Take your gathering to new heights, with an exhilarating Banff Gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, 2,900 ft. above Banff, where both the 360-degree views of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley, and the event spaces, are equally spectacular. Sky Bistro is one of three venues available; accommodating up to 100 guests, it boasts a locally-inspired, award-winning menu and sweeping vistas through fl oor-to- ceiling windows. To work up their appetites, delegates can head outside for a self-guided tour along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak and the Cosmic Ray Station, a National Historic Site of Canada, and warm themselves around the fi re pits. After dark, Nightrise, a digital art installation, transforms the mountaintop into an immersive, interactive experience with vibrant lighting, video projections and music. At Mt. Norquay in Banff, one of three world-class ski and snowboarding resorts in the area, two charming venues are available to host groups after they’ve had some fun on the slopes. The two-storey, 24,000-sq.-ft. timber-framed Cascade Lodge offers alpine ambience at the base of the mountain—the perfect locale for apres-ski gatherings and receptions alike. And the lift-access only Cliffhouse Bistro, with its European-chalet vibe and incomparable views of Mt. Rundle, is ideal for groups of up to 50. Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Canada’s national park system, carries an extraordinary legacy, celebrating conservation and the connection between people and the land. The site is located just minutes from downtown Banff and offers unique options for events, including a 40-seat theatre and Story Hall, with its original vaulted ceilings from 1914, that can host receptions for up to 128 guests. Surrounded by inspiring mountain views, groups can explore outside and visit the natural hot springs cave that was discovered back in 1883. What could be more magical than having a horse-drawn sleigh deliver your guests to their reception, which happens to be a Western barbecue at Brewster Cowboy’s Barbecue and Dance Barn in Lake Louise? The 4,000-sq.-ft. rustic venue serves up a true Western Canadian atmosphere with live entertainment— and guests will delight in seeing Brewster’s famous “Hip of Beef,” a family specialty, ceremoniously transported by pitchfork to the buffet tables. Viewing deck at the Banff Gondola Cliffhouse Bistro at Mt. Norquay DID YOU KNOW? Banff National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has the most number of National Historic Sites in a national park in Canada. These include: Banff Springs Hotel, Cave & Basin, Banff Park Museum, Howse Pass, Skoki Ski Lodge, Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin, Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station EXTRAORDINARY VENUES From heritage sites and mountaintop bistros to rustic barns and everything in between, there is a venue for budgets and events of all sizes in this awe-inspiring destination. PHOTO: TRAVEL ALBERTA/NOEL HENDRICKSON PHOTO: TRAVEL ALBERTA/MIKE SEEHAGEL 5
