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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta crew
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 greatest issues to do in Banff Nationwide Park, and the Higher Sizzling Springs have lengthy supplied relaxation, rest, and therapeutic to folks on account of 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 must know earlier than they go to. This information will let you know all the pieces concerning the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs.
Every thing You Have to Know concerning 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 finally effervescent its approach as much as the floor of Sulphur Moutain; from there, the thermal waters move and trickle down the mountain to the springs at a price 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 stored at round 40°C (104°F) in the primary sizzling pool. When the circulate of pure spring water is simply too low to fill the swimming pools, supplemental municipal water is used in order that the recent springs could be loved all 12 months 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 recent 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 12 months, Europeans additionally began utilizing Banff Higher Sizzling Springs. As a result of reputation of spas in Europe, the location grew to become extraordinarily widespread, particularly with the growth of the railway system within the late Eighteen Eighties and motorway development within the 1910s.
Whereas varied buildings had been constructed after which destroyed (typically by hearth), the Higher Sizzling Springs Bathtub Home opened in 1923. Just like a few 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 considered one 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’s well-marked. If driving, strolling or biking, observe Banff Avenue over the Bow River and switch left (east) on the final set of lights. Observe the indicators for 3.6 kilometres to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs parking zone.
Sadly, there’s restricted parking, and why many individuals select to take public transit to the recent springs as a substitute. For those who’d prefer 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.
You too can stroll or cycle to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs, which is a good way to see the city and get slightly little bit of train earlier than your soak!
Earlier than or after your soak, we suggest going up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, seeing they’re so shut to 1 one other.
How a lot does it price 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 should not obtainable 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
- Youngsters: (below 3): Free
- Further Youth: $8.50
- Household: $56.75
Group Charges (ten or extra folks all checking in and paying in a single fee – GST included)
- Grownup: $16.00 every
- Senior: $14.00 every
- Youth (ages 3-17): $14 every
Further 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, should you plan to go to the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Website and the recent springs there, you should buy a thermal move 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 move to be in Banff Nationwide Park (whether or not that’s a day move or a Parks Canada Discovery Cross).
Hours of Operation
The Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is open each day of the 12 months. And after we say each day, it’s true: the Higher Sizzling Springs are even open on Canadian holidays, together with Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New 12 months’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter.
In the course of the peak season (Might to September), the recent springs are open day by day from 9 am to 11 pm. In the course of the low season (October to April), the recent springs are open day by day from 10 am to 10 pm.
That being mentioned, the swimming pools can shut at instances for upkeep and cleansing. It’s essential to verify the Parks Canada web site for surprising 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! Due to this fact, 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 recent springs shall be very crowded, and there’s a restrict to how many individuals can enter the recent springs without delay.
Weekdays are typically 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 widespread instances to go to; the recent springs peak within the afternoon.
We suggest visiting within the springtime or fall should you’re after cooler temperatures and fewer folks. The Canadian Rockies are nonetheless lovely, and the recent spring waters are a welcome deal with on a cold day. However we extremely suggest 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 Convey to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs
Guests ought to carry swimsuits, towels, and water footwear to the Banff Sizzling Springs, though there are additionally bathing fits and towels obtainable for rental should you would not have your individual. You might also wish to carry some other toiletries you are feeling you’ll want after the springs, i.e. deodorant, make-up, and many others.
You’ve entry to one-time use lockers however should purchase an extra locker token if wanted.
How lengthy do you have to spend on the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs?
Whilst you may 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 may 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 obtainable upon request (first come, first served). Service canines are allowed on the Banff Sizzling Springs, though they don’t seem to be allowed within the water.
Issues to Do on the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs
The principle factor to do on the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is calm down! The pure spring water of the recent springs is supposed to have therapeutic properties, and stress-free in a sizzling pool is a magical expertise. The massive sizzling pool can accommodate as much as 200 folks, whereas there’s a smaller, cooler pool for many who desire barely colder temperatures. You too can spend time within the steam room.
Once you’re prepared for a snack, a café sells mild 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 that to take a look at the interpretive reveals across the bathhouse, which doc its historical past and the historical past of the recent springs themselves.
Issues to Do Close by
You too can 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 can hike the Sulphur Mountain Path (a difficult, 9 km out-and-back hike) after which soak within the pure sizzling springs afterward to appease your physique. This hike is among the hottest hikes in Banff, and the trailhead is correct 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 nations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising and marketing, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card recreation, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.
