“Discover Banff” is the official tourism slogan of Banff, Alberta Canada; and after you’ve spent time in this world-famous resort town, you’ll understand just how many amazing discoveries there are for visitors!

Banff (pronounced "Bamph") is located in the center of Banff National Park, surrounded on all sides by Alberta's Rocky Mountains. When you visit this area you will see why each year more than 4.5 million visitors come to enjoy the unique feeling of the Canadian Rockies. And you’ll get to experience why the United Nations declared this area a "World Heritage Site" in 1985.

At 4540 feet (1384 m) above sea level, Banff is "Canada's Highest Town". Banff is 90 miles (144 km) from Calgary and just a short trip to the mountain areas of Lake Louise, Kananaskis Country and Canmore.

Once a sleepy little resort that closed its doors in the winter, Banff has grown to be a 4-season destination. Is it the cozy resorts and boutique shopping that lure visitors to Banff?

Or is it the unparalleled recreational opportunities that has built the reputation of Banff? Perhaps the fine dining and nightlife makes this the place for a quick weekend getaway or a week-long vacation destination.

People from all over the world come and visit Banff. On Banff's bustling main avenue, virtually every language - from German and Japanese to French and Spanish - can be heard.
In addition, the town’s streets are alive with chic boutiques, elegant cuisine served in fine restaurants, and lively pubs and nightclubs. Yet only minutes away from all the action, a quiet walk along the banks of the Bow River reminds you that the town is located inside Canada's premier national park.

There are over 50 hotels in the town alone and they range from small 20 room motels up to the magnificent 750 room Banff Springs Hotel (recently renamed the Fairmont Banff Springs).

Dining is Banff’s specialty, over 60 Banff restaurants from fast food to fine dining, from wild western to Japanese! Banff has it all. The downtown core is made up of hundreds of shops, stores, and galleries and is alive with activity every day of the year.

No matter what time of year you’re looking to get away, Banff Alberta can fit the bill.
In the wintertime, Banff hosts some of the world's largest ski and snowboard events, as many are eager to ski the famed Canadian Rockies.

Three outstanding ski resorts, Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise provide more than 7,700 acres and 240 trails offering countless options to skiers and snowboarders of any ability.

As a visitor, you’ll enjoy meticulously groomed slopes and state-of-the-art snowmaking, short lift lines, and guaranteed friendly local hospitality. An interchangeable, multi-day Tri-Area lift ticket was developed to make visitors’ stay here as convenience as possible.

With this one ticket you’ll get free transfers from your hotel to the slopes at each ski area.
In addition to snowboarding and skiing, you’ll find other popular activities such as snowshoeing, canyon walks and dog sledding

Banff has also built a reputation as a popular weekend retreat destination during the warm months. In summer, walk along the park’s many nature trails, hike into the backcountry or climb peaks made famous by earlier tourist-explorers. Other activities include:

• Golf
• Camping
• Glacier touring
• Boat tours
• River rafting
• Horseback riding
• Cycling
• And fishing

More leisurely pursuits include visiting National Historical Sites, enjoying the Banff Centre for the Arts, touring museums with various themes, riding sightseeing gondolas, and bathing at the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

The national park, in which the town of Banff and hamlet of Lake Louise resides, is a year-round playground, offering opportunities for mountain camping, bathing in natural hot springs, hiking excursions and wildlife viewing.

In addition, there are hundreds of miles of mountain trails that can be explored on foot or skis, by canoe, raft, bus or car. Banff National Park is huge!

Banff National Park was Canada's first national park, and is the third oldest in the world, established in 1885. It encompasses 2,564 square miles (6,641 square km) of land and is one of four adjoining mountain parks comprising more than 7,813 square miles (20,235 square km) of spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountain landscape.

Banff National Park is a year round playground in the Canadian wilderness. It is managed by Parks Canada, part of the federal department of Canadian Heritage.

The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site is a United Nations designation which includes Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho national parks, plus adjacent B.C. provincial parks: Hamber, Mount Robson and Mount Assiniboine.

This area helps protect over 7,700 sq. miles (20,000 sq. km) of the Rocky Mountains. There are seven National Historic Sites within Banff National Park; Skoki Lodge, Abbot Pass Hut, Howse Pass, Cave & Basin, Banff Park Museum, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and the Cosmic Ray Station on Sanson Peak.

Banff National Park is a 90- minute drive west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, via the four-lane Trans Canada Highway. The area is easily accessible with numerous international and charter airlines offering flights from around the world.

Banff and Lake Louise are also serviced by rail, charter coach and scheduled bus services. Major car rental agencies are conveniently located in Banff, Lake Louise and Calgary. Banff and Lake Louise are joined by a scenic, “make sure you have your camera,” 40- minute drive through the Bow Valley.

Lake Louise, with its blue-green water set against the backdrop of Victoria Glacier, is probably the most beloved and most photographed scene in the Canadian Rockies. The pace in Lake Louise is a bit slower, and the Chateau Lake Louise offers old-world charm with lakeside views of the towering Victoria Glacier.

In 1882, guided by a Stoney Indian, Tom Wilson became the first white man to discover what he called Emerald Lake, but it was later changed by the Geographic Board to Lake Louise in honor of Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.

Lake Louise’s elevation is a bit higher than Banff, at 5,039 feet (1,536 m), making it the highest permanent settlement in Canada.