Distinctive Travels

With the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway to the Rockies in 1883, two employees discovered a hot mineral spring on the north slope of Banff's Sulphur Mountain. The government designated the area of ten square miles around the Cave and Basin Springs as a federal reserve. That decision prompted the creation of Canada's first National Park. Wishing to capitalize on the scenery as a potential tourist attraction, in 1886, they began construction on a few resort hotels in the Rockies; one of which was the Banff Springs, in close proximity to the hot pools. A year later the government enlarged their reserve to 260 square miles and in 1887 it was named Rocky Mountains National Park.

The hotel caused the town to emerge with shops, houses, restaurants and a transport company to conduct scenic excursions. The CPR went as far as to import their own genuine Swiss Alpinists to insure that mountaineering would be a safe experience for tourists to enjoy. The alpine village was named Banff in honor of the CPR president, Lord Mount ( George) Stephen who was a native of Banffshire, Scotland. As the town grew and paved roads reached Lake Louise in 1920, the National Parks Act of 1930 drafted new boundaries at 2,564 square miles renaming the reserve as Banff National Park. While it retains it's comfortable size and intimate charms, today's Banff is a both bustling little town and a cosmopolitan resort accommodating visitors from around the world.

Where to stay:

Rising dramatically amidst the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies, the Banff Springs Hotel is a historical landmark that offers a blend of opulence and seclusion and has been an emblem of Rocky Mountain majesty for more than 100 years. A year-round resort, known as the "Castle in the Wilderness," The Banff Springs Hotel has a physical largesse that belies its sumptuous yet cozy interior. Accommodations include Canadian Pacific rooms for two or three occupants, Chateau Deluxe which are large regular guest accommodations, in the Main or Manor wings. The Heritage Premiere rooms showcase distinct architectural characteristics of the Banff Springs. Junior Suites in the main wing offer spacious accommodations with a defined bedroom and sitting area within the room. One bedroom suites in the main and Tudor wings are a combination of bedroom with adjoining parlor. An added feature is the spectacular valleyside view. Two bedroom suites are located in the main wing. Presidential suites offer the most breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the valley and includes canopied king sized beds, marble bathrooms, two story living rooms, a live fireplace, grand piano and library. A pantry, guest bathroom and stereo make this suite ideal suite for entertaining. On property are 35 shops and boutiques a championship 27-hole golf course, a world class Spa, tennis courts, horseback riding and much more. The Banff Springs and Conference Center offer state-of-the-art audio visual capabilities and a total of more than 76,000 square feet of function space.

What to do:

A myriad of indoor and outoor activities include golf, hiking, mountain cycling, horseback riding or sightseeing by deluxe motorcoach. With no previous experience required, Mountain Heritage Programs at the Banff Springs Hotel allow the visitor to enjoy Mountaineering and Interpretive Hiking, an opportunity to recapture history and share in the spectacular beauty of one of the most captivating places on earth. For wintertime visitors, the hotel is in close proximity to three world class ski areas, offers dog sledding, canyon ice walking, and sleigh rides. The Solace Health Spa, among the top ten in the world is enhanced with lavish interiors such as cascading waterfalls, grand fireplaces, saunas, a mineral pool, and steam rooms. It features 19 private treatment rooms, fitness and cardio strength-training areas, a beauty salon , a boutique and indoor as well as outdoor heated pools. A variety of stimulating indoor activities at the Banff Springs Hotel include a five pin bowling alley, lectures, wine, beer, cheese and scotch tastings. Guided charter fishing trips, Helicopter tours, Gondola rides, Columbia Icefield tour of the Athabascar Glacier, Peyto and Bow Lakes, are just a few of the many scenic activities available.

Skiing in Banff

Where to eat:

International dining experiences within The Banff Spring Hotel are conveniently on hand; Alberta Dining Room: breakfast buffet - great Sunday brunch, Deli: sandwiches and Pizza Hut pizza available. Golf Clubhouse: two kilometers from the hotel, the clubhouse restaurant and lounge offer continental cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a breathtaking view of the mountains and fairways; Grapes: Intimate European style bistro and wine bar features pates, cheeses, salads and a daily special. Wines of the month are featured. Koffie Huis: family- style dining open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Castello Ristorante: a restaurant with true Italian flavor. Ramsey Lounge is a hideaway in the Manor for a quiet interlude. Rob Roy is for dining and dancing and a dress code is in effect. Rundle Lounge is a piano bar specializing in spectacular Bow Valley views and light meals. The Waldhaus offers the finest in Bavarian cuisine and steins of frothy lager. Samurai is an authentic Japanese experience. Bow Valley Grill is an all day restaurant offering panoramic views of the valley and an enchanting open kitchen. The Banffshire Club, in elegant surroundings includes highly attentive servers and a skilled culinary team who help guests make choices from an extensive wine list and Prix Fix menu. Solace Lite focuses on a healthful light fare in a cafe-style setting. Reservations may be required in advance for some dining facilities in the hotel. Off premises in Banff at 120 Banff Avenue, try the Balkan Restaurant where Greek cuisine is the specialty of the house. We enjoyed a sumptuous and delicious feast for two in a casual atmosphere for an incredibly reasonable tariff. (403) 762-3454.

Baronial Hall at the Banff Springs Hotel

Shopping:

Both in the hotel at the multitude of boutiques, and in the town of Banff, there are opportunities to purchase sumptuous woolens, regional art and state-of-the-art outdoor sporting apparel. For sweet tooth aficionados, there are several candy shops along the main avenue in Banff that present wide-eyed visitors with everything from chocolate covered apples to old fashioned sponge toffee.

Transportation:

The Banff Springs Hotel is 80 miles west of Calgary, Alberta and located at an altitude of 4,700 feet. Daily airport shuttle service is available between Calgary International Airport and the Banff Springs Hotel. The Great Canadian Railway Tour Company serves the Banff area with a scheduled weekly passenger service during the summer months. The rail station is located in the town of Banff, approximately two miles from the hotel.