Banff's narrative starts with the building of the massive Canadian Pacific Railway project meant to unite Canada from coast to coast. Railway employees discovered natural hot springs in Albert's Rocky Mountains' eastern slopes in 1883. Originally known as Rocky Mountains Park, Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, began life with this discovery. The ground was designated as a public reserve by the Canadian government when it saw the possibilities for tourism and pleasure in this region.
Early guests were lured to the park by the appeal of the hot springs and unspoiled countryside. The Banff Springs Hotel, a majestic chateau built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to serve these visitors, has come to represent the town's early years as a luxury tourism destination. Along with the growth of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where the hot springs were found, the hotel helped to establish Banff's status as a must-visit destination for visitors looking for adventure as well as rest.
Banff's offerings expanded along with its population. Banff was a winter sports paradise by the early 20th century in addition to a summer escape. Skiing first emerged in the Banff Winter Club in 1917, a custom that would grow in the next years to encompass top-notch ski resorts including Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. These lodges helped to further diversify the attractions accessible to guests, hence making Banff a year-round destination.
