#22 best destination in the world

Moraine Lake, Banff National Park

Best time to travel: Jan-March, June-Aug, Dec
Walk difficulty: Easy
Ease of travel: Easy
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

Glacially fed lake in Banff National Park
The lake, being glacially fed, does not reach its crest until mid to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinctive shade of azure blue
The unique color is due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis by surrounding glaciers

Best time to travel: March-May, Sept-Nov
Walk difficulty: Moderate
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

Lake in Jasper National Park, famed for the color of its azure water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake, and Spirit Island, a frequently and very famously photographed islet
Boat tours run to Spirit Island in the spring to autumn season
Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowboarding
Maligne Lake is a popular spot for sport fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Parks Canada maintains three camping sites, accessible only by canoe, at Hidden Cove, Fisherman’s Bay and Coronet Creek.
The name of the lake is French for malignant or wicked, and was used to describe the turbulent river that flows from the lake (in the spring), and soon spread to the lake, canyon, pass, mountain and range

Best time to travel: Jan-March, June-Aug, Dec
Ease of travel: Easy
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$$

Historic hotel located in Banff
The entire town including the hotel, is situated in Banff National Park
The hotel overlooks a valley towards Mount Rundle, both of which are situated within the Rocky Mountain mountain range
The hotel opened in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, as one of the earliest of Canada’s grand railway hotels
The building was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1988

Best time to travel: Jan-March, June-Aug, Dec
Walk difficulty: Easy
Ease of travel: Easy
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

Glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies
It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area
During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake from a nearby glacier, and these suspended rock particles are what give the lake a unique bright, turquoise color

Best time to travel: Jan-March, June-Aug, Dec
Walk difficulty: Easy
Ease of travel: Easy
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

Glacial lake within Banff National Park
Lake Louise is named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848–1939), the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria
The turquoise color of the water comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake
Fairmont’s Chateau Lake Louise, one of Canada’s grand railway hotels, is located on Lake Louise’s eastern shore, it is a luxury resort hotel built in the early decades of the 20th century by the Canadian Pacific Railway

Best time to travel: Jan-March, June-Aug, Dec
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

Ski resort located in Banff National Park near the village of Lake Louise
The resort is situated on the southern slopes of the Slate Range, between the heights of Mount Richardson, Ptarmigan Peak, Pika Peak and Redoubt Mountain

Best time to travel: Jan-March, June-Aug, Dec
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

Best time to travel: Jan-March, June-Aug, Dec
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

Ski resort located on the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies within Banff National Park
Because of its location straddling the Continental Divide, Sunshine receives more snow than the neighboring ski resorts
Banff Sunshine ski runs and lifts are accessed via an eight-person high-speed gondola
It moves passengers from the parking lot (or bus terminal) to Goat’s Eye mountain in 10 minutes and to the upper Village area in 18 minutes
In summer, the resort runs a shuttle bus service to its walking trails and alpine meadows