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Lake Minnewanka lies a few kilometres north of the town centre, and is easily accessed by bike or car from the Trans-Canada and the northern end of Banff Avenue on Lake Minnewanka Road. The largest area of water in the national park, its name means "Lake of the Water Spirit", and with the peaks of the Fairholme Range as backdrop it provides a suitably scenic antidote to the bustle of downtown. Various dams augmented the lake in 1912, 1922 and 1941 to provide Banff with hydroelectric power, though they've done little to spoil the views, most of which are best enjoyed from the various boat trips that depart regularly from the quay in summer (the lake's the only one in the park where public motorboats are allowed). Trips last an hour and a half and travel a fair distance up and down the lake (mid-May to Oct daily at 10.30am, 12.30am, 3pm and 5pm; July & Aug sunset cruise at 7pm; $26; Lake Minnewanka Boat Tours tel 762-3473, www.minnewankaboattours.com ). Fishing trips can be arranged through the same company. Brewster Transportation offer an inclusive bus tour and cruise from Banff for around $41 (4-5 daily mid-May to early Oct). Confirm current sailing times and arrive a good thirty minutes before sailing to pick up tickets. If you have to kill time waiting for a place there are some easy walking trails along the lake's western side.
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