Banff

Whether you’re visiting in summer or winter, you’ll find a lot to like about Banff. This charming resort destination is laid across a dramatic landscape of jagged, snow-draped mountains and swaying woodland, in close proximity to glistening lakes and a wealth of historical sites. A combination of blue, green, and sparkling white, this alluring adventurer’s paradise is fantastic for food, drink, and a gentle splurge.

Where to stay

There are loads of places to consider when you’re choosing where to stay in Banff. In the heart of town on Banff Avenue, you can find an extensive row of hotels catering primarily to medium and small budgets. Most places provide ample space to store your ski equipment and you’ll have little bother with transport to the slopes. For something away from the centre, Tunnel Mountain Road has picturesque, rustic accommodation for pretty much all kinds of vacationers, while Spray and Mountain Avenues – to the south of the River Bow – are home to luxurious affairs ideal for a relaxing and indulgent country break.

Where eat

Banff boasts a delectable range of fantastic places to dine, whether you want the authentic flavours of the Rockies or something with an international lilt. Bear Street and Banff Avenue are crammed with delicious establishments that serve all sorts of quality fare, from experimental Greek to wild, rich, and rustic game. With plenty of novel fast food and dessert joints on offer as well, you should have no trouble finding somewhere memorable to chow down, no matter how much you want to spend. The hotels just out of town serve some of the most refined dishes around and are well worth a little extra cash.

Where to shop

For a mountain town, Banff is surprisingly great for a day out spending some money. As diverse as the cuisine, the shopping caters to all manner of tastes: the malls on Banff Avenue will cover your sporting needs and contemporary fashion, the Indian Trading Post has been selling Native American handicrafts for over a century, while the stores at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel are ideal for some local art and jewellery. If this isn’t quite enough, you can always venture a 20-minute drive to Canmore, where you might find a farmer’s market stacked to the sky with fine local produce.