BISQC Audience Experience Updates

Get yourself ready for the mountain weather with our customized, limited edition, BISQC fleece jackets that will keep you warm and cozy on all your adventures here in the heart of Canadian Rockies.

These lightweight, high-density, brushed microfleece jackets (pictured below) are ergonomically designed, pill resistant and incredibly soft and comfortable. Double-layer collar and chin saver add warmth where it’s needed most, alongside a supple brushed tricot pocket lining for additional comfort and warmth.

Jacket Features:

• Center Front Zipper
• Chin Saver
• Zippered Pockets
• Brushed Tricot Pocket Lining
• Double Layer Fleece Collar
• 100% Polyester High Density Microfleece, 5.13oz./yd² (USA) / 174gsm (CDN)
• Jackets are true to size with a regular fit – neither slim nor oversized. A universal, easy fit for comfortable range of motion
• Design: Front - Banff International String Quartet Competition. Back - Violin Graphic. Sleeve - Banff Centre Logo. (TBD due to women's sizing the Banff Centre logo might not be on the sleeve on the women's jackets and will be elsewhere on the jacket, likely on the back.)

Price: $65 including taxes and fees 

Personalization Option:
Additional Embroidery – name option on left upper arm: $10

Pay close attention to sizing chart (see dropdown below) to ensure correct fit as these jackets are final sale. 
No Refunds. No Exchanges.

This limited opportunity has a quick turnaround.
NOTE: These jackets will not be sold during BISQC, this is for pre-order only. 

Please place your order by July 24.

ORDER YOUR JACKET NOW

Time: 8:00am – 12:30pm (4.5 hrs)

Description:

Description: Sundance Canyon is a must-do walk for visitors to Banff National Park. Starting with expansive panoramic views of the Bow Valley and its surrounding peaks, the trail quickly tightens into a canyon of lush green and rushing water. Private guide, transportation and safety gear are included. Please bring your own snacks.

*Remember lunch at Vistas on Wednesday is not included in the package.
After the hike you can grab a sandwich at Le Café or a full meal at Maclab before the afternoon concert.

Price: $115 per person, including all taxes and booking fees

Spots available: up to 16 people. We need minimum of 8 people sign up to make this trip happen.

Cancellation Policy: Must be booked by August 9. No changes, refunds or cancellations after August 14. No refunds due to weather conditions.

Tips: Mountain weather is changeable, which makes it even more authentic and exciting adventure.
Please be prepared for different weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Time: 1pm – 3pm (2 hrs)
The group will be leaving for the tour after lunch at Vistas.

Description: For centuries, people have come to Banff seeking inspiration, clarity, healing and vision. Hear stories of our First Nations People, the early days of Banff, its adventurers and early artists.
Easy walk on Hoodoo Trail, duration is 2.5 km and 75m elevation gain.

Price: $54 per person, including all taxes and booking fees

Spots available: up to 12 people; if there is sufficient interest, a second group will be added.

Cancellation Policy: Must be booked by August 9. No changes, refunds or cancellations after August 14. No refunds due to weather conditions.

Tips: Mountain weather is changeable, which makes it even more authentic and exciting adventure.
Please be prepared for different weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Time: 12:30pm-6:00pm (5.5 hrs)
The bus will be leaving after lunch at Vistas.
Meeting point: PDC Lobby at 12:30pm

Detailed trip schedule is subject to change, but an overview is included:
12:30/40 - depart PDC
13:30 - arrive in Lake Louise - free time
15:00 - depart Lake Louise for Moraine Lake
15:25 - arrive at Moraine Lake
16:45 - depart Moraine Lake
return to PDC by 18:00

Please note: Due to high volume of travelers visiting Lake Louise there might be a delay of 30-45min in getting to the town.  We have been advised by Parks Canada, that when the town capacity is reached, a decision of making a temporary traffic closure for safety reasons is being made. Commercial vehicles have priority over private, so we do not anticipate this will be an issue. Although it happens on rare occasion, we hope for your understanding and cooperation in case it occurs during your visit.   
Also: The morning concert will end at or just before noon, so please make your way swiftly to VISTAS for a quick lunch before loading for your trip. The bus won’t leave without you!

Description: Catch a ride with the Banff Airporter to Lake Louise and plan your own adventure when you arrive for 3 hours at this destination!
Enjoy high tea at the Chateau Lake Louise, canoe in the spectacular lake, or take a walk around the lake at your own pace (An easy interpretive walk along the shoreline: 1 1/2 hours). This is an unguided trek, providing roundtrip transportation only from Banff Centre.

From Lake Louise, a quick 15 minute drive with the Banff Airporter brings you to Moraine Lake. The ten peaks that surround the glacially fed lake is a hot spot for photographs – you will have one hour at this destination. Note that this outing occurs after lunch and snacks are not included so if you would like to bring an afternoon snack with you, be sure to visit Le Café in the Sally Borden Building or Nesters Market in downtown Banff or plan to purchase at Chateau Lake Louise or Moraine Lake Lodge. Exact schedule will be posted closer to the date.

Price: $85 per person, including all taxes and booking fees

Spots available: 24

Cancellation Policy: Please book by August 9. No changes, refunds or cancellations after August 14. No refunds due to weather conditions.

Tips: Mountain weather is changeable, which makes it even more authentic and exciting adventure.
Please be prepared for different weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Description: Witness breathtaking views in every direction from one of several observation decks.
Discover a one kilometer interpretive Boardwalk to a national historic site. And there’s much more to discover inside the state-of-the-art facility that’ll heighten your senses at every turn.

Price: Advance booking results in a discount.
Please make reservations here. 

How to get there: We encourage using ROAM to get to the lower terminal of Banff Gondola.
Public Transit: Local Route 1. Sulphur Mountain (service every 20 min) from Downtown Elk West Transit Hub bus stop
Please find the detailed bus schedule here.

Description: See the Rocky Mountains from a new perspective while touring beautiful Lake Minnewanka on a panoramic 1-hour interpretive cruise.
Beginning from the western end of the largest lake in Banff, the Lake Minnewanka Cruise sets sail under towering peaks.
Take in breathtaking mountains and emerald-green water as you keep a watchful eye on forested slopes and rocky shorelines for wildlife and waterfalls.

Boat cruises leave every hour or every 30min depending on time of a day; however, we recommend the following times that work well with the competition schedule:

• Wednesday: 10:00am and 11:00am
• Thursday: 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm
• Friday: any time between 2:00pm and 4:00pm

Price: use a special promo code for BISQC audience BISQC2019 members to get a 15% of the standard rate.
Please make reservations here.

How to get there: We encourage using Roam Public Transit to get to the Minnewanka Lake cruise docks.
Public Transit: Route 6 Lake Minnewanka.
Bus service is every 60 minutes starting at 8:00 a.m., and every 30 minutes starting at 10:00 a.m. from Banff High School Transit Hub.
Please find the detailed bus schedule here.

Description: Visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site to experience the birthplace of Canada’s national parks and learn about the natural and cultural history of the mountains.
Discover the hot water that seeps from the rocks, smell the minerals and explore the trails.
Enjoy it on your own or take one of the many guided tours.

Price: Adult - $3.90
Senior - $3.40

How to get there: We encourage using Roam Public Transit to get to Cave and Basin Historic Site.
Public Transit: Local Route 4.
Cave and Basin (service every 30 minutes, starting at 9am) from Downtown Elk West Transit Hub bus stop.
Please find the detailed bus schedule here.     

Description: At 1,585 meters of elevation (5,200 feet), Banff Upper Hot Springs is the highest operating hot spring in Canada.
Thermal waters enjoyed at this facility must be pushed vertically over 2000 meters through a big crack in the layers of rock, called the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault.
100% natural mineral water is flowing at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Water temperature is currently between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius or 98 and 104 Fahrenheit.

Price: Adult (18-64) $8.30
Senior (65+) - $7.30

How to get there: We encourage using Roam Public Transit to get to Banff Upper Hot Springs.
Public Transit: Local Route 1.
Sulphur Mountain (service every 20 min) from Downtown Elk West Transit Hub bus stop.
Please find the detailed bus schedule here.   

Description: Carved steeply into the limestone bedrock by thousands of years of water erosion, the dramatic Johnston Canyon is a must-visit natural attraction in Banff National Park.
Overhanging canyon walls, waterfalls, the deep pools of Johnston Creek, and lush forest are sure to leave a memorable impression.
And it can all be experienced via an easy hike along smooth trails and catwalk.

How to get there: We encourage using Roam Public Transit to get to Johnston Canyon.
Public Transit: Local Route 9.
Johnston Canyon (service every 1hr 15 min, starting at 9am) from Banff High School Transit Hub bus stop.
Please find the detailed bus schedule here.      

Times:
Wednesday 9:30 am – 11am
Thursday 1:30 pm – 3pm
Friday 1:30 pm – 3pm

Description: Jim Olver, Banff Centre’s Director of Customer Services, will highlight the History of the Bow Valley and Banff Centre as well as visit many creative spaces on campus Price: FREE How to book: no reservations required; everyone who is interested, please meet your guide Jim Olver by the entrance to Vistas

Description: Banff Gallery Hop is an initiative dedicated to bringing together galleries, museums, and arts related businesses to create an enhanced visitor experience which fosters understanding, appreciation and promotion of arts, culture and heritage in Banff.
This self-guided tour is a chance to connect with the unique mountain community during the holiday season.
You can find more information about the museums and galleries here. 

Gallery hop buses are not available during the BISQC dates; however, you can still enjoy visiting Banff galleries and museums at your own pace using all the provided information and as guidance.

• Buffalo Nations Museum - 1 Birch Ave, Banff (Hours: 10am – 7pm)
• Carter-Ryan Gallery – 229 Bear Street, Banff (Hours: 10am – 6pm)
• Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies – 111 Bear Street, Banff (Hours: 10am – 5pm)
• Canada House Gallery – 201 Bear Street, Banff (Hours: 9:30am – 6pm)
• Luxton Home Museum – 206 Beaver Street, Banff (Open Thursday – Sunday from 10am to 4pm)
• Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont – 405 Spray Avenue, Banff (Hours: 10am – 10pm)
• Willock & Sax Gallery – 210 Bear Street, Banff (Hours: 10am – 6pm)
• Walter Phillips Gallery at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity  (Hours: 12:30pm – 5pm) Price: FREE

CLICK here for the BISQC 2019 Campus Shuttle Schedule.