Why Banff, you may ask… Well, to be totally honest, it was close to a good friend in Alberta whom I wanted to visit. I had been captivated by the Rocky Mountaineer and its stunning journey through the Canadian Rockies, thanks to numerous YouTube videos showcasing amazing trains and breathtaking places. My friend Mike had, for many years, teased me with tales of the beautiful views and vistas from Banff National Park. Banff, practically in his backyard, is a place he frequently visits and even rides his bike through from time to time. He once told me about an encounter with a bear while biking, which has made him diligent about carrying bear spray now. I wonder if he’ll have it ready for what we might encounter…
A night in Banff.
When I first arrived in Banff, it was late, and I was ready to crash. I made it to my hotel room, feeling overheated, so I stepped out onto the balcony to cool off. What greeted me was an awe-inspiring view I had completely missed while walking into the hotel. A majestic mountain peak dominated the skyline, breathtaking and beautiful. It felt like stepping into a postcard, and this wouldn’t be the last time I felt this way. Coming into this beautiful place, I didn’t know much about the true breathtaking beauty that lay ahead. I had done some casual research about Banff but didn’t know a ton about it. Thankfully, Mike was a natural-born tour guide.
From Virtual Chats to Real-Life Connection.
Waking up in Banff the next morning, I was a mix of nervous and excited to meet Mike, my hockey-playing Canadian buddy, for the first time. We had been chatting online for nearly eight years. I was thrilled to finally meet him in person and get to know my online friend in the real world. Mike was about to become my Albertan tour guide, and he did an amazing job. We met in the hotel lobby and hit it off immediately. We loaded my bags into his car and headed into the mountains for a day that I won’t soon forget.
Wait a Second is that a… BEAR?!
Why yes, yes it is a bear…right there next to the road! Well I guess it’s a good thing Mike always brings bear spray to Banff! Wait… what’s that Mike… Oh, you left the bear spray at home… You guess we’ll just have to outrun it… okey… well I guess I’ll have to keep an eye out for bears then! Thankfully, we didn’t encounter any more bears on this trip.
Lake Louise
Mike started the tour of Banff with the iconic Lake Louise. When you look up Banff online, this is the quintessential view—a breathtaking lake landscape that has entranced tourists for many years. Originally, the spot was settled by the Canadian Pacific Railway, which played a significant role in opening Banff to tourism thanks to the trans-Canada railway. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a luxury hotel on the lake’s eastern shore, was developed by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the early 20th century to attract tourists. Still standing today, this hotel remains a shining reminder of the railroad’s impact on the area. We stopped into this magnificent hotel for a cup of tea before continuing our journey through Banff.
While we visited this magnificent lake in the summer and saw canoers making their way across the water, in winter, the lake freezes over, allowing for ice-skating and ice fishing. A sight to see, I am sure. Hopefully, I’ll be able to return one day to see this snow-covered paradise. I can’t imagine how stunningly beautiful this lake would be in winter. Maybe one day I’ll even be able to stay in the historic hotel.
Peyto Lake
Our next stop was Peyto Lake. To get there, we made our way up a slippery, icy trail. Mike, the Canadian hockey player, glided over the ice and slippery terrain like it wasn’t even there! Talk about showing off his Canadian-ness. After the short hike, we were rewarded with an amazing view. The rich, turquoise blue water of the lake was stunning—like nothing I’d ever seen before. The lake was surrounded by mountain peaks on all sides, rising up from the water into snow-covered summits.
Mike tells me that the stunning water at Peyto Lake comes from a near by glacier. This glacial water brings with it large amounts of mountin rock sediment with it. These particles of rock become suspended in the waters giving the lake its distinctive bright blue turquoise color.
Back to Town
We begin the journey back to Banff to grab some lunch. While Mike had experienced it all before, I was completely captivated by the dramatic landscapes we passed on the way back to town. We passed numerous serene scenes, from ice-covered lakes to mountain peaks reaching for the sky. Everywhere you look in Banff, you’re greeted by stunning sights.
Lunch in Banff
Pulling into town the pure cuteness of this mountin town was overwhelming, Looking down the main street was like looking at a postcard. The buildings lining either side of the street have an alpine charm to them, at the end of the road, the mountain dramatically rises into the sky. It’s almost hard to believe this isn’t just a postcard.
An artisan craft market greated us as we arrived in town, seeing all of the crafts and artisan products remind me of well honey! Mike and his partner are bee keepers and run a local honey business. Spruce Cliff honey comes straight from the hives in Southwest Calgary, this honey is as pure and raw as it gets. There bees collect nectar from the beautiful flowers along the south banks of the Bow River. The bees hard work results in delicious liquid honey as well as honey come that’s available fresh every year starting in July. The bees’ hard work truly shines through in every jar.
From the market we made our way into town and grabbed some burgers for lunch. After we chowed down we walled around town checking out the all of the cute stores. We stopped into the Rocky Mountain Soap Company to sample the smells and grab a few souvenirs. I got some amazing smelling soap, every time I use it I’m reminded of these few unforgettable days in Calgary.
The Castle in the Rockies
Built in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, this hotel is nestled into the mountainside, towering in the landscape like a picturesque mountain castle. This hotel, like its cousin at Lake Louise, was built with the aim of bringing some modern comfort and luxury to the wild Canadian wilderness of Banff.
Just the sight of this hotel transports you into what feels like a 1920s murder mystery movie set at a remote mountain resort. Thankfully, there was no murder today—just grand views and an amazing hotel. The inside of the hotel itself is grand and exudes elegance and comfort, echoing the lavishness portrayed in movies. It really feels like you are stepping back in time. One day, I hope to stay at this grand hotel.
Down to Calgary…
As our unforgettable adventure in Banff came to an end, our ever-charming tour guide, Mike, whisked us away to the charming town of Canmore and Kananaskis Country—a true mountain playground for Calgarians. It’s the perfect spot for a quick escape, far from the tourist crowds of Banff. With stunning views, scenic hikes, and many hidden gems, this was a cool place to visit. Mike took us to Elbow Falls, an incredible little spot.
We continued our journey down to Calgary, where Mike dropped me off at the hotel. Tomorrow, we’ll dive deep into Alberta’s past at Dinosaur Provincial Park and the Royal Tyrrell Museum, unearthing fossils and exploring millions of years of history.
Going to the mountains is going home.
John Muir