Some general information about Banff/Lake Louise.
Where is it located, what is the weather
like?
Banff is located within Banff National Park, in the
Canadian Rockies of Western Alberta. The town of Banff
is famous for its spectacular setting, but it is more
than just a pretty place. As Canada's first incorporated
municipality in a national park, Banff is a very special
community. It is environmentally-conscious, balanced,
rich with character and culture and a friendly and
open community. The elevation of Banff townsite is
1,383 m (4,537 feet), the highest town in Canada.
The elevation of Lake Louise is 1,536 m (5,039 feet),
the highest permanent settlement in Canada.
Summer (July - August): The summer
season usually has low humidity, warm temperatures
and daylight hours lasting until 11:00 p.m. at the
height of the summer equinox.
Autumn (Sept - Oct): Fall sees diminishing
daylight hours and warm days with cooling evening
winds.
Winter (Nov - March): Although it
can and does snow at any time of the year, the first
snows generally begin to fall in November. The average
temperature during the winter months is around -12º
C (6º F); however it is not unusual to have a
two-week cold snap during December or January where
temperatures plummet into the -30 degree C/F range.
Fortunately Banff and areas west and south, regularly
receive a welcome weather phenomenon called Chinooks,
warm winds that produce spring-like temperatures in
a matter of hours.
Spring (April - June): Rain and
warming temperatures begin to melt winter away from
the valleys in April, however snow does not leave
the mountain passes until mid-summer. While the average
precipitation is relatively low during this time,
snowmelt pushes the rivers to their crests.
What are some of the major sights in and
around Banff/ Lake Louise?
Banff is famous first and foremost for its spectacular
natural scenery, but also for its museums, national
historic sites and heritage buildings.
Architectural and heritage guidelines ensure the
town retains its mountain culture and charm. Banff
also has three historic sites (Cave & Basin, Banff
Park Museum and Bankhead) and numerous heritage buildings,
one of the best performing art schools in the country
(The Banff Centre), top-notch art galleries (The Walter
Phillips Gallery and Canada House Gallery among others)
and a world-renown museum specializing in the art
and history of the Canadian Rockies (the Whyte Museum
of the Canadian Rockies).
Wildlife is also abundant within Banff National Park
and many visitors return home with memorable photographs
of species that make use of the park.
From bridge to biking, there is so much to do in
the Banff area including airplane tours, barbecues,
billiards, boat tours, bowling, dogsledding, downhill
and cross-country skiing, fishing, golf, hiking, snowshoeing,
nature tours, horseback riding, carriage and sleigh
rides, mountaineering and climbing, hiking, hot springs
and spas, museums and art galleries, gondolas, snocoach
tours, sightseeing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and
float trips.
Banff is also home to The Banff Centre. This institution
is host to many forms of entertainment, including
art galleries and installations, theatre productions
and concerts ranging in variety from string quartets,
blues, jazz, ethnic and rock ‘n’ roll.
There is something happening virtually every week
of the year. Banff also has a cinema, bowling lanes,
water slides and indoor pool and billiards hall. There’s
an indoor rock-climbing wall, skating rink, tennis
courts and myriad other things to do for entertainment
regardless of the weather.
*City information & photos
provided by and © Banff Lake Louise Tourism
