Steamy History and Romantic Setting: Banff Upper Hot Springs

Banff Upper Hot Springs Photo Courtesy of the Banff/Lake Louise Tourism Bureau

For over 100 years, Banff has been the place to relax in soothing hot mineral water amidst spectacular mountain scenery. Recognized as a federal heritage building, the Banff Upper Hot Springs’ unique 1930s architecture has been preserved. In 1995, a $4 million dollar renovation added all the modern amenities that today’s travellers expect.

A ‘Hot’ Visitor Destination Since 1884
Canada’s native people were the first to soak in the hot springs. These were sacred waters—a place to cure illness and maintain health. William McCardell and Frank McCabe, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) workers, claim to have discovered the Upper Hot Springs in January 1884. The pair dammed a small pool and likely had the first bath in this spot. A rival claimant to the spring’s discovery, CPR worker David O’Keefe, installed a ferry over the Bow River and blazed the original road. The hot springs on Sulphur Mountain captured the attention of the nation which lead to the creation of Canada’s first national park, Banff in 1885.

The Grand View Villa hotel was built near the hot springs in 1886 and rebuilt in 1901 after it was destroyed by a fire. A second fire leveled the Grand View in 1931 paving the way for the government to acquire the lease and build the current Upper Hot Springs bath house. The pool was reconstructed and the interior modified in 1961. Renovations in 1996 faithful to the 1931 architecture bring the Upper Hot Springs to the modern era.

A Centuries Old Phenomenon
Groundwater makes a three-month journey deep into the earth’s interior. It is heated, pressurized, loaded with minerals (1,677 milligrams per litre) and percolated back to the surface along the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault at a rate of 454 liters per minute (120 gal).

How Hot is Hot?
The temperature at the source of the spring reaches 47.3 degree C (117.1 F) in the winter and is cooled to make it comfortable for bathers. The water is slightly cooler in the spring due to increased ground water from snow melt.

Banff Townsite -- Civilization in the Wilderness

Banff Springs Hotel Banff National Park Photo Courtesy: National Park Service

It's a unique place to visit, let alone live. Elk walk the snow-covered streets as casually as skiers and snowboarders. A train whistle blows in the distance as a reminder of the area's railway roots while designer shops dot the streetscapes. From a sleepy summer resort town that used to close it's doors in the winter months, Banff has now grown to be a year-round attraction.

Lured by the wilderness, the skiing, and the variety of outdoor activities, people from all over the world are drawn to Banff National Park each year. They venture into the area looking for their slice of the Banff experience, whether it's in the restaurants, shops, museums, cultural activities, or adventures in the wilderness.

On Banff's bustling main avenue, virtually every language from German and Japanese to French and Spanish can be heard. Yet only minutes away from all the action, a quiet walk along the banks of the Bow river reminds you that the town is located inside Canada's premier national park.