Banff National Park Celebrates Winter with New 'SnowDays' Festival

A month of snow-filled fun awaits visitors to Canada's finest winter wonderland

BANFF NATIONAL PARK, AB, Jan. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - We're waxing our skis, sharpening our skates and polishing our pucks as Banff National Park's month-long celebration of winter is set to begin with a flurry of activities during the first-annual 'SnowDays' festival.

Developed as a destination-wide partnership, SnowDays seeks to build on the traditions of past winter carnivals whilst establishing new events with a fun-filled month of weekday activities and weekend festivals jam-packed with wintry adventures of all kinds.

From January 14 to February 12, 2012, visitors to Canada's first national park will be able to enjoy an array of wonderful winter pursuits including ice climbing in downtown Banff, skating on the town's new ice rink and marvelling at creative snow sculptures. Additional festival activities throughout the month will include live theatre performances, a heritage geocache, photography exhibitions and endless winter sport opportunities featuring everything from cross-country skiing to curling and snowshoeing to skiing.

Everyone's favourite festival, Ice Magic, featuring a world-class ice carving competition at Lake Louise, will be extended to two weekends and will provide the highlight event for SnowDays. The month of activities will be rounded off with Banff's first-ever 'Take It To The Street' ball hockey tournament, coinciding with the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada in February.

"SnowDays is an exciting new festival that celebrates this extraordinary winter wonderland we have in Banff National Park," said Julie Canning, President & CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. "We're welcoming people to come and enjoy one of Canada's great natural treasures while it is beautifully blanketed in powdery snow and has so much to offer outdoor and cultural enthusiasts alike."

The SnowDays festival was developed in partnership with Parks Canada, the Town of Banff, Banff Heritage Tourism & Banff Lake Louise Tourism to foster increased visitation and enjoyment of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in winter.

For additional information about SnowDays and a detailed schedule of events throughout the month-long festivities, please visit http://www.banfflakelouise.com/events-and-festivals/festivals/snowdays

About Banff Lake Louise Tourism
Banff Lake Louise is a destination marketing organization for the Town of Banff, Community of Lake Louise and Banff National Park.  Supporting over 800 businesses, our mission is to engage visitors in unrivalled, remarkable experiences with our membership.

For media inquiries, please contact Mary Morrison, Manager, Travel Media Relations at 403.762.0290 or [email protected].

Banff Lake Louise Tourism
Contact: Mary Morrison
403-762-0290
[email protected]