A website dedicated to photographs and videos from Canada and around the world with an emphasis on nature, wildlife, food, travel and sport as well as art, architecture and culture. In culture, the focus will be on projects related to the work of His Highness the Aga Khan, his Ismaili Muslim community and Islam in general.
Stunning winter photographs from Banff National Park and restaurant and accommodation suggestions
A beautiful elk by Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
One would think, the Aussies and Kiwis would stay at home and spend their summer and autumn months in their own warm backyards. But no! I met and heard them everywhere in Banff and Lake Louise, and they were in Canada to enjoy our delightful and beautiful winter wonders. The Dutch, the French, the Mexicans, the Brits, and South Americans are here too in large numbers, adding vibrancy and fun to an already exciting place. Banff is also full of youth and young people. Restaurants are packed as are the ski resorts and other venues offering adventurous winter activities both during the day and night times. The emerald lakes, rivers and green mountains have been replaced with white all around and the scenery is absolutely incredible. Cameras and videos are on everyone’s hands and for me it was a pleasure to be called on by visitors who preferred to have someone else take their portraits and group pictures with so much beautiful scenery looming in the background that they would have missed with a selfie. I helped make their trip picture perfect!
Bears are in hibernation but other animals are by the plentiful. Here is a small selection of photographs of my short visit to Banff and Lake Louise before the March school break that is now underway (week of March 13). It will make Banff National Park very busy….accommodations prices have gone up more than two-fold over the prices I paid.
At the end, I have summarized places where I enjoyed my meals and comfortable hotel stays that I reserved through www.Trip.com and the Alberta Motor Association (with guaranteed price matching) at what I may note were “bargain” rates. I may also add that www.Trivago.ca is an excellent referral website and summarizes the costs of various on-line hotel deals quite accurately. ENJOY!
Ice hockey and skating on frozen Lake Louise, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Skiers preparing for their runs at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Skiers on Lake Louise Ski Resort, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Dog digs deep into snow as one of the owners prepares for a photograph of train coming through Morant’s Curve on the Bow Valley Parkway, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A stunning scene as a double decker CP freight train crosses Morant’s Curve on the Bow Valley Parkway, with the Bow River flowing along the side, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A Hapag-Lloyd freight carriage on the CP freight train as it approaches a railway crossing at Castle Camp near the Bow Valley Parkway, with the cliffs of the Castle Camp Mountain in view, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos
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A spectacular view of the mountains ahead as a CP freight train continues southbound to Banff after passing a railway crossing at Castle Camp on the Bow Valley Parkway, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A beautiful coyote walks towards a tree by Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A beautiful coyote has his eyes on me while he rests under a very old tree by Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Elks grazing by mountain side overlooking Bow River near the Hoodos Lookout Point on Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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An Elk grazing by mountain side overlooking Bow River near the Hoodos Lookout Point on Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A raven flies over the lookout point where photographs of the elks shown in this post were taken, March 2023. Photograph: Becky O’Donnel owner of A Banff Boutique Inn. Becky provided excellent insights into the area and the Banff National Park in general.
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An evening view of Mt. Rundle from Vermillion Lakes as the sun sets at the opposite side, Banff, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Icicles on shrub at Vermillion Lakes, Banff, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Mountain scenery from Bow Falls, Banff, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel from the Surprise Corner Viewpoint, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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On route to Lake Minnewanka, mountains around Cascade Ponds located on the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of mountains around the frozen Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Another view of mountains around the frozen Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park, March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Setting sun on opposite end lights up mountain tops around Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park; March 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
SUGGESTIONS FOR MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION
For lunch and dinner: Farm and Fire; Añejo; and Nourish Bistro (all in Banff) For breakfast: Tooloulous, Coyotes Southwestern Grill, and Mellissa’s MisSteak (all in Banff). Banff also has Tim Hortons and McDonalds in town; and in Lake Louise: Trailhead Cafe. Coffee/pastries: Wild Flour Bakery, Little Wild, and Starbucks. Accommodation: Charltons Banff (try for deal in King Suite in loft!), Mountain Road Resort (try suite).
Date posted: March 13, 2023.
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Before departing this website, please review our Home Page for links to our fantastic photo essays. We welcome feedback/letters from our readers. Please use the LEAVE A REPLY box which appears below. Please share this article link with your friends and family members. Please also visit this blog’s sister websites Simerg for Insights from Around the World and Barakah for pieces on His Highness the Aga Khan, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. To reach the editor, please write to Malik at mmerchant@simerg.com.
