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Moraine Lake Road is OPEN!
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Another sign that the spring thaw is really here and that summer is just around the corner!
The road to one of the most iconic views in Banff National Park is now OPEN for the season!
Also fondly known as the Valley of the 10 Peaks because of the monstrous 10 mountains which reside there, Moraine Lake is a must for many visitors on vacation to their hotel in Banff to capture that oh-so-famous shot.
Parks Canada worked hard last week shovelling, digging and plowing through the remaining snow to have the road open for you weekend at your Banff hotel. And all that hard work paid off!
If you’re looking for a fantastic day out from your hotel in Banff, you can access to the Moraine Lake road on you drive up to the Chateau at Lake Louise. You will find a left turn when you’re almost at the top of the hill and from there it is a scenic 11km drive to Moraine Lake. Worth every kilometre!
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets, Banff’s Finest Family Accommodation
Banff hotel, hotel in Banff, Banff hotels, hotels in Banff
Labels: Banff accommodation, banff condo, banff hotel, Banff hotels, family activies in banff, hotel in banff, hotels in banff
Banff Council Approves Off-Leash Dog Park!
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Happy Dogs in the Dog Park
Can you hear that? The sound of happy pet paws dancing to go out for ‘Walkies’.
If your dog is anything like ours, you know that even mentioning the word ‘Walkies’ sends your dog into a spin.
While the trails and hikes from your hotel in Banff are great for your dog to snoop, sniff and explore, there is a strict leash ban imposed within Banff National Park in place to protect your pet from harassing the local wildlife (and vice versa). This means your dog can only venture so far!
This is why the latest news of a new Off-Leash in Banff is so fantastic!
Coming to Banff this summer, the off-leash dog park will be a one and a half acre park located at the North end of town. The park is set to be completed by July!
Your Banff hotel welcomes dogs in all shapes and sizes as long as they are well behaved and friendly! Check out our Pet Friendly page for more details about bringing your four legged friends on your next vacation to your hotel in Banff.
Did You Know: We donate 5% of the Pet Fee we charge to the Bow Valley SPCA every 6 months! It’s a small way we can return the love that animals give to us.
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets, Banff’s Finest Family Accommodation
Alison Jones
alison@douglasfir.com
Banff hotel, hotel in Banff, Banff hotels, hotels in Banff, pet friendly hotel in Banff Labels: banff hotel, Banff hotels, hotel in banff, hotels in banff, pet friendly hotel in Banff
Bears, Banff and Taking Care of our Beautiful Wildlife
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| Bear 64 with her cubs |
Think of your hotel in Banff National Park and the image of
bears often come to mind.
While bear sightings around your Banff hotel are rare, you
don’t need to venture far to catch a glimpse of some of Banff’s beautiful
wildlife.
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| Mama & Cubs taking a dip in the Bow River- May 23rd 2012 |
That has certainly been true of late with the arrival of a
beautiful bear family around Banff townsite. Bear 64 and her three cubs have
woken up and spent the majority of last week grazing on the snow-free grass
just outside of downtown Banff. Sighted at the Cave and Basin site, Fenland
trail and even taking a dip in the Bow River, these bears have been very active
(and close) to downtown Banff.
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| Mama & Cubs taking a dip in the Bow River- May 23rd 2012 |
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While you don’t need to worry too much about coming across
mama bear and her cubs, as Parks Canada has a close eye on this young family, including fitting her with a shiny new tracking collar, it
is incredibly important to be aware of wildlife when visiting Banff National Park.
Drive With Care – All too often we hear of bear’s
struck and killed by cars on our roads and highways. Animal road deaths are
avoidable by driving within the posted speed limits
and keeping a keen eye out for crossing wildlife. Plus when you drive at a slower pace you can enjoy the scenery around
your Banff hotel even more!
Check for Closures – Before you head out for the day
from your hotel in Banff, check the Parks Canada website and trailhead notices
for any closures or hiking/biking restrictions.
Safety First – Adhere to hiking regulations (enforced
hiking numbers), carry bear spray (know how to use it) and make lots of noise
when enjoying Banff National Park. Remember not to feed any wildlife, whether it is squirrels or bears. Animals who are fed by
humans are likely to become reliant on this
source of food and will engage more with humans. This can often develop into
problem behaviour forcing authorities to take action such as relocation and
sometimes euthanization of a bear. Remember, ‘A fed bear is a dead bear’.
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| Dawn and her two cubs, last May before she was killed. Photo by John E. Marriott |
In other news from legendary wildlife photographer, John E.Marriott, the orphaned cubs of bear Dawn (who was sadly killed on the CP
railway last year) have survived the winter and have been recently sighted! Wonderful news from a sad beginning.
Please help us keep our park beautiful and wild by taking a
few steps towards creating a safe environment for Mama Bear, her three cubs and every other animal in Banff National Park.
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets, Banff’s Finest Family
Accommodation.
Alison Jones
alison@douglasfir.com
Banff hotel, hotel in Banff, Banff hotels, hotels in Banff, Banff wildlife
Labels: banff hotel, Banff hotels, Banff wildlife, hotel in banff, hotels in banff
Banff Community Art & Craft Market - Saturday May 26th
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May 26th 10:30am – 4pm
Banff Elementary School Gym Adults $3 Kids 13 and Under are FREE!
This weekend sees the first Banff Community Art & Craft Market held down the road from your hotel in Banff at the Banff Elementary School.
Come and view the wonderful artisan crafts on offer from local artists this Saturday for only $3 for adults and kids 13 and under are FREE!
Located in downtown Banff, you can catch the town shuttle bus from your Banff hotel as we offer FREE and unlimited bus passes to guests staying at the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets.
See the map for more information on how easy you can get to the Art & Craft Market from your hotel in Banff.
Enjoy family friendly activities from your Banff hotel this weekend, with rates from $142 for two adults and 2 kids in our spacious Studio Suite!
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets, Banff’s Finest Family Accommodation
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Banff Bike Fest 2012!
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June 14th – 17th will see cyclists from across Western Canada descend on the doorstep of your hotel in Banff for the Annual Banff Bike Fest!
Over four days, five events and two family friendly events, spectators can ‘ooo’ and ‘ahh’ over the fantastic feats of fitness as cyclists battle it out for $20,000 in prize money across 250km of race trail.
The 5 events; Lake Louise Road Race, Tunnel Mt. Loop Road Race, Cascade Plaza Prologue, Time Trial and Criterium , will take place around the Banff townsite as well as on route to Lake Louise and even past your very own Banff hotel in the Tunnel Mt. Road Race!
Family Friendly Events! The Cruiser Crit challenge will see kids (and fully grown adults) dress in their finest fancy costumes to cruise down Banff Ave. Tandem bikes, low riders and unicycles are all welcome!
Click here for more details on how you can get involved and for a full list of event times!
Enjoy one of the many exciting Summer festivals happing near your hotel in Banff this season.
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets, Banff’s Finest Family Accommodation
Banff hotel, hotel in Banff, Banff hotels, Hotels in Banff, Activities in Banff, Festivals in Banff.
Labels: activities in banff, banff hotel, Banff hotels, family activities in Banff., festivals in banff, hotel in banff, hotels in banff
Top 5 Family Friendly Bike Trails in Banff
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Feel the wind in your hair and relive your childhood by
getting on your bike from your Banff hotel this summer!
With a number of family friendly bike trails on the doorstep
of your hotel in Banff, you can hit the open road and experience Banff National
Park from your bike seat.
Here is our Top 5 Family Friendly bike trails in Banff
 Bow River Trail
2-9km 10-20minutes
Accessible from downtown Banff, the Bow River trail is
a smooth ride along the beautiful Bow river. Start at Muskrat Street,
continuing underneath the Bow River Bridge, towards the Blue Canoe Docks and
out of town towards the fantastic Fenland trail. There are lots of benches to
stop at and take in the stunning views. Local Tip: Look out for the Bow River
Beavers swimming around!
 Fenland Trail
2km 30-45 minutes
Breathe deep as you take this fun woodland trail through a
white spruce forest along a beautiful Rocky Mountain creek. You’ll find
interpretive maps and guides along this short route while you and the family
explore this easy, off-road adventure.
 Bow Falls Trail
1.2 km 20-25 minutes
See Banff’s beautiful Bow Fall’s starting from the Bow River
Bridge, past the roaring rapids to the look-out point below. Remember to take
your camera before you leave your Banff hotel as the iconic falls are not to be
missed!
Vermillion Lakes
4km 1hr
Located just off the Fenland Trail, this paved bike trail
takes you to some of the most iconic scenic spots in Banff. Capture the
ultimate shot of Mt. Rundle as you enjoy this route, stopping at the various
docks, perfect for picnics brought along from your hotel in Banff.
Sundance Canyon
4.3km 1.5 hours
The family friendly trail may the longest trail on the list,
but the scenery and end result is well worth it! Follow the trail out to Cave
and Basin where you will find a smooth paved trail that takes you past the Bow
River, through a forested area and finally to the rushing waters of Sundance
Canyon. You’ll find a picnic area and toilets along your route.
We offer discounted bike rentals from Backtrax
on Bear St. to guests staying at the Douglas Fir Resort. Backtrax offers 5
different bike types from city to mountain; to kid and junior bikes (complete
with training wheels), helmets, repair kits and more!
Get out and enjoy Banff National Park from your hotel in
Banff with a day biking in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalet’s, Banff’s Finest Family
Accommodation
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Summer Activities - Lake Minnewanka Boat Tour!
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Lake Minnewanka; described as one of the must-see’s while on your Banff vacation, it truly is a sight to behold.
Just a short 15 minute drive from downtown Banff, Lake Minnewanka has captivated visitors for many years. Originally called ‘Lake of Spirits’ the Stoney people inhabited and hunted along the lake for more than 100 centuries. They respected and feared this lake for its resident spirits and recorded archaeological sites how shown artifacts that cover a 10,000 year period!
Fun Fact!
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| Did someone leave the tap on? |
There is an entire town under the surface of Lake Minnewanka! The original location of a summer resort village called Minnewanka Landing was established here in 1888, complete with avenues, streets, hotels and restaurants. However the site was flooded in 1941 by the Calgary Power Co. under the War Measures Act, and now it's a 'high altitude' dive site! Exciting stuff!
You can enjoy the spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies from the Lake Minnewanka boat tour as part of your Banff hotel’s Cruise, Soak & Soar package. The ultimate Canadian Rockies experience!
This three night package showcases the best of Banff! Relax on a cruise along the stunning Lake Minnewanka on a boat tour and then head up the Banff Gondola to get unparalleled panoramic vistas of Banff atop Sulphur Mt. before heading to the Upper Hot Springs to soak in the mineral waters.
The hassle of feeding the family is taken care of with groceries for your Cook Your Own Breakfast provided upon your arrival in your Banff hotel room and a $100 dinner voucher for some of Banff’s finest restaurants.
Enjoy this family friendly activity on offer to your from your Banff hotel.
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets, Banff’s Finest Family Accommodation.
Banff hotel, hotel in Banff, Banff hotels, hotels in BanffLabels: banff hotel, Banff hotels, family activies in banff, hotel in banff, hotels in banff
Summer Packages are Here!
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It’s here! Starting tomorrow, May 18th 2012, you can throw yourself into summer from your hotel in Banff with the official launch of our summer package spectacular!
May 18th will see the first day you can raft, cruise and summer sightsee till your hearts content (until October at least!). Check out our fantastic summer packages on offer to you, all open from tomorrow!
Kids Eat, Sleep and Raft FREE – Experience what Canada really has to offer with our family rafting package from your Banff hotel. After breakfast in your condo with a Cook your own Breakfast kit, raft on the family friendly Kananaskis River. In the evening you can relax and enjoy dinner at one of Banff’s finest restaurants with a $40 dinner voucher. Click here to view more details about this ultimate summer package!
Cruise, Soak & Soar – Take time this summer to enjoy this three night package which showcases the best that your Banff hotel has to offer. Cruise along Lake Minnewanka with a boat tour, see the sights from the Banff Gondola and soak up the mineral waters in Banff’s Upper Hot Springs. The hassle of food is taken care of with a Cook Your Own Breakfast kit provided in your room, as well as a $100 dinner voucher for participating downtown restaurants. Click here for prices!
BBQ – Fire up the grill at your hotel in Banff with our summer BBQ feast where you can cook your steak exactly how you like it. With steak, salad and sides provided, you have everything you need for your family summer cook out at your Banff hotel. Click here for full details on our BBQ package.
Summer 2012 has arrived at your hotel in Banff!
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets, Banff’s Finest Family AccommodationLabels: Banff, banff hotel, Banff hotels, banff summer, banff summer packages, family activities in banff, hotel in banff, hotels in banff, summer activities in Banff, summer hotel packages banff
Share Your Story and Win a 1 Night Stay at the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets
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To celebrate over 65
years as Banff’s finest family accommodation, we want you to share your
stories, memories and photos from your vacations with us at the Douglas Fir Resort
& Chalets.
Tell us what made your
vacation at your Banff hotel so special; was it family moments spent making
s’mores over your fire, seeing wildlife every morning as you had breakfast or
maybe challenging your family to who can make it down the waterslides the
fastest!
Time spent and memories
made at the Douglas Fir Resort hotel in Banff, is central to everything we
believe in. Photos are worth 1,000 words and we want you to share yours in two
simple steps to win a 1 night stay at the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets:
1.
Share your photo on our Facebook page
2.
Tell us your favourite memory from staying at the Douglas Fir Resort &
Chalets
If you’re unable to post
your photo on our Facebook page, please send them to Alison@douglasfir.com and we will post
them for you.
We can’t wait to see all
of your wonderful memories from time spent with us at your hotel in Banff for
the last 65 years.
Douglas Fir Resort
& Chalets, Banff’s Finest Family Accommodation
Please note: By
entering, individuals agree to allow the use of the image for any and all uses
related to the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets.
The finer details!
The
Contest
- Contest
opens 16th May 2012 and closes in 30 days on June 22nd, 5pm MST 2012
- A
selection of photos will be selected by a chosen member of Douglas Fir Resort
Management which will then be posted on the Douglas Fir Resort Facebook wall
where members can vote for the winner. Voting for the winner will end at 5pm
MST on 9th July 2012
- Contestants
will post their photos of their favorite memory on the Douglas Fir Resort
Facebook wall to go into the running to win a 1 night getaway to Douglas Fir
Resort & Chalets.
-
If
contestants are unable to post to our Facebook wall they can send their photo
to Alison@douglasfir.com where it
will be posted for them
- Share
Your Story winner will receive a 1-night getaway to the Douglas Fir Resort*.
Winners
- A
selection of the best photos will be chose by a member of Douglas Fir Resort
management which will then be posted on the Douglas Fir Resort Facebook wall
where members can vote for the winner. Voting for the winner will end at 5pm
MST on 9th July 2012
- The
winner will be announced on Tuesday July 10th 2012
- The
winner will be announced via the DRF blog and also contacted personally via
Facebook or e-mail if it has been provided
How
to Enter
-
Contestants
must post their photos of their favorite memory on the Douglas Fir Resort
Facebook wall to go into the running to win a two-night getaway to Douglas Fir
Resort & Chalets.
- If
contestants are unable to post to our Facebook wall they can send their photo
to Alison@douglasfir.com where it
will be posted for them
The
Rules
- Contest is open to adults over the age of 18.
- The
contest opens on 16th May 2012 and closes in 30 days on June 22nd, 5pm
MST 2012
- Public
voting for the winner will open June 25th – July 9th 2012
- Entries must be sent via the Douglas Fir Resort
Facebook wall or via email
- By submitting photos to the contest, contestants verify
that they are the photographer AND copyright holder for each photo
submitted. You may not submit photos that you have paid another
professional to take.
- Photos to be accompanied by: A brief description
what made your vacations at the Douglas Fir Resort so special
- Judging is done by designated member of Douglas Fir
Resort management.
- By entering, contestants agree to allow the use of the
image for any and all uses related to the Douglas Fir Resort &
Chalets.
*some
conditions and blackout dates may apply
Banff hotel, hotel in Banff, Banff hotels, Hotels in Banff
Labels: banff hotel, Banff hotels, hotel in banff, hotels in banff
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