Banff-Windermere Highway

Castle Mountain, in Banff National Park, as seen from Highway 93.

The southern portion of the route is part of the Banff-Windermere Highway, a 104 km (65 mi) highway that travels from British Columbia Highway 95 at Radium Hot Springs, through Kootenay National Park and Vermilion Pass across the Continental Divide, to the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) at Castle Junction.^[3] The final 10 km (6.2 mi) of the highway are in Alberta and Banff National Park. Prior to 1959, the highway was designated as Highway 1B.^[4]

Trans-Canada Highway

Highway 93 connects with the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) at Castle Junction, midway between Banff and Lake Louise.^[3] Highway 93 follows the Trans-Canada Highway for 28 km (17 mi) northwest, diverging from highway 1 west of Lake Louise. Highway 1 continues west to Yoho National Park. The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) also links Lake Louise and Banff. This road parallels Highway 1 and, at the midpoint, passes Castle junction where it links with Highway 93.^[3]

Icefields Parkway

Highway 93 near Saskatchewan Crossing

Looking north at the northern terminus of the Icefields Parkway.

Watermelon Peak's southern outlier by Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway (French: Promenade des Glaciers), is a 230 km (140 mi) long scenic road that parallels the Continental Divide, traversing the rugged landscape of the Canadian Rockies, travelling through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. It is named for features such as the Columbia Icefield, visible from the parkway. It links Lake Louise with Jasper to the north. At its southern end, the Icefields Parkway terminates at Highway 1. Highway 1 west leads to Yoho National Park in British Columbia and Highway 1 east to Lake Louise and the Town of Banff. A second parkway, the Bow Valley Parkway also links Lake Louise and the Town of Banff. Known as Highway 1A, this road parallels Highway 1 and, at the midpoint, passes the Castle Mountain junction where Highway 93 south, or the Banff-Windermere Highway, branches southwest into Kootenay National Park in British Columbia.^[3]

Bow Lake

The Icefields Parkway was predated by the Glacier Trail, which opened in 1885 after the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed and brought increased tourist traffic to Banff National Park. In 1931, the federal government commissioned the construction of a single-track road between Lake Louise and Jasper in the Great Depression as a relief project. In order to employ as many people as possible, the road was constructed by hand and employed 600 men.^[5] The road was completed in 1940; however, the 1950s saw an increase in automobile use and increased traffic along the parkway. In 1961, a reconstructed paved and modern highway was opened,^[5] and in 1969, Brewster Sightseeing began to operate snowmobile tours on the Athabasca Glacier, located just beside the highway.^[5]

Turnouts by the Parkway aid views

The parkway is busy in July and August with up to 100,000 vehicles a month. The parkway is mainly two lanes with occasional passing lanes. It minimizes grades and hairpin turns. Snow can be expected at any time of year and extreme weather is common in winter.

Peyto Lake

A Canadian national parks permit is required to travel on the Icefields Parkway; stations near Lake Louise and Jasper enforce the law. Commercial trucks are prohibited.^[6] The speed limit is 90 km/h (55 mph) although the limit is reduced at Saskatchewan River Crossing and the Columbia Icefield area. In winter, chains or winter-rated radial tires are required by law and road closures may occur without warning. There is no cell coverage.^[7]