The Rockies: Canmore and Banff

We drove from Calgary to Canmore for our next stay, and that is in the beginning of the Rockies - very pretty. Somehow I had mixed up our booking for Fairmont later and so decided that we needed an extra night here before heading to Fairmont Hot Springs. The trouble was I had already booked a room in Banff for one night after the Canmore booking. As Canmore was cheaper, I booked another night there later and it ended up being the same hotel. So, in effect we stayed at Canmore for one night, drove along the highway to Banff for one night and then returned to Canmore again for another night at the same hotel and ten rooms along from our first night. We didn't mind as the hotel at Canmore (Ramada Inn) was really nice and it had a great water slide.
Ash and I developed a water slide battle in which we would both launch at the same time and then fight one another for the lead all the way to the bottom of the slide. We ended up going upside down, back to front and all over the place as the slide spun us around. Eventually I became quite dizzy and felt too sick to continue so Jill stepped in and took over the battling - Ash loved it.

It's official - we are in the Rockies.

In the morning after our first night at Canmore, we were downtown when we heard a couple of loud booms, then noticed an avalanche above the town. Apparently the booms were the cannon firing charges onto the mountaintop to set off the avalanche. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time to see it.

Avalanche!

After Canmore we drove to Banff which is only a half hour drive or so along the highway, but another world away when it comes to be being in the Rockies. I now understand why Banff is so famous - it is nestled amongst huge mountains - one of which we travelled up to look around.

The gondola ride up the mountain.

Ash with Banff behind and below.



Paige rugged up for the walk.



The kids nearing the top of the walk.

 

Tired Paige - but soldiering on.



Banff township and Mt. Torquay.

 

Sulphur Mountain lookout.

Views from Sulphur Mountain.



Near the top of our walk.

 

Gondola ride down the mountain.

Gondola tower.

The girls enjoying the ride down.

We tried some tobogganing near the famous Fairmont Hotel, but it was very bumpy and we didn't last long. The weather while we were at Banff was fantastic, which made the whole experience even better.