The swish and stately Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, known as the "Castle in the Rockies", stands amid an alluring spread of emerald woodland. In operation for well over a century, it features a spa and a popular golf course, as well as a surprising selection of stores that offer anything from specialist golf and ski goods to Canadian-made clothing and quality gifts. An in-house gallery set up to support exclusively Canadian artists is stacked high with contemporary sculptures and limited edition prints. There’s also a tempting choice of jewelry and watches well worth a quick look.
Banff Indian Trading Post
A key feature of the national park for more than 100 years, the Banff Trading Post is the place to go for a hefty dose of authentic Rockies culture. Resting quietly on Birch Avenue, this humble store is the perfect place to browse a wide selection of stylish native goods. Whether you’re splurging on a comfortable pair of sheepskin slippers or a striking leather-craft hat, it’ll be money well spent. A hoard of extremely cool native handicrafts should hold the perfect gift for anyone waiting at home, with a choice of elaborate headdresses, wooden flutes, and drums destined for pride of place on many a mantelpiece.
Canmore
About a 20-minute drive from Banff is Canmore, a picturesque mountain getaway crammed with shops, restaurants, and galleries, with great access to excellent hiking and cycling routes. The town plays host to regular festivals and it should come as no surprise on a stroll through the center to encounter a bright and bouncing open-air market, with a clutter of stalls overflowing with local produce. The shops in Downtown Canmore are plentiful and diverse, varying from sports and fashion stores to garden centers and furniture sales. A good few grocery and convenience stores will cover all your basic needs.
