating a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly thermal wellness facility set to be completed in early 2025.

Explore Banff Town

No winter journey is complete without exploring the charming streets of Banff town. Wander through the snow-draped avenues with quaint shops, cafes, and art galleries.

The town comes alive with a festive ambiance during winter, with twinkling lights adorning the streets. Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa, pick up some local souvenirs, and immerse yourself in Banff town’s friendly atmosphere.

Cozy Winter Dining

There are many dining options around Banff, but some are extra special for a cozy winter meal.

Lupo for Italian

Nestled in the heart of Banff, Lupo is the perfect spot for some Italian comfort food. The design is very upscale and not what I expected in a small, rustic mountain town. From homemade pasta to wood-fired pizzas, each dish celebrates authentic Italian cuisine.

The Grizzly House for Fondue

Renowned for its fondue specialties, this iconic restaurant has been a Banff favorite since 1967. Choose from various fondue options, including cheese, oil, and chocolate, and cook your meal right at your table.

The Three Bears – Comfort Meets Craft Beer

Look no further than The Three Bears for a hearty dose of comfort food paired with locally crafted beers. This cozy eatery combines the warmth of a mountain lodge with a menu that satisfies every craving for comfort, from classic burgers and savory poutines to mouthwatering mac ‘n’ cheese.

Is traveling to Banff on your bucket list?

This post was written in partnership with Banff Lake Louise Tourism. I was invited to experience Banff and was hosted during my time there. As always, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

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The Blonde Abroad

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January 4, 2024
Interested in booking a campsite in Alberta’s mountains? Parks Canada has some tips | Globalnews.ca
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Parks Canada has begun opening up bookings for national parks in Alberta using its updated online reservation system.

“The updated platform that we’re running with functioned very well and as expected,” said Pamela Clark, who runs visitor experience for Jasper National Park. “The queuing, the site selection and the payment process operated very smoothly, even with the increased volumes that we experienced.”

Demand for campsites continues to increase and has been going up significantly for the last three or four years.

“When we launched (the Parks Canada online reservation system) back in 2015, we had about 1,800 reservations on launch day,” Clark said of Jasper. “Now, fast-forward to 2023, we’re over 20,000 reservations on launch day.

Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park summer 2022.

Supplied: Parks Canada

“People know we have a reservation system. They understand it’s the best way of ensuring that they have a site that meets their needs,” she said.

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“What we’ve seen in the last four or five years, when it really started to pick up in 2019 and 2020 — even the use of our national parks — is people are gravitating towards the outdoor opportunities and just the natural escapes.”

Read more:

Jasper opens backcountry camping reservations Monday

For Jasper National Park, reservations for front-country (serviced) sites launched March 16. Bookings for back-country sites launched March 20.

“When users logged in at 8 a.m. last Thursday morning, there were about over 22,000 people in our waiting room but we were able to manage those volumes, and the average wait time was about 30 minutes,” Clark said.

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The phased approach to site bookings reduces overall volume and helps the reservation site operate more smoothly. Clark said Parks Canada uncoupled backcountry reservations for Banff and Jasper because the combined volumes created issues in the booking system.

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“The older system really wasn’t able to keep up with the volumes that we’ve been experiencing, especially in the last three or four years, volumes have increased substantially,” Clark said. “Even from last year to this year, we experienced a volume increase for reservations of over 6,000.”

5:19
Banff and Lake Louise encouraging visitors to take transit to the mountains this summer

For Banff National Park, reservations for front-country sites launch on Thursday, March 23. Back-country bookings opened Wednesday morning.

As other areas open up, Clark has some tips for people looking to book a spot.

“They should get onto our website — Parks Canada reservations — and look through all the tips on there. They should open up a profile if they don’t have one yet or update their profile if they’ve been on the system before. And they should get acquainted with the areas they want to be camping in.

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“Have a plan. Have a couple backup plans, that’s really important.”

Jasper National Park has more than 2,000 campsites, the second-largest inventory of campgrounds managed under one park in North America, Clark said. Together, the mountain national parks have about 5,000 campsites. Despite an “abundant” inventory, there’s just so much demand in July and August.

Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park summer 2022.

Supplied: Parks Canada

Serviced, front-country campsites in Jasper National Park for dates in those peak months get snapped up within hours.
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“After our launch day, there really is no availability in July and August, but there’s still lots of availability in May, June, September for campers who are looking and can be a little more flexible in their departure dates and aren’t looking for serviced sites.

“At this point, for service sites, you’re looking at October. There’s really no availability in serviced sites from May until September,” Clark said. “They’re really popular.”

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Read more:

Environmental groups welcome Parks Canada buyout of Jasper Park backcountry lodges

If you were unable to book a campsite in the area you want at the time you were hoping for, Parks Canada suggests looking at less-peak times or staying just outside the national parks.

“There are also campgrounds on the outskirts of the (Jasper National) park — in Mt Robson Provincial Park, also in the Hinton area.”

Alberta Parks opens provincial campsite bookings 90 days before the scheduled stay. For instance, on March 22, reservations would be open for a late June camping trip.

“And, if you really have these dates in mind, you can check back to see if there are cancellations because from time to time there are, and you might be the fortunate one who gets a cancellation.”

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For the more adventurous camper, backcountry sites are an option too.

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“There’s still availability along some of the lesser-known backcountry trails,” Clark said. “The ones that quickly get booked up are the iconic classics — so Skyline and Maligne — there is no availability left for the summer. But there is availability in almost all the other trail areas that we manage.”

Read more:

‘Loved to death’: Balancing recreation and conservation in Alberta’s mountain parks

And one more great tip for anyone visiting a park in Alberta?

“When they’re coming to a national park, they take on the stewardship of these areas, they follow the special rules, they put the garbage where it belongs and they follow that wildlife-watching etiquette,” Clark said.

“It’s really super important that we all share in taking care of these wild spaces.”
&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Emily Mertz

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March 22, 2023