Sulphur Mountain: Riding the Banff Gondola (Sanson's Peak), Hiking Up & Upper Hot Springs

Rising directly behind Banff Town to 2,281 metres (7,486 feet) above sea level, Sulphur Mountain is where Banff National Park was born: its steaming thermal mineral springs led to the creation of Canada's first national park reserve in 1885, and its summit ridge offers the single grandest 360-degree panorama over six mountain ranges and the entire Bow Valley. Reached in 10 minutes from downtown Banff on Roam Bus Route 1, the base area combines the Banff Gondola and the Banff Upper Hot Springs right across the parking lot from each other.

1. The Banff Gondola & Walking the 1-Kilometre Sanson's Peak Boardwalk

Stepping out of the 8-minute glass cabin ride at the multi-level summit complex (which houses interactive interpretative theatres, a 360-degree rooftop observation deck, Sky Bistro and Castle Mountain Coffee), do not stay only inside the terminal building. Walk outside onto the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk (1 km round-trip, 30 to 40 minutes):

• Why Norman Bethune Sanson Climbed This Mountain Over 1,000 Times: this dramatic wooden skywalk follows the razor-edge rocky spine of the mountain out to Sanson's Peak, where a stone-built 1903 Meteorological Observatory still stands on the cliff edge. For thirty years (from 1896 to 1931, up to age 84), park meteorologist Norman Sanson hiked and snowshoed up to this tiny stone hut over 1,000 times to record daily weather readings. From the hut, you look straight down onto Banff Town, Tunnel Mountain, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the jagged wall of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain.
• Want to Save the Gondola Fare? Hike the Sulphur Mountain Switchback Trail (5.5 km One-Way): a well-graded, shaded 5.5-kilometre zig-zag trail climbs right beneath the gondola cables in 1.5 to 2 hours (655m elevation gain), note that in peak summer, downloading on the gondola is half-price, and in shoulder/winter months it is often free.

2. Soaking in the Banff Upper Hot Springs (200 Metres from the Gondola Base)

After descending from the summit, walk two minutes up the road to the historic 1932 bathhouse of the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Sink into the steaming outdoor 37°C, 40°C (98°F, 104°F) sulphate-and-calcium-rich mineral pool while looking straight across the valley at the snow-dusted wall of Mount Rundle.