Banff National Park has valleys, meadows, mountains, forests, lakes and 1,000 glaciers. The park's highest mountain, Mount Forbes, has an altitude of 11,000 feet. The Castleguard caves form Canada's longest cave system. UNESCO's designation helps protect 7,000 square miles of Canadian Rockies. Lake Minnewanka is Banff's largest dammed lake, and glacier-fed Hector Lake is the largest natural lake.
The park as a human habitat goes back 10,000 years in the valleys, passes and alpine areas, According to the Town of Banff website, the park contains 766 archaeological sites, including quarries, coal mining towns near Lake Minnewanka and historic dumps.
Lake Louise has four mountains with 4,200 acres of ski area and 139 runs on light, dry powder. The Lake Louise Ski Area accommodates skiers of all abilities, so families can ski together. It also hosts World Cup ski racing.
Lake Louise Ski Area
#1 Whitehorn Road
PO Box 5
Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0
Canada
403-522-3555
Skilouise.com
Approximately 1,000 miles of hiking and horseback trails cross the park. Parks Canada manages Banff National Park and operates 2,400 campsites. Competitions include the Subaru Banff Triathlon and Banff National Park Bike Fest. The Government of Canada commemorates seven national historic sites, including Abbots Pass Hut; Banff Park Museum, Cave and Basin; Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel; Cosmic Ray Station; Skoki Lodge; Howse Pass; and Cave and Basin. The Cave and Basin National Historic Site, a natural thermal mineral springs in Banff, inspired Canada's national park system.
Banff National Park is home to 53 species of mammals, including bears, bison, mountain goat, woodland caribou, moose, elk, deer, weasels, coyotes and wolves. Approximately 40 black bears inhabit Bow Valley and the Icefields Parkway. Grizzly bears occupy the back country of sub-alpine forest. Rarely seen cats include the mountain lion and lynx. According to the Digital Journal, over 280 bird species inhabit the park, including red-tailed hawks, falcons and eagles.
Banff offers city conveniences such as lodging, shopping and restaurants. Cultural events include Alberta Arts Days, Banff Culture Weekend, Banff Mountain Days and Banff Summer Arts Festival. The Banff International String Quartet Competition concludes the Summer Arts Festival.
Banff Information Centre
224 Banff Avenue
Banff, AB
Canada
402-762-1550
