About the town
- Banff, is a compact mountain town of about 8500 residents located in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It has an international feel as it's residents and tourists come from many different backgrounds. Banff changes with the seasons.
The Holidays are always busy with tourists including all of the summer. The spring and fall are the slower times and winter starts slow and gets busier until Easter has passed. Town of Banff web site
- Quick Town Stats
- Population - between 8000 and 9000 depending on the season. Area - 5km2 (2 sq miles) Elevation - 1463 m (4800ft)
Surrounding mountain elevations - Cascade Mountain 2998 m (9836 ft), Tunnel Mountain 1690 m (5545 ft), Sulphur Mountain 2281 m (7484 ft), Mount Rundle 2949 m (9675 ft), Mount Norquay 2134 m (7001 ft) 
- Media
Weather / Conditions
- Weather Network - Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Calgary
Parks Canada Road Report - Check this in winter
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Kootenay and Yoho parks
Snow Reports - Sunshine - Lake Louise - Norquay - Nakiska - Kicking Horse
- Newspapers
- Rockymountain Outlook - fantastic reporting on the Bow Valley (Morley to Lake Louise)
Banff Craig and Canyon - Servicing Banff or visit sister paper Canmore Leader
- Radio
- Banff Park Radio - 101.1FM Interviews and information on Banff National Park
106.5 Mountain FM - 70's, 80's and 90's pop with some local news Listen Live
Radio Free Banff - 89.9FM from The Banff Centre music and arts Listen Live
There are many Calgary stations broadcasting in different frequencies in Banff. Wikipedia has as list
- Arts & Culture
- Banff has a lot going on when it come to culture and arts.
Recommended - The Banff Centre is a fantastic place that has galleries, theatres, recreational facilities, and more. It is many things, principally a school that focuses on the arts. It is a world class facility that deserves a visit from everyone who comes to Banff.
- Museums
- Banff Park Museum National Historic Site - A collection of dead, stuffed animals, birds and insects that are found in the Park
Luxton Museum - Focuses on the first nations history and culture in the area
Whyte Museum - Focuses on the european history in the area
Cave & Basin National Historic Site - the origin of tourism in the area. Visit a cave with hot springs but you can swim here. There is a nice walking/biking trail that starts here.
- Art Galleries
- Walter Phillips Gallery - cutting edge modern art from The Banff Centre
Canada House Gallery - commercial gallery with beautiful art
The Quest Gallery - commercial gallery and craft sore
Editions Gallery - reproductions in the Cascade Plaza
Willoc&sax Gallery - featuring north american artists
- Parks and Recreation
- Banff Recreation Complex - Skating curling and with a stake board park
Sally Borden Building - pool, gym, squash, much more located at The Banff Centre
Rotary Park – 527 Banff Ave for ages 2 – 5
Central Park – Buffalo Street at Bow Avenue - a nice place to hang out by the river
Banff Recreation Grounds - 3 ball diamonds, rugby/soccer field,3 shelters & multiple picnic sites with cooking fire pits, outdoor surfaced basketball court, 2 playgrounds, washroom facilities, 2 tennis courts
Cascade Ponds - aka "The Pits" - shelters and fire pits with free firewood located just north of town across the highway with lots of space to play and BBQ
- Health Care
- Mineral Springs Hospital is small but has 24h Emergency Service.
The Alpine Medical Clinic has walk in service open weekends and evenings.
- Government
- Town of Banff - People on Town Council : Mayor John Stutz, Councillor Stavros Karlos, Councillor Leslie Taylor, Councillor Chris MacDonald, Councillor Karen Sorensen, Councillor Chip Olver, Councillor John Gibson
Government of Alberta - MLA: Janis Tarchuk
Government of Canada - MP: Blake Richards
- Churches
- Banff Park Church - 455 Cougar Street. phone (403)762-3225
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - 457 Cougar Street. phone (403)762-3113
Full Gospel Church - 407 Cougar Street. phone (403)762-2740
Rundle Memorial United Church - 302 Buffalo Street. phone (403)762-2075
St. Georges in the Pines Anglican Church - 100 Beaver Street. phone (403)762-2128
St.Mary’s Catholic Church - 305 Squirrel Street. phone (403)762-2603
St.Paul’s Presbyterian Church - Banff Avenue & Wolf Street. phone: (403)762-3279
