The Canadian Rockies are one of the most admired mountain ranges in the world, and much of the vast landscape is protected by the World Heritage Trust. The Rockies form part of a sequence of mountain ranges that run from Alaska to South America, and are surrounded on all sides by the Canadian Prairies, the Rocky Mountain Trench and the Liard River.
- Canadian RockiesFeffef / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
The highest peak of the Canadian Rockies is Mount Robson, and at 12, 972ft, it towers over the Yellowhead Pass. Geologically, the Rockies are very different to the American Rockies, and the range is composed of sedimentary rock, including shale and limestone. The Rockies also contain 5 national parks (Yoho, Jasper, Kootenay, Banff and Waterton) which are all tourist hotspots thought the year. All 5 have been declared a single UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Banff is the oldest park in the Canadian Rockies, and also one of the most visited. Home to a number of grizzly bears, deer, lynx and weasels, tour guides constantly have their hands full when showing visiting tourists the wonders of the park.
Wildlife is abundant in the Rockies, and the mountains are regularly compared to the African Serengeti, one of the most populated animal regions in the world. It would take you weeks to see everything these amazing mountains have to offer, so here are some of the best places in the Rockies if you’re on a short visit.
The Castle Mountain
The natural hot springs of the Rockies lead to the creation of the Banff Park, one of the most adored national parks in the world. The local hotel was opened in 1888, with people continue to travel from all over the world to bathe in the waters. The hotel was designed to conform with the popular design style of the time, and was named a National building in 1992. It’s also been given the nickname “the castle mountain”, as the hotel is situated at the bottom of the biggest mountain in the Banff park – castle mountain.
Canada Place
Located in a building that has been home to the Parks Canada administration office for many years, Canada Place is an amazing family attraction. Not only does the Place offer touch-screen computers and educational videos about Banff National Park, but there are also a number of activities for children, including canoe rides and art classes onsite.
Sunshine Meadows
One of the most beautiful alpine landscapes in the Rockies, the Sunshine Meadows toes the line between British Columbia and Alberta. The Meadows contain the highest peaks in the Rockies, and are also nicknamed as the Matterhorn. Wildlife is also abundant in the Sunshine Meadows, and tourists flock from all over the world to see amazing creatures in their natural habitat.
The Hoodoos
Sculptured over hundreds of years by wind and water erosion, the Hoodoos are giant pillars made of rock, gravel and silt bound though dissolved clay and limestone. The Hoodoos stand watch at the top of Banff mountain, which was originally named “sleeping buffalo” by the local Indians.
