The Gondola
Seated in a 4- passenger closed cable car, you will be mesmerized at the scenic view as soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Towering at 7500 ft above sea level., the ride takes approximately 8 minutes, with a marvellous view from every angle. If you are concerned about glare on your photograph, not to worry , a small window easily open to get great shots. You can purchase your ticket at Banff Gondola .
Getting There
To get to the Gondola, you simply take the number 1 bus from the main road, Banff Avenue. Roam Transit Services offers rides to and from there. The bus ride is only 2$ or you can get a day pass at 5$. Ask your hotel if they offer a complimentary pass. Mine did, but failed to mention; I was not too happy about that.
Mountain View Top
The sheer magnitude of these cloud-hidden snow capped mountains, evergreen trees and magnificent scenery is truly a marvel of nature. When I arrived at the mountain look out, it was snowing , creating a misty and mysterious forest backdrop. The mountains emanate such power and magnificence , they radiate beauty in any type of weather. It is no wonder , the Canadian Rockies are a top destination when travelling to Banff Alberta.
Once you are on the top, you can stroll the Boardwalk that brings you to the top of Mount Sulphur. The summit is equipped with a lovely restaurant where you can take in the spectacular scenery, as well as an educational information centre showcasing Banff’s diverse wildlife and rich history. One can’t help but marvel at the awe- inspiring panoramic views and breathtaking scenery.
Wildlife
Be on the look out on the wildlife for any you may encounter. Grizzly bears were spotted around Jasper so we were all waiting in anticipation but no luck. Wildlife is very protected around the parks and you can get a heavy fine if you are caught feeding them. So please avoid feeding any animals.
In Canada we are one of the first to build animal bridges so they can cross over safely during migration season to avoid getting hit by cars. They have replicated a forest on these bridges to feel the animals are in their natural habitat. What a great idea!
I did see a flying bald eagle soaring high above us , the canadian geese resting on a lake and a few female mountain sheeps licking salt in the middle of the road.
Photography
Banff is a beauty for nature photography, so have your camera ready no matter what road or direction you take. Banff scenery especially at the top of the summit is so spectacular and your jaw willl drop many times. Depending on the time of the year you travel, I recommend getting a polarized filter to remove glare from the cable car ( if it is too cold to open window ) or strong sun rays from the snow.
We , Canadians usually travel to the south or in Europe but we should not forget we live in a beautiful country and pictures do not do Banff justice . I encourage everyone to put the Canadian Rockies on your bucket list, it is really worth it. This trip has been one of my favourite travel destination not only for the beauty but the connection and oneness I felt with nature.
