One of the most beautiful places on our planet - Banff National Park - is located in the Rocky Mountains (Canada). This is a protected area with picturesque landscapes, eternal glaciers, alpine meadows, coniferous oak forests, bright blue lakes and turbulent crystal clear rivers.
Banff National Park in Alberta - History
In the place where the park is now, for a long time lived the ancient tribes of the Indians - Sarsi, Stoney, Kutenai, Kaina, Siksiki. After the appearance of Europeans, the territory began to be developed, the first railway appeared. After the completion of its construction, the government allocated a small area in which there were hot springs and a cave. It was decided to create a public park here. Two years later, it expanded significantly and was named Rocky Mountain Park.
We althy Europeans who came to Canada liked the park. We althy American travelers have taken up mountain climbing in the Rocky Mountains with local instructors.
In 1906, Canada's first alpine club was founded. After 1916tourists were able to make sightseeing trips by bus. In 1923, the first highway appeared here, which connected Banff National Park with British Columbia. By that time, the territory of the park had been further expanded. It included Lake Louise, the Bow River, Red Deer and others.
Until 1930, the area of the protected area changed several times. In 1949, the modern boundaries of the park were established. Today Banff National Park (Canada), whose photos are placed in all booklets of travel companies, covers an area of 6641 square kilometers. It is very picturesque, so thousands of tourists visit it every year.
Geographic location
Banff National Park (Canada) is located on the steep slopes of the Rocky Mountains. This is one of the largest nature reserves in the country. It is the first national park in Canada and the second in North America. Closest to it are such large cities as Edmonton and Calgary. In the park, you can observe various mountain types - irregular, sawtooth, complex, anticlinal mountains, which are covered with glacial formations. The largest of them are the Vapta and Vaputik glaciers.
Banff National Park, the photo of which you can see in our article, is characterized by three climatic zones: alpine, subalpine and forest mountain.
Nature
Magnificent mountain landscapes open from almost anywhere in this amazing park - sheer cliffs, rocky peaks,ice fields, coniferous thickets, glaciers.
The reserve has a developed tourist infrastructure. Tourists are offered a lot of exciting programs, routes for hiking, entertainment. Climbing enthusiasts and people who love leisurely walks enjoy their time here.
Moraine Lake
Lake Moraine rises above sea level for two kilometers. It is depicted on 20 dollar bills. This is a very picturesque place. The waters of the lake are painted in an unusual turquoise color. From all sides it is protected by kilometer-long slopes of mountains. It appeared in ancient times, thanks to melted glaciers. Today, the lake has become the main object in excursion programs in Banff Park. The lake is located in a valley called the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Rivers
National Banff Park is crossed by the mountain river Bow. It is distinguished by ice water and a very fast current. Tourists with experience do not miss the opportunity to ride on it in a canoe. This journey becomes a real adventure, but you need to be very careful and, of course, have some experience in such rafting - very cold water, trees that hang over the river itself can be dangerous.
Sulfur Springs
Called as the Cave and Basin National Historic site, this is where the history of the park began. There are hot sulfur springs here. A real Canadian bath was built (in 1887) nearby. These healing springs discoveredrailroad builders. This was the main argument in favor of opening the national park.
Many tourists claim that there is a real museum in the open air. Banff is a park where nature has reached the heights of its perfection. The combination of the beauties of the most picturesque waterfalls, valleys, canyons, mountains and forests remains in memory for a lifetime, and the extraordinary fresh air delights.
Animal world
Besides the natural beauties, visitors to the park can admire the animals that inhabit this area.
These are deer, moose, bears. It is interesting that they are not at all afraid of a person, and they themselves are not a danger to guests. For several decades of the existence of the national park, they have completely lost the habit of shooting and hunting. That is why people are friendly. An amazing fact - when tourists accidentally meet a bloodthirsty and formidable grizzly in the forest, the bear never attacks.
Still, some caution is necessary. In most national parks, the main cause of injury to tourists is animal attacks. In Banff, look around before you get out of your car. If you see a wolf, cougar or coyote, do not approach them.
Banff National Park is home to 56 species of mammals. Wolverines, lynxes, weasels, otters, white-tailed deer, black bears are found here. There are few reptiles here, and about three hundred species of birds.
Excursions, entertainment
Two firms have been operating in the park for several years now, offeringgondola rides. If you are a golf lover, then you will have the opportunity to play in this picturesque place. This can be done on a luxurious course built by Stanley Thompson, a renowned architect who specializes in golf courses.
Banff National Park is a godsend for snowboarders and skiers. At Sunshine, which is located eight kilometers west of the park, you can climb to a height of 2730 meters. From this height you will see all of British Columbia. The cost of such a descent is $64 for adults and $49 for students.
City of Banff
In the park is a small tourist town of Banff. It is the highest mountain in the country, and representatives of the international organization UNESCO recognized it as one of the most picturesque in the world.
For tourists and skiers here they offer excellent service and a varied program. Banff is a great ski resort. There are more than two hundred superbly equipped ski slopes with different levels of difficulty. In addition, the city has skating rinks, snowboarding grounds. During the summer, you can go hiking or cycling, climbing, canoeing, playing golf or tennis. The most fascinating excursions, according to travelers, are a view of the park from a helicopter, from where you can see snow-capped peaks, glaciers and lakes.
Hotels
Many hotels have been built in Banff Park, which allows tourists to choose any of them, depending on theirwishes and financial possibilities. We will introduce you to just a few of them.
Inns of Banff – 3
This hotel is located in downtown Banff, a short drive from Canmore. The rooms are equipped with coffee and tea making machines, split systems. The bathrooms are equipped with spa baths, which will help you to fully relax after a hard day.
The hotel has a good restaurant and bar where you can have a great time with family or friends. In addition, there are many bars and small cozy restaurants around the hotel, where you will be offered dishes of national and European cuisine.
Price of accommodation - 3022 rubles per day
Rimrock Resort Hote - 4
This Banff hotel offers cozy and stylish accommodation along with a sauna, jacuzzi and indoor pool. Services such as a cafe-bar, free (for guests) parking, an excursion program are provided. The rooms are equipped with satellite TV, wireless internet. Price - 9035 rubles per day.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – 4
This hotel offers guests a comfortable stay while visiting Banff National Park. It has a jacuzzi, an indoor pool and a sauna. This modern and stylish hotel is located in downtown Lake Louise. It provides guests with the following services: beauty salon, business class rooms, express check-in / check-out, secure luggage storage area.
The equivalent price is 10,512 rubles per day.
Safety
The main part of the territory of the reserve remains wild and uninhabited, so you must take basic precautions - do not snowboard or ski in places not intended for this, do not drive through the park in winter. It should be remembered that avalanches are possible in the park. It is also important to know the basic rules of behavior in case of an unexpected encounter with a predator. You can't turn your back on him and run.
Majestic mountains and dense spruce forests, bizarre rocks - all this is Banff Park, which is located in the province of Alberta. It provides all the little things for a comfortable stay throughout the year.
