Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, the resort town of Banff is the largest in the Banff National Park and is known for its breathtaking scenery, artsy and cosmopolitan atmosphere, and opportunities for skiing and outdoor activities. Three sublime ski areas are easily accessible from here, and the area famously boasts ‘Canada’s Best Snow’ making skiing, snowboarding, and all other snowsports a dream. The awe-inspiring Lake Louise and forested hillsides make for wonderful exploration in summer, with a massive network of excellent trails well suited to hiking, biking, and horse riding. Delve into the area’s unique heritage by visiting sites such as the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, or visit purely for views and culinary pursuits by bar and restaurant hopping.
Lake Louise town is situated in Alberta in Canada, within the extraordinary Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains. The lake's hamlet was named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and is famous for its turquoise appearance, the Victoria Glacier, the soaring mountain backdrop, and enormous surrounding ski resorts. Hikers can enjoy a trek up to Lake Agnes Tea House for stunning panoramic views, rent canoes, or skate on the lake’s icy surface in winter. Other highlights include the Lake Louise Gondola, a cable car that crawls up the Whitehorn Mountain via an open ski lift or enclosed gondola, providing a better chance of spotting the area’s local grizzly bears. Several other viewpoints offer more magnificent spots to take in the sights.
Jasper, set at the heart of Canada’s Jasper National Park in the awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies, retains its timeless appeal as a peaceful, unpretentious, and friendly former railway town. The landscapes here are majestic; numerous mirror lakes, dense and varied forests, breathtaking snowy slopes. A year-round gateway to the park’s pristine setting, Jasper is the perfect place to enjoy skiing, nature photography, a paddle through crystal clear waters, hiking (over 1200 km of trails await), spotting wildlife (including grizzly bears, moose, and elk), or simply enjoying the serenity of the area. Top itinerary items include lake tours; a soak in the warm, idyllic Miette Hot Springs; and a meander along the adrenaline-inducing Glacier Skywalk, where visitors are separated from a 280-metre drop by a glass floor - among others.
Straddling the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers, the sunny city of Kamloops is a thriving cosmopolitan hub set in the heart of British Columbia’s Southern Interior. Rugged mountains, verdant valleys, sagebrush-covered hills and unspoilt lakes confine historic buildings, numerous shopping and dining facilities as well as ebullient festivities. Lovers of the outdoors can hike Sugarloaf Mountain, the Hoodoos, Dewdrop Range, Tranquille River, Gibraltar Rock and Kenna Cartwright Park. For a paddle on a kayak or a canoe, try the 100 lakes and streams within an hour’s drive of Kamloops. During the mild winter, traverse the snowy slopes on skis, snowshoes, ice skates, and snowmobiles. Other must-see sites include Riverside Park, Kamloops Museum and Archives, Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Heritage Railway and the wineries and breweries at Thompson Valley.
Located at Canada’s southwestern border, the city of Vancouver boasts majestic mountains, sparkling ocean, rainforests and beautiful foliage in all four seasons. A vast multicultural population, endless activities, and excellent infrastructure ensure Vancouver is welcoming to all. While the city has excellent public transportation, it is a great walking city - easily accessible, clean, green and safe. Vancouver caters to almost any interest throughout the year; visitors can enjoy world-class shopping, gourmet meals, outstanding live entertainment, sporting events, theatre, outdoor adventure, a huge array of watersports, and spectacular sights and attractions. The city is also known for its easy access to Whistler, the Canadian Rockies, Victoria, and Vancouver Island. Don’t miss the opportunity to traverse the thrilling, famous Capilano Suspension Bridge and its new related activities, including palpitation-inducing cliff walks and historical tribal sites.
