Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest National Park, established in 1885. The park is located 110–180 km (68–112 mi) west of Calgary in the province of Alberta.
The park encompasses 6,641 km2 (2,564 sq mi) of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers, ice fields, dense forest, and alpine landscapes.
The Icefields Parkway extends from Lake Louise, connecting to Jasper National Park in in the north. Provincial forests and Yoho National Park are neighbours to the west, while Kootenay National Park is located to the south and Kananaskis Country to the southeast. The main commercial centre of the park is the town of Banff, in the Bow River valley.
The Canadian Pacific Railway was instrumental in Banff's early years, building the Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise, and attracting tourists through extensive advertising. Today Banff and the surrounding areas is a luxury full service destination for meeting, incentive and convention programming. Banff National Park has a multitude of hoteliers, activities, gourmet dining. Paired with the majesty of the Canadian Rockies it is unrivalled in its offerings.
