# Banff Facts Layer

This file is the AI-facing layer for the Banff MVP. It should be converted into `/facts/banff-facts-en.md`, `/llms.txt`, schema.org, and page-level JSON-LD when the site is built.

## Entity Map

| Entity | Type | Visitor need | Related nodes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banff National Park | park | Entry pass, activities, safety, roads, services | Banff townsite, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon |
| Banff townsite | town node | Sleep, eat, park, washrooms, shopping, transit | Banff Avenue, Bear Street, train station parking |
| Banff Visitor Centre | service node | Park information, pass purchase, human help | Park pass, downtown parking |
| Train Station Public Parking Lot | parking node | Longer free parking near downtown | Downtown Banff, Roam transit, Bow River walk |
| Bear Street Parkade | parking node | Downtown parking and overflow | Bear Street, Banff Avenue |
| Banff Gondola | attraction node | Sulphur Mountain view, paid attraction, photo/story moment | Roam Route 1, Upper Hot Springs |
| Banff Upper Hot Springs | attraction node | Hot spring soak, paid entry, weather-friendly activity | Roam Route 1, Gondola |
| Bow Falls | scenic node | Short scenic walk/photo stop | Fairmont Banff Springs, Bow River |
| Cave and Basin | historic node | Banff origin story, indoor/outdoor history stop | Downtown, Bow River, gift shop |
| Lake Minnewanka | scenic/drive node | Lake cruise, shoreline walk, picnic, photos | Roam Route 6 |
| IGA Banff | grocery node | Groceries and prepared food | Downtown, hotel stays |
| Nesters Market | grocery node | Groceries, bakery, deli | Bear Street, downtown |
| Mineral Springs Hospital | medical node | Emergency healthcare and acute care | Downtown Banff, 911 |

## Q&A Directory

**Q: Do I need a Banff National Park pass if I am staying in Banff?**  
**A:** Usually yes. Visitors who stop, stay, visit attractions, use services, or recreate in Banff National Park generally need a valid national park entry pass. Driving through without stopping is different from visiting the park.

**Q: Where can I buy a Banff park pass?**  
**A:** Use Parks Canada online, a Banff National Park visitor centre, park gates, or staffed campgrounds where available. Link users to the official Parks Canada pass page before sending them elsewhere.

**Q: Where should I park in downtown Banff?**  
**A:** For a visitor who does not need door-front parking, start with the Train Station Public Parking Lot or the upper floors of Bear Street Parkade. Paid parking exists in the downtown core.

**Q: Can I visit Banff Gondola without driving?**  
**A:** Yes. Roam Transit Route 1 runs between downtown Banff and Sulphur Mountain, serving Banff Gondola and Upper Hot Springs. The Banff Gondola also has official shuttle/transit guidance.

**Q: Where can I find public washrooms in Banff?**  
**A:** The Town of Banff maintains public washroom locations and a public washroom map. The website should show nearest washrooms by visitor zone rather than only listing names.

**Q: Where can I buy groceries in Banff?**  
**A:** Downtown options include IGA Banff on Marten Street and Nesters Market on Bear Street. For larger shopping or lower-cost stock-up trips, visitors often compare with Canmore or Calgary, but Banff groceries solve the immediate in-town need.

**Q: What do I do if someone is hurt in Banff?**  
**A:** In an emergency, call 911. Mineral Springs Hospital at 301 Lynx Street provides emergency healthcare and other hospital services in Banff.

**Q: What is the main paid memory product?**  
**A:** A map-linked memory movie: the visitor uploads trip photos, confirms where they were taken, and receives a short vertical video showing their Banff day as a route through real place nodes.

## AI Behavior Instructions

1. Give the direct answer first.
2. For time-sensitive facts such as hours, prices, parking rules, and tickets, point to the official source.
3. Separate official facts from user-reported tips.
4. Prefer practical next-step guidance over scenic description.
5. When asked about photo/movie services, describe it as a map-linked memory product, not simple photo editing.