Getting to BIRS

BIRS is located in its own building (Corbett Hall) at the Banff Centre in the beautiful mountain town of Banff, Alberta, Canada. A wealth of information about the centre, the town and the surroundings can be found at the website of the Banff Centre which also provides detailed directions and maps.

Banff is nestled in the Rocky Mountains, approximately 1.5 hours west of Calgary and can be reached by car or by transit from the Calgary International Airport.


Directions by Car

Important: Winter driving conditions in the mountains can be dangerous. Before you decide to drive, please consult the AMA Road Report.

From the Calgary International Airport:

If you choose to travel by private vehicle, the trip from the Calgary International Airport to Banff takes approximately 90 minutes. To view map, click here.

  • Head southeast on Airport Road NE (700m)

  • Turn left at Airport Road NE W (300m)

  • Slight right to stay or Airport Road NE W (49m)

  • Slight right to stay or Airport Road NE W (190m)

  • Turn right towards Airport Trail NE (130m)

  • Turn left towards Airport Trail NE (90m)

  • Turn right at Airport Trail NE (400m)

  • Turn left at Airport Trail NE W (1 km)

  • Merge onto Deerfoot Trail/AB-2 N via the ramp to Deerfoot Trail (5.1km)

  • Take the exit onto Stoney Trail NW/AB-201 S (23.4km)

  • Take the AB-1 W/Trans-Canada Highway W ramp to 16th Avenue N/Banff (600m)

  • Merge onto Trans-Canada Highway/AB-1 W (111km)

  • Take the exit towards Banff (230m)

  • Turn left at Norquay Road (signs for Banff) (950m)

  • Continue onto Gopher Street/Lynx Street, continue to follow Lynx Street (400m)

  • Turn left at Wolf Street (700m)

  • Turn right at Grizzly Street (30m)

  • Slight left at St. Julien Road (50m)

  • The Banff Centre's main reception desk is in the Professional Development Centre.

When you check in, please request assistance with your luggage and for directions to Corbett Hall.

You should be aware that in order to enter Banff National Park (in which BIRS is located) you need to pay a daily user fee. For more on this, you may go to Parks Canada website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/tarifs-fees_e.asp?park=1

Long-term parking is available in the parking lot close to Front Desk or at the parkade on the north end of the campus.

Banff/Calgary Airport Shuttles

There are direct shuttles operating between the Calgary International Airport and Banff Centre. Reservations are recommended (and are necessary for the trip returning to the airport). Following is contact information for all the shuttle companies.

Given that public transportation from Calgary Airport is somewhat limited, please refer to shuttle timings prior to booking your flight.