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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta staff
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 without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Banff Nationwide Park, and the Higher Sizzling Springs have lengthy offered relaxation, rest, and therapeutic to folks because 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 the whole lot concerning the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs.
Every little thing You Have to Know concerning the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs
In regards to 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 method 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 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 recent springs will be loved all yr spherical.
The Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is the 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 preserve good well being. In 1883, Canadian Pacific Railway employees began utilizing the Cave and Basin Sizzling Springs, paving the way in which to create Banff Nationwide Park; the next yr, Europeans additionally began utilizing Banff Higher Sizzling Springs. Because of the recognition of spas in Europe, the positioning grew to become extraordinarily common, particularly with the enlargement of the railway system within the late Eighties and motorway development within the 1910s.
Whereas numerous buildings have been constructed after which destroyed (typically by hearth), the Higher Sizzling Springs Tub Home opened in 1923. Much 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 certainly 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 car parking zone.
Sadly, there’s restricted parking, and why many individuals select to take public transit to the recent springs as an alternative. In case you’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 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 at least one one other.
How a lot does it value to go to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs?
Contemplating how costly actions in Banff will be, a go to to Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is comparatively reasonably priced. Word that advance tickets and reservations should not accessible 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
- Kids: (below 3): Free
- Additional 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
Extra Admission Choices
Annual passes and multi-use passes can be found for individuals who wish to go to the Higher Sizzling Springs greater than as soon as. Moreover, in case you plan to go to the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site 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 simply’ll want a park move to be in Banff Nationwide Park (whether or not that’s a day move or a Parks Canada Discovery Move).
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 12 months’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter.
Through the peak season (Could to September), the recent springs are open every day from 9 am to 11 pm. Through the low season (October to April), the recent springs are open every 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 verify 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! 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 common instances to go to; the recent springs peak within the afternoon.
We advocate visiting within the springtime or fall in case you’re after cooler temperatures and fewer folks. The Canadian Rockies are nonetheless stunning, and the recent 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 Convey 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 case you should not have your personal. You might also wish to deliver some other toiletries you are feeling you’ll want after the springs, i.e. deodorant, make-up, and so on.
You’ve entry to one-time use lockers however should purchase an extra 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 beneficial planning for no less than two hours on the sizzling springs. This could additionally offer you a little bit of time wanted to alter, bathe, and so on.
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 don’t seem to be 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 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 individuals who choose barely colder temperatures. You too can spend time within the steam room.
While you’re prepared for a snack, a café sells gentle bites and drinks. The reward store can be an excellent cease to select up a memento out of your time on the springs. Additionally, be sure that to take a look at the interpretive displays 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 at least one one other. Or you may 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 without doubt 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 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 recreation, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.