Fast Facts

ATMs -- Alberta Treasury's Banff branch is at 317 Banff Ave., in the Town of Banff (tel. 403/762-8505). In Lake Louise, there is an ATM in Samson Mall (tel. 403/522-3678). The Bank of Montreal is at 107 Banff Ave. (tel. 403/762-2275), and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) is at 98 Banff Ave. (tel. 403/762-3317). Exchange foreign currency at these banks or, for better rates, try the Custom House Global Foreign Exchange, at 211 Banff Ave. (tel. 403/760-6630). The Royal Bank, at 117 Banff Ave., has an ATM but does not offer other banking services.

Car Trouble & Towing Services -- In Banff, try Standish Towing and Recovery, 162 Eagle Cres. (tel. 403/762-4869). In Lake Louise, Rocky Mountain Towing, in the Lake Louise Trade Complex (tel. 403/522-3534), will pick you up as far north as the Icefield Information Centre, Jasper National Park, and as far west as Yoho National Park. All of these towing services have the capacity to tow RVs. All are open 24 hours.

Drug Stores -- Cascade Plaza Drugs, lower level Cascade Plaza, 317 Banff Ave. (tel. 403/762-2245), or Gourlay's Pharmacy, 229 Bear St. (tel. 403/762-2516).

Emergencies -- Call tel. 911 for fire, ambulance, police, hospital, or Parks Canada assistance. Call tel. 800/332-1414 for poison control.

Gas Stations -- There is a long string of gas stations on Banff Avenue, including Husky Service, 601 Banff Ave. (tel. 403/762-3341), Banff Shell, 230 Lynx St. (tel. 403/760-6675), and Petro-Canada, 302 Lynx St. (tel. 403/762-4434). There's a gas station about 30km (19 miles) north of Banff Townsite on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy. 1) at Castle Mountain Village, off the Trans-Canada on Highway 1A (tel. 403/522-2783). In the village of Lake Louise, 30 minutes northeast of the town of Banff, fill up at Lake Louise Esso, 200 Village Rd. (tel. 403/522-3578), or at Lake Louise Petro-Canada, Hector and Whitehorn roads (tel. 403/522-3755). There is also a gas station at Saskatchewan Crossing, about 81km (50 miles) north of Lake Louise (tel. 403/ 761-7000), but be warned: Fill up in Lake Louise or Jasper so you can avoid it. This isolated station knows it's the only game in town, with prices as much as 50 percent higher than in Banff or Jasper.

Grocery Stores -- Banff's largest grocery store is Safeway, 318 Marten St. (tel. 403/762-5378). Locally owned Keller Foods has everything, 122 Bear St. (tel. 403/762-2140). There's a small grocery store on Tunnel Mountain called Chalet Grocery, in the Douglas Fir Resort (tel. 403/762-5447). In Lake Louise, head to the Village Market, in Samson Mall, 101 Lake Louise Dr. (tel. 403/522-3894).

Laundry -- In the Town of Banff, try Cascade Coin Laundry, in the Cascade Plaza, 317 Banff Ave. (tel. 403/762-3444). On Tunnel Mountain Road at the Douglas Fir Resort, Chalet Coin Laundry has a playground in front (tel. 403/762-5447).

Medical Services -- Banff's Mineral Springs Hospital is located at 301 Lynx St. (tel. 403/762-2222).

Permits -- Pick up your park permit at the Banff East Gate, on the Trans-Canada Hwy. 1 coming west from Calgary, or at the Banff Information Centre, 224 Banff Ave. (tel. 403/762-1550), where you can also get backcountry permits and fishing permits. You can also get permits in Lake Louise at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre, in Samson Mall, 101 Lake Louise Dr. (tel. 403/522-3833).

Photo Supplies -- Banff Camera Shop, at the corner of Banff Avenue and Buffalo Street (tel. 403/762-3562). One-hour developing is available at the Film Lab at 120 Banff Ave. (tel. 403/762-2126). In Lake Louise, Pipestone Photo is in Samson Mall, 101 Lake Louise Dr. (tel. 403/522-3617).

Post Offices -- Canada Post, 204 Buffalo St. (tel. 403/762-2586). In Lake Louise, send mail from The Depot, at the Samson Mall, 101 Lake Louise Dr. (tel. 403/522-3870).

Taxis -- Banff Taxi (tel. 403/762-4444), Legion Taxi (tel. 403/762-3353), Mountain Taxi and Tours (tel. 403/762-3351).

Weather Updates -- Call tel. 403/762-2088 for the latest forecast. For road conditions, call Rocky Mountain National Parks (tel. 403/762-1450). For avalanche reports, call Banff National Park (tel. 403/762-1460).