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