Banff National Park

The story of Banff National Park begins with its bubbling hot springs and the railroad. In 1883, Canadian Pacific Railway laborers building Canada's transcontinental railroad discovered natural hot springs on the side of Sulphur Mountain. This discovery eventually led to the establishment of Banff as Canada's first national park, and, shortly after, that same railroad helped fuel Banff tourism. Travelers came from across the country for alpine adventures. Today, vacationers can experience that same excitement on a train trip to Banff.

Banff tours from Vancouver feature some of the country's great rail journeys: The all-daylight Rocky Mountaineer train into Alberta or an overnight trip on VIA Rail's Canadian train. Once in the lush Canadian Rockies, things to do in Banff are limitless, from hiking in the summer to dog sledding in the winter. Many Banff tours include a ride on the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. From the summit's observation deck, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Bow Valley and Banff town site below. Popular guided sightseeing tours include visits to Lake Minnewanka with its many outdoor activities; Cave and Basin Historic Site, where the first hot springs were discovered; and Lake Louise, the scenic hamlet with its eponymous turquoise lake and the massive Victoria Glacier looming behind it. Banff holiday packages showcase the best of the Canadian Rockies and are nothing short of memorable.