As the first rays of dawn made their way over the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains, I found myself wandering the streets of a town I’ve waited my whole life to visit: Banff, Alberta. I didn’t come here to ski (the season for that had ended a month before); I came to hike and bike the trails, and just to decompress a bit before a business meeting I had in Calgary towards the end of the week. Banff is one of the places on my bucket list to visit, and I was finally here.
The air of that first morning in Banff was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the promise of a beautiful day ahead. It was still too early for coffee shops to be open, but I could see the stirrings of business and commerce, along with a few early morning sunrise junkies, like myself.
Window shopping and enjoying the architecture was par for the course. 6:30 am beckoned, and I ambled towards White Bark Coffee House, a shop recommended by a friend as the best Banff had to offer. I wasn’t alone: there was already a small lineup out the door, waiting. I didn’t mind. The view around was spectacular, with a clear view of Mount Rundel’s jagged, granite peaks east of the town.
Inside the cafe, there existed a very Scandinavian vibe. Conversation was already filling the air, and excellent music filled the spaces. I approached the counter, greeted by the friendly barista who wore a welcoming smile.
“Good morning! What can I get for you today?” she asked, her voice as soothing as the melody playing in the background.
“It’s my first morning in Banff, and I hear you are the place to be if one likes coffee: what do you recommend?” letting the barista make the call for me.
“Most definitely a proper Americano for you. The blend we’re using is on point today!” And she proceeded to make it. Fresh ground, properly measured and tamped, built in a nice 6 ounce cappuccino cup. “No worries if you take it outside to our patio, just bring the cup back when you’re done!” she said, as she handed me the cup with flourish.
The aroma and crema on top was certainly on point, as she said. I stepped outside, grabbed a patio seat at one of the best “in a town patios” I’ve ever been to, viewing the majesty of Mount Rundel’s ragged edges in the distance, and savoured my first coffee of the day. A few emails answered, a few photos taken, and the americano was gone far too soon. Back inside once more, and this time a takeout cup of brewed coffee was ordered, so I could have it with me on my walkabout town. This time it was a single origin Costa Rica that exhibited a joyful fruitiness in the aroma.
Armed with my aromatic elixir, I ventured back out into the awakening town, my senses perking with the sights and sounds of early morning. The streets were bathed in the soft glow of sunrise, casting long shadows that danced playfully across the pavement. Shop windows glimmered with promise, enticing me to peer inside and discover hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered.
The entire town, as small as it is, has a Swiss chalet feel to it all. Every building has wood, brick and Swiss architecture influences. If I stopped thinking about being in Canada for just a moment, I truly felt like I was in a Swiss village.
I meandered down Banff Avenue, closed to vehicle traffic (except for buses), my footsteps light and purposeful, as I allowed myself to be swept away by the magic of the moment. With each passing storefront, I marveled at the unique offerings on display, from handcrafted jewelry to locally sourced artwork, each one a testament to the vibrant spirit of this mountain town.
The Costa Rican coffee I had with me seemed so perfect for this walk. Spring was definitely in the air, with the last of the snows melting away in the streets and parks of this village, with new growth all around. I could even spot the buds of flowers starting on various fruit plants and bushes. The bright and fruity balance from my cup of coffee seemed perfect for this moment.
My wandering continued, and I found myself drawn to a small park on the outskirts of town. Nestled against the backdrop of towering evergreens, it offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape, a patchwork of emerald forests and snow-capped peaks stretching out as far as the eye could see.
I settled onto a weathered bench, my coffee cradled in my hands as I watched the world awaken before me. The sky blazed with hues of pink and gold, painting a masterpiece that seemed almost too beautiful to be real. I breathed in deeply, savoring the crisp spring mountain air as it filled my lungs with renewed vitality. Though Banff is forever a tourist town, I was alone in this park, with the sounds of nature close by, and the sounds of people in the village just a distant hum.
But I wasn’t alone.
Lost in the tranquility of the moment, I suddenly became aware of a stirring in the distance. I turned to see a truly majestic beast emerge from the forest up the side of a hill. An elk, its antlers reaching towards the sky like nature’s own crown. It regarded me with a curious gaze, its eyes reflecting the same sense of wonder that filled my own. Its immense size was plainly visible, even though it seemed far away. I have never seen such an animal before.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still and all sound stopped as we shared this silent communion, two souls connected by the magic of the morning. Then the spell was broken. The elk sniffed the air, turned its head, and headed back into the trees. It was gone, and the distant sounds of the village came back to the air around me.
I sat there for some time longer, not even sure if this experience was real or not. But I will always remember it, for the rest of my life. I felt a true spiritual connection at that moment.
With a sigh filled with serenity, I enjoyed the last sip of my coffee, and remarked how, not for the first time, excellent coffee and a memorable moment in my life were intertwined. Every time I have a bright and fruity Costa Rican coffee, I’ll be reminded of this spiritual connection I had with that magnificent creature, on the outskirts of Banff, Alberta.
Ethan fell in love with coffee when he lived in Japan for 2 years. He worked in the coffee business as a roasters apprentice and barista until his late 20s, but never gave up a love for coffee. His favourite vacation is doing solo canoe trips in the interior of Ontario.
