| Canadian Rockies | SHOPPING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE |
| Canadian Rockies | SHOPPING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE |
Boat tours of the sparkling, mountain-ringed waters of Banff National Park’s Lake Minnewanka have been conducted for more than 100 years, but this season the experience has been enhanced by a $1.2 million investment by Brewster, Lake Minnewanka Boat Tours’ new owner. A new 50-foot cruiser, the Alberta Explorer, has been added to the fleet, while existing boats have been refurbished and retrofitted with quiet and clean burning diesel engines. The 1.5-hour narrated cruise of Min-waki—or “Lake of the Spirits” as the Stoney Natives called it—in boats with heated cabins (and windows that open on nice days) covers the history of the lake from First Nation settlements to hydroelectric installations. Wildlife commonly seen includes Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, deer, elk, bald eagles and osprey—occasionally black and grizzly bears are spotted. Private fishing charters are also available aboard new 23-foot boats, and there are hiking and mountain biking trails, picnic areas and a snack bar.
Lake Minnewanka Boat Tours, Lake Minnewanka Loop, 15 min drive from downtown Banff, 403-762-3473.
Catch the bus from Banff or Sunshine Village parking lot to access high alpine areas inaccessible by public road. Walk (2.5km/1.6 mi) to idyllic Rock Isle Lake perched atop the Continental Divide. The meadows are filled with wildflowers mid-summer. — Andrew Hempstead
An easy 3 km (1.9 mi) walk from Moraine Lake, the two Consolation Lakes are backed by glacier-draped Bident and Quadra Mountains. Scramble up rockslide boulders for the best view of the lower lake. Mount Temple, third highest mountain in Banff Park, commands the view on the way back. — Andrew Hempstead
Starting beyond the Canmore Nordic Centre, this 2 km (1.2 mi) trail climbs steadily to an impressive cliff face. Stairs cut from the rock lead up to a bridge over Canmore Creek and a view of distinctive Ha Ling Peak. The trail levels and continues to a rewarding destination—two gin-clear, spring-fed lakes with a mountain backdrop. Behind the upper lake, an easy scramble up a rocky slope leads to four ancient pictographs (native rock paintings) of human figures. — Andrew Hempstead
From The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, it’s a 3.5 km (2.2 mi) walk to a lovely hanging valley high above Lake Louise. The trail climbs steadily through a subalpine forest to tiny Mirror Lake. Then it’s a short, relatively steep climb beside a waterfall to Lake Agnes. Some continue higher where Beehive Mountain lookouts provide breathtaking views of Lake Louise far below, but most simply linger over lunch at Lake Agnes Teahouse. — Andrew Hempstead
Accessible by foot from downtown Banff, the 2.3 km (1.4 mi) trail gently climbs from the St Julien Rd parking lot (Map 3, 16K), through an open forest to a ridge below the summit. From here you see the Fairmont Banff Springs and, a few steps beyond, the golf course. The best town and Bow Valley views are from the top of the summit ridge. — Andrew Hempstead
The guide does all the work during scenic Bow River floats with Rocky Mountain Raft Tours. This trip is mellow and dry, allowing for photo taking the entire way. The woman beside me turned toward Rundle Mountain cliffs on the right, hoodoo pillars on the left and the sun above. She said, "it just doesn't get better than this." — Lisa Stephens
In Lake Minnewanka, lake trout are "denizens* of the deep and top of the food chain,” according to fishing guide Jeff Perodeau. Indeed, trophies can grow to 20 kg (50 lbs)—although the average catch is 1 to 1.5 kg (2 to 3.5 lbs). *denizen (den-uh-zuhn) noun:?dweller; inhabitant. — JW
For young ones, horseback riding can be both exhilarating and intimidating. Fortunately, Bow Valley stables offer safe and fun first rides. Local outfitters (adjacent) provide services such as pony rides, ‘ponying’ (guide leads the horse and control reigns), pre-ride instruction, mounting blocks and wagon ride options. “Trail riding is one of the best ways for a child to explore the outdoors,” says Melanie Edmonds from Holiday on Horseback. — Nora O’Malley
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