Banff National Park of Canada
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Living in Banff National Park of Canada
Cascade Mountain and the Town of Banff
© Parks Canada
About the park
The Lifestyle with the job
Facts About Banff
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About the park
Welcome to the birthplace of Canada’s national parks system. The idea
of a Canada-wide family of national parks and national historic sites took root
in the Rockies more than a century ago, with the establishment of Banff National
Park in 1885. Today this system of protected areas continues to expand and commemorate
the people, places and events that define Canada.
National parks and national historic sites are special places, and represent
the power of Canada’s landscape and the vitality of its culture. Each
national park is a gateway to nature and culture, offering individuals opportunities
to experience a personal relationship with the wild. Each national historic
site is a valuable source of information, a living history adventure, and an
experience of what Canada was and is today.
Banff National Park is the first national park in Canada and third oldest in
the world. It is also one of the most visited places in the country with more
then 4 million visits each year. Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer
and other large animals make Banff one of the great protected ecosystems remaining
in the Rocky Mountains. This vast wilderness is one of the few remaining places
in southern Canada that is home to a full range of carnivores, including grizzly
bears, wolves, black bears and coyotes. Banff National Park is also home to
844 plant species.
Banff national park is also a source of cultural heritage. There are two national
historic sites within the park, telling of Canada’s past. The first one
is the Banff Park Museum Historic Site
of Canada, this museum is about natural and cultural history. The Cave
and Basin National Historic Site of Canada on the other hand commemorates
the birthplace of Canada's National Park system.
The Lifestyle with the job
Skiing
© Parks CanadaFrom the great outdoors to a vibrant town experience, Banff National Park offers
experiences for everyone. Whether your hobby is snowboarding or you simply enjoy
the view from your front porch, Banff is a dynamic place to work and play. Many
come to visit and decide to stay. They simply can’t resist the charm and
adventures.
The park is home to a renowned golf course, a natural hot spring, three world-class
downhill ski and snowboarding areas, 60 panoramic hiking trails, more than 1000
breath-taking glaciers, countless magnificent views and much more. Pampering
is no stranger to this part of the country neither is shopping. With more than
10 elegant day spas and 250 retail outlets you definitely can’t get bored
even on rainy days.
Located in the heart of Banff National Park, the Town of Banff is also about
culture and art. The population is very much diverse. The town offers a variety
of cuisine, for example you can experience French, Korean or Indian food without
leaving downtown Banff. Banff is home to more than 150 restaurants. With 25
bars, pubs and lounges, nightlife in this town is something to experience.
The Town of Banff is one hour away from Calgary, 20 minutes from Canmore and
is part of the Bow Valley. The town also offers all the necessary amenities
such as hospital, medical clinics, dental clinics, public library, postal office,
banks, grocery stores, shopping centres, schools, daycares, arena and recreation
grounds to name a few. However, like most resort towns, affordable accommodation
is not easy to find in Banff. Prices are higher than the Canadian average rate
for renting or buying a house.
Living in Banff will give you access to 13 art galleries, 1 movie theatre and
2 museums; art lovers will not be disappointed. The Banff Centre, an internationally
renown arts and culture centre, and conference facility, offers live performances
and events featuring dance, music, theatre, opera, films, new media, and literary
readings throughout the year.
Facts About Banff …
The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site is a United Nations designation
which includes Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho national parks, plus adjacent B.C.
provincial parks: Hamber, Mount Robson and Mount Assiniboine.
Bighorn Sheep
© Parks Canada / Sophie LauroBanff National Park is 6641 sq. km (2564 sq. miles) in area.
Banff Townsite, the highest town in Canada, 1383 m (4537 feet).
Banff (pronounced “Banph”) is named after Banffshire, Scotland,
the birthplace of two of the original Canadian Pacific Railway directors.
Highest mountain totally within Banff: Mt. Forbes, 3612 m (11,850 feet).
Age of mountains: 120 million - 45 million years old (“middle aged”
by world standards).
Rufous Hummingbird
© Parks Canada / Amar AthwalMain river: Bow River, headwaters at Bow Glacier/Bow Lake, flows to Hudson
Bay.
Largest and deepest lake: Lake Minnewanka (dammed).
Canadian Heritage River: North Saskatchewan.
Common trees: lodgepole pine, white spruce, trembling aspen, balsam poplar,
Douglas fir, limber pine, Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, alpine larch, whitebark
pine. Average elevation of treeline: 2100 m (7000 feet).
Banff National Park maintains 1500 km (972 miles) of trails, and 53 backcountry
and 13 frontcountry campgrounds.
Most people don’t want to leave.
Learn more
To learn more about life in Banff please visit the following websites: