The BANFF YWCA publishes the most comprehensive local's information booklet in the Canadian Rockies. If you find work in Banff or Lake Louise, be sure to ask your employer for a free copy of the "LOCAL LOWDOWN".  Here are some highlights of the book:

HOME SWEET HOME - housing tips in Banff & Lake Louise

A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD - These are temporary options that won't bust you from the get-go.

Banff YWCA (102 Spray Avenue) (403) 762-3500
Single and double rooms with communal washroom and kitchen facilities are available.   Rents for rooms go for $80 for singles and $120 for doubles per week.  If all permanent rooms are full, there is a weekly rate for nightly dorm rooms.  Nightly dorm rates are $19.  The Spray Cafe serves hearty meals from 8am. to 8pm. at very reasonable prices.

MORE PERMANENT DIGS

May through August is the hardest time to find a place to live.  Prices average $300 - $450/mth. for a bedroom in a shared house or apartment.  Damage deposits are a standard, up front requirement, usually equal to one month's rent.  One bedroom / bachelor suites are almost unheard of, but if you score one, you're looking at $550 +.

Lake Louise is a different story.  When you get a job in Lake Louise, your employer has to provide housing for you.  No job, no accommodation.  That's pretty much the whole story.  If you don't like those rules, Field is 20 minutes away and has places to rent.  In Banff, some employers have staff accommodation.  Whe you're job hunting, ask.

Tips for the search

1. The Banff Crag & Canyon comes out on Wednesdays.  Grab one first thing in the morning and get on the phone ASAP.   Available housing disappears fast.

2. Check out the community bulletin boards.   The main ones are on the bottom floor of the YWCA, outside Bow Valley Office Supplies, in Johnny O's, at the Hostel, in Keller Foods, and in the hall to the cafeteria at The Banff Centre.  Ask about the "Banff Info" free listing service at Cascade Coin Laundry.  The depot in Lake Louise has a board too.

3. Tell everyone you meet you're homeless - word of mouth (& pity) go a long way in this world.

4. If you have a car, consider looking in Canmore (20 minutes from Banff).  The Canmore Leader comes out on Tuesdays.

Renting a place
It's a good idea to become familiar with the provincial Residential Tenancies Act.  Information is available through the Community Resource Centre at 762-4511, or call the toll-free government line at 310-0000 where you can speak to someone in Housing and Consumer Affairs about the Residential Tenancies Act. 
It is wise to have a written agreement between landlord and tenant.  Both parties should do a written inspection report within seven days of moving in, and again when moving out.

Telephone
Starting a new account with Telus can be a bit of an economic strain.  The deposit fee isn't refunded or applied to your bill until the end of one year when you prove to be reliable.  One or two pieces of ID ar required, plus a slew of other info.  The toll-free number for Telus is 310-3100.  If you're here for a good time, but not a long time, consider the telephone messaging and voicemail services offered by the YWCA of Banff, Mail Boxes Etc. and Tridon Communications.  Or get yourself a cellular phone so you can keep track of all of your personal long distance charges.  Long distance phone cards are always an option and can be purchased from various locations in town.

Utilities
If utilities aren't included in the rental package, you'll need to call Transalta Utilities at 678-5101 (Canmore) and Canadian Western Natural Gas at 678-6264 (also Canmore).  New accounts generally require deposits.

Postal service
In Banff we do the mail thing the old-fashioned way - we stand in line at the Post Office.   Think of it as an opportunity for rich social exchange.  Your address is:

"your name"
GENERAL DELIVERY
BANFF, ALBERTA
T0L-0C0

Don't forget to bring picture ID to pick up General Delivery mail. 

There are P.O. boxes to save you from the gnarly line-up, but there's a 50-year waiting list (actually, it's about a year and a half - just wanted to see if you were paying attention).  Some employers will allow staff mail to be delivered directly to the place of business - ask.

If you just need stamps or you want to send a parcel special delivery, check out the postal outlets at Goro Canyon Smoke & Gift in the Banff Park Lodge or at Cascade Plaza Drug.  No line ups!

Mail boxes etc. rents personal boxes and offers a range of services.

In Lake Louise, full postal services are available at The Depot in Samson Mall.   Same deal - long waiting list for P.O. boxes, but General Delivery pick ups just need a piece of picture ID.

CHILLIN' OUT - things to do in Banff

The following organizations can fill you in about the fabulous recreational opportunities that are available to you:

SPECIAL EVENTS - looking for an excuse to celebrate?

HEALTHY AND HAPPY - wanna stay that way

ALBERTA HEALTH CARE
It's very important when you come to Alberta, that you still have health care coverage from your home province.  Your Alberta Health Care coverage won't start until the first day of the third month after you arrive (ie. December 01 if you arrived anytime in September). 
You can get a registration form from the doctors' offices or by calling 310-0000 and requesting an Alberta Health Care application.  The monthly fee is $34/person. 
Quebec persons not covered by Alberta Health must pay for services up front and then apply to Assurance Maladie for reimbursement.
If you're only here for a few months, don't apply for Alberta Health - get coverage from you home province as a temporarily absent resident (this can be extended for up to one-year). For those from out-of-country on a work visa, Alberta Health is available immediately.

EMERGENCY CARE
Mineral Springs Hospital     762-2222
(301 Lynx Street)
The Emergency department is for emergencies only, after doctors' office hours.

SPORTS INJURIES
Banff Physical Therapy & Sports Injuries Clinic   762-3734

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
The Banff area is a happening place for alternative health therapies, including, chiropractic, massage, shiatsu, cranio-sacral therapy, Reiki, yoga therapy, Trager, and more.  The following clinics have various alternative health care practioners working under the same roof:
Family Chiropractic Clinic (3rd Floor, 201 Bear Street)      762-5555
Harmony Therapeutic Centre (2nd Floor,  111 Banff Ave)   762-3818

SEXUAL HEALTH - how much do you know?

Nobody comes to Banff or Lake Louise looking for a sexually transmitted disease, an unplanned pregnancy or sexual assault.  Unfortunately, sh_ _ happens here in paradise, just like anywhere else.  The good news?  A number of organizations can help you make healthy choices and to help you out if you do happen to find yourself in a not so great situation.

A RISKY COMBO
Be aware that high on alcohol and other drugs can mean low on judgment an inhibitions.  Someone who wouldn't catch your sober interest suddenly turns into the sexiest thing on the planet.  A couple of hints: one, don't go out alone, and two, have a friend promise to make sure you get home.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (STD)
Banff and Lake Louise attract a transient population from all over the world.  For this reason, there is an increased risk of contracting an STD (or sometimes called STI for sexually transmitted infection) if you have sex without a condom.  If you're sexually active, make it a personal rule to always have condoms on hand.  Learn how to store and use them correctly.  Buying condoms says that you're responsible and you accept your sexuality as a normal part of being alive!

CONTRACEPTIVES
Information about the various birth control options is available through the Community Resource Centre (CRC) and the Banff Health Unit.  Unlike in most large cities, there are no free birth control clinics in the Banff / Lake Louise area.
Prescription contraceptives such as birth control pills, IUD's and diaphragms must be obtained through a physician.  The same is true of the "morning after pill".

UNPLANNED PREGNANCY
The Community Resource Centre is a Planned Parenthood affiliate offering confidential, free and non-judgmental counseling for women facing an unplanned pregnancy.  The Banff Health Unit offers free pregnancy testing.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Although is may seem out of fashion, abstinence is the safe sex option that you have the right to choose.  It doesn't mean you're frigid, weird or unsure of your sexual orientation.  Stop by the CRC and pick up "101 Ways to Make Love Without Doin' it".

GETTIN' AROUND & ABOUT - need to be somewhere?

If you're new to Banff and Lake Louise, it probably didn't take you long to realize there's no subway here. But there are other transportation options, the most economical one being your feet.

AROUND TOWN
Banff Transit
The Town of Banff offers an in-town bus service on a seasonal basis.  For more information, call 762-1200.
Hotel Shuttles
Most of the larger hotels offer shuttle service for their guests.  If you work at one of these hotels, you can usually scam a ride.
Taxi
Designated drivers you can always count on!  Cabbing's a pretty awesome alternative to ice-cube feet when it's -40C.

GETTING AWAY
Automobile
If you bring a car from another province, you must get an Alberta license plate and driver's license within 3 months of arriving.  Call the Alberta Association at 762-2266 or the Banff Bureau of Licensing and Registrations at 762-2177.
You must also have a Park Permit on your vehicle. Call 762-1550 or 522-3833 for more information.
Mountain driving is different that city driving.  Weather conditions are rapidly changeable and mountain roads can be a nightmare.  Check Environment Canada's Weather Line at 762-2088 before you head out of town.
Bus / Airport Shuttle
If you need to get a city fix, Calgary's only an hour and a half away.  The one-way fare is about $18.00.  Airport shuttle service are available through both Brewster Bus Station as well as the Banff Air porter.  The Banff Air porter provides a local's deal with proof of Bow Valley residency (ie. pay stub, Bow Valley driver's license etc.)
Banff Air porter                 762-3330
Brewster Bus Station        762-6767

HITCHHIKING
It is not legal and it is inherently dangerous.  RCMP tolerate it in this area but we would like to offer you some strong words of caution:

1. Know that there are great risks involved especially for women.  The TransCanada Highway is a thoroughfare for all travelers making their way across the country not only tourist on holidays.

2. Do not believe that you can just refuse a ride because you are uncomfortable with the driver.  You can be pulled in or a weapon can be involved.

Hitch hiking tales of terror:
In the last couple of years there have been several sexual assaults that occurred while people were hitchhiking in the Valley.  One woman got lucky an managed to boot the guy and get away, but others were not so fortunate.   Then there were the two young staffers that got a ride with a driver who was drunk.   They were DOA and they got a free ride home in a body bag.

BANKING INFO - send money...fast!

They're a Western Union Money Transfer agent, and they cash paycheques and exchange foreign currency.

Banking will be easier if you:

1. Set up an account with one of the above institutions before arriving.  This way you will be able to do all of your banking by machine.

2. Ask your employer about direct deposit for your pay cheques.  It's a great way of avoiding the pay day bank line-ups.

3. Make sure you have proper ID - a passport or driver's license is required, plus a Social Insurance Number card, a credit card or a bank card.

"SEND MONEY...FAST!!!"
There might be an occasion when you need to access that age-old, reliable institution, The Bank of Mom and Dad.  If you don't have an account with one of the banks mentioned above, you can still receive money.
You can have money wired from anywhere in the world to a Banff bank. To receive the cash, you'll need to produce a driver's license or passport, plus one more piece of ID.  Or check out the Western Union Money Transfer through Freya's Currency Exchange.

SOMEONE WHO'LL LISTEN - local helping agencies

AIDS Bow Valley:  762-0690
An interagency committee with close ties to medical and counseling services.   Offering emotional and technical support and information and education to those affected by HIV / AIDS issues.

Alberta Family and Social Services:  678-2363
Provides social assistance programs for those temporarily in need.

Alberta Mental Health:  678-4696
Offers therapy to people of all ages experiencing personal or family difficulties in daily living.  Services are available in Banff and Canmore to any Alberta resident, and no fees are charged.

Alcoholics Anonymous:  678-3811
Meetings in Banff held Tuesdays and Friday evenings at 8pm. in the Mineral Springs Hospital cafeteria.

Banff Health Unit:  762-2990
Programs and services  include sexual health counselling and referral, immunization, health promotion and injury prevention, communicable disease prevention, prenatal and postnatal counselling and more.

Bow Valley Victim Services Association (BVVSA):   762-4223
The BVVSA offers services to assist individuals who have been victimized by crime, including 24 hour crisis intervention, referral to community agencies, and more.

Community Counselling Program:  762-1251
The Community Counseling program offers free, confidential counseling for individuals, couples and families with issues such as work difficulties, anxiety, depression, substance abuse and personal and relationship problems.

Food Bank:  762-2075
Offers short-term relief for individuals and families.  Housed at the United Church.

The Samaritans 24 Hour Crisis Line:  1-800-667-8089
A free, non-religious, confidential 24 hour phone line offering support and referral to individuals in crisis.

YWCA Community Resource Centre: 760-3200
Phone or drop by for information and referral services on social issues, community courses and programs, landlord and tenant information, employment issues, and child care registry.  The CRC has skilled staff available to provide support to those experiencing crisis, advocacy on women's issues, counselling to women experiencing violence in their lives, and NEW relationship counselling to individuals and couples.

Office hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm, closed noon-1pm.