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The town of Banff in Alberta lies about 80 miles west of Calgary and close to 40 miles east of Lake Louise. Travelers climb narrow roads through steep mountain passes to reach one of Canada's highest towns. It's a little off the beaten path and, when it comes to Banff, that is the entire point.
Located in the heart of Banff National Park, the town of Banff has fewer than 8,500 permanent residents. It's easy to fall in love with the idyllic beauty of the Canadian Rockies, but residents must file for a certificate of eligibility from the federal government before relocating. The borders of the town itself are tightly constrained, as are the commercial opportunities available within the roughly 2.5 square miles that form the young municipality.
Why so remote and controlled?
Banff rests in an outdoor wonderland that is the envy of the modern world. The surrounding parkland is one of four adjacent Canadian parks designated as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations. The wondrously remote mountain haven is a must-see destination for anyone with a love for Earth's natural splendor.
The mountain town is also home to the Banff Centre, an arts and cultural organization with a simple, concise mission: "Inspiring Creativity." A trip to Banff isn't complete without visiting the center itself, so keep an eye on the calendar for a complete listing of inspirational presentations and events. Luckily, you won't have to wait for your next Canadian locum tenens assignment to enjoy the wonders of Banff. In addition to housing local events, the cultural center hosts the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, an experience that captures the breadth and variety of adventure available. If you can't be in Banff for the festival itself, the organization packages the show into a world tour.
You won't regret attending if you find a nearby showing of the tour, but we'll just leave this video link right here to give you a little taste of what to expect.