Banff National Park is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, and the oldest National Park in Canada. Human impact on the surrounding habitat is discouraged and ecological protection is crucial. This is evident as you travel away from the main highway and a short distance from the townsites of Banff and Canmore.

Unique photo opportunities can be found around every corner and exploring the mountains through a variety of tours makes it easy. The mountains and scenery change by the hour due to light and weather changes against the sharp mountain faces.

Wildlife is not hard to find in the area as well, with plenty of wild animals nearby including elk, mountain sheep, mountain goats, a variety of birds and ground squirrels. It is not uncommon to come across a black bear or even a grizzly - so safety is critical when hiking in Canada's rocky mountains.

Banff National Park cradles the townsite of Banff (approx. 8 thousand permanent residents). The town of Banff has a wealth of hotels, restaurants, shops and pubs. There's plenty of nightlife to entertain you within a short walk - click here to check out live music and shows in Banff.

Banff is about 1.5 hours from the nearest city of Calgary, Alberta. Calgary is home to the Calgary Stampede which runs July 7-15th this year.

There are plenty of things to do in Banff National Park. Before you get there - check out Banff's live webcam here.

Click here to see Banff Tours and Sightseeing Tours in the Canadian Rockies.

Also, there are some fantastic charter fishing tours in Banff. There are plenty of BIG fish here and the guides are very knowledgable.

If fishing isn't your thing, then check out a leisurely float tour or boat tour in the Canadian Rockies.

When I moved here from Southern Ontario, I thought winter was the busy season here. Turns out it's much more popular for people to travel here during the warm summer months just to catch a glimpse of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Hence, Summer is peak season here in Banff.

Summer runs from about June to September (yep winter's are long here). Similar to the rest of the world - temperatures seemed to have increased slightly over the years.

There is no shortage of summer activities in Banff. Hiking and biking is likely the most popular among visitors and friends. These activities provide a great chance to see some of the more beautiful spots and a short trip out to the Vermillion Lakes is well worth it. This area is a popular spot for birdwatchers. An even better means of travel is by canoe - rentals are available on the Bow River just inside town and it's an easy paddle out to Vermillion from here.

I on the other hand prefer to chase a little white ball around but don't worry, I get my share of excercise as I'm not a good golfer whatsoever. There are quite a few golf courses in the area and while they might seem a little more pricey to some, they provide some of the most scenic and challenging holes found anywhere. The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Silvertip Golf Resort, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club, and Kananaskis Country Golf Course are just a few of my favourites in the area. Check out golf packages in the Canadian Rockies here.

Whitewater rafting is popular but the good stuff is outside of Banff National Park - a short drive into BC to Kicking Horse River. Tours will pick you up at your hotel in Banff and take care of you for the day.

For the less adventurous, a boat tour in Banff might be the answer. A leisurely cruise on Lake Minnewanka provides plenty of great photo opportunities and you will hear a great deal of interesting stories and history of the area. Totally worth the trip!

There is lots of climbing in the Canadian Rockies (duh!) but even experienced climbers should familiarize themselves with the area and safety policies.

Another activity perfect for the whole family is Horseback trail rides. You'll journey through some beautiful, scenic areas by horseback and be sure to return with some incredible photos.

Winter in Banff is definitely a magical time. The Rockies are transformed and have a completely different face once they're covered in snow. A great time for dramatic pictures!

The ski season in Banff and Lake Louise is a lengthy one from November to late-May. Skiing in Banff and Lake Louise will keep you busy for days on end. The three ski resorts; Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Ski Norquay provide skiers/snow- boarders with a wealth of over 7,700 acres of skiable terrain.

Snowfall is consistent in this area and a fluffy 'champagne powder' is common due to the dry climate. The base elevation is around 5,000 feet so it's not difficult to adapt like it might be in the American Rockies. However a gondola takes you to the base area and lifts at Sunshine Village - making the elevation slightly higher here - but that comes along with some fantastic powder!

Temperatures are deceiving as -10 C / 15 F is a very comfortable temperature in the Canadian Rockies. This is definitely the place to be in the winter - as winter is 'low-season' in Banff. Making it an affordable winter destination with plenty to do for the entire family! Check out Banff ski vacation packages here.

When you're not ripping it up on the slopes, there are plenty of great family activities. Why not try ice skating, tobogganing (there's a great spot just behind the renowned Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel), snowshoeing, hiking, ice-canyon walks, nordic/cross-country skiing, dog sledding (no we don't use these to get around - this is just a unique mountain activity you should try!), horse-drawn sleigh rides, heli-skiing or snowmobiling (these last two options can be done just outside of Banff National Park since this kind of traffic is not allowed for ecological reasons). All of these activities are enhanced by the surrounding mountains of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Of course - if you're not into all this activity there is great shopping on the main street of Banff - Banff Avenue.

Banff National Park in Wikipedia

Travel Alberta

Banff Lake Louise Tourism

Banff National Park

Things to do in Banff National Park

Banff Vacations

Banff Tours

Holiday by Horseback

Banff Fishing Tours

Banff Boat Tours

Horseback Trail Rides

Johnston Canyon

Things to Do in Banff

Banff Adventures

Banff Sightseeing Gondola

Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience

Canadian Rockies Vacation Packages