Welcome to the Bow Valley nestled within the beautiful Canadian Rockies, on the western edge of Alberta. Our most well-known landmark is Banff, and in particular, Banff National Park.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, this part of the Canadian Rockies is unparalleled in it's wilderness appeal and stunning scenery.

Why is it called the Bow Valley?
The Bow Valley was carved during the last major glaciation, some 2.5 million years ago. Just 40 km north of Lake Louise, are the headwaters of the Bow River, the Bow Glacier and Bow Lake. The river itself offers great paddling and fishing opportunities, and meanders through the valley and onward to Calgary. The "Bow Valley area" from a human perspective includes the following communities that are spread out over a 120 km distance: Lake Louise, Banff, Harvie Heights, Canmore, Exshaw, Dead Man's Flats, Lac des Arcs and Kananaskis Village.

Town of Banff
It is this broad, wide valley that provided a home to Native peoples first, and then the European settlers in the mid 1800's. In 1875 the hot springs were discovered by the first non-natives, and in the course of some legal and not-so-legal matters, the Canadian government laid claim to the hot springs of Sulphur Mountain. Canada's first national park was created around the hot springs in 1875. The CPR reached Banff in 1883, and in 1886 Banff townsite was laid out. It did not become a self-governing municipality until 1990. The population of Banff is 7500, but it balloons to more than 100,000 people with full hotels during the height of the summer months. Banff is 128 km west of Calgary, approximately 1.5 hours drive on the Trans Canada Highway.

Lake Louise Village
Just to the west, in 1890, the Canadian Pacific Railway was still looking for ways to subsidize the expensive work of building rail lines through rugged mountains. On the shore of the "lake of the little fishes" a log cabin was erected for tourists visiting in the summer. The present day Chateau Lake Louise sits on the original site. The railway siding in the main valley was called Laggan's. Those early horse trips to the shore of Lake Louise were not for the weak at heart! Lake Louise village has a population of 500 today. Due to restrictions on commercial and residential development in the National Park, all residents need to have an "employment reason to reside". The major employers in the area are the hotels, Parks Canada and Skiing Louise. Lake Louise is 52 km west of Banff (45 minutes, please see getting around the Bow Valley).

Town of Canmore
The town of Canmore, is 22 km east of Banff and 106 km west of Calgary on the Trans Canada Highway. It was established in 1883 with the arrival of the CPR. After the tracks were completely local coal seams were discovered, and the town continued to supply the locomotives for their long push over the mountains. Oil was discovered in 1914 and most of the mines were closed by 1922, although one seam stayed open until 1979. Canmore's population has doubled in size from that time. In part, it was discovered by the world after it hosted the Nordic Ski Events for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. It's current rate of development, in the areas of recreational, residential and commercial property, has put it on the list of "ten best places to buy property in North America".

Kananaskis Village Resort, Kananaskis Country
Bordering on Banff National Park to the north and the Alberta border to west, Kananaskis Country is a 4100 sq. km. (1583 sq mi) multi-use, wilderness, recreation area. It consists of three provincial parks, Kanananskis Resort, two alpine ski areas, grazing lands, petroleum leaseholds, forest reserves and natural areas. The alpine skiing events of the 1988 Winter Olympics were hosted by Nakiska ski resort, and Kananaskis Village resort was born to house delegates, athletes and hotel staff. Two luxury hotels can be found at the village, the Lodge at Kananaskis (CP) and the Kananaskis Inn (Best Western). Campgrounds and Ribbon Creek Youth Hostel are nearby also. The village is 40 minutes from Canmore and 45 minutes from Calgary, via the Trans Canada Highway, and then south on Highway 40.

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.