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As one of the seasoned meeting planners at Gavel International, John George has planned and been on his fair share of group incentive trips. He is also an avid fan of wildlife, nature, and the outdoors. These qualities made John the perfect choice to talk about his experiences in unforgettable Banff, Canada.

“Banff is a great alternative to a fun-in-the-sun location. This amazing destination creates a unique experience to motivate your top performers,” says John.

“Even more, Banff offers something that few locations in the world can match,” he adds, continuing with:

“Banff is a destination where expectations are uncertain. Everyone wants to know if it can live up to the beauty seen in pictures. The good news is that Banff never disappoints. It’s not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also an unbelievable trip from start to finish, and it consistently over-delivers. It’s the only destination in North America where you’ll find the opportunity to enjoy nature, wildlife, and the outdoors in so many unique ways.”

With that kind of endorsement, Gavel International asked John to share some of his favorite experiences while in Banff. Let’s step into John’s shoes and hear about his firsthand accounts…

JOURNEY TO THE CASTLE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Traveling to Banff is a straightforward process. I flew into the Calgary Airport from the United States. While the immigration process can be time-consuming with a group, it wasn’t the case in this modern airport. Automated processes made it fast and easy.

From there, I made the roughly 90-minute trip from the airport to Banff. The journey itself provided snapshots of different parts of Canadian terrain – from flat prairie land to hilly mountain areas.

As I stepped out of the bus, I was greeted by a view of Banff’s impressive “Castle in the Rockies.” Even my lodgings were noteworthy, as the Fairmont Banff Springs is something out of a fairytale. The Rocky Mountains, a mature forest, and the Bow River surround the captivating resort location.

WHEN REALITY IS BETTER THAN A PICTURE

Even on a cloudy day, Lake Louise is a majestic sight to behold in a breathtaking setting. A picture alone doesn’t do the scenery justice. The crystal blue water surrounded by mountains is something that must be seen in person to fully appreciate its stunning beauty.

There are several activities around Lake Louise that allow visitors to make the most of its natural splendor.

  • I most enjoy hiking the trails around Lake Louise because it allows me to interact with nature.
  • You can also go canoeing and horseback riding.
  • If you make a reservation early enough, lunch at a restaurant overlooking Lake Louise is another option.

LEAN INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS AT BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Banff National Park encompasses pretty much everything that is breathtaking about the Banff area. The icing on the cake is the wildlife and natural surroundings. The wildlife is abundant, and you never know what you’ll see. I was lucky enough to see a black bear! I’ve been to Banff a number of times and this was my first black bear sighting.

Speaking of wildlife, one of my favorite places to spot herds of elk is at the golf course at the Fairmont Banff Springs. On my last trip, I was talking with a few of the people who wanted to see a herd. We got up early one morning and sure enough, right on the edge of the golf course, we spotted a herd of 25 to 30 elk!

Within Banff National Park is the Johnston Canyon Waterfall Hike. It’s about an hour and it’s one of the easier hikes.

Another activity within the Banff National Park is floating down Bow River on a raft. This is a Class 1 and 2 rafting ride, meaning it’s not high adrenaline. The ride is slow, chill, and relaxing. The guided tour takes about 75 minutes.

Located in Alberta, the town of Canmore is near the southeast boundary of Banff National Park. You can go on an e-bike and brew tour to Canmore, which is 15 miles and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. This outing gives you the opportunity to experience scenic beauty and wildlife followed by beer tasting. The route to the brewery is mostly downhill, with the return ride home done by bus. This activity is great for travelers who want to get outside and enjoy a nice day.

HAVE AN ADVENTURE ON THE COLUMBIA ICE FIELD

The expedition to Columbia Ice Field is an all-day adventure. It takes three hours each way, and you travel to the glacier on a coach bus. The journey is mostly along Trans Canada 1 and 93 North Highway. During the trip, you’ll:

  • See wildlife out of the windows, with your guides pointing out notable sights.
  • Make a couple of stops to stretch your legs and get up-close lake views.
  • Refuel with box lunches, snacks, and beverages made available to you.
  • Learn about the glaciers – how they formed, their current activity, and possible future movement.

You’ll board snowcats once you’re near the glacier. The snowcats are impressive, with tires the size of tractors! You’ll ascend to the glacier while riding the snowcats.

The glacier is carefully marked to indicate which areas can safely hold the weight of people. Depending on the time of year, the glacier might be firm and hard, or sloshy and slippery.

I tested the waters in a different way when I visited the glacier during the summer months when the ice was on the sloshy side. Venturing beyond the orange cone, I found out exactly how cold glacier water was when my foot got wet! It was a funny, albeit freezing, moment. I now advise everyone to stay within the cones, in the safe areas.

Another cool – literally — experience is tasting the refreshing, ice-cold water produced by the glacier. I highly recommend it, as the water is delicious.

After walking around on the glacier in the crisp air and picturesque setting, we got back on the snowcats to descend back to the bus and, eventually, our hotel. It was an amazing day spent doing something that only a few places in the world can offer!

EXPLORE QUAINT DOWNTOWN BANFF

Downtown Banff is quaint, clean, vibrant, and walkable – and worth a visit for several reasons.

Although you’re in town, you’ll likely catch a glimpse of wildlife. In fact, it’s not uncommon for elk to wander the streets!

There are little-to-no chain restaurants or big box retailers. Most of the stores and restaurants are locally owned and/or operated. This “mom and pop” business vibe is part of what gives the downtown sector its charm.

One of the most memorable experiences during my time downtown, besides the fantastic food I ate, was leaving a restaurant at 10:30 PM. It was summer, and it was still daylight even at that late hour!

GET A BIRD’S EYE VIEW AND SAVOR FINE DINING AT THE TOP OF SULFUR MOUNTAIN

Taking a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain is an adventure in its own right. You’ll climb over 3,500 feet in 10 minutes time, eventually reaching a height of 8,000 feet!! While the gondolas are enclosed, you can crack open a window to let the crisp mountain air in. Your ears pop as you ascend, just as they do on an airplane. It’s a true sensory experience! The ride will give you great views in both directions of the summit and Bow Valley.

When you step out of the gondola, the viewing deck at Sulfur Mountain’s summit offers a breathtaking view of the Bow Valley area.

But that’s not all that awaits…

You’ll find Sky Bistro just two levels up from the viewing deck. The restaurant offers panoramic views similar to the ones you can see at the summit viewing deck. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide an expansive look at the surrounding mountains and Bow Valley below.

Sky Bistro hosts everything from casual dinners to private events – making it ideal for group meetings and incentive trips.

Regardless of what you plan for your group incentive trip to Banff, you can rest assured that it will not disappoint. With wildlife and natural beauty at the forefront as well as a quaint downtown area anchoring it, this destination is truly special and unique. It’s why I consider Banff one of my most favorite group travel incentive destinations!

For more information on how travel incentives to special destinations like Banff can help your organization, contact Gavel International. 

John George
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