Have you ever dreamed of exploring a winter wonderland? If so, then Banff, Canada, is the perfect place to do just that. If not, then you might just dream about it after reading this article.
Banff is a small town situated in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. While it is a hotspot for tourists in both the summer and winter months, it is an especially magical place to visit during the winter.
Below are a few places and activities to consider adding to your itinerary.
Lake Louise
Since this iconic turquoise lake is frozen over during the winter, it makes for the perfect natural ice skating rink. Skate rentals are offered at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
If ice skating isn’t your forte, then you can grab a bite to eat or drink at one of the seven restaurants located in the hotel, which includes an ice bar on the shores of the lake.
Abraham Lake
While this lake is not in Banff, it is well worth the two-hour drive on the Icefields Parkway to get there.
Unlike other lakes, at first glance this lake appears to have millions of bubbles below the surface. This phenomenon is due to methane that rises to the top of the lake and is trapped once reaching the surface, causing it to freeze into bubbles.
While at the lake, taking beautiful photos is a must. You may also walk and ice skate on the frozen lake if you desire.
Ice Magic Festival
An annual event unique to Banff is the Ice Magic Festival, which takes place on the shores of Lake Louise over the course of a couple weeks in January. During these couple weeks, intricate ice sculptures are present along the shore and throughout the town for everyone to gaze at.
Within this festival is the Ice Magic Competition, where world-class ice sculptors come together in this small town to try and create the best ice sculpture that fits the yearly theme.
Spectators can watch as the sculptors quickly work to finish their sculptures of 300 pounds in less than 48 hours. They can also stick around to find out who the winner will be.
Heli-Skiing
What better place is there to try helicopter skiing than in the Canadian Rockies? There is no better place. Just imagine yourself skiing down fresh powder with no one else around.
While it is an amazing experience to be the only one skiing down a snowcapped mountain, it comes with a hefty price tag. Rates go for around $1,000 per person for a seven to eight hour excursion.