Torie Tells Stories

I flew to Calgary, Alberta in February, 2023 to visit a close friend and go on some adventures! I could have spent weeks soaking in the beautiful mountain views, exploring the area and skiing, but I only had a few days. Here’s how I made the most of a quick getaway.

Homebase: Cochran, Alberta

I stayed with a friend in Cochran, right next to Calgary and about an hour and a half drive from Banff. While Calgary and Banff may seem like the real attractions, Cochran is a cute little city that shouldn’t be written off. We enjoyed walking down the main street and checking out the local stores, eating at some of the local restaurants and admiring the mountains in the distance. My personal favorite was a cafe and used book shop combo called Found where you could sit and read or visit with friends. If you have a car, you should consider staying here to add a more local feel to your visit. Accommodations here are also cheaper than downtown Calgary or in Banff so you can save some money.

Exploring the City: Calgary Alberta

Since my trip was so short, we spent limited time in Calgary. Calgary has lots of opportunities to get active and we made the most of this by visiting two of the beautiful outdoor rinks in the city. 

The first was Bowness Ice Skating Lake. This location was Rideau Canal style, but surrounded with trees and park so it felt like you had taken a step outside of the city. 

The second was Olympic Plaza downtown. This ice surface is surrounded by tall apartment buildings, beautiful lights and features a view of the Calgary Tower. The ice is also cleaned regularly, making it a good place to show off your tricks. There are also many restaurants in this area, making it a great place to stop for a meal and a skate.

The skating rink at Olympic Plaza. Photo by Torie Wotton

Banff National Park

We spent the rest of the trip exploring Banff National Park. As Canada’s most visited National Park, Banff is an amazing destination and over 4.5 million people travel to experience the park’s iconic beauty every year. Banff is located about an hour and a half from Calgary, Alberta and should be on every traveler bucket list. 

When you consider the variety of stunning mountains and beautiful lakes, it’s no wonder Banff is so famous. When you pair the beautiful scenery with access to all kinds of outdoor adventures, it quickly becomes clear why Banff is interesting.

With abundant opportunities for skating, skiing and hiking, Banff truly has something for everyone.

Ski Sunshine

Our experience at Sunshine was amazing! The resort covers multiple mountains and has a wide variety of terrain, making it suitable for many levels of skiers. Skiing is one of my favorite ways to experience the Canadian Rockies and, with so many options in the area,it’s easy to spend every day of your trip skiing.

When skiing Sunshine, remember to bring a bag you are comfortable skiing with. The chalet is located at the top of the first gondola and there will be no reason for you to return to your car until the end of the day.

For this adventure, I rented equipment from Gear Up Mountain Sports Rentals and Service in Canmore before heading to the mountain. The service was really good and I got good quality gear that cost less than renting at the ski area.

At Sunshine Ski Resort

Hiking Johnston Canyon

On this trip, I was lucky enough to cross some major items off my bucket list. The first was hiking Johnston Canyon. Everything about hiking the canyon was breathtaking. The waterfalls were still frozen but we could see and hear the water rushing down underneath the sheet of ice. The water flowing through the canyon was open in some places, allowing us to see through the clear water to the canyon floor. The trail itself allowed us to get close to the waterfalls and feel like we were walking right through the canyon rather than around or above it. At the top of the trail, we saw a group of people using ice picks to climb the waterfalls, a very impressive way to cap off the hike! While the trail was fairly easy, it was very slippery and ice cleats were a necessity. 

While I would definitely like to go back in the summer when the waterfalls have thawed, I would still recommend visiting Johnston Canyon in the winter. Hiking the frozen and snow covered trail offers a unique take on the scenic views that are typically associated with the canyon.

Hiking in the Johnston Canyon. Photo by Torie Wotton.

Lovely Lake Louise

After hiking the Canyon, we drove to Lake Louise to cross a second item off my bucket list: skating on the lake. Surrounded by mountains and the Chateau Lake Louise, the views from the lake were truly breathtaking. The skating rink on the lake is quite large and features an ice palace sculpture, making for great photos. If you love to skate as much as I do, you could easily spend a whole afternoon here gliding around and taking in the phenomenal views. 

There are also other activities available here such as hiking and horse drawn carriage rides but we didn’t have time to try them out. Next time I visit I’d like to head to the far side of the lake for a quieter experience.

Skating with a view. Photo by Torie Wotton.

Outdoor Activities at the Town of Banff

The town of Banff is located within the National Park and is a hub for adventure. On the final day of my trip, I chose activities in and around town to maximize my limited time for exploring.

The town of Banff is also an ideal place to spend a day because of its many restaurants and gear shops to equip you for your adventures.

Hike

After renting some ice cleats in town, my first stop was Tunnel Mountain. Hiking to the top of a mountain (even if it’s really small) is an amazing experience. It was interesting to feel the change in temperature from the bottom to the top and watch the town of Banff get smaller and smaller below. On the back side of the mountain, you are rewarded with beautiful views of the Bow River and larger mountains all around you. 

The trail has a fairly gradual incline and is relatively short, making it an easier hike. Ice cleats are a must in the winter months. Layers are also essential as it is much colder at the top of the mountain than the base. The incline on this trail is constant and, combined with the cold air, can make the hike more difficult than it looks. Despite its easy rating, you are still climbing a mountain!

I had the peak almost entirely to myself and found a sheltered area to eat my lunch. I absolutely recommend bringing a picnic to the top so you can refuel while taking in the views.

View from (almost) the top of Tunnel Mountain. Photo by Torie Wotton.

Ride

After descending, I drove less than 5 minutes to the base of the Banff Gondola. This was one of the most expensive items on my trip but it was absolutely worth it! 

The winter season is less busy so I was able to purchase my ticket when I arrived and walked directly on to the gondola. In the summer, reservations are usually required. You could also hike approximately 5.5 km from the base of the gondola to the top of the mountain and then ride down. I think this could be a great addition to the excursion if you have a bit more time to spend here.

When I arrived at the top of the gondola and stepped out onto the observation deck, I was blown away by the views. There were mountains in all directions, and, from some vantage points, for as far as the eye can see. From the observation deck, you are able to walk along a boardwalk to an old weather station located at the peak of the mountain. Along the boardwalk there are many signs to educate you about the area and the other mountains you are seeing. I could not believe how small Tunnel Mountain looked from this high up. I can not stress enough how unreal the views were from this high up the mountain. Standing up there made me feel on top of the world and tiny all at the same time. Even the pictures I took up there don’t fully capture how it felt to be surrounded by such breath taking landscapes.

Inside the observation area, there are a few places to grab food, a souvenir shop and a mini museum. There are also places to sit inside and take in the views. I really enjoyed the mini museum. Even though it’s geared towards kids, you can learn a lot about the region here. Once you’re ready, you can enjoy the gondola ride back down to the base.

At the top of the Banff Gondola. Photo by Torie Wotton.

Relax

The final stop on my trip was the Banff Hot Springs. Located right next to the gondola, this was a great opportunity to relax and reflect after some very busy days. To access the hot springs, you go inside and buy a pass. This includes a locker to store your belongings while you’re in the pool and has no time limit. Once you’ve changed, you start to walk into the water, open the door and emerge into a pool surrounded by the mountains. 

I thoroughly recommend grouping Tunnel Mountain, the Banff Gondola and the Hot Springs together on your trip to Banff as they are all just a few minutes drive away from each other.

View from the observation deck at Banff hot springs. Photo by Torie Wotton.

I hope this inspires you to visit Calgary and Banff on your next vacation. The area has so much to offer and you can have some great adventures, even in a short time!