Postcards from Banff – January
Postcards from Banff – January
The reunion
“Manifesting isn’t about forcing things into existence. It’s about trusting in the universe and embodying a confidence that is magnetic”. Roxie Nafousi
January brought with it a month of firsts once again. I know the cliché ‘new year new me’ and goal-setting can sound like nonsense but as someone who tries to set monthly goals and journals regularly, I am constantly assessing my ideas and values. What would 2023 me look like?
Well, day one it was like Bambi on ice. New activity learnt and loved: cross-country skiing. For my slightly shaky technique, I did feel like I picked it up pretty quickly and really enjoyed the peace it brought. In between being significantly out of breath trying to get up the small hills and not completely freaking out while descending (I’m sorry, but trying to slow down on the tiniest skis ever, on a pretty icy track, is impossible), I found peace. It was how I imagined it would feel, where I was just one with nature, the trees towering above me, the sun breaking through, a mountain peeking around a bend. I was moving slowly and this gave me the opportunity to actually admire how beautiful this place is and show gratitude for being in the presence of these almighty mountains. New Year’s Day and then sunrise on the 2nd of January spent out on these trails right behind the hotel was amazing, but my god, my legs were feeling the burn after engaging muscles I clearly don’t use in downhill.
With unseasonably mild weather and lack of snow (please, please send some our way soon), it was time to tick off another first. Hiking up Sulphur Mountain, which has the popular Banff Gondola that can take you up to the top. However, we’re suckers for punishment so hopped off the bus, put on our snow cleats and got ready to zig-zag to the top. With the snow gently falling we began the 5km climb up to 759m of elevation. Halfway up we stopped to enjoy some snacks, at which point my little lunchbox slipped out of my rucksack and began to shoot back down the slope like it was on a luge run! My friend chased after it and I have honestly not laughed so much in a long time, partly out of fear she would go tumbling off the edge and partly because it was just the single most stupid thing to watch: a little yellow box whizzing down a path and my friend bent over trying to stop it! Laughter really is good for the soul. At the top, out of breath and desperate for a cup of tea, we ducked into the visitors centre out of the howling wind and enjoyed the views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, with our flask of tea and delicious pastries. Once refuelled we descended back down the now infamous luge run. Overall, a steady 10km there-and-back route, which wasn’t too challenging considering the snow conditions. I imagine in summer it will be a lot busier.
For me January held a lot of anxious energy, from starting to wonder about how to spend the rest of my time in Banff, what my summer plans would be and when I might want to go home, to waiting on the arrival of my parents. I was honestly counting down the hours until they touched down in Canada at the end of the month to spend two weeks with me in Banff. So as the day arrived and I tracked their flight, my anticipation and anxiety officially peaked as I watched their flight divert to Edmonton, 100miles north of where they should be! Following our first significant snowfall in a month, Calgary airport had shut a bunch of runways. I couldn’t believe it: the two things I’ve been waiting for, my parents and snow, arriving on the same day! Eventually their flight continued on down to Calgary, and only a few hours later than billed I got the call. “We’re at the hotel, are you coming to see us?”
Relief, gratitude, joy. I felt it all in those moments as I came into the lobby and saw my dad waiting for me, embracing me in the biggest hug, before taking me to find mum as I fought back the tears and held her close. I know I am incredibly lucky to have this relationship with my parents. They are my best friends. They are my biggest cheerleaders and some of my favourite memories have been with them. Especially in the last three years of Covid, heartbreaks and lockdowns, they have provided me with the space (literally, I moved home!) to heal and grow again. I’ve walked so many miles with my dad and I’ve visited many museums, tennis courts and coffee shops with my mum. We’re a little unit and I am so incredibly grateful. For them to come visit me here really meant the world to me. They showed me Banff when I was 9 years old, and now here I am, living my dream of spending a season living in the mountains. They were witnessing this dream realised. I was going to share with them my favourite places: walks in Canmore, dinners downtown, small hikes to beautiful viewpoints, favourite ski runs, new friends. To say this was special is an understatement. January was about realising dreams and sharing the reality.
Outdoor activities to enjoy in Banff:
Hiking Sulphur Mountain, or alternatively taking the Banff Gondola to the top and exploring the viewing platforms
Cross-Country Skiing along the Spray River Trails
Watching the Skijoring event along Banff Avenue
Walking or skating on the frozen Lake Louise