When two Canadian Pacific Railway employees looking for gold stumbled onto Banff's Cave and Basin natural hot springs in 1883, they triggered a chain of events that led to the establishment of Canada's first national park in 1885. This unique protected place was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on its 100th anniversary.
The 6,641 square kilometre (2,564 mile) park retains the spirit and wonder that greeted explorers, mountain climbers and adventurers when they came to the Canadian Rockies from around the world more than 100 years ago. Banff National Park lures people year-round who want to explore their own piece of the wilderness by skiing and snowboarding, hiking, climbing, dogsledding, horseback riding, ice skating and canoeing. It’s a place big horn sheep, elk, moose and mountain goats call home.
Today, the town of Banff enchants with the appeal of a mountain resort, open wooden beam and stone architecture and a vibrant shopping and dining scene. The main drag, Banff Avenue, is framed by the 2,998-metre (9,836-foot) high summit of Cascade Mountain, one of the most famous main street views in Canada.
Lake Louise is famous for its spectacular blue-green water framed by the brilliant white of Victoria glacier. The Lake Louise Gondola offers panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountain peaks and valleys that beckoned to be explored.
Jasper National Park is one of the largest protected natural areas in North America, spanning an amazing 10,878 square kilometres (4,200 square miles). The town of Jasper, nestled amid the serene mountain setting of the park, offers first-class accommodations, dining, recreational activities, festivals and other fun and convenient services.
The two national parks are joined by the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. The paved road is fringed by a series of massive glaciers, and the Columbia Icefield at the southern end of Jasper National Park is so close that visitors can walk right up and touch it.
