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Destinations » North America » Canada » Alberta » Banff » City Guide: Entertainment

Banff, Canada » Entertainment Things to Do, Nightlife, Performances

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Keeping yourself occupied in Banff should never be a challenge. Dozens of activities for young and old alike make Banff an ideal place to indulge in all your favorite cravings.

Skiing Most people who come to Banff are looking for the crisp, clear powder snow and soaring peaks that the region is famous for. There are three big ski areas in the park. Banff Mount Norquay, only a five minute drive from Banff, is excellent for beginners. Sunshine Village is huge, encompassing five mountains with 12 lifts. The terrain ranges from bunny hills to the more challenging, like Delirium Dive, a 50-degree slope infested with cliffs and so dangerous that it is open only a few days of the year. Lake Louise Ski Area has the best terrain of the three, and is host to the World Cup downhill races. Cross country ski trails can be found at Banff Mount Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Area and at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Shopping Should you ever find yourself in desperate need of a plush stuffed moose, carved buffalo horn, or expedition-grade ski gear, chances are you will find it somewhere along Banff Avenue. From the Bow River Bridge to the Cascade Plaza, both sides of the Avenue are lined with hole-in-the wall stores, restaurants and nightclubs. The shopping is unparalleled anywhere in this part of Canada, and many people come to Banff for no reason other than to shop. Where else can you find a complete Christmas shop squeezed between a high-end furrier and an Innuit art dealer? Souvenir junkies can decide between hundreds of items as diverse as diamond “Banff” broaches and 50-cent novelty pens.

Many major fashion designers have factory-direct retail outlets in Banff, which is considered a testing ground for the latest in high fashion. Gap, Tommy Hilfiger and the popular Canadian designer Roots all have outlets along Banff Avenue.

High-end outdoor gear can be had in any one of a dozen shops. From the skin-tight cross-country gear to the monstrously baggy snowboard pants of Rude Boyz, everything you need to hit the hills is here. Patrons of the arts will love the town's many art galleries, which specialize in Native American and Rocky Mountain-inspired works. Photos of 19th-century mountaineering expeditions and mountain wildlife are standard fare, along with arrangements of rare dried and pressed Alpine flowers.

Anyone with a sweet tooth will love Banff. Led by the notoriously delicious Fudgery, a cadre of candy stores are spaced evenly along Banff Avenue to renew the dwindling energy reserves of jaded shoppers.

Festivals Banff hosts dozens of festivals every year. The world-famous Banff Mountain Film Festival is one of the biggest and best, attracting films from all over the world, and is renowned for releasing new National Geographic movies.

Stage and Screen For those with an urge to revel in Hollywood's latest offerings, the Lux Cinema Centre is the only movie house in town. If you prefer the old-fashioned version, you can enjoy the live plays presented at the Banff Center.

Nightlife Banff nightlife is fast, unpredictable and a dominant part of the local culture. With one of the highest bar/people ratios in Canada, it is easy to find a place that suits your personal style. From the raucous debauchery of Outtabounds to the quieter atmosphere of many of the hotel lounges, you can be sure to have just as good a time at night as you did during the day.

Adventures Banff is a mecca for adventure seekers, and there are literally hundreds of ways to satisfy your adrenaline cravings. Take a helicopter ride, race a snowmobile across a frozen lake, ride a gondola to the top of a mountain, or fly down a snowy slope on a pair of skies. The opportunities for thrill-seekers are endless.

History and Culture As Banff National Park is a World Heritage Site, there are plenty of ways to discover the past. The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, the Banff Center, the Museum of the Rockies, and the Banff Museum of Natural History are open year round. For information on the dozens of historical sites scattered throughout the park, the Banff Information Center can point you in the right direction.

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