Banff would already be unique on its own as it is known for being a ski/snowboarding town, but add to that, that this is also a national park, and it is a whole other ballpark. Life is different here in many aspects, here are the top 10 reasons why:
1. In and Out: Who your best friend is today, will probably be gone tomorrow. People are very transient in town. Most of the workers love snowboarding or on break from school and seasonal workers, or on 1 year visas and eventually want spend the rest of North American time exploring both Canada and the U.S.A. It makes for an atmosphere of quick bonding, but also a bit of loneliness when your friends keep leaving you.
2. Mode of Transportation: More people will have a bicycle than anything else due to affordability, and because as transient foreign workers it seems pointless to buy a car. Bikes are a faster mode of transportation around town most of the time due to the fact tourists coming in will block the roads for ages.
3. Commuters: Don't worry about your fellow commuter in the early morning being someone tired and cranky who is trying to drink coffee and apply makeup in the car next to yours. You will catch deer just walking through the middle of town in the early hours, or just hanging out in someone's yard. Just stroll by and say good morning.
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| On my way to work in December of last year |
4. Wildlife: While the deer may seem gentle as you stroll by them, they, like the rest of the animals in town are wildlife, emphasis on wild. It's important to be cautious if you see or learn of a bear warning or cougar sighting in town. The cougars although rare, are dangerous and out to kill. The bears are mostly just there to protect their young, and where people go wrong is they don't exercise caution or head warnings and provoke the bears. You hear stories around town of people asking what time the animals are let out, or tourist trying to put their baby on a deer. These animals are not in cages and not domesticated. It is an honor to live among them and we need to respect it.
5. Racks: In the summertime you will have bike racks outside of most shops, in winter time these are replaced with snowboard/ski racks.
6. Rules: As in no rules. Maybe it's because we're all kids, or kids at heart, on our own with no family or ties to the outside world in our bubble. Combine that with a heavy drinking culture and, well, life is just different. There is a lot that goes on here that wouldn't be okay anywhere else, but it's just part of life in Banff here.
7. Air Conditioning: Is limited and valued. Most houses will not have it, and hotels will only be allowed a certain amount as this is a national park and it is important to maintain air quality. If you're hot during summer, go get a popsicle.
9. Water: No one buys bottled water here because our tap water comes from a glacier. You can't get much fresher than that!
10. The Views: Probably the best part of living in a national park are the views you wake up to. Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.
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| At the top of Sulphur Mountain |
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| Overlooking town from Mt. Norquay |
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| View from the bridge. |
