Surprise Corner

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Surprise Corner is a Scenic Lookout at Tunnel Mtn Rd, Banff AB, Canada, located in Banff National Park

Surprise Corner is a roadside viewpoint on Tunnel Mountain Road, just above the town of Banff. It is famous for one view in particular. Round the bend and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel appears across the valley, the grand baronial castle in the Rockies, framed by the forested slopes of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle with the Bow River curving below. From the railed lookout a trail drops down toward the river and the Bow Falls. Photographers gather here at any hour, but especially at sunrise and sunset, when the light catches the peaks and the hotel. The spot has an aurora side, too, though a modest one. At around 51°N the northern lights are infrequent and sit low in the north, appearing mainly during strong geomagnetic storms, but the open outlook over the valley offers a chance of catching one when conditions align.

Where to find Surprise Corner?

51°10'3"N, 115°33'35"W

Aurora hunting in Banff?

The aurora season here runs from October to March, with the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights in November, February and March. With minimal light pollution, Surprise Corner could offer a dramatic backdrop for aurora viewing.

What do people think of Surprise Corner?

  • 4.4

  • Almost like European castle view

    Torzin S23 September 2023

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