Cookie Policy — BanffLake

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored in your browser by websites you visit. BanffLake also uses the localStorage API as a companion storage mechanism. Both serve the same purpose on BanffLake: remembering your choices so you do not have to repeat them on every visit. Neither contains personally identifiable information.

BanffLake uses a "hybrid" storage strategy — the same data is written to both cookie and localStorage simultaneously. When reading, we prefer localStorage (because it survives across browser sessions on most devices) and fall back to the cookie if localStorage is blocked or cleared. You control both through your browser's privacy settings.

2. Cookie Inventory

The following table lists every storage entry BanffLake places in your browser. No other cookies, localStorage entries, or tracking pixels are set.

Name	Type	Purpose	Duration	Category
bl_age_ok	Cookie + localStorage	Stores "1" when you confirm you are 18+. Prevents the age gate from re-appearing on every page load.	180 days	Essential
bl_age_ok_exp	localStorage only	Companion expiry timestamp for bl_age_ok in localStorage. Contains a Unix millisecond timestamp.	180 days	Essential
bl_consent_v2	Cookie + localStorage	Stores your cookie banner choice as a JSON object: {a: true/false, ads: false, v: 1}. "a" indicates analytics accepted. "ads" is always false — no ad tracking.	180 days	Essential
bl_consent_v2_exp	localStorage only	Companion expiry timestamp for bl_consent_v2 in localStorage.	180 days	Essential
_ga, _ga_*	Cookie (third-party: Google)	Google Analytics session and user ID. Set ONLY if you click "Accept" on the cookie banner. Not set by default (Google Consent Mode default = denied).	Up to 2 years (Google-controlled)	Analytics (opt-in)

3. What We Do NOT Use

BanffLake does not use any of the following:

Advertising or retargeting cookies (Meta Pixel, Google Ads, programmatic networks)
Social media tracking pixels (Facebook, TikTok, Twitter/X, LinkedIn)
Fingerprinting or device ID technologies
Session recording tools (Hotjar, FullStory, etc.)
Heat-mapping tools
Any third-party analytics other than Google Analytics, and only when explicitly opted in

4. How to Control Cookies

You have multiple ways to control the cookies BanffLake sets:

Cookie banner: When you first visit BanffLake, the cookie banner offers "Accept" (enables Google Analytics if configured) or "Essential only" (no analytics). You can reopen this panel at any time using the ⚙ gear icon at the bottom right of the screen.
Browser settings: All major browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies. Instructions: Chrome, Firefox, Safari.
Clearing localStorage: Open your browser's developer tools (F12), navigate to Application → Local Storage, and delete any entries prefixed with "bl_".

Blocking or deleting our essential cookies will cause the age gate and cookie banner to reappear on every visit. It does not block access to BanffLake's content.

5. Google Consent Mode v2

BanffLake implements Google Consent Mode v2 with all storage categories set to "denied" by default. This means no analytics data flows to Google until you actively click "Accept" on the cookie banner. If you click "Essential only" or close the banner without choosing, analytics remain blocked. You can change your choice at any time via the ⚙ gear icon. Withdrawing consent takes effect immediately — no analytics data is sent after withdrawal.

6. Updates to This Policy

This Cookie Policy may be updated when we change our storage practices. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. We will also re-show the cookie banner if we introduce materially new storage entries requiring fresh consent.

Questions? Contact [email protected]