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Soak in the springs – Banff was originally made
famous as a health spa, complete with natural "healing hot springs." In town, enjoy Banff Upper Hot Springs Pool, and outside town the Radium
Hot Springs, both offer family passes to enjoy hot
outdoor pools and steam rooms. |
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Ride up to the sky – This is one gondola you'll want to take, it's a knockout view from
the platform at the top. The mountains seem much grander, the sky seems
endless. Best time to go is sunset for a one-of-a-kind experience. More info: Banff
Sulpher Mountain Gondola |
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Rent a bike – Rent bikes in town, and head out along the Spray
River, Lake Minnewanka, or Sundance Canyon. |
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Walks and hikes – Stop by the Banff Visitor
Information Centre to get information about day hikes in the area. |
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There are lots to chose from – some short and
easy, some quite challenging, a few even have interpretive signs about local
plants and animals. A short hike from town will take you past dramatic Bow
Falls, and along the scenic Bow River on easy-to-follow trails. |
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Horseback riding – Half a dozen outfits in the Banff
area have horses you can ride for an hour or spend a week riding and camping
in the mountains. |
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 You
don't even have to saddle up to enjoy the ranches here. Check
out local barn dances complete with local bands and BBQ. A big outfit in town: Banff Trail Riders. |
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Museums – |
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Start
at the Banff Park Museum, oldest natural history museum in Canada
and its display of local
wildlife exhibits. |
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At
the Cave & Basin National Historic Site you squeeze through
a tunnel to "discover" the cave where the hot springs were first
seen by pioneers. Then walk along the
boardwalk above the Centre to the Marsh Trail, with wild vegetation warmed
by the hot springs. |
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Check
out the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum display of Stoney, Blackfoot,
Blood, Sarcee, and Peigan tribes peoples with dioramas of both First Nations
and "pioneer" life styles. |
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Head
for the Natural History Museum for the geological history of Banff
with its displays of gemstones and fossils and a model
of Sasquatch - Bigfoot of local legend. |
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Let it snow – Banff is a world-class
ski resort, and the wintertime options are endless: down hill, cross country,
snowshoe, sledding, tubing, you can do it here in spectacular
scenery. |
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Skiing – You can virtually ski in town at Norquay with it's great runs and
beautiful lodge, then there's the big one – Sunshine just north
of Banff is state-of-the-art, huge, the fastest lifts, stunning runs. Try
the smaller Nakiska and Fortress Mountain about 45 minutes south
of Banff. |
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Sleigh rides – Take horse drawn family sleigh rides across the meadows in Banff. Sleigh rides are December to April. |
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Sledding – Go sledding on Spray Meadows Hill (Banff Springs Hotel) or Casacade Ponds (good for little kids). Pick up inexpensive sleds in town. |
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Dog sled tours – Experience the snowy wilderness on a dog sled! Two hour rides through the forest are perfect for kids, offered by Howling
Dogs. |
