Thank you Conde Naste Readers for voting Banff Park Lodge as your 2010 Top 20 Canada Resorts.

As from Conde Naste, they recommend the following:

Early winter (December and January) offers sufficient reliable snow cover that the World Cup of Skiing frequently stages season-opening races here. But those with little tolerance for cold might want to wait till late February, March, or April. The daytime average temperature in January in Banff is 19° F. Summer is actually Banff/Lake Louise's high season. Count on long, sunny days from July through September, when the average temperature is 68°.

HOW TO GET THERE

Banff is a 90-minute drive to the west from Calgary International Airport and Lake Louise is about 30 miles farther west on Trans-Canada Highway 1. Banff Airporter offers many transfers a day between the airport and Banff (888-449-2901; www.banffairporter.com). Although free shuttle buses connect several attractions and town sites, Banff/Lake Louise rewards those who rent cars, simply because activities are spread across the park, between three different ski areas and two different towns.

GETTING AROUND

Driving is, by far, the most popular way to travel in the Rockies. Visitors may also consider taking a Rocky Mountain railroad tour; however, there are no trains that connect Jasper to Banff. Rocky Mountaineer Vacations runs trains from Banff or Jasper to Vancouver and Whistler—and since the dining car and restrooms are on board, there's no worry about finding the next rest stop (www.rockymountaineer.com).

TOURIST INFO

Start with Travel Alberta (800-252-3782; www.TravelAlberta.com), a comprehensive source of Banff/Lake Louise information. Skiers and snowboarders should check with Ski Big 3 (www.skibig3.com) for details regarding the slopes of Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Ski Norquay. For park specifics, call Banff National Park at 403-522-3833 or Jasper National Park at 780 852 6176.

Banff Information Centre
224 Banff Avenue
Banff
Banff National Park
Alberta T1L 1C3
Tel: 403 762 1550

Banff/Lake Louise Tourism
Tel: 403 762 8421

Jasper Tourism & Commerce
Tel: 780 852 3858

Labels: Conde Nast Traveler 2010 Top 20 Canada Resorts