Banff considers toboggan run

The Town of Banff is investigating the feasibility of building a toboggan run in town in a bid to boost Banff’s appeal as a winter tourist destination.

One of the hallmarks of past Banff winter carnivals was a toboggan run from the top of Caribou Street to the Bow River – and this is one idea being pitched by the tourism industry to create a more festive winter experience.

“There’s a strong desire that a toboggan run in town would be a really cool feature,” said John Bowden, a spokesman for the Banff Lake Louise Tourism winter marketing committee.

“The challenge would be in finding a location, perhaps Tunnel Mountain Road.”

Banff is different than other winter holiday spots in that ski hills are in the surrounding national park, as opposed to places like Whistler, B.C., or Aspen, Colorado, where ski lifts feed into the villages.

The winter marketing committee, which was borne out of the Competitive Initiative panel, has come up with a series of recommendations to improve the après ski experience.

The recommendations include a toboggan run, public ski racks, outdoor music, busking without permits, outdoor heaters, and the sample serving of food and liquor on sidewalks outside restaurants.

“We don’t have lifts running into town from the ski hill, but we want to create the feeling of a ski town, of adding animation and vibrancy,” said Bowden. “Places like Whistler-Blackcombe link directly with the village or downtown.”

Council did direct administration to investigate the feasibility of an in-town toboggan run for winter 2013, which could involve street closures for a short period of time.

“I don’t see why we can’t close down Caribou or St. Julien and rip down there for a limited period of time,” said Councillor Stavros Karlos.

Coun. Leslie Taylor also voiced support.

“I like this idea. It sounds like fun,” she said. “I don’t think we should discount an on-street location for a limited amount of time.”

Council was also asked to permit outdoor music from 4-7 p.m. during the winter months, by piloting a program to allow all businesses to play the same music.

“We want to improve the feeling of vibrancy and liveliness in town. It would add a little more life, especially during the weekdays when it’s a little sleepy,” said Bowden.

“It’s not about getting western music here and jazz there. It’s the same music all the way down Banff Avenue.”

While council did turn down this request, they did agree to look at outdoor music equipment as a cost-sharing opportunity with other organizations as part of 2013 budget deliberations.

This would allow for the purchase and installation of speakers on street lights and other places to allow for centrally-controlled music on Banff Avenue and Bear Street next winter.

Council also turned down the committee’s request to allow buskers to play without permits, and to allow businesses to be able to offer food and booze on the sidewalks.

“The idea is to create more of a vibe on the street during the ski season, by allowing bars and restaurants to engage – not necessarily solicit – customers on the street,” said Bowden.

Councillors expressed concern that this would be too confusing, particularly since they had banned outdoor retailing earlier this month. The bylaw department will crack down on enforcement following an education campaign.

“This is fraught with too many challenges,” said Coun. Chip Olver.

Council did give its blessing to a proposal to allow public ski racks near the town’s bike racks, but wanted the template signs acknowledging the sponsoring businesses to be small, tasteful and templated.

The idea is there would be about six racks owned by businesses to begin with, which would allow the public to lock up their skis, as part of a pilot project over the next two winters.

Karlos was the lone voice of opposition.

“The idea of having people carrying around gear is just not there. We’re trying to create something that’s not here,” he said.

“I think it’s just clutter. If there was a gondola running from Norquay to the base of downtown, then you can have ski racks everywhere.”

At council’s request, the winter marketing committee will also look into the possibility of an ice castle.

“It would be a huge hit with kids and families and there is a history,” said Karlos.

Stuart Back, director of in-resort services for Banff Lake Louise Tourism, said an ice castle like the one at Lake Louise would be around $30,000, however, there are less expensive options if it’s just made of ice blocks.

“They used to cut blocks of ice with chain saws out of Lake Minnewanka in the past, but I suspect there may be some environmental issues with that,” he said.

Coun. Paul Baxter thanked the marketing committee for all of their hard work and ideas.

“I hope your level of energy continues,” he said. “We can’t support all things, but it’s great to see all these ideas.”