Banff & Lake Louise, Canadian Rocky Mountain Jewel

One of the most beloved travel destinations indoor to slope and return service. Most skiers opt to
Canada is the Banff and Lake Louise area located inski all three resorts during their stays.Lake Louise is
the province of Alberta. The town of Banff is 90about 45 minutes (35 miles) further into the mountain
minutes (75 miles) west of Calgary and is within therange and home to one of the largest ski areas in
Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.North America. World class events are held here as
One can see the Rocky Mountains from Calgary sincewell as a previous winter Olympics and the resort
the Banff area is at the eastern edge of theLake Louise is serviced by the ski shuttle system
Canadian Rocky Mountain range. It is also one of thefrom Banff. Even for non-skiers, a day trip to Lake
most visited areas in Canada all year round since theLouise is a must. The largest hotel there, the Chateau
rugged beauty of the mountains and the protectedLake Louise, is right beside the beautiful Lake Louise
wilderness draws tourists from around the world.itself. There is a glacier named Victoria Glacier which
During the winter, the three local resorts of Sunshineis nestled between snow capped mountains. During
Village, Norquay Mystic Ridge and Lake Louise offerthe winters, the lake is completely frozen and people
some of the best snow skiing around.There arecan walk right across it. The hotel usually sets up a
numerous shops, restaurants and small to mid-sizedskating area on the lake. During the summers, one
hotels in the town of Banff which is why thecan still see some of the white snow capped peaks
majority of travelers use it as the base during theiralong with the glacier but what makes things really
stays. The town itself is small enough to walk aroundspecial is the lake itself too which is an emerald green
in since large scale development is limited since Banffcolor. On certain days and hours, the lake gives a
is located within a national park. As a result, the townstunning reflection of the mountain/glacier scene. This
of Canmore just outside the national park boundarycombination offers one of the most beautiful and
has become a recent spot of development. Thisphotographed scenes in Canada. No motorized boats
offers tourists with rental cars another choice forare allowed in the lake but there are canoe rentals
accommodations. There is a complete range ofavailable. Taking a canoe across the lake while seeing
accommodations from budget motels to the ritzythe glacier and mountain range is one of the most
and majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotelspecial, peaceful activities one can do.The wildlife in
overlooking the nearby valley. Many hotels havethe Banff and Lake Louise area is another attraction.
views of the mountain ranges and I can personallyThere are wildlife spotting tours available but every
claim that there is something very magical abouttime I have traveled to the area, I've seen deer and
waking up and seeing a snow capped peak first thingelk along the roads and highways. I've even seen
in the morning, particularly during the non-winterthem wander right into the front of the Banff
season.Like the choice of accommodations, the rangeSprings hotel. The road that leads up to the Norquay
of dining opportunities covers the entire spectrum asMystic Ridge ski resort just outside of Banff is a
well. Travelers can dine at the most fancy eatinggolden spot for wildlife. On every drive up that
establishments or buy their own groceries at the localparticular road whether during the winter or summer,
grocer. One thing for beef lovers is not to miss theI have always seen curly horned mountain goats.
Alberta prime rib here which is a local specialty. ItMany are so used to cars that they would just move
practically melts in your mouth. Some restaurantsaside for vehicles to get by but would still stay on
serve very generous 24 ounce (or higher) portionsthe roads. This makes great photo opportunities.One
called mountain cuts for those who think they canthing to be careful of especially when hiking is the
eat it all.There are numerous activities during thepossibilities of bears. During the non-winter seasons,
non-winter seasons including hiking, horseback riding,pay attention to the local rangers who give reports
fishing, golf and a hot springs spa heated naturally byof bear sightings as it is not recommended to go on
the mountain. The wonderful mountain scenery justtrails where bears have been recently.Many world
makes these activities seem that much more specialtourists think of Canada as a land of wonderful
here. Imagine golfing with views of mountains in thenatural scenery and although the country is much
background and glimpses of elk. Of course, themore than that, the Banff and Lake Louise area is
winters have the skiing and snowboarding but thereprobably one of the best examples of Canadian
are other winter activities such as dog sledding andnatural beauty. It is a place that draws visitors,
snowmobile tours. For skiers and boarders, there is aforeign and Canadians alike, back to the area like it
very good bus shuttle system set up which picksdoes for me every few years.Clint Leung is owner of
skiers up at various locations around town andFree Spirit Gallery an online gallery specializing in Inuit
transports them to any of the three ski resortsEskimo and Northwest Native American art including
mentioned earlier. Some shuttle stops are rightcarvings, sculpture and prints.
outside of the many hotels so for many, it can be