
The Banff Mountain Film Festival is an annual international film festival which occurs over two weeks in late October to early November. It features a collection of international films on outdoor adventure and mountain culture. It is a very popular event that is well attended by a diverse mix of backcountry enthusiasts, weekend warriors and average Joes.
Cave and Basin National Historic site [url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/caveandbasin/index_E.asp].]See the birthplace of Canada's National Park system. Where hot sulphur springs were found and the original bathhouse was built in 1887. There are also a couple of short nature trails.
* Banff Park Museum National Historic site [url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/banff/index_E.asp[/url].]Come and see all the animals you missed on your trip to Banff. Guaranteed bear sightings.
* Banff Upper Hot Springs [url=http://www.hotsprings.ca/banff/[/url].]All the amenities of a modern facility are featured in this splendid, historic spa and bathhouse - against a backdrop of spectacular alpine scenery. You will luxuriate in the comfort of soothing hot water where travellers have come to "take the waters" for more than a century. For an extra Apres ski laugh, guys wishing to amuse can ask for a hilarious 'traditional style' bathing costume.
* The Banff Centre[url=http://www.banffcentre.ca/[/url]]is a globally respected arts and cultural centre featuring performances and events with dance, music, theatre, opera, film, books, new media and visual arts.
* Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies[http://www.whyte.org[/url] offers something for the whole family... art, culture and the human and natural history of the Canadian Rockies. Visit the heritage homes or take a guided walk.
* Banff Gondola, provides visitors with the most spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies and the town of Banff. The views become more and more grand in the gondola ride as you climb 698m (2,292 ft) to an elevation of 2,281m (7,486 ft). Alternatively, you can take the 2 hour trail up Sulphur Mountain and catch the gondola down (highly recommended). The trail is steep but manage-able for those with a reasonable level of fitness. Guests will find a restaurant, gift shop, boardwalk, observation deck and unsurpassed photo opportunities at the summit of Sulphur Mountain.
* Caving Discover the Rat's Nest Cave, a wild, undeveloped cave with no artificial lights, boardwalks or handrails under Grotto Mountain. No experience necessary.
Banff does offer some indoor activities besides museums and galleries.
* Waterslides[url=http://www.douglasfir.com/amenities/indoor-waterpark/]]at the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets
* Bowling [url=http://www.bowvalleybowling.com[/url]]at The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel offers 5 pin bowling, glow in the dark bowling and an arcade.
* Movie Theatre [url=http://luxbanff.com/[/url]]Lux Cinema Banff shows current movie listings and matinees. Independantly owned and located downtown.
* Recreation Centre in the Sally Borden [http://www.banffcentre.ca[/url] building at The Banff Centre offers a 25m pool, hot tub, steam room, climbing wall, squash courts, and various other programs.
Banff national park is home to three outstanding ski resorts [url=http://www.skibig3.com],]all within easy drive of the Banff townsite. Driving to the hill is not strictly required, as most hotels offer a ski bus to take you from the hotel to the mountain of your choice and back again.
* Lake Louise Mountain Resort [url=http://www.skilouise.com[/url].]Likely the most well known, and hosts Men's and Women's world cup ski events every winter. As such, it is also the busiest and most touristy. It is located close to the Lake Louise townsite. The scenery is fantastic as is the terrain when there is fresh snow. Excellent all you can eat buffet breakfast served in the Whiskey Jack Lodge ($10). If you're on the Club Snowboard/Ski program get the early bus!
* Sunshine Village [url=http://www.skibanff.com[/url].]Located a few kilometers west of the Banff townsite. In recent years, this hill has improved greatly, with more expert terrain and better lifts, it is a personal favorite. It also receives more snow than the other two resorts and benefits from a higher elevation and a generally longer ski season. Also fantastic scenery. It is the only resort of the three to have on-hill accommodation. Again buffet breakfast served in the lodge at the bottom of the gondola - not much else until lunchtime once you get to the top. New Standish quad opens up some good terrain.
* Ski Norquay [url=http://www.banffnorquay.com[/url].]The closest mountain to the Banff townsite, and it is much used by the locals. The ski season is a little shorter at Norquay, because it is at a lower altitude than Sunshine and Lake Louise, and snowfall is less consistent. The trails here lean more towards steep and difficult, although there is still plenty of easy terrain. The Lodge is not much good for breakfast - lunch and beer on the deck can't be beat however! Worth noting that Excaliber is North America's steepest groomed piste.
All the ski hills are busier on the weekends. Lake Louise tends to get icy if it hasn't snowed in a while, but with fresh snow is hard to beat. Sunshine Village has been giving them some competition with their new terrain and improvements however. Especially in the early season, pay attention to how many runs are open and how much recent snow has been received in the snow reports - they are better indications of the conditions than the generic conditions ratings given by the hills (the conditions are always at least 'good' according to their ratings). If you only have a few hours and want to ski where the locals ski check out Ski Norquay, it has nice long open runs with great views of the town.
If you arrive before December 31 and you intend to ski at least 3 days at Sunshine Village, or a combination of three days at Sunshine and at Marmot Basin in Jasper, consider buying a Sunshine-Marmot card. The card costs about the same price as one lift ticket. The first, fourth and seventh times you use the card you get a free lift ticket, all other times you get $10 off (you are ahead quite a bit by the third day). These cards can be purchased on the hill (either Sunshine or Marmot Basin), or also at Safeway stores in Edmonton and Calgary, and are valid at Sunshine Village in Banff and Marmot Basin ski resort in Jasper. The Sunshine-Marmot cards are available for purchase until December 31st but can be used all season. Or you can purchase a Tri-Area Pass [url=http://www.skibig3.com[/url]]for Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Norquay. This ticket includes the bus transportation and can be used at any of the three hills at any time.
* Ski rentals There are a number of great places in the Town of Banff that will rent high quality ski, snowboards, boots, along with clothing and accessories. Try Ultimate Ski & ride [url=http://www.ultimatebanff.com/[/url],]206 Banff Av., (403) 760-7583. If you are not staying close to this location they will pay your taxi for ease.
*Club Snowboard/Ski, 119 Banff Av., 762-4754, [http://www.skibig3.com/school/clubsnowboard.cfm[/url]. An top notch Snowboard/Ski school with small groups of 4-6. Snowboard methods do vary from European, they tend to teach you to "surf" on snow rather than carve as you would on ski's. Craig Gaunce has the patience of a saint and will get you smoothly linking turns on blacks - concentration is adaptability to terrain rather than speed - if you can adapt then nothing's going to faze you!
Summer in Banff, just like winter, is stunning. There are plenty of hiking trails accessible from the main town, as well as tours for horseback riding, white water rafting, mountain biking and more. Be warned though - some smaller tour companies are not as professional as the larger tour companies. If they are overbooked, they may pass your credit card details along to a third party without your knowledge and book another tour on your behalf (not always at the same price, and not always the same tour!).
* Canoeing [url=http://banffcanoeing.com/].]3 minutes walk from the centre of Banff you can find the Blue Canoe docks, where you can take a tranquil canoe journey on the Bow river. There is also canoeing available of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
* Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience, [url=http://www.columbiaicefield.com/[/url].]Climb aboard a massive Ice Explorer and journey across a glacier over 350 metres thick. The Columbia Icefield is the largest sub-polar body of ice in North America.
* Hiking, Banff has the most beautiful trails surrounding it, you can pick-up a free trail map at the Visitor centre, please check the trail reports with the Parks Canada desk before you go. Another option is to go with a hiking guide and group, different locations are available.
* Wildlife Viewing, While in the area always keep your eyes peeled as there are so many animals to spot in the summer in Banff, but please keep your distance as wildlife is wild and they should be kept that way, they can be dangerous too! Learn more and have someone show you around can be a great way to see wildlife too.
* Banff Rafting Association, [http://www.banffrafting.org/[/url]. Excitement for all ages, loads of fun with 4 rivers to choose from, makes whitewater rafting a must do when you're in Banff.
The Banff International Hostel was fully renovated and reopened in July of 2012. It offers bunks in dorm rooms or private bedrooms all with lockers and with private bathrooms. Located only 2 blocks from downtown on a bus route it connects guests with most sights in town. It offers free WiFi as well as 3 internet work stations. For updates please check the hostel's blog as it keeps adding new services!
* The Banff Y has a fully licensed Bistro with an outdoor patio and a variety of meeting space. Internet ($1 for 10 minutes on a computer or $12 for 24 hours of wifi), laundry, common kitchen (be warned, it is not sparkling clean), and quiet sitting room all on the premises.
* With private rooms, 2 spacious kitchens and lounge areas, 2 fireplaces and restaurant Cougar Pete's Lookout & Kitchen. 20 minute walk to downtown Banff. New to HI-Banff "The Storm Cellar, Banff's Pub and Game house" features drink specials, games (pool, darts, foosball) and an eclectic bunch of servers.
* The King Eddie, how the locals like to call it, is at the most central point in Banff. The hotel offers private rooms with all major amenities, like free wireless internet, in-room coffee and tea, private bathrooms, 32" flat screen cable TV etc. and concierge service is available at the front desk.
* A 100 bed hostel with a private room. Each room has an ensuite bathroom. Lockers, laundry, common lounge and kitchen, Free Wireless Internet and Internet Kiosks, video games, nightly activities, BBQs, local tours, patio. Breakfast (self serve pancakes, toast,porridge, fruit, juice, coffee, tea) included. Daily activities including, Open Mic, Trivia, Ice Skating, Bands, Theme Parties.
A small bed and breakfast with one large suite, private entrance and ensuite bathroom.
* This mountain themed lodge offers; luxury bedding, large jetted hotpool, underground parking, The Keg Steakhouse & Lounge, and The Red Earth Spa.
* The Banff Inn features standard guest rooms as well as rooms with jacuzzi tubs, loft units, king rooms and honeymoon suites.
* This resort features suite style accommodation with kitchens and fireplaces. The resort also offers an indoor pool, tennis courts, wifi, and complimentary shuttle downtown shuttle.
* Breakfast included, heated indoor pool, balconies with mountain views, jacuzzi suites, heated parking and pet friendly.
* Accommodation include condos, chalets and specialty suites, all with fully-equipped kitchens. Indoor waterpark, swimming pools, mountain view hot tub & more. Located on Tunnel Mountain.
* The Fox offers one and two bedroom suites and hotel rooms. The hotel's centerpiece is the hot pool inspired by the original Cave and Basin Site.
* This resort features condo style accommodation with full kitchens and wood burning fireplaces. The resort also offers two outdoor hot pools, BBQ and picnic areas, wifi, and located on the Banff transit route.
* This hotel has an indoor pool, outdoor hotpool, 2 restaurants and lounge, ski shop, underground parking and on the Banff transit route.
* This hotel has suites, condos, chalets and chalet style accommodation, located just on Tunnel Mountain Drive.
The Rimrock Resort Hotel is a AAA/CAA Four Diamond Hotel located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park. The Rimrock Resort Hotel offers exceptional views of the Canadian Rockies, fine dining, a luxury spa, along with special accommodation packages to suit your vacation needs. With unmatched style, decor and superb hospitality, the Rimrock Resort Hotel is a very special place to visit for a truly remarkable experience. Enjoy the Canadian Rockies in Rimrock style. You will see the difference!
* One of the [wiki=ce9d90c98437bf7e38f1644d5dd43d74]grand old hotels[/wiki], few hotels can compare to the majesty of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Nestled in the trees overlooking the rest of the town and valley it is a magnificent location for a magnificent building. Multiple restaurants, a heated outdoor pool and a wide range of accommodation in a fantastic building. All this comes at a price though, and the Banff Springs is an expensive hotel. Also booking very early is required. Among the luxurious amenities, you can indulge in their three waterfall treatments whirlpools and indoor Hungarian mineral pool (that actually has music underwater to soothe you as you float into complete relaxation) or enjoy treatments at the onsite Willow Stream Spa. Bike and ski rentals are available at the hotel and can be booked in advance.