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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 Scorching Springs. A soothing soak is likely one of the finest issues to do in Banff Nationwide Park, and the Higher Scorching Springs have lengthy supplied relaxation, leisure, and therapeutic to folks as a result of its mineral-rich water. We like to soak within the steaming water of the outside pool and take within the nationwide park’s gorgeous panoramic mountain views. Nevertheless, there are some issues guests must know earlier than they go to. This information will inform you all the things in regards to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs.
Every thing You Must Know in regards to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs
Concerning the Springs
What makes the water on the Banff Scorching Springs so particular? Rainwater that has seeped into the earth’s crust undergoes thermal heating earlier than ultimately effervescent its manner as much as the floor of Sulphur Moutain; from there, the thermal waters move 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 stored at round 40°C (104°F) in the primary scorching pool. When the movement of pure spring water is just too low to fill the swimming pools, supplemental municipal water is used in order that the new springs might be loved all 12 months spherical.
The Banff Higher Scorching Springs is the very best scorching spring in all of Canada at an elevation of 1,585 metres!
Historical past of the Springs
The historical past of Banff Higher Scorching 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 employees began utilizing the Cave and Basin Scorching Springs, paving the way in which to create Banff Nationwide Park; the next 12 months, Europeans additionally began utilizing Banff Higher Scorching Springs. Because of the recognition of spas in Europe, the positioning turned extraordinarily fashionable, particularly with the growth of the railway system within the late Eighteen Eighties and motorway building within the 1910s.
Whereas varied buildings had been constructed after which destroyed (usually by fireplace), the Higher Scorching Springs Tub Home opened in 1923. Just like among 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 Scorching Springs is one in every of Banff Nationwide Park’s hottest vacationer locations.
The place are the Banff Higher Scorching Springs? Location and parking
Banff Higher Scorching Springs is positioned 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 Scorching Springs car parking zone.
Sadly, there’s restricted parking, and why many individuals select to take public transit to the new springs as a substitute. In case 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.
You may also stroll or cycle to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs, which is an effective way to see the city and get a bit of 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 at least one one other.
How a lot does it price to go to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs?
Contemplating how costly actions in Banff might be, a go to to Banff Higher Scorching Springs is comparatively reasonably priced. Be aware that advance tickets and reservations usually are not obtainable and admission can solely be bought in particular person 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: (underneath 3): Free
- Additional Youth: $8.50
- Household: $56.75
Group Charges (ten or extra folks 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
Further Admission Choices
Annual passes and multi-use passes can be found for individuals who need to go to the Higher Scorching Springs greater than as soon as. Moreover, when you plan to go to the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Website and the new springs there, you should purchase 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 Go).
Hours of Operation
The Banff Higher Scorching Springs is open every single day of the 12 months. And after we say every single day, it’s true: the Higher Scorching Springs are even open on Canadian holidays, together with Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New 12 months’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter.
Throughout the peak season (Might to September), the new springs are open every day from 9 am to 11 pm. Throughout the low season (October to April), the new springs are open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
That being mentioned, the swimming pools can shut at instances for upkeep and cleansing. It’s vital to test the Parks Canada web site for surprising closures earlier than you go to.
When to Go to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs
As talked about above, the Banff Higher Scorching Springs are open year-round! Subsequently, there are advantages to visiting throughout each season, regardless of the temperature. The busiest time on the Banff Higher Scorching Springs is in the summertime months, as it’s the peak season for Banff Nationwide Park. And being peak season, the new springs might be very crowded, and there’s a restrict to how many individuals can enter the new springs directly.
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 fashionable instances to go to; the new springs peak within the afternoon.
We advocate visiting within the springtime or fall when you’re after cooler temperatures and fewer folks. The Canadian Rockies are nonetheless lovely, 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 Scorching Springs
Guests ought to carry swimsuits, towels, and water footwear to the Banff Scorching Springs, though there are additionally bathing fits and towels obtainable for rental when you don’t have your personal. You might also need to carry another toiletries you’re feeling you’ll want after the springs, i.e. deodorant, make-up, and so on.
You’ve got 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 Scorching Springs?
When you may simply spend half a day soaking within the mineral-rich water – these views are unbelievable! – we beneficial planning for not less than two hours on the scorching springs. This could additionally offer you a little bit of time wanted to vary, bathe, and so on.
Accessibility
Banff Higher Scorching Springs is wheelchair-accessible, with many ramps, an elevator within the facility and accessible parking out entrance. An aquatic wheelchair can also be obtainable upon request (first come, first served). Service canine are allowed on the Banff Scorching Springs, though they don’t seem to be allowed within the water.
Issues to Do on the Banff Higher Scorching Springs
The primary factor to do on the Banff Higher Scorching Springs is calm down! The pure spring water of the new springs is supposed to have therapeutic properties, and enjoyable in a scorching pool is a magical expertise. The massive scorching pool can accommodate as much as 200 folks, whereas there’s a smaller, cooler pool for individuals who choose barely colder temperatures. You may also spend time within the steam room.
Once you’re prepared for a snack, a café sells gentle bites and drinks. The reward store can also be a very good cease to select up a memento out of your time on the springs. Additionally, be certain 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
You may also mix a go to to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs with the Banff Gondola, as they’re so shut to at least one one other. Or you would hike the Sulphur Mountain Path (a difficult, 9 km out-and-back hike) after which soak within the pure scorching springs afterward to appease your physique. This hike is likely one of 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 virtually 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.