June 10, 2025 - Driving to Alaska
Calgary - Banff

We departed Medicine Hat and headed northwest but still on the Trans-Canada Highway.  In a relatively short 4 1/2 hour drive, we would pass through Calgary, enter the Canadian Rockies, and arrive in Banff National Park.

This is a rest area on the Trans-Canada Highway.  Not much in the way of facilities but it does have the basics.
   
Passing a giant TeePee in the Canadian Prairie.
   

The Trans-Canada Highway passes just to the north of downtown Calgary.

Calgary city proper has a population of 1.3 million and a metropolitan population of 1.48 million making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Calgary is at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River in the southwest of the province, in the transitional area between the Rocky Mountain Foothills and the Canadian Prairies, about 50 miles east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, roughly 186 miles  south of the provincial capital, Edmonton, and approximately 150 miles north of the Canada–United States border.
   
Passing by Calgary Olympic Park on the western outskirts of the city.  Calgary hosted the 1988 Olympic Winter Games.   The Olympic Park was where bobsled, luge, ski jumping and freestyle skiing took place.   The snow events were shared by Nakiska ski resort in Kananaskis Country at the west of the city and the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park in the town of Canmore.
 
   
After Calgary we continued west on the Trans-Canada Highway.  In the distance we get our first look at the Canadian Rockies.
   
The mountains are getting bigger.
   
Passing Lac Des Arcs -- a lake that forms part of the Bow River -- on the right.
   
We're definately in the mountains now!
   
We enter the Banff National Park where we have to pay a fee.  My U.S. Senior National Park pass doesn't work here in Canada unfortunately.  We continue on and come to the little upscale town of Banff.
   
Banff reminded me of Aspen.
   
Passing the Banff National Park Administration Building.
   

We toured the little Whyte Museum in downtown Banff.

I enjoyed their heritage section that captured the history related to the local area and its National parks.  There was also some art.  Unfortunately they did not allow photos.
   
Entrance to the Whyte Museum.
   
We had time so we decided to go check out the nearby Banff Gondola.   This is the drive from Banff to the Gondola area.
   
The parking lot was packed but we were able to find a spot.
   
Our first look at the gondola.
   
The gondola ride was not cheap -- 90 Canadian dollars per person -- but we decided to go for it.  After paying all the money for transportation, lodging and food just to get here, the attractions are the least expensive of the lot.
   

The place was busy but not excessively crowded.  We were able to buy tickets, and go through the fast-moving line in less than 15 minutes.

Here we go!
   
It's always amazing what a different a couple of hundred feet of elevation makes.
 
Looking south down the Spray River valley.
   
Looking north towards Banff and Cascade Mountain.
   
A better look at Banff.
   
You could hike the Sulfur Mountain Trail to the top if you didn't want to ride the Gondola.  No thanks.
   
We reach the top of Sulphur Mountain, 7,486 feet elevation.   But it is only 2,290 feet up from the base.  Still, 2,300 feet is a lot.
   

From the upper terminal we spotted some goats but they are not mountain goats.

The upper terminal contains three restaurants, a gift shop, and multiple observation decks.
   
A closer look at the goats.
   
A boardwalk on the north side leads to the top of Sanson's Peak.
   
The view on this beautiful day was stupendous.  Looking north.  On the left is Banff with Cascade Mountain in the background.  The Bow River runs on t he south side of town.  Lake Minnewanka is visible at center right.
   
Walking the boardwalk, looking back at the upper terminal.
   
Looking down at the Bow River.
   
Walking northwest.  The Trans-Canada Highway is visible in the distance at center.
   
Another view of the upper terminal.
   
Looking southwest at some big mountains.
   
I couldn't believe I had missed flying this area last August.  I flew about 25 miles or so to the west of Calgary so I was very close.  I just didn't know anything about Banff National Park at the time.  That said, I never saw a general aviation plane flying through Banff National Park the three days we were here.  Maybe if I do another flight to Alaska I can fly around here.
   
Looking down at Lynnette on the boardwalk.
   
Looking northwest.
   
The observation deck.
   
BBB
   
Back at the upper terminal.
   
Maybe the goats live in that shed-like thing?
   
Looking south.
   
There goes the gondola!
   
Canadian flag.
   
Another shot of the boardwalk we just hiked.
   
Looking south.
   
Oh Canada!
   
You know I love topographical maps.  The arrow at lower right points to the town of Banff.
 
The arrow at center points to Lake Louise village.  You can see how the Bow River and Trans-Canada Highway run together from Banff to Lake Louise.
   
Same map looking from east to west now.  Lake Louise village is at center.  The Trans-Canada Highway turns sharply just past Lake Louise and heads west into Yoho National Park.  Continuing north from Lake Louise is Highway 93 which is called the Jasper Ice Parkway.
   
Now THIS is a mountain goat!
   

We left Banff and drove up the Trans-Canada Highway about 40 minutes to the little village of Lake Louise where we would be staying the next three nights.

We saw these tunnel things crossing the highway and wondered what they were.  It turns out they are for animals so that they can cross the highway safely.  Great idea!
   
The Lake Louise Inn; our home for the next three nights.  It was very nice with pool and hot tub, a bar/restaurant and restaurant.
   
 
   
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