Banff & Canadian Rockies Holidays
Banff & the Canadian Rockies
Holidays
Turquoise glacial lakes that don't look real, the most scenic highway in the world, grizzly bears on the roadside and mountain scenery so dramatic it makes you question everything you thought you knew about beautiful — Banff is the best
Search Banff & the Canadian Rockies Holidays
Flight Time
9h to Calgary; then 1.5h drive to Banff town
Best Time
June–September for lakes and hiking; December–March for skiing; September for elk rut and fall colours
Country
Canada
Suppliers
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Banff & the Canadian Rockies Holiday Guide
Banff National Park is the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies and one of the most spectacular natural destinations on earth — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 6,641 square kilometres in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, containing turquoise glacial lakes, ancient glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks, abundant wildlife and the charming mountain resort town of Banff.
The park was established in 1885 — Canada's first national park and the third oldest in the world — and has been attracting visitors ever since. The turquoise colour of the glacial lakes (Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake) is caused by rock flour — finely ground rock particles suspended in the glacial meltwater — and is unlike anything else in the world. The colour changes through the day and season, from pale turquoise in early morning to vivid emerald in afternoon sun.
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) is the most scenic highway in the world — a 230km road connecting Banff to Jasper through the heart of the Rockies, passing glaciers, waterfalls, turquoise lakes and mountain peaks at every turn. The Columbia Icefield (the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains, covering 325 square kilometres) is accessible from the Icefields Parkway; the Athabasca Glacier (one of the most accessible glaciers in North America) can be walked on with a guide.
Wildlife is abundant throughout the Rockies — elk are commonly seen in Banff town itself (particularly in autumn during the rut), grizzly and black bears are regularly spotted along the Icefields Parkway, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are seen on the rocky slopes, and wolves, coyotes and lynx inhabit the park.
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Average Temperatures
Jan
-13°C
Feb
-10°C
Mar
-4°C
Apr
4°C
May
10°C
Jun
15°C
Jul
19°C
Aug
18°C
Sep
12°C
Oct
5°C
Nov
-5°C
Dec
-11°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Banff & the Canadian Rockies
The glacial lakes, mountain drives, glacier walks and wildlife encounters that make Banff and the Canadian Rockies the most spectacular natural destination on earth.
Lake Louise — The Most Photographed Lake in Canada
Lake Louise is the most iconic natural sight in Canada — a turquoise glacial lake at 1,731m in Banff National Park, backed by the Victoria Glacier and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (one of the most famous hotels in Canada). The colour of the lake (caused by rock flour suspended in the glacial meltwater) shifts from pale turquoise in early morning to vivid emerald in afternoon sun. The lakeshore walk (3.4km return) offers extraordinary views; the Plain of Six Glaciers trail (14km return) climbs above the lake to the toe of the Victoria Glacier. In winter, the lake freezes and is used for ice skating and the Ice Magic Festival (ice sculpture competition).
Moraine Lake — The Valley of the Ten Peaks
Moraine Lake is arguably even more beautiful than Lake Louise — a smaller glacial lake at 1,884m, backed by the Valley of the Ten Peaks (ten mountains over 3,000m), with a vivid turquoise colour that is even more intense than Lake Louise. The image of Moraine Lake appeared on the Canadian $20 bill from 1969 to 1979 and is one of the most reproduced images in Canadian history. The Rockpile Trail (300m) climbs to the famous viewpoint above the lake. Access to Moraine Lake is restricted in summer (the road is closed to private vehicles from late May to mid-October) — book the Parks Canada shuttle well in advance.
Icefields Parkway — The Most Scenic Highway in the World
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) is the most scenic highway in the world — a 230km road connecting Banff to Jasper through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, passing glaciers, waterfalls, turquoise lakes and mountain peaks at every turn. Key stops: Bow Lake (a beautiful glacial lake with the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on its shores), Peyto Lake (a vivid turquoise lake shaped like a wolf's head, viewed from the Bow Summit lookout at 2,069m), the Columbia Icefield (the largest icefield in the Rockies), Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls. Allow a full day for the drive; stop frequently.
Columbia Icefield — Walk on a 10,000-Year-Old Glacier
The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains — a 325 square kilometre mass of ice at an average altitude of 3,000m, straddling the Continental Divide between Alberta and British Columbia. The Athabasca Glacier (one of six glaciers flowing from the icefield) is the most accessible glacier in North America — it can be reached on foot from the Icefields Parkway and walked on with a guide. The Glacier Adventure (Ice Explorer tour) takes visitors onto the glacier in specially designed all-terrain vehicles. The Skywalk (a glass-floored observation platform cantilevered over the Sunwapta Valley) offers extraordinary views.
Jasper National Park — Dark Skies and Abundant Wildlife
Jasper National Park (adjacent to Banff, connected by the Icefields Parkway) is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies — 11,228 square kilometres of wilderness, designated a UNESCO Dark Sky Preserve (one of the largest in the world). The town of Jasper is smaller and less touristy than Banff, with a more relaxed atmosphere. Key sights: Maligne Lake (the largest glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies, with Spirit Island — one of the most photographed spots in Canada), Maligne Canyon (a dramatic limestone gorge), Miette Hot Springs (the hottest natural hot springs in the Canadian Rockies) and the Jasper SkyTram (the longest and highest aerial tramway in Canada).
Banff Town — The Perfect Mountain Resort
Banff town is one of the most charming mountain resort towns in the world — a small town of 8,000 permanent residents at 1,383m in the heart of Banff National Park, with Banff Avenue (the main street, lined with restaurants, shops and hotels) backed by the dramatic Cascade Mountain. The Banff Springs Hotel (a grand Victorian castle hotel, opened 1888) is one of the most iconic hotels in Canada. The Banff Upper Hot Springs (natural hot springs at 1,585m, with views of Mount Rundle) are excellent. Elk are commonly seen on the streets of Banff, particularly in autumn during the rut.
Wildlife Watching — Grizzlies, Elk and Bighorn Sheep
The Canadian Rockies offer some of the finest wildlife watching in North America. Grizzly bears are regularly spotted along the Icefields Parkway (particularly in spring and autumn); black bears are common throughout the parks. Elk are abundant — in autumn (September–October), the elk rut brings large bulls into Banff town itself, bugling and sparring. Bighorn sheep and mountain goats are seen on the rocky slopes throughout the parks. Wolves, coyotes and lynx inhabit the parks but are less commonly seen. The Wildlife Corridor (the Trans-Canada Highway wildlife crossing near Banff) is one of the most successful wildlife crossing projects in the world.
Skiing the Ski Big 3 — Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mt Norquay
Banff is one of the finest ski destinations in North America — the Ski Big 3 pass covers three world-class resorts within 30 minutes of Banff town: Lake Louise Ski Resort (4,200 acres, extraordinary scenery, the Back Bowls), Sunshine Village (2,730m — the highest resort in Canada, 9m of annual snowfall, the longest season in the Rockies), and Mt Norquay (close to Banff town, excellent for beginners and families, night skiing). The combined area covers 8,000+ acres of skiable terrain. The season runs from November to May at Sunshine Village — the longest in the Rockies.
Explore Banff & the Canadian Rockies on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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