W hile in Banff, you can spend a few minutes to drive the twisty road up Mount Norquay — which is better known for its skiing in the winter — but you do not have to pay to take in the view of Banff and the surrounding mountains, where you can stay as long as you like.
Breathtaking View of Banff From Mount Norquay
All you have to do is drive up the mountain until you see a small parking area on the right on one of the hairpin turns — no hiking is required to access the viewpoint — and if you reach the gate to officially enter Mount Norquay, you drove a little too far.
Just beyond the aforementioned observation area on Mount Norquay is a grassy hillside where you can relax and enjoy the view of Banff and the mountains which surround it.
This is a closer view of the town of Banff.
South of the downtown area of Banff is the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort, which looms in the upper half of the above photograph.
The photograph above shows an even closer view of the downtown area of Banff.
This is a view of the exit off of Trans-Canada Highway 1, which is Mount Norquay Road. Go south to head directly into the town of Banff; but go north to head up Mount Norquay.
This view is east northeast of the downtown area of Banff.
I intend to post some photographs of Banff itself when I was there and stayed at the Delta Hotels Banff Royal Canadian Lodge, which is located near this area shown in the photograph above.
The Bow River lazily wends its way through the heart of Banff.
I did not stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort.
These mountains of the Sundance Range are located south of Banff, which is in the valley.
One of the Vermillion Lakes can be seen from Mount Norquay. I intend to post photographs of them in a future article.
This view of Banff from Mount Norquay was taken at approximately 8:00 in the evening.
You get an excellent view of the unmistakable Mount Rundle from Mount Norquay, with the smaller Tunnel Mountain in the foreground.
Play Time For Me
I rarely effect effects to affect my photographs; but I have always wanted to try something known as the Tilt-Shift effect — and the following two photographs allowed me to experiment with this effect.
This is the same photograph of the town of Banff which you saw earlier in this article — but with the tilt-shift effect affecting it, Banff now looks like a toy…
…as is the case with this photograph as well.
Summary
Mount Norquay itself was not open yet to the public for its summer season when I visited, as the gates were closed when I drove further up Mount Norquay Road; but the observation area is open as long as the road to it is open as well — and there is no cost to view Banff and its surroundings…
…but if you do arrive in the summer and want to experience what Mount Norquay has to offer, you can find out information and details here. Be aware, though, that some of the activities are not free of charge.
I would advise arriving at this viewpoint either at or after dawn or before dusk for the best lighting for photographs.
All photographs ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
