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Banff National Park Frequently Asked Questions

Travel to Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest national park is easy from Calgary. The park was established in 1885 and is located in the Rocky Mountains about an hour’s drive west of Calgary in the province of Alberta,

A wild place with lots of hiking, canoeing, skiing and wildlife including grizzly bears. Mountain lakes, glaciers, snow-capped peaks and historic grand lodges. Also a place with a small town filled with shops and restaurants as well as a launching pad for adventure in the more remote Jasper National Park.

What airport do I fly into to get to Banff?

Banff is easily accessible from Calgary International Airport. The drive from the airport doesn’t even require going through the congested city. After renting a car, one is out of the suburbs of Calgary in about 20 minutes and on the main highway leading toward the park. Major airlines from around the world fly to Calgary with daily non-stop and direct flights.

What is the best month to visit Banff? 

Summer months are popular for hiking and outside activities such as canoeing.  Due to the altitude, the weather can turn cool and stormy.   Fall can be especially beautiful when the mountain tops get dusted with snow and winter time is great for skiing at the resorts or backcountry snowshoeing.  A bonus in white is the bears are hibernating.

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What kinds of activities can you do in Banff?

Hiking trails abound in Banff from gentle flat paths along the lake to mountain hikes to a tea house to boardwalk trails to a waterfall to rough backcountry type hikes.

Rent a canoe at the lakes. Take a gondola ride to the peak. Tour a glacier by bus. Explore the shops and restaurants of Banff’s town. Ski at the local resorts.

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How many days should I plan to tour Banff?

We rented a condo in Banff and spent a whole week there and explored all kinds of hiking trails. If you are traveling around the area, say coming up from Glacier National Park, spend a minimum of 3 days in Banff National Park (including Lake Louise). An then spend another few days in nearby Jasper National Park, with an additional day to be spent driving the scenic Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper.

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