Banff Gondola

Admire the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains of Banff National Park from the air. Step aboard one of the Banff Gondolas, for a relaxing eight minute ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Get your camera ready to capture the incredible, breath-taking mountain views from inside the four-person gondola. Once you reach the top elevation of 7,486 feet, take several moments to gaze at the six mountain ranges and the surrounding valley.

Make your way to the upper terminal's upper observation deck on the top of the mountain, for completely unobstructed mountain views. The Summit Complex features two restaurants, the Summit Restaurant and the Panorama Restaurant, in addition to the snack bar and a gift shop. Before leaving the top of the mountain, enjoy strolling along the summit ridge on the Banff Skywalk leading to the Cosmic Ray Station, a Canadian National Historic Site. While in Banff, rest comfortably as a guest of Best Western hotels.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park encompasses over 6,000 kilometers of land in the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains of southern Alberta. This wonderful Banff attraction was established in 1885 as the first national park in Canada. Travel along Icefields Parkway to see many park highlights including Lake Louise, Mistaya Canyon, Crowfoot Glacier and Athabasca Falls.

Banff National Park is the "most visited" destination in Alberta and one of the top national parks in North America. Explore this incredible park while hiking through the coniferous forest, rock climbing or skiing. Bring along your camera to capture the ice fields, glaciers, Grizzly bears, cougar, northern river otter and bighorn sheep. After a day of exploring this gem, check into a comfortable Best Western guest room for a peaceful night's rest.

Bow Valley Parkway

The Southern region of Alberta is home to Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, two incredible National Parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Travelers ready to explore the wonders of Banff National Park in the Lake Louise area, do so on the Bow Valley Parkway. This roadway, also known as Banff National Park 1A Route, runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway from Lake Louise to Banff.

While enjoying the scenic drive, keep a lookout for the variety of wildlife, including elk, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep and wolves. Take time to stop along the road to read the interpretive signage, providing more information on the geology of the area. Be sure to bring along your hiking shoes for a side journey into the Rockies. Stay close to Banff National Park in a comfortable Best Western guest room to make the most of your time in Southern Alberta.

Johnston Canyon and Ink Pots

The Johnston Canyon and Ink Pots area of beautiful Banff National Park, remain one of the more popular summer-time hiking areas in the park. This easy-to-find trailhead is located a short distance from Banff. Lace up your hiking shoes to enjoy a wonderful afternoon in the park. The hiking trail follows Johnston Creek through the forest as it makes its way to the Lower Falls, approximately 1.1km into the hike. Be sure to view the falls from the tunnel and be prepared to get wet.

Continue your hike along the trail to the Upper Falls at the 2.7km mark. The falls can be viewed from the bottom or the top. Walk along the cat-walk to reach the bottom falls viewing platform, or climb a short distance to reach the top viewing platform, near the top of the falls. Continue your journey in this wonderful recreation area, another 3km, to see the Ink Pots. Be sure to pack your camera to capture these incredible greenish pools, bubbling with cold mineral springs. After a fun-filled day in Southern Alberta, kick up your feet in a comfortable Best Western guest room for a enjoyable night's rest.

Lake Louise

One of the most beautiful glacial lakes in North America is located in Banff National Park, Canada's oldest National Park. Lake Louise, Canada's "Diamond in the Wilderness", is a true gem in Southern Alberta. This blue-green colored lake, measuring 1.2 miles in length, is located at the base of Victoria Glacier north of Banff.

The color of the water is a result of the rock flour in the water that runs into the lake, from Victoria Glacier. The lake was named after Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta.

Recreational enthusiasts love spending time at this breath-taking lake. Whether you ride your mountain bike, saddle up on horseback or lace up your shoes for hiking, there are plenty of trails around the lake for a fun day outside. Some of the more popular trails are Saddleback Pass, Lake Agnes, Little Beehive, Fairview Mountain, Devils Thumb and Mirror Lake.

Winter-time fun abounds at nearby Lake Louise Ski Area, where skiers and snowboarders challenge themselves on some of the Canadian Rockies' best slopes. Stay close to this incredible lake and national park as a guest of Best Western hotels.

Moraine Lake

Travelers exploring the southern region of Alberta, are treated to a wonderful variety of recreational opportunities. This beautiful region is home to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the majestic Rocky Mountains of Banff National Park. Enjoy a short drive south of the village of Lake Louise, to reach this gorgeous glacier-fed lake, nestled in the Valley of Ten Peaks. Bring your camera to capture the incredible ten mountain peak reflection on the surface of Moraine Lake, and note the gorgeous blue color of the water caused by the deposits of glacial rock flour.

Lace up your hiking shoes for trekking along the hiking trails around the lake and keep a lookout for grizzly bears. The views of Moraine lake from the summit of the Rockpile Trail remain some of the more popular images in the country. After a fun day outside, settle in for the night in a comfortable Best Western guest room, in nearby Banff. Enjoy the adventures available in Southern Alberta.

Peyto Lake

Travel north of the city of Banff, to explore the natural attractions in the Rocky Mountains of Southern Alberta. Make your way on the Icefields Parkway, past Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, to reach Peyto Lake. This beautiful glacier-fed lake is located in the Waputik Range valley, surrounded by Peyto Peak and Caldron Peak. This turquoise-colored lake in the foothills of the Wapata Icefield, is named after 20th Century trapper Bill Peyto. Glacial flour, produced from glacial erosion, is deposited into the lake causing the breathtaking blue color.

For the best views of the lake, hike the short trail to reach Bow Summit, the highest point along the parkway. The wooden platform at the summit provides excellent viewpoints and remains a popular tourist destination in the park. At the end of a fun-filled day of exploring this wonderful region, check into one of the convenient Best Western hotels for a peaceful night's rest.

Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse

Those ready to explore the rugged Canadian Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park have plenty of opportunity. Travelers have explored the area since 1885 when the park was established, making it Canada's first national park. The park boasts of beautiful mountains, glacer-fed lakes, Castleguard Caves, glaciers, wildlife and wonderful hiking trails. Of the many park trails, the Plain of Six Glaciers trail leading to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, is one not-to-miss.

This moderate trail, offering incredible views of the park, runs along the west end of Lake Louise. Bring your camera to capture the views of Lower Victoria Glacier before reaching the teahouse. Take a break to enjoy the view of the six glaciers, four of them classified as hanging glaciers. At the end of a great day outside, settle in a comfortable Best Western guest room in Banff, where quality accommodations and guest services await.