Banff Dragon Boat Festival

On August 15 and 16 the 2nd annual Banff Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Lake Minnewanka. Dragon Boat Racing is a centuries old Chinese tradition, which involves teams of 22 paddlers in an ornate 40ft long boat, paddling to the beat of a loud drum. As well as providing a lot of fun for the competitors, the Festival is great for spectators, who can watch from the shores of the lake while taking in the stunning scenery surrounding Lake Minnewanka. Races take place from 9am to 3pm on the 15th and 16th and a free shuttle is provided from 8am to 5pm to take spectators from downtown Banff to Lake Minnewanka and back. There are also cultural performances on the 15th in Banff Ave Square from 3pm to 5pm, which include dance teams and First Nations drummers.
Last year’s inaugural event was a great success, and all the fun is sure to be repeated in a bigger and better festival this year.
For full information see the official Dragon Boat Festival website.

Midsummer Deals at Banff Hotels

It may be peak season in Banff, but that doesn’t mean there are no hotel deals to be had, if you know where to look. Here are some special offers that might entice you to extend your stay a little…

In the heart of downtown, the Mount Royal Hotel offers several packages throughout the summer, such as the Brewster Bundle which, for only $125 per person, includes 1 night’s accommodation, two adult passes for the Banff Gondola, and two adult tickets for the Minnewanka Lake Cruise - ideal for first time visitors to Banff.
The Juniper Hotel and Bistro is offering some very competitive rates, starting at $134/night for a 2 night stay, and extra nights for just $99, based on Sunday to Thursday stays until September 6.
Located on Tunnel Mountain, and ideal for families, the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets is offering a Stay, Play and Cook Your Own Way package which includes two night’s accommodation, a “Cook your own” breakfast kit and a “BBQ your own dinner” kit. Rates start at $197 from June 27 to August 22, and are as low as $140 from August 23 to September 30.
For a luxury hotel at a reasonable price, it’s hard to beat the Rimrock Resort Hotel which is offering rates starting at $99/person for stays in August, subject to availability.
And, finally, the Rundlestone Lodge is offering a 25% discount off the rate for superior one or two bed guest rooms throughout July and August.

Please contact the providers of the above offers directly to confirm rates and make reservations.