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The town of Banff has been welcoming international visitors for well over a century. In 1883, the discovery of natural hot springs bubbling from the base of Sulphur Mountain led to the establishment of Canada's very first national park. The United Nations further designated this area a "World Heritage Site" in 1985.

Today, Banff National Park offers 6,641 square kilometers (2,564 square miles) of spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountain landscape. For visitors, bathing in the hot springs is but one of many activities offered in Canada's foremost National Park. When you visit the Banff/Lake Louise area, you will see why more than 5 million visitors come each year to experience the glory of the Canadian Rockies. Bring your camera, bring your family, and enjoy!

Dubbed "Canada's highest town" at 1384 meters (4540 ft) above sea level, and nestled in world-famous Banff National Park, the town of Banff is home to 7500 year-round residents and over 1 million visitors annually.

When coming to Banff for HotOS 2025, please keep in mind Banff's higher elevation. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions, including a drier climate and cooler days than those to which you are accustomed. Evenings can be especially chilly!

The average temperatures for mid-May are between 5 C (41 F) and 20 C (70 F). Occasional rain showers and even light snowfall may happen. While most mountain tops have snow year-round, the town of Banff does not. Nonetheless, you should always be prepared for a surprise change in the weather! Therefore, you may want to bring a sweater, warm jacket, gloves, umbrella, and warm footwear, along with your usual, casual spring attire.

If you are planning on long walks or hiking during your stay, also bring appropriate footwear: sturdy hiking boots for serious hikes or a good pair of running shoes for walking around town. Banff is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountain Range and as a result many hiking trails in the area are rocky and uneven, and possibly wet and icy in May. It is also important to keep in mind that for every 200 metres of elevation gained, the temperate will drop about 1C.

Much of Banff National Park is untouched and unspoiled by humans, and as a result even the Town of Banff gets several different types of wildlife. It is not unusual to see deer and elk wandering around in town. Moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, and beavers are slightly more elusive, but you might see one along the highway, near the river, or on a hiking trail. Though rare, bears and cougars have occasionally been seen around town as well. For bird lovers, many different types of birds can be seen in the Banff area including Canada geese, bald eagles, blue jays, gray jays, chickadees, nutcrackers, and grouse.

It is important to remember to keep a respectful distance from the wildlife, especially if they (or you!) are with their young. Even more important than that, please don't feed them, no matter how cute they are! Animal-proof trash receptacles are located throughout the townsite, and it is essential that all litter finds its way into these to keep the town clean and the wildlife healthy!

Banff has a wide range of activities available for visitors, including dining, shopping, hiking, skiing, and sight-seeing. The suggestions below are merely a teaser.

If you are looking for food, then Banff has many gastronomical delights awaiting you. While you should be quite well fed at HotOS itself, a short stroll toward downtown Banff will lead you to lots of choices, including high-end gourmet restaurants (steaks, fondues, etc.), international cuisine (Chinese, German, Greek, East Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Swiss), Canadian fare (steaks, brunches, pancakes, maple syrup), budget restaurants (pasta, gyros, fast food), and snacks (ice cream, yogurt, popcorn, beaver tails, fudge, candy). We will have a list of dining suggestions for you when you arrive on site.

If you need to do some shopping, then Banff Avenue is where you need to be. About a 20-minute walk from the hotel, you will find stores with everything: art, jewellery, photography, key chains, stuffed animals, sweaters, hoodies, toques, gloves, rocks, gems, inukshuks, etc. Many shops offer very similar stuff, so make sure to shop around for best prices and selection.

If you are looking to do some skiing, then you might be in luck. While climate change has curtailed the spring skiing season at several resorts, there is one, namely Sunshine Village, that traditionally stays open until the Victoria Day long weekend (May 19 in 2025). Check out their Web site to see what their base snow pack is for HotOS week, as well as rates and hours of operation. They have ski rentals available right on site near their gondola. And don't forget your sun screen!

The Banff area is spectacular for hiking in the summer. There are dozens of hiking trails, ranging from the beginner (i.e., paved paths or boardwalks) to the extreme (i.e., scrambling, rock-climbing). Check out any hiking guide book for the Canadian Rockies. Popular outings include Bow Falls Trail, Cave and Basin, Marsh Loop, Fenland Trail, Sundance Canyon, and Tunnel Mountain Lookout. Most of these are within walking distance from the hotel.

For sight-seeing activities, your main one will be taking in the panorama of the Rockies surrounding you morning, noon, and night. But maybe you want a 10-minute ride up the Sulphur Mountain Gondola, or a refreshing soak in the Upper Hot Springs. Don't miss seeing the Bow Falls, which are within earshot of the hotel. And maybe you want to find out what a hoodoo is.

If you have a rental car (or friends who do!), there are many other sight-seeing and hiking options nearby, including: Vermilion Lakes (Banff), Johnston Canyon, Grassi Lakes (Canmore), Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Athabasca Glacier. In short, the Banff area is truly yours to explore!

For more information on recreational activities and not-to-be-missed opportunities in the Banff and Lake Louise area, see the Banff / Lake Louise Tourism Bureau.