Frequently Asked Questions

Banff has a cool, dry climate. The area, which is at an altitude of 1,476m (4,500ft), has “mountain weather,” meaning it is subject to daily changes in temperatures and conditions.

- Summer temperatures range from 20°C to 25°C, but nights are significantly cooler. Please be aware that occasional smoke advisories can take effect due to regional wildfires.
- Autumn is typically clear and sunny, with daytime temperatures in the 10°C to 15°C range and nighttime temperatures slightly below freezing.
- Winter, which generally lasts from November to May, offers great snow for skiing, with typical temperatures ranging from -5°C down to -20°C. Spring temperatures are generally comfortable, around 10°C to 15°C during the day with nighttime temperatures often just above freezing.

Banff is also subject to Chinook winds and conditions. Warm, humid air flowing over the mountains from the west can raise winter temperatures substantially in a short time and reduce snow accumulations dramatically in a few days.

People unaccustomed to living at our altitude may require a couple of days to acclimatize. In the winter, consider packing:

- A winter jacket or coat
- Sweater or fleece pullover
- Winter boots, preferably without high heels and a non-slip sole
- Hat and scarf
- Warm socks
- Mittens or gloves
- Traction devices for shoes

In the spring/summer, consider packing:

- Jacket or windbreaker
- Sweater of fleece pullover
- Shoes with a flat sole or running shoes as our property includes hilly terrain
- Sunscreen

You may also find it notably dry here. Make sure to keep hand cream and lip balm on hand.

This is a national park entry fee which is charged to all visitors to Banff National Park by Parks Canada travelling into the park with a vehicle. Visitors entering the park without a vehicle, on the Airporter, Brewster Bus, on foot or bike, do not have to pay this fee.  Revenues collected from sales of the park pass are used to support visitor services and facilities in Canada’s national parks. Park pass fees are determined based on number of people travelling and type of vehicle entering the park. 

Click here for Daily Park Admission Prices

Park passes can be purchased at any of the entry gates into Banff National Park, at the Parks Canada Information Centre located in downtown Banff (224 Banff Avenue). They can also be purchased online in advance of your visit through Banff Lake Louise Tourism.

Please contact: Parks Canada at 1.403.762.1550 for more information about Canada’s national parks including park passes, camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife information. 

As Banff Centre and the town of Banff are located in Banff National Park, various types of wildlife are often observed. Sightings range from different bird species to the most frequently encountered large mammal: the elk. Bears, mountain lions, and mountain goats are very elusive and are rarely observed.

Keep in mind that the wildlife you may encounter is just that — wild! Please ensure that you respect the animals’ spaces and habitats while in the park. That perfect picture can sometimes lead to a compromising situation for both the subject and the photographer! For your safety and theirs, please treat them with respect and keep your distance. Please do not feed any of the animals, including the squirrels, as they are protected by law.

Please do not feed any animals, this can result in animals becoming habituated to humans and could lead to them being put down.

Elk can be fast and dangerous, especially during spring calving (May 15-July 1) and the fall rut (Sept. 1 - Oct. 15). If you encounter any elk, keep your distance. You must stay at least three bus lengths away from elk at all times. Do not use headphones on trails. It is always best to travel in groups and to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Depending on the activity, you may want to consider carrying bear spray, which you can rent or purchase at many shops downtown during your stay in Banff. If you see wildlife on campus, please contact Security Services via the main switchboard by dialing '0' or calling 1.403.760.0098.

It is your responsibility to educate yourself on the topic of wildlife and how to prepare for wildlife encounters.

Mountain Environment: A Word of Caution

Mountains can be dangerous. If you are planning an excursion, contact the Parks Canada Information Centre at 1.403.762.1550 for up-to-date weather and avalanche information, reports on trail conditions, and wildlife activity. Visit pc.gc.ca/banff for more information.

Local taxi service is available through Banff Transportation Group Ltd. At 403.762.0000. Please visit the professional Development Centre should you require assistance booking a taxi.

Effective November 1, 2006, the Tourism Improvement Fee (T.I.F.) is a 2% accommodation charge which will be used to enhance the experience of visitors by funding destination initiatives such as special events, heritage tourism programs, information centre maintenance and services, and, quality and ease of access to online information at www.banfflakelouise.com.

Alberta imposes a 4% Alberta Tourism Levy on all lodgings. This is non-refundable. 

Canada imposes a 5% tax on all goods and services purchased in Canada.

In Banff and Canada generally, services are tipped at a rate between 15% and 25% depending on customer satisfaction.

Banff Centre is located in the town of Banff, a 90-minute drive west of Calgary. There are several transfer options available from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Banff including airport shuttle service, bus transportation, and rental cars.

Banff Airporter is the official airport shuttle provider of Banff Centre and the best way to get to and from the Calgary Airport. Banff Airporter offers multiple departures daily between Calgary Airport and Banff Centre. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery as you travel to Banff.

Brewster Transportation coaches offer several daily departures and returns from Calgary International Airport and downtown Calgary to Banff hotels. Please contact Brewster Transportation at 1.877.625.4372 or at www.banffjaspercollection.com/brewster-express/ to confirm times and rates.

If you are driving to Banff/Lake Louise, the Trans-Canada, Highway 1, leads directly to the Rockies. The Trans Canada is a four-lane divided highway from Calgary to Lake Louise. The highway gains very little elevation from Calgary to Banff/Lake Louise and is a safe and scenic drive.

Maps and directions to Banff Centre are available on our website banffcentre.ca/maps-and-directions. 

If you are staying onsite, please check-in at our Front Desk located in the Professional Development Centre building at the Banff Centre; please refer to our online map for location. Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. onwards, and check-out time is 11:00 a.m.

At this time, we unfortunately will not be able to guarantee valet service.

Please visit Getting Around Campus here: banffcentre.ca/visit/campus. Maps attached.

Parking is located in the Becker Hall parking lot beside the Professional Development Centre and in the parkade under the Music & Sound Building. All parking is complimentary.

Banff Centre is located on the east side of Banff, four blocks from Banff Avenue. The town can be accessed by foot three ways from the Centre grounds: St-Julien Road, Buffalo Street, and the Ken Madsen Path to town. It is a brief 10-minute walk downhill to town. The return trip is slightly longer as it is uphill.

Downtown Banff can be reached by taxi for less than $10 each way.

There is no shuttle bus that runs from Banff Centre to downtown Banff.

Banff Centre welcomes guests with disabilities. There are paths, roadways, or ramps that provide access to and throughout most buildings. However, the Centre, built on the side of a mountain, presents challenges to those with limited mobility. We recommend that you contact us in advance so that we can meet you upon your arrival to facilitate your understanding of the best routes and services available. Please contact the Front Desk at reservations@banffcentre.ca or telephone 1-403-762-6148 for assistance.

Banff Centre has bedrooms adapted for wheelchair access; please request when making your reservation.

Check-in time is after 4:00 p.m. on arrival day. You may request to check-in earlier, but we cannot guarantee that your room will be ready. Guest services will be happy to safely store your bags before check-in.

Check-out time is 11:00 a.m.

No. Since September 1, 2008, all bedrooms at Banff Centre are non-smoking.

For the health, safety, and comfort of our guests, Banff Centre has designated all bedrooms, public areas, classrooms, performance spaces, and service areas as non-smoking. Smoking is not permitted in building entrance areas, or on outside patios where food service is available. The Centre has designated more than twenty outdoor smoking areas throughout the campus.

Indigenous smudging and sweetgrass ceremonies associated with Banff Centre programs are exempt from the non-smoking policy.

Please note that under the Alberta Tobacco Reduction Act, smoking is prohibited in public places and workplaces, and within five metres of any doorway, window, or air intake.

Banff Centre welcomes guests with disabilities. There are paths, roadways, or ramps that provide access to and throughout most buildings. However, the centre, built on the side of a mountain, presents challenges to those with limited mobility. We recommend that you contact us in advance so that we can meet you upon your arrival to facilitate your understanding of the best routes and services available. Please contact the Front Desk at reservations@banffcentre.ca or telephone 1-403-762-6148 for assistance.

Banff Centre has bedrooms adapted for wheelchair access; please request when making your reservation.

For individual reservations, please contact the Reservations team directly: Toll Free: 1 (800) 884-7574 (Canada & U.S.A) or reservations@banffcentre.ca.

Family members or friends not registered for your conference are welcome to accompany you. Up to one additional person may stay with you in your room at no additional charge. Children under 13 years of age stay free in a parent’s room. Additional persons 13 years and over are charged at $20 plus applicable taxes per day. When booking your reservation, please be sure to indicate the number of adults and children in your party so that the most suitable room type can be assigned for you. Should the size of your party require a larger, upgraded room, you will be quoted a higher room rate than the price quoted for your conference package.

As a delegate, you will have been offered a special conference rate that includes some variation of a meal plan for you alone. Meals are not included for spouses/companions unless they are a registered delegate of the conference. Spouses/companions can purchase individual meals at Vistas Dining Room or at any of the food outlets on campus. If your spouse is also attending the conference as a delegate, the quoted "double" conference rate outlined on your registration form will apply to each of you. Meals will be included for both people if that has been pre-arranged with the conference.

Yes. Room reservations may be made by contacting our Reservations Office: 

Phone: 403.762.6308 

Toll Free: 1.800.884.7574 

E-mail: reservations@banffcentre.ca

Each year, thousands of talented artists and cultural leaders in the performing, visual, literary, and media arts come to Banff Centre for professional development or to create new work. Their work is showcased throughout the year through public performances, exhibitions, and events, culminating in our summer events season. In the fall, the world’s best mountain films, speakers, and writers gather for the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. For more information on upcoming events, or to purchase tickets, please contact Banff Centre Box Office, 1.800.413.8368, 1.403.762.6301, or visit our events listings.

Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation offers a wide range of recreational opportunities and fitness services for people of all abilities and interests. Visit our website for a comprehensive listing of our recreational facilities and services.

These popular links offer information about trip planning, events, and activities, in Banff, Lake Louise, and beyond: 

Banff visitor information: The Banff Lake Louise Tourism website makes it easy to plan your visit.

Downhill skiing and snowboarding in Banff National Park: Visit Ski Big 3.

(remember to breathe): Travel Alberta provides visitor information for the Alberta Rockies as well as destinations throughout the province.

Wireless internet is available free of charge and the coverage is campus wide. Look for banffcentre.ca from your computer, a password is not required.

Vistas Dining Room
Offers a market-style buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you are attending a conference, a meal portion is typically built into your package at a discounted rate and designated meals will be taken with the rest of the conference group. Additional meals may be purchased. Children's prices are available.
Hours of operation - Breakfast: 7:00 am – 9:30 am; Lunch: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm; Dinner: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. 

Maclab Bistro
Our fully licensed café and bar is the place to go for a quick snack, casual meal, relaxing beverage, or your favourite coffee brew. Located on the ground floor of the Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation. Café and pastries available from 8am-11am daily, full menu available from 11am to 11pm daily.

Three Ravens Restaurant – temporarily closed, reopening May 2024
Our à la carte restaurant is an inspiring dimension in dining and has one of the finest views of any dining facility in the Bow Valley. Within a few steps of all performance spaces, meeting spaces, and accommodation, at the Centre, the Three Ravens offers a convenient and creative venue for your evening dining experience. 

Three Ravens Wine Bar - temporarily closed, reopening May 2024
Savour selections from the quality wine cellar and menu, in the wine bar atop the Sally Borden Building. The Rocky Mountain peaks that surround us form the backdrop for quiet enjoyment, casual meetings, or relaxing conversations. 

For larger jobs that require completion prior to the end of the conference, Banff Centre offers two facilities to help you complete these jobs. Ricoh Canada: Digital Business Services & Printing Solutions is located on-site and offers services ranging from large print jobs to complete binding and color printing services. They are electronically compatible to accept jobs for completion prior to your arrival. Ricoh offers competitive pricing when compared with other options located in downtown Banff.

For smaller, quick jobs, the Business Centre, located at the Front Desk in the Professional Development Centre (PDC) can complete simple print jobs. For convenience, charges may be deferred to your room account. The Business Centre also offers a full supply of office materials for purchase.

One should plan for delivery of materials to arrive no more than 7 days prior to the event. All conference materials must be labelled with:

"Name of your person on site AND company name"
"Conference Name"
C/O The Banff Centre ‐ Conferences
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Box 1020
Banff, Alberta
Canada
T1L 1H5

All packaging, including shipping and receiving of materials to or from The Banff Centre is handled through our Receiving Department, which is open from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no weekend courier delivery to Banff.

Shipping from outside of Canada:
When shipping materials from outside of Canada, please check with your courier regarding necessary customs brokerage services and fees, and applicable duties and taxes. You, as the shipper, are responsible for payment of any fees, duties, or taxes, in addition to your shipping costs. Banff Centre is not responsible for clearing your goods and will not assume any legal liability for the clearing of your shipment.

Yes. There are all gender washrooms in many buildings on campus. Please see the map for more information.

If you are attending a conference, gratuities for baggage service and housekeeping are built into the nightly package rate. Other gratuities are paid upon the client's discretion for other services attained at either Banff Centre or at other establishments in the town of Banff.

Thank you for your interest. To donate, please visit banffcentre.ca/artist-fund or 1.888.495.4467.