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 stormy crystal clear rivers.
Alberta Banff National Park - History
For a long time, the ancient tribes of the Indians lived on the site where the park is located - the Sarsi, Stony, Kutenai, Cain, Siksik. 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 territory, in which there were hot springs and a cave. Here it was decided to create a public park. Two years later, it expanded significantly and was called the Rocky Mountains Park.
The rich Europeans who arrived in Canada liked the park. Wealthy American travelers began mountain climbing in the Rockies under the guidance of local instructors.
In 1906, the first alpine club of Canada appeared. After 1916, tourists were able to make sightseeing trips by bus. In 1923, the first motorway appeared here that connected Banff National Park with British Columbia. By that time, the territory of the park was still 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 park established modern borders. Today Banff National Park (Canada), a photo of which is available in all booklets of travel companies, covers an area of 6641 square kilometers. It is very picturesque, therefore, thousands of tourists visit it annually.
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 Canada's first national park and 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
From almost anywhere in this amazing park, magnificent mountain landscapes open - steep cliffs, rocky peaks, ice fields, coniferous thickets, glaciers.
The reserve has a developed tourist infrastructure. Tourists are offered many exciting programs, hiking trails, and entertainment. Climbing enthusiasts and people who like leisurely walks here enjoy spending time here.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake rises two kilometers above sea level. 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 the 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
Nat Banff Park is crossed by the Bow River. It is distinguished by ice water and a very fast flow. Tourists with experience do not miss the opportunity to ride it in a canoe. This journey becomes a real adventure, but you must be very careful and, of course, have some experience in such alloys - very cold water, trees that hang over the river itself can be dangerous.
Sulfur springs
From this place, called the Cave and Basin National Historic site, the history of the park began. Here are the hot sulfur springs. A real Canadian bathhouse was built nearby (in 1887). These healing sources were discovered by railway builders. This served as the main argument in favor of the opening of the national park.
Many tourists claim that here is a real museum. Banff is a park where nature has reached the peak of its perfection. The combination of the beauties of the most picturesque waterfalls, valleys, canyons, mountains and forests for life remains in memory, and the unusual fresh air delights.
Animal world
In addition to natural beauties, visitors to the park can admire the animals that inhabit this territory.
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 are completely weaned from shooting and hunting. Therefore, people are friendly. A striking fact is that when tourists accidentally meet a bloodthirsty and formidable grizzly in the forest, the bear never attacks.
Nevertheless, some caution must be observed. In most national parks, the main cause of tourist injuries is animal attacks. In Banff, look around before getting out of the car. When 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
For several years now, two companies have been operating in the park that offer gondola rides. If you are a golf fan, 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 find for snowboarders and alpine 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 dollars for adults and 49 for students.
Banff City
The park is a small tourist town of Banff. It is the highest 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, they offer excellent service and a varied program. Banff is a great ski resort. There are more than two hundred well-equipped ski runs with different levels of difficulty. In addition, there are ice rinks and snowboarding sites in the city. In the summer, you can go camping or go cycling, go climbing, go canoeing, play golf or tennis. The most exciting excursions, according to travelers, are exploring the park from a helicopter, from where you can see snow-capped peaks, glaciers and lakes.
Hotels
A lot of hotels have been built in Banff Park, which allows tourists to choose any of them, depending on their wishes and financial capabilities. We will present you only some of them.
Inns of Banff - 3 *
This hotel is located in central Banff, a short drive from Canmore. The rooms are equipped with coffee and tea making facilities, split systems. Bathrooms feature spa bathtubs to help you unwind 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, which will offer you dishes of national and European cuisine.
Cost of living - 3022 rubles per day
Rimrock Resort Hote - 4 *
This Banff hotel offers comfortable and stylish rooms, as well as a sauna, jacuzzi and indoor pool. Provides such services as a cafe-bar free (for guests) parking, sightseeing program. 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, indoor pool and sauna.
This modern and stylish hotel is centrally located in Lake Louise. It provides guests with the following services: beauty salon, business class rooms, express check-in / check-out, secured area for luggage storage.
The equivalent price is 10 512 rubles per day.
Security
The main part of the reserve territory remains wild and uninhabited, therefore it is necessary to observe elementary precautions - do not snowboard or ski in inappropriate places, in winter do not drive around the territory of the park by car. It should be remembered that avalanches are possible in the park. It is important to know the basic rules of behavior in an unexpected meeting with a predator. You can’t turn your back on him and run.
Majestic mountains and dense spruce forests, bizarre cliffs - 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.