Banff
Around Banff
Photo: Tobias Alt, Tobi 87 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Alberta · 21k people
Banff
Locals say The Rockies · “The Pass”
Where every peak feels like home
Glacial TealPine GreenAspen Gold
Welcome to the heart of the Canadian Rockies! Whether you're here for the peaks or the powder, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors as much as you do. Grab a coffee, hit the trails, and join the conversation.
Clubs for Banff
No clubs for Banff yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Banff. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Banff. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Banff National Park Canada's first national park, home to turquoise lakes, glaciers, and wildlife.
- Jasper National Park Dark sky preserve with rugged peaks, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
- Lake Louise Iconic glacier-fed lake with a famous chateau and stunning turquoise water.
- Moraine Lake Valley of the Ten Peaks backdrop, known for its vivid blue color.
- Athabasca Glacier Part of the Columbia Icefield, accessible by Ice Explorer tours.
- Columbia Icefield Largest icefield in the Rockies, straddling Banff and Jasper national parks.
- Outdoors Hike the Plain of Six Glaciers
- Outdoors Ski at Sunshine Village
- With kids Banff Gondola
- With kids Jasper Skytram
- Evenings Après-ski bars
- Evenings Live music pubs
- Locals love Hiking trails
- Locals love Ski resorts
Through the year
- Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival October World-renowned adventure film and book festival held in Banff every fall.
- Jasper Dark Sky Festival October Celebrates the night sky with stargazing, workshops, and guest speakers in Jasper.
- Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival January International ice carving competition with incredible sculptures on the lakefront.
- Crowsnest Pass Coal Miners' Memorial Day June Community remembrance and heritage celebration in the Pass area.
- Canada Day Celebrations July Fireworks, parades, and festivities in Banff and Jasper townsites.
Mountain climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, sunny summers. Best time to be out is summer for hiking and winter for skiing. Best: Summer for hiking and winter for skiing.
Talk like a local
- “Flatlander”
- Someone from the prairies, often used affectionately for tourists or newcomers.
- “Pow”
- Powder snow, fresh and deep, great for skiing.
- “Grizz”
- Grizzly bear, often used in casual conversation.
- “Backcountry”
- Remote wilderness areas away from developed trails.
Getaways
- Canmore Mountain town with great dining, galleries, and easy access to trails.
- Calgary Big city with the Calgary Stampede, museums, and professional sports.
- Okotoks Historic town with a giant glacial erratic and scenic river valley.
- Olds Agricultural community with a strong farming heritage and college.
Local flavour
Rooting for Calgary Flames (NHL), Calgary Stampeders (CFL)
Eat and drink
- Alberta beef Grass-fed and world-renowned
- Bison burgers Lean and locally sourced
- Wild huckleberry pie A sweet taste of the mountain summer
- Perogies A legacy of Ukrainian settlers in the Crowsnest Pass
- Mountain trout Fresh from alpine streams
Where people go
- National parks Banff and Jasper, with their iconic lakes and glaciers
- Ski resorts Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Marmot Basin
- Hot springs Banff Upper Hot Springs and Miette Hot Springs
- Historic coal mining towns Blairmore and Coleman in the Crowsnest Pass
- Glacier viewpoints The Columbia Icefield and its skywalk
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaCanmoreAlbertaAlpine air, mountain soulCalgaryAlbertaBig sky, big heart, and a cowboy spirit.OkotoksAlbertaThe heart of the FoothillsOldsAlbertaWhere the prairies meet the Rockies, and neighbours feel like family.High RiverAlbertaWhere the foothills roll and the river flowsRocky Mountain HouseAlbertaWhere the prairies meet the peaks, and the river runs clear.StrathmoreAlbertaSmall town, big skies, warm heartsSylvan LakeAlbertaClear water, big skies, and small-town warmth.
Rural Division No. 15, AB. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.