Banff Olympic Torch Relay

On January 20th the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch will arrive in Banff, carried by local Olympic medal winner Karen Percy Lowe. The Olympic Flame is due to arrive in Central Park at 6pm, which will be followed by entertainment including live music from the popular quartet The Canadian Tenors, and the latin influenced group, Bomba. The entertainment in Central Park is due to finish at 8pm, after which the Royal Canadian Legion and Wild Bills will be carrying on the celebration downtown.

Photo © VANOC/COVAN

A quick look at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Map shows the route in Banff starting near the Rocky Mountain Resort, proceeding along Banff Ave, turning right onto Elk St, left onto Lynx St, left onto Wolf St, and then right onto Banff Ave as far as Central Park. If you miss the Flame on January 20th, there will be a second opportunity to see the Relay the following day, January 21st, as the Flame leaves Banff starting at the Banff Springs Hotel at 13.07, down Spray Ave, crossing the river at Banff Ave, turning right onto Caribou St, left onto Muskrat St, left onto Moose St, left onto Banff Ave, right onto Wolf St, and then a right turn onto Lynx St towards the Highway, from where it will then make its way to Lake Louise.
The Olympic Torch will reach its final destination in Vancouver on February 12th.

Banff Hotel & Ski Packages

With the fantastic early season snow at the ski areas around Banff, now could be a good time to plan your next Banff ski trip. To narrow your choices, we have featured ski packages from 3 standards of hotel, each of which offers savings compared to booking accommodation and ski passes separately.

If you are looking for a good standard of hotel in downtown Banff, the Mount Royal Hotel has a great deal for a 3 night stay with breakfast and a 3 day tri-area lift pass (which can be used at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, or Norquay) including ski bus, costing from $784.56 to $994.56 plus taxes for 2 people in a standard room.

At the luxury end of the market, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is offering its Ski for Free Package which is valid for stays of 2 nights or longer. A 2 night stay qualifies for 2 tri area ski passes (ie one day of skiing for 2 people) including ski bus, and for each additional night 2 more ski passes are provided, so a 3 night stay would allow for 2 days of skiing for 2 people etc. Rates start at $299/night plus taxes for 2 people in a Fairmont Room, and the offer is valid until April 30th 2010.

The Homestead Inn is an affordable Banff hotel with a central location and is offering ski packages of various durations, which include accommodation and lift pass. For example, lodging for 3 nights including 3 days of skiing, Sunday to Thursday during ‘value season’ starts at $564 plus taxes for 2 people in a double room.

The above ski packages are all subject to availability, and can change without notice. To confirm pricing and for reservations, please contact the hotels directly.

Superb November Skiing in Banff

It’s been a great start to the winter for Banff and Lake Louise ski resorts, with both Sunshine Village and Lake Louise already having all lifts open thanks to some fantastic early season snow. Norquay has also been open at weekends since October 31st and will open fully on December 4th.
Sunshine Village is reporting a 107cm snow pack, while Lake Louise reports 65cm mid mountain and 93cm at the mountain top.
To get you in the mood for skiing and riding, check out these recent photos from Lake Louise.
Judging by the amount of snow already on the ground both in the Banff and Jasper areas, it looks like we’ve got yet another excellent winter ahead of us in the Canadian Rockies!

Banff Springs at Christmas

For anyone lucky enough to be staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel during the Christmas or New Year period, there is no end of fantastic activities and wonderful dining experiences to be enjoyed. From Christmas Parades to Carol Singing, from Snowshoeing to a Gingerbread House Workshop, their Christmas at the Castle brochure is jam packed full of special holiday events right through the month of December.
Below, the team at Banff.mobi has highlighted some their favorite activities and the main dining options for the Christmas period December 24th to 26th 2009.
Christmas is a very busy time at the Banff Springs and it is strongly recommended that you make reservations for any events and all dining before you arrive at the hotel.

Christmas Eve Activities

Christmas Day will no doubt involve indulging in some terrific food, so why not get out for some exercise on Christmas Eve by joining the Winter Wonderland Wilderness Walk from noon to 1pm. Christmas Cookie Decorating looks like a fun event for the family and takes place from 1-3pm and costs $25 (all inclusive) per family tray. Santa’s Workshop (3-5pm) is sure to get the kids excited for the big day, and the Great Santa Send-Off (5-5.30pm) is a fun and lively event with hot chocolate and carols. The Traditional Christmas Sing Along (9.30-10.30pm) has taken place at the Banff Springs for years and is a wonderful opportunity to sing and hear all your favorite carols in a very festive atmosphere.

Christmas Eve Dining, December 24

Alhambra Dining Room
5 course table d’hote dinner with live entertainment and dancing.
Seating times from 6.30 to 8.30pm
Adults $120 (incl. service charge and GST)

Bow Valley Grill
A Taste of the Castle International Dinner Buffet
6-9pm
Adults $82 (incl. service charge and GST)
Children 6-12 $41

Christmas Day Activities

After a morning of swapping Christmas presents, you might feel like some fresh air, so why not join the Christmas Day Skating Party with Frosty at 1pm on the Waldhaus rink, where there will also be a fire and hot chocolate to warm you up! If you don’t have skates, they can be rented from the ski rental shop at the Conference Centre. If you want to stay indoors why not try your hand at Bowling, which is available at the Conference Centre from noon to 11pm, and to wind down after an action-packed day, the children may enjoy listening to Bedtime Stories from 8-8.30pm.

Christmas Day Dining, December 25

Christmas Day Brunch with Santa
Christmas style brunch buffet with Santa giving out treats to the kids.
9.30am-2pm
Mezzanine 2
Adults $67 (incl. service charge and GST)
Children 6-12 $33.50

Family Christmas Buffet with Children’s Entertainment
5.30-8pm
Alberta Room
Adults $80 (incl. service charge and GST)
Children 6-12 $40

Bow Valley Grill Yuletide Buffet
6-9pm
Bow Valley Grill
Adults $82 (incl. service charge and GST)
Children 6-12 $41

Alhambra Dining Room
Four course table d’hote dinner with live entertainment and dancing.
Seating times from 6.30 to 8.30pm
Adults $120 (incl. service charge and GST)

Boxing Day Activities

If you haven’t yet had your Heritage tour of the Castle, Boxing Day (4-5pm) could be a good opportunity to do so, while the Family Skating Party sounds like a fun outdoor event from 4-9pm. Bingo Night (7-8pm) is sure to provide some light-hearted fun for all, and a couple of drinks at the Live Entertainment in the Rundle Hall (8pm-12am) would be a great way for the adults to wind down on Boxing Day night.

Boxing Day Dining, December 26

Boxing Day Brunch - Bow Valley Grill
Amazing brunch buffet with spectacular views.
10am-2.30pm
Adults $67 (incl. service charge and GST)
Children 6-12 $33.50

Apart from our picks above, there are many other festive events happening at the Banff Springs throughout the Xmas period. For full information, see the Christmas at the Castle brochure at the Fairmont Banff Springs website.
While we have made every effort to provide accurate information, we recommend that you confirm all events and pricing directly with the hotel.

To make reservations for Christmas events and dining, call the hotel dining reservations directly at 403 762 6860.

For information about Banff Springs Christmas Packages click here.

Christmas in the Rockies

Christmas celebrations in Banff start on December 5th 2009 with an exciting range of family activities including cookie decorating, Christmas crafts, a Bow Valley Chorus performance, Christmas tree decorating competition, and photos with Santa, all taking place between 1-4pm in Cascade Plaza.
Also, outside along Banff Ave there will be an ice carving demonstration, carol singing performances, free wagon rides and a puppet show.

The main event of the day is the Santa Claus Parade of Lights which starts at 5.30pm and runs from Elk St to Buffalo St via Banff Ave. The parade will include festive floats and Christmas lights and will no doubt be the highlight of the day for all the children.

To continue the celebrations, on December 6th, from 11am to 12pm A Mountaintop Christmas Sing-Along takes place at the Regal View Garden Restaurant at the top of the Banff Gondola. It promises to be a festive occasion with children’s entertainment and Christmas songs combined with some of the most impressive views in the Canadian Rockies.

September Hotel Packages

Visitors to Banff are generally attracted not only by the town itself, but also by the myriad of activities and tours available in the surrounding area. One of the best ways to get the most out of your trip to Banff, while saving money at the same time, is to take advantage of one of the accommodation and activity packages offered by some Banff hotels.
The Brewster Bundle is a fantastic way to combine a night in a heritage hotel with 2 of Banff’s most popular attractions. For just $125 per person, two adults can enjoy one night’s accommodation at the Mount Royal Hotel, a pass each for the Banff gondola, and two tickets for the Minnewanka Lake Cruise. This package, available until October 11, is ideal for first time visitors to Banff, as it includes the ‘must-see’ attractions that would probably be on your itinerary anyway. It will also appeal to Alberta locals who have been to Banff before, as the boat cruise and gondola ride are a perfect way to take in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies in a short amount of time.
If you are a family looking for condo style accommodation with a kitchen, the Rocky Mountain Resort offers a Banff Lake and Mountain Package which includes a 2 night stay, 2 adult passes for the Banff Gondola and 2 adult tickets for the Minnewanka Lake Cruise. Rates start at $510 for a standard suite (no kitchen), and several other room types with kitchen are also available.
Another Banff package which caught our eye, although not strictly speaking an ‘activity’ package, is the Royal Feast at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
On September 26 you can enjoy a medieval dinner, castle tour, one night’s accommodation, and Sunday brunch the following morning, starting at $499 for 2 people. Bring a hearty appetite!

The above packages may be subject to change and availability. To confirm rates and for reservations, please contact the respective Banff hotels directly.

If you are flying in from overseas and would like to research hotels in Calgary for before or after your trip to the Canadian Rockies, visit the Calgary Hotel Guide for some suggestions.

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.

Canada Day Celebrations

July 1st is Canada’s birthday, otherwise known as Canada Day. Entrance to Banff National Park is free and the town of Banff has a whole day of events and celebrations lined up for 2009.
Here’s the schedule of events:

9-11am Parks Canada Pancake Breakfast at Banff Canada Place

10.30am-2pm Sidewalk Art at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

12.00-12.30pm Opening Ceremonies of the Central Park Canada Day Activities

• 12.30-1pm Siska First Nations Dance
• 1.00-1-30pm Steve Harmer’s Magic Plus
• 1.30-2.00pm Will White, Banff Taiko Drumming
• 2.00-2.30pm Calgary Fiddlers
• 2.30-3.00pm Cheremosh Ukrainian Dancers
• 3.00-4.00pm Keith Hitchner and Highwood
• 4.00-4.30pm Peter Bertelsen Jazz

5.00-6.00pm Banff Canada Day Parade on Banff Ave

7.00pm Continuation of Celebrations in Central Park with the following live bands

• 7.00-8.00pm Cronic
• 8.00-9.00pm The Heebee Jeebees
• 9.00-10.00pm Boneyard
• 10.00-11.00 Suzie Q

11.00pm Annual Banff Canada Day Fireworks can be viewed from Central Park or Bow Ave.

Happy Canada Day!

Wine & Food Festival Review

The Banff Wine & Food Festival succeeded in attracting more than 2000 people to the Grand Tasting Hall in the conference centre at the Banff Springs Hotel on May 2nd, and those in attendance were treated to a glorious sunny day, excellent cuisine and a good selection of wines, beers and spirits.
After picking up our sampling glass and tasting coupons, the aroma of Indian spices guided us directly to the stall where Fuze’s Executive Chef Gary Dayanandan was preparing exquisite Chili Prawns and, for dessert, a superb Sticky Toffee Pudding. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel was represented by five of its restaurants, each of which produced an impressive and intricate dish, such as Organic Chinook Salmon with a Chipotle Glaze, Seared Scallop with Lemon Orzo Pasta Risotto, and Maple Braised Pork Belly.
The Bison Restaurant and Lounge offered a festival special of Pulled Bison on a Mini Brioche, and also gave a sampling of their excellent Swiss Cheese Fondue, one of 3 new fondues offered in the restaurant. Meanwhile burger lovers were well looked after by the Eddie Burger & Bar, whose mini bison burger gave us a good reason to sample the full size version at a later date.
There were a lot more wine and drink stalls than food stalls, and choosing between them was a little bit more difficult, which made us think that it would have been interesting if wine pairings had been offered by the restaurants along with the food samples. The wide selection meant that most grapes and many regions could be sampled and our particular favorite was the 2006 Cashmere by Cline Cellars, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
All in all, it was the Banff restaurants that really shone at this event, and Banff’s reputation for first class dining was certainly reinforced. We are already looking forward to next year’s festival!

The following restaurants were present in the Grand Tasting Hall:
Bison Restaurant & Lounge
Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts
Eddie Burger & Bar
The Evergreen
Fuze Finer Dining
Giorgio’s Trattoria
Maple Leaf Grill & Lounge
Masala Authentic Indian Cuisine
St James Gate Olde Irish Pub
The Elk & Oarsman Restaurant & Pub
Sunshine Mountain Lodge
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Wild Flour

Next Page »