You’d be hard-pressed to find a more picture-perfect town than Banff. Located in the middle of Canada’s oldest national park, Banff looks like something out of a storybook with its turquoise rivers, jagged mountain peaks and elk grazing in the pristine forests on the edge of town.

Whether you visit in winter when the town twinkles under a blanket of snow or come in summer when the colour of the sky matches the dazzling colour of the nearby lakes, there’s never a bad time to visit this magical town.

Eat

For all its natural beauty, Banff has an amazing culinary scene where chefs and artisans work with local producers to deliver extraordinary dishes. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Sky Bistro, where award-winning chef Scott Hergott has created a distinctly Canadian menu (think Kuterra Farms salmon with farro, barley and citrus herb butter and burgers using ground Alberta chuck with smoked cheddar, dill pickles on a soft brioche bun). The stunning panoramic views from the restaurant (perched on the summit of Banff’s Sulphur Mountain) will have you wondering if you can stay for lunch and dinner (you can, and you should).

Just because you’re in the middle of a national park doesn’t mean you have to go without your artisanal baked goods. Drop into Wild Flour Bakery and pick up a delicious sourdough loaf (don’t miss the cranberry and walnut rye on Mondays) or grab a flaky croissant or frittata sandwich and a cup of the best coffee in town.

For an extensive breakfast menu drop into the locals’ favourite Melissa’s Missteak, where the ‘Classic Benny’ comes with a toasted English muffin, perfectly poached eggs, Canadian back bacon and crispy shredded hash browns. Or try the Canadian classic of hot Red River Cereal – porridge with wheat, flax and rye scattered with brown sugar and plump blueberries.

Drink

Park Distillery in Banff’s main street is the only distillery in a Canadian national park. And even better, they make award-winning spirits. The spirits are small-batch, glacier-to-glass, and their Park Alpine Dry Gin uses local spruce tips as one of the botanicals, imparting fresh, crisp citrus notes.

Stay

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels in Banff, but the charming Mount Royal Hotel is a wonderful option in the heart of town. The historic hotel was built over four different eras and each of these is reflected in the rich timber furnishings, sleek cabinetry and mountain memorabilia scattered throughout. After a day on the ski slopes, hiking the nearby trails or exploring the shops, the best place to be is in the rooftop lounge (or in the outdoor hot tubs) soaking up the spectacular views.

Play

In winter Banff turns into a life-sized snow-globe – you can ski, snowboard, snowshoe or go on sleigh rides. To get a sense of just how majestic the mountains are, hitch a ride on the Banff Gondola. In summer, this area and the nearby village of Lake Louise is heaven for outdoorsy folk – hiking, kayaking, mountain biking or climbing.

 Getting there

It takes a little over an hour to drive from Calgary to Banff. But perhaps the most iconic (and luxurious) way to arrive in this magical mountain town is via the Rocky Mountaineer, which winds its way past soaring mountain ranges, tumbling waterfalls and crystal-clear rivers.