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.

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.

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.

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

Mother’s Day Brunch in Banff

If you are planning to treat your mother, wife, grandmother, or daughter in Banff this Mother’s Day May 10th, you may wish to consider an invitation to brunch:

Fuze is offering a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet from 10.30am to 2pm featuring eggs benedict, omelettes made to order, smoked salmon, tempura crab sushi rolls, various salads, top sirloin of roast beef, barbecue pork ribs, poached salmon, sticky toffee pudding, plus much more for $27 per person, and $15 per child 12 & under, including tax & gratuity.
Tel: 403 760 0853

The Juniper Hotel & Bistro are giving free flowers to Mom at their brunch buffet, which takes place from 10am to 2pm and costs $34pp, $15 for children 6-12 yrs, and free for children 5 & under. The menu includes bison whiskey sausage, french toast with berries and whipped cream, carving station with honey roasted ham, plus a crepe station. The full menu looks delicious and can be seen here.
Tel: 403 763 7205

The Keg’s Mothers’ Day Brunch Buffet is from 11.30am to 2pm and features a salad bar, eggs benedict, French toast, three mushroom roasted chicken, Canadian AAA prime rib roast, and decadent chocolate desserts for $18.95 pp, and $6.95 for children 12 & under.
Tel: 403 762 4442

The Rimrock Resort Hotel is offering a buffet from 10am to 2.00pm for $38pp, $16 for children 6-12 yrs, and free for children 5 & under.
Tel: 403 762 1865

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel will be offering a larger and more elaborate version of their usual Sunday brunch in the Cascade and Alberta rooms from 10.30am to 2.30pm for $55pp, $15 for children 6-12 yrs and free for children 5 & under.
Tel: 403 762 6860

The Banff Park Lodge are hosting their Mother’s Day Brunch in the Chinook restaurant from 10am to 2pm for $29.95pp, $24.95 for seniors, $19.95 for children 6-12 yrs, and free for children 5 & under. Their extensive brunch menu can be seen here.
Tel: 403 760 3255

Reservations are strongly recommended for all of the above events.
If you are a Banff restaurant owner and would like us to feature your Mother’s Day Brunch special, please leave us a message in the comments below and we will be happy to include you.

Banff Wine & Food Festival

The second annual Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival will take place May 1-2 2009. The main event will be in the Grand Tasting Hall at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel on Saturday May 2nd, where a selection of wine, beer, and spirits can be tasted as well as food from some of Banff’s best restaurants. Choose between an afternoon tasting session from 2-5pm and an evening session from 7-10pm. Entrance tickets cost $20 online or $25 at door (depending on availability). Sampling coupons are extra and can be purchased at the event.
In addition, on the Friday evening participating Banff restaurants will be offering special festival menus and events, such as the Wine, Charcuterie and Cheese evening at the Bison Restaurant and Lounge, the “Gold Medal” Chef’s Table Dinner at the Three Ravens Restaurant and Wine Bar, and the Wine Country Cooking Class at Fuze Finer Dining.
On Saturday night the popular Aurora Nightclub will be hosting the Festival After Party, where Absolut cocktails will be served at their Onyx Bar.

This is a fantastic event for food and wine lovers, and is a great excuse to visit Banff in the springtime, when you can still go spring skiing or take a sightseeing tour before the summer crowds arrive.
Special Banff hotel packages are also available for the event.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Grand Tasting Hall, visit www.rockymountainwine.com.

Spring Skiing in Banff

For many locals, spring is the best time to ski in Banff & Lake Louise. The days are longer and usually warmer, the snow is often better than earlier in the winter, there are normally several ‘bonus’ powder days in April and even in May, and there’s still a couple of months of great skiing before the end of the season. For residents of Western Canada, both Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Sunshine Village offer a Spring Pass to help you take advantage of the great spring skiing in the Canadian Rockies.
At Lake Louise the spring pass is valid from March 15th to May 3rd, and the adult midweek (Mon-Thurs) pass costs an attractive $199 + GST, while a full adult pass costs $249 + GST.
At Sunshine Village the spring season is longer and runs from March 21st to May 18th, and the adult midweek (Mon-Thurs) pass costs $287 + GST and a full adult pass will cost you $347 + GST.
Needless to day, there are great deals to be found at both ski areas, and we particularly like the Lake Louise midweek pass which would pay for itself after just 3 days of skiing!
Each resort offers spring passes for family, child, youth, senior, and student. For full details, visit the Lake Louise or Sunshine Village website.

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