Banff tourist information

Banff (51°10'N 115°33'W Elevation: 1463 m/4800 ft) is the largest town in Banff National Park, located in southwestern Alberta within the Canadian Rockies, making it the highest town elevation in Canada. The town is situated above Bow Falls near the junction of the Bow and Spray Rivers. Banff is located about 135 kilometres (85 miles) west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. It is also 58 km (36 miles) east of Lake Louise. The town is now a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership, making it the westernmost municipality within Greater Calgary.

The resort town is a very popular tourist destination and is known for its mountainous surroundings and hot springs. It is a major destination for outdoor sports and features extensive hiking, scrambling and skiing areas within the region. Two ski resorts are located in close proximity, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay ski resort.

There are a number of popular mountains located immediately adjacent to the townsite. They include Mount Rundle (2,949 metres), Cascade Mountain (2,998 metres) and Mount Norquay (2,134 metres), with its ski slope and also has mountain biking trails on the Stoney Squaw portion. A gondola lift is available to ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 metres) where a boardwalk beginning from the upper terminal takes visitors to Sanson Peak. Sulphur Mountain is also the location of one of Banff's most popular attractions, the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Tunnel Mountain (formerly known as Sleeping Buffalo Mountain) (1,690 metres)lies directly in the townsite and is very popular for quick hikes, reaching the summit in less than half an hour.

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