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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta group
Final up to date on March 16, 2024
Nestled within the Canadian Rockies, within the shadow of Sulphur Mountain, you’ll discover the magnificent Banff Higher Sizzling Springs. A soothing soak is among the finest issues to do in Banff Nationwide Park, and the Higher Sizzling Springs have lengthy supplied relaxation, rest, and therapeutic to individuals resulting from its mineral-rich water. We like to soak within the steaming water of the outside pool and take within the nationwide park’s beautiful panoramic mountain views. Nonetheless, there are some issues guests have to know earlier than they go to. This information will let you know the whole lot in regards to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs.
All the things You Must Know in regards to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs
Concerning the Springs
What makes the water on the Banff Sizzling Springs so particular? Rainwater that has seeped into the earth’s crust undergoes thermal heating earlier than ultimately effervescent its means as much as the floor of Sulphur Moutain; from there, the thermal waters go and trickle down the mountain to the springs at a charge of as much as 900 litres per minute. Alongside its journey, the water picks up an infusion of minerals, together with sulfate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, and sodium.
The water temperatures are additionally particular right here, and it’s saved at round 40°C (104°F) in the principle sizzling pool. When the move of pure spring water is just too low to fill the swimming pools, supplemental municipal water is used in order that the new springs could be loved all yr spherical.
The Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is the very best sizzling spring in all of Canada at an elevation of 1,585 metres!
Historical past of the Springs
The historical past of Banff Higher Sizzling Springs goes again centuries, as Indigenous peoples used the new springs as a sacred place to treatment sickness and keep good well being. In 1883, Canadian Pacific Railway staff began utilizing the Cave and Basin Sizzling Springs, paving the best way to create Banff Nationwide Park; the next yr, Europeans additionally began utilizing Banff Higher Sizzling Springs. As a result of reputation of spas in Europe, the positioning grew to become extraordinarily common, particularly with the growth of the railway system within the late Eighties and motorway building within the 1910s.
Whereas numerous buildings have been constructed after which destroyed (usually by hearth), the Higher Sizzling Springs Bathtub Home opened in 1923. Just like a number of the well-known spas in Europe, the bathhouse has a sulphur-water swimming pool, plunge baths, steam rooms, tubs, showers, and dressing rooms. In 1931, the Canadian authorities declared the bathhouse a Registered Federal Heritage Constructing.
After many renovations, the bathhouse has been restored to resemble its 1932 look, and a restaurant and a present store have been added. With over 300,000 guests yearly, the Higher Sizzling Springs is one in every of Banff Nationwide Park’s hottest vacationer locations.
The place are the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs? Location and parking
Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is situated on Mountain Avenue, 4 kilometres south of the city of Banff. The path to get there may be well-marked. If driving, strolling or biking, comply with Banff Avenue over the Bow River and switch left (east) on the final set of lights. Comply with the indicators for 3.6 kilometres to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs car parking zone.
Sadly, there may be restricted parking, and why many individuals select to take public transit to the new springs as a substitute. In the event you’d wish to take the bus from downtown Banff, take the bus marked with Route 1, “Sulphur Mountain.” Buses run each 20 minutes throughout common operation hours.
It’s also possible to stroll or cycle to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs, which is a good way to see the city and get just a little little bit of train earlier than your soak!
Earlier than or after your soak, we advocate going up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, seeing they’re so shut to 1 one other.
How a lot does it value to go to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs?
Contemplating how costly actions in Banff could be, a go to to Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is comparatively inexpensive. Word that advance tickets and reservations aren’t accessible and admission can solely be bought in individual at reception. One-time-use lockers are included in all charges.
Present charges are as follows:
Single Entry Charges (GST included)
- Grownup: $17.50
- Senior: $15.25
- Youth (ages 3-17): $15.25
- Kids: (below 3): Free
- Additional Youth: $8.50
- Household: $56.75
Group Charges (ten or extra individuals all checking in and paying in a single cost – GST included)
- Grownup: $16.00 every
- Senior: $14.00 every
- Youth (ages 3-17): $14 every
Extra Admission Choices
Annual passes and multi-use passes can be found for many who wish to go to the Higher Sizzling Springs greater than as soon as. Moreover, in the event you plan to go to the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Website and the new springs there, you should purchase a thermal go that mixes the 2 admissions.
For extra details about admissions and tickets, please go to the web site.
A reminder that you just’ll want a park go to be in Banff Nationwide Park (whether or not that’s a day go or a Parks Canada Discovery Cross).
Hours of Operation
The Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is open daily of the yr. And after we say daily, it’s true: the Higher Sizzling Springs are even open on Canadian holidays, together with Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Yr’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter.
Throughout the peak season (Might to September), the new springs are open day by day from 9 am to 11 pm. Throughout the low season (October to April), the new springs are open day by day from 10 am to 10 pm.
That being stated, the swimming pools can shut at instances for upkeep and cleansing. It’s vital to examine the Parks Canada web site for sudden closures earlier than you go to.
When to Go to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs
As talked about above, the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs are open year-round! Subsequently, there are advantages to visiting throughout each season, irrespective of the temperature. The busiest time on the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is in the summertime months, as it’s the peak season for Banff Nationwide Park. And being peak season, the new springs will probably be very crowded, and there’s a restrict to how many individuals can enter the new springs without delay.
Weekdays are usually much less busy than weekends, with Monday and Tuesday being the quietest days to go to. Moreover, early morning and later night are much less common instances to go to; the new springs peak within the afternoon.
We advocate visiting within the springtime or fall in the event you’re after cooler temperatures and fewer individuals. The Canadian Rockies are nonetheless stunning, and the new spring waters are a welcome deal with on a cold day. However we extremely advocate going within the winter. We expect the colder the higher as we benefit from the heat swimming pools as we soak in each the panoramic views of the snowy mountains and the thermal waters.
What to Carry to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs
Guests ought to deliver swimsuits, towels, and water footwear to the Banff Sizzling Springs, though there are additionally bathing fits and towels accessible for rental in the event you would not have your personal. You might also wish to deliver every other toiletries you’re feeling you’ll want after the springs, i.e. deodorant, make-up, and many others.
You will have entry to one-time use lockers however should purchase a further locker token if wanted.
How lengthy must you spend on the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs?
Whilst you might simply spend half a day soaking within the mineral-rich water – these views are unbelievable! – we really helpful planning for at the least two hours on the sizzling springs. This might additionally provide you with a little bit of time wanted to vary, bathe, and many others.
Accessibility
Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is wheelchair-accessible, with many ramps, an elevator within the facility and accessible parking out entrance. An aquatic wheelchair can be accessible upon request (first come, first served). Service canine are allowed on the Banff Sizzling Springs, though they aren’t allowed within the water.
Issues to Do on the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs
The primary factor to do on the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is loosen up! The pure spring water of the new springs is supposed to have therapeutic properties, and stress-free in a sizzling pool is a magical expertise. The big sizzling pool can accommodate as much as 200 individuals, whereas there’s a smaller, cooler pool for many who favor barely colder temperatures. It’s also possible to spend time within the steam room.
If you’re prepared for a snack, a café sells gentle bites and drinks. The reward store can be a superb cease to choose up a memento out of your time on the springs. Additionally, be sure to take a look at the interpretive reveals across the bathhouse, which doc its historical past and the historical past of the new springs themselves.
Issues to Do Close by
It’s also possible to mix a go to to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs with the Banff Gondola, as they’re so shut to 1 one other. Or you possibly can hike the Sulphur Mountain Path (a difficult, 9 km out-and-back hike) after which soak within the pure sizzling springs afterward to assuage your physique. This hike is among the hottest hikes in Banff, and the trailhead is true subsequent to Springs.
Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Highway Journey Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up within the Peace Nation, and has ventured to nearly each nook of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 international locations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card sport, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.