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with complimentary bragging rights A Mountain Escape

Banff Lake Louise Consumer Brochure

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I wrote the copy for this consumer brochure for Banff Lake Louise Tourism. (2011).

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with complimentary bragging rights

A Mountain Escape

Welcome

The seasons in Banff National Park are like two different sides of the same coin.

SummerIn summer, glaciers ooze through gaps between rocky peaks, clear mountain air blows across turquoise-blue lakes, wildf lowers bloom and animals roam in expansive alpine meadows.

WinterWinter is peaceful, but exhilarating. Cool air freezes rivers to a standstill as deep, powdery snow covers the land, smoothing sharp ridges under a thick white blanket.

As Canada’s f irst national park, Banff was created as something to be shared. And with such a breathtaking landscape, it ’s no surprise that Banff National Park has been nominated time and again as a “must-see” destination for travelers around the world.

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Banff

Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a town that makes you feel at home and exhilarated with wonder all at the same time.

Once known as “Siding 29” on the Canadian Pacif ic Railway, the Town of Banff was intended to be a tourist town from its very inception. The park ’s f irst superintendent, George Stewart, even oriented the town’s f irst street in such a way that it would offer the best possible views of Cascade Mountain.

There is no other place in the world where you can f ind a vibrant community of artists, athletes, families, outdoor enthusiasts, restaurateurs and hoteliers nestled in a 6,641 square-kilometre national park. This is a town that truly celebrates its heritage, lives and breathes mountain culture and never takes its backyard for granted.

With modern amenities and more than enough accommodations, restaurants and activities to choose from, Banff is a premier destination for authentic hospitality, mountain culture, relaxation and amusement.

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Lake Louise has become symbolic of the quintessential Canadian mountain scene. This alpine lake, known for its sparkling blue waters, is situated at the base of impressive glacier-clad peaks that have long been at the heart of Canadian mountaineering. At about 2.5 kilometres long and 90 metres deep, the lake offers a surreal paddling experience in the warm summer months and one of the most scenic skating rinks in the world in winter.

The hamlet of Lake Louise, located just minutes from the lake itself, has been developed over the last century to serve the needs of people visiting this astonishingly accessible and picturesque area of Banff National Park. Located nearby, Moraine Lake, with its turquoise blue waters surrounded by the Valley of the Ten Peaks, is another one of Canada’s most iconic lakes.

For vacationers seeking the purest of alpine experiences, Lake Louise is a protected mountain destination that is located in close proximity to world-class hotels, postcard perfect lodges, dining options and both summer and winter activities.

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Summer

No matter the size of your adventurous spirit, it could take a lifetime to explore the 1000 kilometres of trails, multitudes of lakes, rivers and streams and illustrious scenery of Banff National Park.

Top summer activitiesGet Out There: Hike to an alpine teahouse where hot tea and apple pie await or through high passes to a backcountry campsite to sleep under the stars. Have a guide join you for hiking, mountaineering or take a helicopter to access hikes at higher elevations.

Hit the Water: Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle on the bluest waters you have ever seen. Enjoy a float trip or take a faster-paced whitewater-rafting trip down rushing waters.

Get Up High: Take the Banff Gondola up 2,292 feet to the Upper Terminal on Sulphur Mountain or the Lake Louise Gondola, where you’ve got a great chance to see a grizzly bear.

Hit the Links: Swing your heart out at a golf course. Caution: beautiful mountain views can cause serious distractions!

Catch a Ride: Sign up for a horseback ride or rent a bike and scoot along scenic, winding roads. Head out for a picnic at Lake Minnewanka, where you can also pick up a ride on a boat cruise.

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Winter

In winter, Banff becomes a giant playground with a backyard full of fresh snow and impressive peaks. Don’t worry, there are also plenty of chances to warm up and relax!

Top winter activitiesHit the Slopes: With three world-class ski areas located within 45 minutes of Banff, you’ve got 8,000 acres of mountain terrain to choose from on one interchangeable lift ticket.

Find Some Ice: A canyon full of rushing water in summer, Johnston Canyon freezes in winter to form a sparkling wall of ice. Pull on your ice cleats and take a guided tour. For the even more adventurous, take a jab at ice climbing with the help of an experienced guide. Explore the Trails: Strap on some cross-country skis or snowshoes to access trails and reach spectacular viewpoints whether on your own or on a guided tour.

Hitch a Ride: Nothing could be more special than sipping on a cup of hot cocoa as you ride through snow-filled trails on a horse-drawn sleigh. For something truly unique, take a guided dogsledding tour and try mushing the sled yourself!

Take a Soak: Open year-round, the Banff Upper Hot Springs are especially great for relaxing in winter. Treat yourself to a day at a spa facility in Banff or Lake Louise.

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The richness of Banff National Park ’s mountain culture comes alive in a variety of festivals throughout the year.

Festivals & Events

Ice Magic Festival ( January) Watch master artisans carve 300 pound blocks of ice into unforgettable works of art.

Lake Louise Pond Hockey Classic (February) Soak in the spirit of Canada’s game in one of the country’s most iconic locations.

Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival (May) Sample international wines, ports, scotches and beers paired with gourmet food prepared by Banff ’s finest restaurants and hotels.

Banff Summer Arts Festival (May – September) Attend the Banff Centre’s annual feast of emerging and established artists from Canada and around the world.

Banff National Park Bike Fest ( June) Watch over 400 competitive cyclists race along scenic courses in a variety of events.

Performance in the Park ( June) Enjoy a live musical outdoor performance at the Cascade Gardens.

Banff Culture Days (August) Receive a backstage pass for arts and culture in Banff National Park.

Banff National Park Dragon Boat Festival (August) Watch paddlers in perfect synchronicity race across Lake Minnewanka in this centuries-old Chinese sport.

Lake Louise Fall Festival (September) Celebrate this festive season and Canada’s birthplace of mountaineering.

Subaru Banff International Triathlon (September) Cheer on competitors of this grueling race through the beautiful terrain of Banff National Park.

Classical Banff, A Symphony of Taste (September) Experience a mountain weekend getaway that combines a world-class musical performance with an extraordinary local culinary experience.

Banff Mountain Film & Book Festivals (October – November) Experience the adventure, excitement and inspiration of mountain stories coming from the world’s top adventurers.

Bon Appétit Banff (November) Relish unique culinary experiences as restaurants offer “prix fixe” menus that use locally sourced ingredients.

WinterStart Festival (November – December) Ring in the holidays with events that will get you excited about winter.

History & Culture

We know much about the history of the Banff area because of stories, artwork and literature left behind by early mountain residents – explorers, outf itters, surveyors, railroad workers and entrepreneurs. With a superb collection of galleries and museums, Banff makes it easy to retrace the steps of people from long ago and explore the culture that exists today.

History & Culture

ExploreVisit a National Historic Site. There are seven in Banff National Park and two located right in the Town of Banff: the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Banff Park Museum.

At the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies you can walk through historic homes of Banff ’s first pioneers to get a glimpse of the exciting stories and local personalities. Enjoy a performance at The Banff Centre, one of the world’s leading arts institutions, where artists come to be inspired by the landscape.

Pay a visit to the Buffalo Nations Museum to learn about the cultures, traditions and values of the First Nations people that first inhabited the land.

Take time to peruse the many galleries in Banff, which feature internationally acclaimed artists and pieces interpreting the mountain landscape.

Scenic Routes

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ToCalgary

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ToVancouver

To Red DeerDrumhellerand Badlands

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Tunnel Mountain: The ride up Tunnel Mountain Drive starts close to the Town of Banff and offers great views of some of Banff ’s most iconic landmarks. Explore the impressive geological formations of the Hoodoos, which can be seen from a viewing deck or up-close on a short hike from the road. For a view of Bow Falls and the Fairmont Banff Springs, take a swing around Surprise Corner.

Lake Minnewanka Loop: Give yourself at least an hour to do this 10km loop or spend a day to enjoy it all. Located just outside the Town of Banff, this loop takes you past Two Jack Lake, Johnson Lake, Lake Minnewanka and the ghost town of Bankhead. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep.

Vermilion Lakes: These three picturesque lakes are located along Vermilion Lakes Drive near the Banff Norquay exit of the TransCanada Highway, which begins close to the exit to the TransCanada Highway. A popular area for viewing sunrise, sunset and wildlife, you can also paddle on Vermilion Lakes or bike the road, which joins up with the Bow Valley parkway via The Legacy Trail.

Banff to Lake Louise – Highway 1: This stretch of the TransCanada Highway is chock-full of scenic roadside stops. By taking this modern and upgraded corridor, you’ll wind your way past the flowing waters of the Bow River and striking peaks, such as Castle Mountain and Mount Temple. Bow Valley Parkway: This peaceful two-lane road travels from Banff to Lake Louise, paralleling Highway 1. Accessible by both bike and car, the parkway is punctuated by interpretive displays and unique sites. Watch the towering cliffs and swampy areas for glimpses of wildlife.

Icefields Parkway: Rated one of the world’s great scenic highways by National Geographic, the Icefields Parkway is a journey through expansive mountain wilderness, ancient glaciers, sweeping valleys and alpine lakes of every shade of blue . Popular stops include Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. This road heads north from Lake Louise towards the Columbia Icefield, where you can hop on the Ice Explorer and venture out onto the Athabasca Glacier.

Whether you’re peeking out from a tent f lap, out the window of a mountain lodge or off the veranda of a lavish hotel, the surrounding views will make you rub your eyes in disbelief.

Banff National Park prides itself not only in its scenery but also in the variety and quality of accommodations located within the park. Whatever your needs are, hoteliers consider it a privilege to offer you customized service, dining options onsite or in nearby venues, advice on activities in the local area and access to spa and wellness facilities.

Make yourself at home at one of the local hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts or mountain lodges or, if you’re looking to get closer to nature, get cozy at a tent or RV campsite or stay a few nights at a backcountry lodge, accessible by hike or cross-country ski.

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Dining & ShoppingAs two authentic mountain communities, Banff and Lake Louise don’t skimp out when it comes to dining and shopping. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

This travel destination has attracted some of the very best in Canadian and internationally inspired foods, also known as Canadian Rocky Mountain Cuisine. Many restaurants help you sample the regional fare, bringing in organic and sustainably sourced Alberta beef and bison, fine cheeses and wines. If you’re in the mood for sushi, Thai, Mexican, Swiss fondue or pizza, you’ve got more than enough choice of restaurants to try. After dark, kick up your heels at a local dance club or relax with a beverage at a groovy lounge.

If you’re looking to shop, both Banff and Lake Louise have vendors to help you gear up for your next adventure, get custom fitted with new ski gear, buy a perfect souvenir from a boutique shop or a piece of art from a first-class gallery. With the assortment of shopping experiences in in these mountain towns, you’re sure to find something special to remind you of your trip to the Canadian Rockies.

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Banff National Park is only a 90-minute (140 km/87 mi) drive west of Calgary, Alberta, via the TransCanada Highway, a well-maintained road that winds its way through the majestic Canadian Rockies. Many international airlines service Calgary International Airport, making it easy to reach Banff and Lake Louise from locations around the world. Banff National Park is also accessible by rail, charter coach and scheduled bus service. The hamlet of Lake Louise is located only 45 minutes (58 km/35 mi) from the Town of Banff. If you prefer to drive, major car rental agencies are conveniently located in Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise.

Getting Here

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Banff National Park Pass

Currency: Canadian Dollars. Banks and currency exchanges are available in the Town of Banff and Lake Louise.Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC - 7 hours).Measurements: Metric.Electricity: 110 volts. Plugs are two flat parallel prongs or two flat and one round prong. Sales Tax: 5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST). There is no provincial sales tax in Alberta.Gratuities: Satisfied customers leave a gratuity of 15-20 percent of the total bill. Tour guides and bus drivers are generally tipped $1 to $2 per day, per person.

You will be required to purchase a Park Pass for travel inside Banff National Park. Entry and service fees are charged at most National Parks and National Historic Sites in Canada and are used to support visitor services and facilities. Park Passes can be purchased at any of the park entry gates or Visitor Information Centres. For more information, contact Parks Canada at:Phone: 403-762-1550 or Toll Free 1-800-748-7275Web: www.pc.gc.ca

Quick Facts

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The weather in The Canadian Rockies is unpredictable, but as long as you carry a variety of layers, you’ll be well prepared! The sun at these alpine altitudes is strong, so bring some sunglasses and a hat for year-round protection from UV exposure.

Summer ( July – September)Banff enjoys warm, comfortable summers, but it is not uncommon to have cooler temperatures. July and August daytime highs sit at an average of 18°C/64°F. Weather can change at a moment’s notice, so be sure to pack a jacket that repels rain and water, as well as a warm sweater and hat.

Fall (October – December)Autumn in Banff has an average high temperature of 5°C/41°F that is quickly warmed by the heat of the sun. By mid-October, the air turns crisp in the mornings and leaves start to fall. Bring warm clothing if you are visiting at this time of year and expect to see some snow on the peaks!

Winter ( January – March)The winter air in Banff tends to be cold and dry with average highs of 2°C/36°F. While the peaks and ski resorts in the area receive a large amount of snow, the Town of Banff receives a moderate amount. To stay cozy and dry, you’ll need warm clothing, a heavy jacket, hat, mitts and waterproof footwear.

Spring (April – June)During springtime in the Rockies you may find yourself caught between seasons, enjoying summertime temperatures while a good amount of snow lingers on the ground. High temperatures at this time of year average 10°C/50 °F. Bring lighter-weight clothing along with a few sweaters and layers for good measure.

For more information visit www.banff lakelouise.com or contact

our destination experts at:

Banff Information Centre 224 Banff Avenue

Lake Louise Visitors Centre Samson Mall

Phone: (403) 762-8421 info@banff lakelouise.com

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