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Travel Alberta (Sunshine Village and hiking)
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INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL
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w
hy Go?
For the scenery. Nine-thousand-foot-high (2,743 meters) saw-tooth peaks reach to the heavens. Dense pine
forests give way to high-altitude lakes made milky-blue by glacier water. And the communities of Banff and Canmore are
in the middle of it all, at the doorstep of 2,564-square-mile (6,641 square kilometers) Banff National Park, Canada’s very
first protected wilderness area. It’s not all hiking boots and snowboards, though. A wide range of local restaurants and
shops complement the awe-inspiring outdoor experience.
Canadian Rockies, Ski Areas
14 – 26
Through April (and usually a couple weeks longer),
there’s still snow for carving turns on the slopes.
By mid-May, though, outdoor enthusiasts will need
to direct their attention elsewhere. But that’s no
problem since the melting snow means the rivers
are on the rise, and higher water levels mean float
trips or full-throttle whitewater runs in the
Kicking
Horse rapids
can begin. At night, take the Banff
Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain and enjoy
the breathtaking views of the Rockies from
Panorama Restaurant.
1 – 13
There is no doubt that this is snow season. The
surrounding mountains get up to 30 feet (nine
meters) per year. Which means conditions are
perfect for all your favorite cold-weather pas-
times. Buy a tri-area lift ticket for ski and
snowboard access to Lake Louise, Norquay, and
Sunshine Village
. Combined, the three areas
provide varied terrain. Head to The Grizzly Paw
in Canmore for a hearty après meal — or visit
the brewery for a tour.
40 – 52
Before it gets downright cold,
take a hike
; you’re
in the Rockies after all. When the temperatures
really dip, it’s a good idea to add some indoor
attractions to your itinerary. The Whyte Museum
of the Canadian Rockies in Banff is a great start.
Galleries include both art inspired by, and artifacts
collected from, the majestic Rocky Mountain land-
scape. A guided excursion into Rat’s Nest Cave
with Canmore Cave Tours will keep you out of the
elements (though, not technically indoors) while
exploring the stalactites, stalagmites, and fossils
in this still-wild — no interior lights, no con-
structed walkways — subterranean domain.
27 – 39
Set out on the 96-mile (154 kilometers)
Kananaskis Wildlife Trail from Canmore. There’s
no telling what you’ll see during this three-hour
drive, but with average highs around 70ºF (21ºC)
during July and August, chances are good that
some of the local residents — moose,
bears
,
elk — will be out. No matter what, you won’t
have any trouble finding fun places to shop. A
Bit of Banff is the place for souvenirs, and stop
in to the Banff Sweet Shoppe for classic candy
and homemade fudge.
1.
BANFF NATIONAL PARK:
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site and the Upper Hot Springs Pool are highlights.
2.
SNOWDAYS:
Embrace the ice — ice climbing, ice carving, an ice playground — from January to early February in Banff.
3.
BANFF GONDOLA:
Take a trip to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The observation decks provide unparalleled views.
4.
THE FOOD SCENE:
Be sure to try Canmore’s Gaucho Brazilian Barbecue and Wild Orchid Bistro & Sushi Lounge.
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