Banff Upper Hot Springs

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When the outside temperature plummets well below zero, there is nothing more appealing than a dip in the 40°C waters of .

Originally used by First Nations people as their sacred place, were developed commercially in the 1880s and have been enticing 'bathers' ever since.

Steamy and welcoming, these natural mineral-rich springs are nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 1,585m, making them the highest hot springs in Canada.

A short walk up the road from the car park brings visitors to the bathhouse where you pay the entry fee and can hire a towel and swimsuit for a few dollars. There are separate male/female changing rooms with showers, restrooms, cubicles and CN$1 lockers where you can leave your clothes and bags. A covered walkway takes you to the poolside, minimising your exposure to the freezing cold.

When we visited, at about 4pm on Boxing Day, we had to queue for about five minutes and there were quite a lot of people in the pool but plenty of space for more. The maximum recommended time in water of such a high temperature is 10 minutes, however, so there is quite a rapid turnaround of visitors.

The waters are wonderfully relaxing and are enjoyed by adults and children of all ages, health permitting. An added bonus is the view of the surrounding mountains, visible through the steam.

If you feel peckish after your dip there is a café serving light refreshments and a gift shop for souvenirs.

is open until late in the evenings from the end of October to the middle of May and is located about 4km south of the centre of the town of Banff.

We drove to Banff from Calgary, which is a one and a half hour journey. A fee of about CN$20 is payable on entering Banff National Park.

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