Banff
Canada's Crown Jewel
Banff is the kind of place you see in photos and assume it's been edited. It hasn't. Turquoise glacier lakes, rugged Rocky Mountain peaks, elk wandering through town, and some of the best hiking on the continent. Summer or winter, Banff is genuinely jaw-dropping.
Gallery
Why Banff?
Rocky Mountain Peaks
Surrounded by the Canadian Rockies - the scale and grandeur will genuinely humble you.
Turquoise Lakes
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake get their impossible blue-green color from glacial rock flour.
Wildlife Everywhere
Elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, and if you're lucky, grizzlies roam freely in the park.
World-Class Skiing
Three ski resorts - Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay - make it a top winter destination.
Top Experiences
- Sunrise at Moraine Lake (requires shuttle reservation)
- Hike to Lake Agnes Tea House above Lake Louise
- Icefields Parkway scenic drive (one of the world's best)
- Banff gondola to Sulphur Mountain summit
- Kayak on Lake Louise
- Wildlife safari at dusk on the Bow Valley Parkway
Expert Travel Tips
Moraine Lake road requires a Parks Canada shuttle - book months ahead
Buy a Parks Canada Discovery Pass if staying more than a few days
Stay in Banff town for convenience, or Lake Louise for the views
Weather changes fast - always carry layers