Rocky Mountain Towns  

Much of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta are located in the Banff and Jasper National Parks. The Icefields Parkway links the two and provides one of the most scenic roadways in the world. Take your time to explore the various towns nestled in the Canadian Rockies. You will be surrounded by everchanging dramatic scenery during your time here. From lush green fields and forests to winding river canyons and rushing rivers and waterfalls. This, with the abundant wildlife and breathtaking mountain views, make the Canadian Rockies a must see for everyone.

Banff
The world-famous, year-round resort town of Banff is located in the centre of the Banff National Park surrounded by the dramatic Rocky Mountains. The national park offers countless opportunities for camping, hiking and wildlife viewings. Despite its world-famous status, Banff is a very small town made up of one street - Banff Avenue.

Banff Springs Hotel   

Synonymous with Banff is the castle-like Banff Springs Hotel, which is the focal point of the town. Few hotels in the world can rival the majesty and scenery of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Its opulence and seclusion has been a symbol of Rocky Mountain magnificence for more than a century. Styled after a Scottish baronial castle, the Banff Springs is a must see for anyone visiting Banff.

Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets

Perfect for families, ideal for friends and romantic for couples, Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets is located on peaceful Tunnel Mountain only four minutes above beautiful downtown Banff. The distinctive alpine resort provides an ideal home base to explore the surrounding natural beauty. They offer a wide range of accommodations including studios, lofts, one-bedroom condos, one-bedroom loft condos, rustic chalets and large speciality suites. All units have well-equipped kitchens and most have wood-burning fireplaces.

The Banff Aspen Lodge

 The Banff Aspen Lodge combines affordable accommodation with warm, friendly hospitality and excellent facilities. All of the guest rooms at this Banff lodge are spacious and tastefully decorated. Singles, couples and families can choose the room type that suits their needs; most rooms feature private balconies and mountain views. From its convenient location on Banff Avenue, The Banff Aspen Lodge is just a three-minute stroll to the fine shopping, dining, museums and galleries that make Banff an unforgettable destination in the Canadian Rockies.

Banff International Hotel

A superb downtown location, surrounded by the best shops and dining, spacious rooms with a Smoke Free environment, elegant, warm decor with luxurious furnishings - the Banff International Hotel is an ideal base to enjoy Banff's attractions. 165 spacious guest rooms offer mountain views, solid oak furnishings, in-room entertainment, marble bathroom vanities and more. Hotel facilities include dining room, lounge, banquet room, steam room, sauna, whirlpool, fitness room, boutique and more.

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

Experience a serene mountain setting while still enjoying all the comforts of home. The Banff Rocky Mountain Resort combines spectacular natural beauty with activities and amenities sure to make any visit to the Canadian Rockies memorable. Banff Rocky Mountain resort is nestled at the base of picturesque Rundle and Cascade Mountains in Banff National Park, just 4km from downtown Banff. Close enough for quick access, yet far enough to enjoy all the pleasures of a mountain retreat. The Banff Rocky Mountain Resort offers 171 guest rooms. The type of accommodation varies from standard suites to condominium style suites with kitchens. All suites feature comfortable living room areas with gas or wood-burning fireplaces, cable television, hairdryers and data port phones.

Banff's Secluded Jewel - Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Away from the downtown Banff hotels, Buffalo Mountain Lodge lies on the gentle slopes of Tunnel Mountain.  The Main Lodge complements its natural setting with square timber, post and beam construction and high open ceilings. Decor pays tribute to old-world craftsmanship, from custom-made cherry, pine and bent-willow furnishings to copper and glass light fixtures. Simple, elegant design is a hallmark of the resort and symbolises the lifestyle at the Lodge. It includes a charming lounge with a huge fieldstone fireplace, dining room, conference rooms, indoor recreation area, steam room and an outdoor hot tub. The main dining room has a well founded reputation for providing guests with the finiest and most innovative cuisine in the Canadian Rockies, including wines sourced from their own vineyards and breads/pastries from their own bakery.

Sulphur Mountain                                                                                                                                    

Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a bird's eye view of six mountain ranges and the town of Banff. Located just five minutes from downtown Banff, the Banff Gondola will transport you to the summit with its view decks and boardwalk.

Banff Upper Hotsprings                                                                                                                          

The natural mineral-rich water is still hot, the historic 1930's style of architecture remains, but everything else has changed. With a recent $4 million renovation the Banff Upper Hot Springs brings visitors a whole new experience.  With an outdoor mineral pool, a children's wading area, heated floors, a restaurant, a new spa with aromatic steam, mineral plunge pool, aromatherapy wraps, massage studios and a spa boutique, no trip to Banff would be complete without a visit to the Hotsprings.

Jasper
Located in the Jasper National Park, Jasper has retained its simplicity despite the number of tourists that flock here each year. Jasper is the largest and most northerly Canadian National Park. Made up of delicate and carefully protected ecosystems, Jasper’s scenery is nonetheless rugged and mountainous. You will enjoy the thunder of Sunwapta Falls, enjoy the beauty of Mount Edith Cavell, hike the 1000km plus trails, experience the Athabasca Glacier up close or just relax in the hotsprings at Miette.

Athabasca Glacier

The Columbia Icefield is the largest ice mass in the Rocky Mountains. Sitting between Alberta and British Columbia it stretches for more than 25km. Athabasca Glacier is the most accessible part of the icefield flowing down to the Icefields Parkway. The Icefields Parkway is one of the great scenic roads of the world. It winds 230km from Jasper to Lake Louise with the Athabasca Glacier being its top draw.  

Sunwapta Falls
The Athabasca Glacier is the head of the Sunwapta River and feeds the spectacular Sunwapta Falls. At these falls the Sunwapta River abruptly changes course from northwest to southwest and plunges in a cloud of spray into a deep canyon. There is a trail you can explore and you can continue on until you reach other sites including Big Bend, Athabasca Crossing and Fortress Lake.  

Mount Edith Cavell
Few summits in Jasper National Park can match Mount Edith Cavell’s jagged beauty. Trails wind through the rubble, boulders and sand created by the grinding and wearing of the rocks around the glacier.  

Maligne Lake
This is the largest of the glacier-fed lakes in the Rockies and the second largest in the world. You can take a tour out to Spirit Island and enjoy many of the activities in the area.

Medicine Lake
This lake has a unique underground drainage system which causes the level of water to rise and fall by varying degrees. In some instances the lake disapears completely.

Miette Hotsprings
The hottest mineral springs in the Rockies is located a short drive from Jasper up the spectacular Wild Fiddle Valley. The water flows from the Rockies at a temperature of 54'C before cooling to a comfortable 40'C in the pools.  Relax in the two pools while you enjoy the peaceful surroundings, stunning views and various services including a much cooler plunge pool to experience.

Lake Louise

North-west of Banff is Lake Louise, known as the Jewel in the Rockies. Lake Louise sits in a small glacial valley surrounded by trees and snowcapped mountains. One of the Rockies best-known hotels - The Chateau Lake Louise - sits on the north end of the lake. It is one of the most photographed sites in all of Canada, but once you see it for yourself no photo will ever do it justice.

Deer Lodge at Lake Louise

Deer Lodge is ideal for guests looking for a quiet retreat with excellent and innovative cuisine and attentive staff. The views never fail to dazzle making this jewel of the Rockies renowned the world over. Deer Lodge in the heart of the Canadian Rockies has it all. Much of the original hand-hewn log structure and decor of Deer Lodge are still in place. Many of the architectural features from the original building have been restored. All rooms have feather comforters and most are furnished with antiques from the era.  The Mt. Fairview Dining Room is known as one of the best dining experiences in the Canadian Rockies. Deer Lodge is ideal for guests wishing to experience a unique rustic lodge with first-class cuisine and amazing scenery. During the ski season a complimentary shuttle bus operates between the Lake Louise ski area and Deer Lodge.

Emerald Lake - Romantic Mountain Getaway

Emerald Lake Lodge is an enchanting property: the history of the Lodge, the spectacular views, the scenery and their cosy cabin-style guests rooms all make for a precious and unique experience that will stay with you always. Legendary guide Tom Wilson first discovered Emerald Lake in 1882 during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The CPR built the original guest lodge in 1902. By the mid-1920's the lodge had been expanded and road improvements made it possible to reach the resort by car.

Since then, the Canadian Government has permitted no additional development. Now the area remains one of Canada's most outstanding year-round accessible wilderness settings. The historic lodge remains the heart of the resort, which is located in Yoho National Park, just 25 miles west of Lake Louise.

Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the lodge includes a formal dining room, quiet reading and sitting rooms, conference facilities and a games room. The lounge is enhanced by an oak bar salvaged from an 1890's Yukon saloon. From upper or lower large verandahs the visions nature presents are as fresh and breath-taking as ever.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Timeless beauty will be yours at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise surrounded with snow-frosted Rocky Mountain peaks. Secluded next to a legendary lake. Showcased by a majestic glacier. In a land of storybook endings, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise awaits your arrival. Escape to a haven of inviting splendor. Indulge yourself with tantalising cuisine from Canada and around the globe. This 488 room destination was voted "Best Accommodation in Canada" by Ski Canada magazine. Your adventure starts right outside the Chateau's doors. Courtesy shuttle from hotel to Lake Louise Mountain Resort.

The Lake Louise Inn

The Lake Louise Inn is a modern mountain resort, comprised of 232 guest rooms spread over a five building complex. They have a wide variety of styles from which to choose, ranging from standard rooms with two double beds to their superior loft condo-style units with kitchen, loft and fireplace. The closest hotel to the ski area. Courtesy shuttle from hotel to Lake Louise Mountain Resort.

Moraine Lake

15km from Lake Louise sits another spectacular body of water - Moraine Lake. Lesser known but considered by some to be superior with its amazing teal colour. Its colour is a result of the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake.