Banff/Canmore Community Bus

Operates: Tuesdays and Thursdays- until December 17, 2009

The Town of Banff-FCSS, The Town of Canmore-FCSS and the Canadian Rockies Public Schools are partners that provide bus service between Banff and Canmore for all seniors in our communities and for low-income clients (under $24,000) with an agency referral.

The service is free but registration is required and the Banff YWCA, Town of Banff –FCSS or Town of Canmore FCSS must issue tickets. Banff seniors can use their taxi passes.

Clients must be able to get up/down the bus stairs. No oxygen or flammable items are allowed. Animals (unless used as aides) or children under 4 cannot be accommodated on the bus. Items that you bring must be able to fit in the bus seats; the aisles must be kept clear for safety purposes.

Please be ready and waiting for the buses.

BUS SCHEDULE
The bus will arrive at its destination approximately ½ hr after the last departure site.

Morning Departures from Banff:
Mount Edith House 8:25 am
Banff Park Lodge 8:30
Banff Seniors Centre 8:35
YWCA 8:40

Drop off locations in Canmore:
Sobeys, Canmore Seniors Centre, Miners Union Lodge

Afternoon Departures from Canmore:
Sobeys 2:00 pm
Miners Union Lodge 2:05
Bow River Seniors Lodge 2:10
Victory Thrift Store 2:15

Drop off locations in Banff:
Mount Edith House, Banff Park Lodge, Banff Seniors Centre, YWCA

Afternoon Departures from Banff:
Mount Edith Lodge 4:30 pm
Banff Park Lodge 4:35
Banff Seniors Centre 4:40
Banff YWCA 4:45

Drop off locations in Canmore:
Sobeys, Canmore Seniors Centre, Miners Union Lodge

***NO RETURN BUSES TO BANFF AFTER 2:15 p.m.***

If you have any questions please contact Nancy Lewis, Town of Banff FCSS at 403-762-1254 or Mavis Sautner, Town of Canmore FCSS at 403-678-7129.

Trail to link Canmore to Lake Louise

A long awaited multi-use trail linking Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise will be constructed this summer and ready for cyclists and hikers in 2010.

Environment minister Jim Prentice was in Banff Tuesday [May 19] to announce the Banff Legacy Trail, which is being constructed as an anniversary project celebrating 125 years of Banff National Park.

“It’s long overdue from my perspective,” Prentice said, a cyclists himself who knows the potential dangers of riding on roadways.

“You never feel entirely save when you’re on the highway.”

The 26 km trail comes with an estimated cost of $6.75 million. Bridge design and the trail’s layout will be finalized with the completion of an environmental assessment. Once complete, the trail will become part of the Trans Canada Trail network, which is already 70 per cent complete.

Prentice said this trail will not only provide an economic boost, creating jobs locally, but will “encourage more sustainable tourism in the national parks” and be a “significant tourist attraction for years to come.”

Banff’s deputy Mayor Stavros Karlos, who is also a member of the Lands Adjacent to Banff (LATB) committee, which has been working for years to see this project come to fruition, was elated with the news.

“I am more ecstatic than perhaps anyone in this room,” he said. “On behalf of the Town of Banff, we are happy to see such a massive investment occur in trails.”

The trail will run primarily along the Trans Canada Highway right-of-way and wildlife fence. It will be a hard surfaced trail suitable for cycling, walking and in-line skating.

Deborah Apps, president and CEO of the Trans Canada Trail, said this section will become another jewel in the trail network that spans the country.

“This 26 km trail will truly be a Canadian Icon,” she said.

The tourism benefits of the trail were also praised as a way of showing visitors a new way to enjoy the park on a safe trail designed to incorporate scenic views.

“This is really an investment that will help residents and visitors explore the majestic Canadian Rockies,” said Bob Scott, assistant deputy minister with Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. “Trails are important for our tourists and Albertans.”

The trail already has Prentice planning another trip to back to the mountains in 2010 for a bike ride.

“I intend to be here for the first ride on the trail,” he said.

He said getting to this point was thanks to the hard work of community groups like the LATB, Bow Corridor Regional Mobility Partnership, towns of Banff, Canmore and the MD of Bighorn.

Source: Larissa Barlow/Canmore Leader

Santa Claus is coming to Banff and Canmore!

Where to catch him:

1) "Light up Canmore" on FRI Nov 23 2007 (tonight) from 6-8pm at the Civic Centre Plaza. There will be hayrides, hot dogs and hot chocolate to celebrate this annual event in Canmore.

2) "Parade of Lights" in Banff on SAT Nov 24 2007 at 7pm. Please note that Calgary has cancelled it's parade due to construction this year, so the turn-out in Banff is likely to be high.

The "Parade of Lights" in Banff will be preceded by "Christmas in the Rockies" which includes an afternoon of activities including Ginger Bread decorating!

3) Photo opportunities with Santa are from 2 to 6pm on SAT Nov 24 2007 in Banff. Just follow the reindeer tracks or the trail of cookie crumbs to find him!

Good luck with finding him and remember to be good!

Banff Dog Sled Tours

Why not try something different this winter in the Canadian Rockies?



Banff dog sled tours are a great way to get around and see the snowy wilderness in the Canadian Rockies!

The dogs love what they do - it is their full-time job in the winter months! Before your Banff dog sled tour you can have photos taken with the dogs, they are all really friendly, so this is a must if you are a dog lover! On the longer tours you can give it a try yourself - make sure you have the anchor ready just in case you need to stop! Guides will assist you to give you a helping hand and you can just sit back and relax in your sleigh as you speed through the winter wonderland.

The great thing about Banff dog sled tours is that you can fit it around your skiing time so that you do not lose precious ski holiday time off the slopes.

Now there are increased transfers from Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and for 2008, dog sled tours out of Panorama, getting to the dogs has never been easier this winter 2008 ski season!



The best way to book is to contact rocky-peak Holidays direct and they will take care of everything.

Booking with rocky-peak Holidays also means you pay no booking fees!

Banff Ice Hockey Tours

Banff Ice Hockey Tours to see the Calgary Flames.



An NHL Ice Hockey Tour from Banff to Calgary to see the Calgary Flames is one tour out of Banff not to be missed! Ice Hockey is a real Canadian passion!

Not a sports fan? Not a problem! The whole game is an awesome experience of pure entertainment with pumping music to get you in the mood and an incredible atmosphere. This is real fun for all the family! You really don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy a NHL Ice Hockey game!

If you want to learn more about the game rules of hockey, let the onboard hockey guide tell you as much as you need to know! From Banff, the time to the famed Saddledome in Calgary is about 1.5 hours away. Enough time to quiz the guide! Most games start at 8pm, so usually the departure time is about 4pm from Banff.

The Calgary Flames never disappoint! When they score, you can feel the heat of the flames from the fire which shoots up in the centre of the arena. Keep an eye out for the maskot who bangs his drum and gets the crowds going!

Support the Flames in the Calgary Saddledome and enjoy every action-packed moment! If you are not an ice hockey fan, after this tour you will certainly want to go back for more!

GO FLAMES GO!

Source: rocky-peak Holidays