| One of the most beloved travel destinations in Canada | | | | door to slope and return service. Most skiers opt to ski |
| is the Banff and Lake Louise area located in the | | | | all three resorts during their stays.Lake Louise is about |
| province of Alberta. The town of Banff is 90 minutes | | | | 45 minutes (35 miles) further into the mountain range |
| (75 miles) west of Calgary and is within the Banff | | | | and home to one of the largest ski areas in North |
| National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. One | | | | America. World class events are held here as well as |
| can see the Rocky Mountains from Calgary since the | | | | a previous winter Olympics and the resort Lake Louise |
| Banff area is at the eastern edge of the Canadian | | | | is serviced by the ski shuttle system from Banff. Even |
| Rocky Mountain range. It is also one of the most | | | | for non-skiers, a day trip to Lake Louise is a must. The |
| visited areas in Canada all year round since the rugged | | | | largest hotel there, the Chateau Lake Louise, is right |
| beauty of the mountains and the protected wilderness | | | | beside the beautiful Lake Louise itself. There is a |
| draws tourists from around the world. During the | | | | glacier named Victoria Glacier which is nestled |
| winter, the three local resorts of Sunshine Village, | | | | between snow capped mountains. During the winters, |
| Norquay Mystic Ridge and Lake Louise offer some of | | | | the lake is completely frozen and people can walk right |
| the best snow skiing around.There are numerous | | | | across it. The hotel usually sets up a skating area on |
| shops, restaurants and small to mid-sized hotels in the | | | | the lake. During the summers, one can still see some |
| town of Banff which is why the majority of travelers | | | | of the white snow capped peaks along with the |
| use it as the base during their stays. The town itself is | | | | glacier but what makes things really special is the lake |
| small enough to walk around in since large scale | | | | itself too which is an emerald green color. On certain |
| development is limited since Banff is located within a | | | | days and hours, the lake gives a stunning reflection of |
| national park. As a result, the town of Canmore just | | | | the mountain/glacier scene. This combination offers |
| outside the national park boundary has become a | | | | one of the most beautiful and photographed scenes in |
| recent spot of development. This offers tourists with | | | | Canada. No motorized boats are allowed in the lake |
| rental cars another choice for accommodations. There | | | | but there are canoe rentals available. Taking a canoe |
| is a complete range of accommodations from budget | | | | across the lake while seeing the glacier and mountain |
| motels to the ritzy and majestic Fairmont Banff | | | | range is one of the most special, peaceful activities |
| Springs Hotel overlooking the nearby valley. Many | | | | one can do.The wildlife in the Banff and Lake Louise |
| hotels have views of the mountain ranges and I can | | | | area is another attraction. There are wildlife spotting |
| personally claim that there is something very magical | | | | tours available but every time I have traveled to the |
| about waking up and seeing a snow capped peak first | | | | area, I've seen deer and elk along the roads and |
| thing in the morning, particularly during the non-winter | | | | highways. I've even seen them wander right into the |
| season.Like the choice of accommodations, the range | | | | front of the Banff Springs hotel. The road that leads up |
| of dining opportunities covers the entire spectrum as | | | | to the Norquay Mystic Ridge ski resort just outside of |
| well. Travelers can dine at the most fancy eating | | | | Banff is a golden spot for wildlife. On every drive up |
| establishments or buy their own groceries at the local | | | | that particular road whether during the winter or |
| grocer. One thing for beef lovers is not to miss the | | | | summer, I have always seen curly horned mountain |
| Alberta prime rib here which is a local specialty. It | | | | goats. Many are so used to cars that they would just |
| practically melts in your mouth. Some restaurants | | | | move aside for vehicles to get by but would still stay |
| serve very generous 24 ounce (or higher) portions | | | | on the roads. This makes great photo |
| called mountain cuts for those who think they can eat | | | | opportunities.One thing to be careful of especially when |
| it all.There are numerous activities during the non-winter | | | | hiking is the possibilities of bears. During the non-winter |
| seasons including hiking, horseback riding, fishing, golf | | | | seasons, pay attention to the local rangers who give |
| and a hot springs spa heated naturally by the mountain. | | | | reports of bear sightings as it is not recommended to |
| The wonderful mountain scenery just makes these | | | | go on trails where bears have been recently.Many |
| activities seem that much more special here. Imagine | | | | world tourists think of Canada as a land of wonderful |
| golfing with views of mountains in the background and | | | | natural scenery and although the country is much more |
| glimpses of elk. Of course, the winters have the skiing | | | | than that, the Banff and Lake Louise area is probably |
| and snowboarding but there are other winter activities | | | | one of the best examples of Canadian natural beauty. |
| such as dog sledding and snowmobile tours. For skiers | | | | It is a place that draws visitors, foreign and Canadians |
| and boarders, there is a very good bus shuttle system | | | | alike, back to the area like it does for me every few |
| set up which picks skiers up at various locations | | | | years.Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery an |
| around town and transports them to any of the three | | | | online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest |
| ski resorts mentioned earlier. Some shuttle stops are | | | | Native American art including carvings, sculpture and |
| right outside of the many hotels so for many, it can be | | | | prints. |