A Crown Royal Guide to Canada: Banff & Banff National Park

A charming town sitting pretty amongst awe-inspiringly vast mountains, Banff and Banff National Park are the outdoor lover’s dream.

Luxury hotels abound here, as do quaint little shops and cosy eateries. Moving away from the town centre, you’ve got some of the world’s prettiest drives on your doorstep, thanks to an abundance of hiking trails, aqua-marine lakes, forests and stunning wildlife watching opportunities in the National Park (quick tip – if you see cars pulled up on the side of the road, don’t just drive past - you’re probably about to see a grizzly minding its own business amongst the trees and fields that border the highways).

Take a look at our insider suggestions below, and turn over for your Crown Royal cocktail, perfectly suited to this destination above the clouds…

Stay

The Fairmont Banff Springs

An iconic hotel nestled on a stunning hillside nextto Banff Town, the Fairmont Banff Springs willgive you the very best mountain experience. Checkinto your spacious suite and lap up the mountainviews before enjoying a drink on The LookoutPatio.

Eat

The Maple Leaf Grille

You’ve got plenty of options when it comes todining in Banff, but for the real alpine experience,we’d recommend The Maple Leaf Grille, whereyou can feast on anything from elk to bison, allwashed down with a selection of award-winningwines.

Wildlife

Bears (& more)

Grizzly bears are a common sighting in Banff but no matter how many times you see them, it still remains a magical moment. Highway drives and mountain trails provide the best locations for spotting these mesmerizing beasts in their natural habitat. Add in a handful of elk, moose, and wolves and you’ve got yourself a true Canadian safari.

Lake Views

Moraine & Peyto Lake

Despite only being open for half the year, MoraineLake is the most photographed place in all of Canada; immense blue waters and the startlingly beautiful backdrop of snow-capped mountain vistas make this fact unsurprising. Unbelievably turquoise waters make the glacier fedlake of Peyto a serious hot spot in Banff. Knownas one of the best views in the Canadian Rockies,it’s worth the hike. Top tip: arrive before breakfastto avoid the crowds and bask in the quietude andbeauty you’ll find here.

Fly

Heli hikes

No place lends itself to a heli-hike quite like Banffand its surrounding areas. Fly over the ThreeSisters peak and the Marvel Pass before enjoyinga pit stop at 7,200 feet above sea level where youcan explore the terrain on foot.

Drink the Banff Cocktail by Crown Royal

The Crown Royal Press

The Crown Royal Press uses fresh lemon for a punchy yet fresh kick – a perfect representation of Banff ’s invigoratingmountain air, don’t you think?

Ingredients

1.5 oz. Crown Royal Deluxe Whisky 3 dashes of aromatic bitters 2 squeezed lemon wedges 1 splash lemon lime sodaGarnish with mint sprigs and one lemon wedge

Technique

Combine all ingredients in an ice filled shaker and shake it up. Strain into an ice filled glass and garnish with a mint spring and a lemon wedge for an aesthetically pleasing touch.