When you think about spending the weekend in the mountains is the first thing that comes to mind camping and hiking? Well times have changed; a weekend in the Rockies doesn’t have to mean sleeping outside and walking for miles (kms) in the back woods. The Canadian Rockies have gone upscale. You don’t need a camper or tent to visit. Banff and nearby Canmore both offer accommodations that range from budget hostels and B & B’s to five star hotels complete with spas.

No longer are your expected to eat burnt hot dogs cooked over an open fire. You can dine at fast food restaurants or sample international cuisine prepared by all star chefs. Many of the restaurants are offering buffalo, caribou and good old Alberta beef on their menus. Banff has several world renowned restaurants featuring awarding winning menus.

As for activities, you can spend the weekend outdoors or indoors. If you are not the outdoor type, visit one of the many spas in Banff. They all offer full spa services and some even cater to couples. Or you can shop. Downtown Banff has over 170 stores. There are chain stores and local boutiques featuring unique clothing items such as muskoxen sweaters hand knitted in Peru or fur and leather designed here in Canada. A complete selection of outdoor clothing is also available in the many shops that cater to hikers and backpackers. You don’t need to actually hike to look outdoorsy.

Visit the hot springs at Sulphur Mountain in Banff or Radium (a short drive from Banff). Spend the afternoon soaking in soothing mineral waters enjoying a scenic mountain view. No hiking required. Just bring your bathing suit and towel. Ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain for a spectacular panoramic view of the area. Catch up on mountain culture and history at the Whyte museum or visit the birth place of the Canadian national park system, Cave and Basin Historical Center.

If you want to experience some outdoor activity, there is everything from hiking, whitewater rafting, caving, ATV experiences, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing and boating, to wildlife safaris. Take one of the many day tours offered to the Columbia Icefields or take a helicopter tour see a glacier from the sky. Make the scenic drive to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. Take a short walk around either of the lakes. Visit Rats Nest Cave on Grotto Mountain and see the only rats in Alberta, the pack rats that the cave is named for. Visit a Bear refuge and see a Grizzly Bear in its natural habitat.

Banff offers the visitor a little bit of everything, including hiking and camping. The opportunities are unlimited. Only you might find a weekend is not enough.


Thinking of going to Banff for the weekend…

Where to stay:
http://www.discoverbanff.com/WheretoStay/Hostels/
http://www.discoverbanff.com/WheretoStay/

Spas
http://www.discoverbanff.com/BusinessIndex/Spas/
http://www.breathespa.ca/

Dining
http://www.discoverbanff.com/RestaurantsBars/
http://foodpages.ca/AB/BANFF/citylist/all
http://www.where.ca/canadianrockies/category_hottip~category_id~6.htm
http://www.where.ca/canadianrockies/guide_listing~listing_id~22395.htm

Outdoor Activities
http://www.discoverbanff.com/ToursActivitiesAdventures/
http://banffvacations.net/summer.HTML
http://www.banfftours.com/

Caving
http://banffvacations.net/cave.HTML

Shopping
http://www.discoverbanff.com/Shopping/


Icefields
http://www.icefieldheli.com/
http://www.columbiaicefield.com/

Gondola
http://www.banffgondola.com/

Hot Springs
http://www.hotsprings.ca/

Whyte Museum
http://www.whyte.org/

Cave and Basin
http://www.PC.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/caveandbasin/index_E.ASP