Banff Travel Forum

hi there,

my wife and me are planning to go to banff in april 2010 (starting in vancouver). my question: do we have to expect problems driving around the area by car because of snow and ice?
second: is the area worth a trip in this time of the year (because we are not going to ski)? which acitivities can be done (hiking?) outside? or is it just driving by and looking outside the window?

many thanks for your help in advance
best wishes, dirk

Can you please advise the best single occupancy deals for skiing holiday in March. No one seems to like to take a single person within a group.

Hi everybody!! we are two 18 years old girls from Montreal and we are going to banff in january 2010 till july 2010...but we need colocs to stay with and share the fees. we are looking for boys or girls aged 18-24 so if youre interrested or if you want more information, tell us!!
:)

My husband & I have decided to use our FREE tickets with American Airlines to visit Banff in 2010..instead of PEI/Nova Scotia. I have read how busy Labor Day weekend is so I thought we would visit mostly after that weekend. I love the outdoors for it's beauty. My hobby is photography. We are hoping to visit Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, & Glacier National Park in Canada. But then again, we may not be able to do all that in 7 full days. I am looking to visit when I can take some amazing photos of Canada. We are planning on driving as much of Canada as we possibly can. We were planning on visiting from 9/4/2010 to 9/13/2010. We found an apartment in Banff to rent for a week. It's complete with a kitchen, washer & dryer. Home away from home place.

Questions: What can we expect in regard to the weather in Sept?

Will there be any beautiful flowers blooming in this area?

What type of clothes should we pack?

Are groceries expensive in and around Banff?

Is it reasonable for us to station ourselves in Banff in an
apartment & visit Lake Lousie, Jasper Park, and Glacier Park?

Am I asking too much to want to visit Banff, Japser & Glacier
in 7 days?

I love photographing wild life, mountains, flowers, waterfalls etc.
Any suggestions of areas we should visit will be apprecaited.

Hello All

i am in a bit of a dilemma as i can't decide about which hostel i should stay in when i go to Banff this December. the choice is between Banff HI Alpine center and samesun backpackers. Which one do you reccomend?

I should mention that i have already been to Banff HI Alpine Center last year and i thought it was very nice, the only downside was that i had to catch the bus everytime i wanted to go downtown

I don't know much about samesun apart from the fact that they are located downtown, it would be good to hear from someone who stayed there

On a different note i want to know how safe is to roam around Banff and Jasper by myself in the middle of winter? I just wanna walk around town and possibly do some trails, but i don't want to be mauled to death by some bear or cougar

Last year i was almost mauled by some random dog in Yellowknife so i don't want to repeat the same experience with a bear or a cougar :S

There has been some very valuable information posted here. Thank you to all who have gone before me. I have a list!
I am looking for information specifically relating to how to get a camping spot for August 16-August 20 for two women and two children on a summer adventure... Are there any tips or tricks to finding a camping spot in a "no reservations" environment?
Here is our plan:
Arrive in Banff around 10 AM from an overnight in either Medicine Hat or Calgary. Go from there __________________ (fill in the blank :-) )

Suggestions include:
Choose Jasper instead
Good luck!
Make a reservation and stay in a hotel....

I have read through the threads and I am very excited about the trip and my kids are totally into the hiking and the glaciers! I have made a list of the must see but am working on the where to stay.....

Is 23 days enough time to drive from Banff to Jasper then up the Alaska Highway, to Denali National park and down to Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte Island for a day and then drive to Vancouver, Whistler and back to Calgary??? Would also like to do a whale watching tour somewhere and a grizzly bear tour too. Thanks.

We are intending to stop and tour the icefield on the way from Banff to Jasper the second week of September and wondered if we should pre-book a tour or whether you can just turn up and get on one. Also anyone who has done the VIA Rail Skeena train journey from Jasper to Prince Rupert who could give us any tips or information we would be most grateful.

can any one advise what typically the weather is like in june, i am going 7th to 21st and struggling to know what to pack - is it still likely to be really cold, or t-shirt and cardigan weather etc?? any suggestions would be appreciated

Hi guys,

I am planning a trip to Canada in August this year with my partner. We're spending a week in Toronto (I have a conference) and intend on spending the second week of our holiday around Banff somewhere. We will probably fly in and out of Calgary, giving us a total of 6 nights in the region. Unfortunately, we're not brave enough to drive on the other side of the road, so we plan on using coaches!

There seems to be so much to see here that I'm not sure how to divide up our time. If we fly into Calgary in the afternoon should we spend a night in the city or is it worth spending some time there? We spoke to a travel agent who recommended seeing Banff and Lake Louise. Given that if we spend a night in Calgary when we arrive and one before we leave (if we should?) we only have 4 nights left for holiday. Is it worth spending those 4 nights in Banff or dividing it up 2 nights Banff/2 nights Lake Louise OR 2 nights Banff/2 nights Jasper?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
A

Hi we are a family of 4 (2 grown-up kids) planning to ski Canada in December. Ideally we'll be in Banff over Christmas. How cold will it be on the skifields?
We are looking at accommodation options and wondering if renting a condo for a week is a better way to go than hotel suites. Any ideas or recommendations accepted gratefully - we have to keep in mind the $ exchange rate is not good between NZ and Canada!
We plan to hire a vehicle to drive from Calgary, so we can sightsee a bit too.
What is the best way to purchase ski passes? Which are best mountains for intermediate -advanced skiers? Any package deals anyone know of. I'd love any tips about what else to see and do.

Hi,
My partner and I are planning a 2-week roadtrip between Calgary and Vancouver, via Jasper and Whistler. We're going to start in Calgary, and want to go to Banff, then Lake Louise/Lake Moraine, Icefield Parkway etc.

However - I've never been to Canada, and I can't get my head around the timescales of journeys and how big the resorts are etc.

How long should we plan for Banff and the Lakes etc - 1 day, 2 days ?? How long would it take to drive to the Lakes etc? We want to have enough time to properly experience the areas and not miss out by leaving too early!

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Out of the whole trip, its the Lakes I want to see the most! Planning trip for first 2 weeks of September - as apparently that's a good time to go as its still warm but not as busy. Is this correct ??

Thanks!!
Topaz

Hey everyone. Me and my husband are going to Banff next weekend for his birthday, just 2 nights and 3 days. We've been to Banff several times, but never in the winter together. He was going to go snowboarding, but changed his mind. We're kind of on a budget this time, so we're looking for some free/cheap things to do.

Some ideas I already have are the Ice Festival (hopefully the sculptures will still be up), skating at Lake Louise, checking out Canmore because I've never really been there, and going to the Hot Springs because I've never been there in winter.

I'm not really a fan of winter, so I'd appreciate some indoor suggestions as well as outdoor (I don't mind winter as long as it's not -20!).

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated :D

Hello everyone
i would really like to receive some advice in regard to Banff
I am going to be in Calgary for about 3 days this December and i really
want to visit banff and all of its attractions (gondola, lake louise, hot springs). The sad news is that most one day tours from calgary to banff end in October.

Does anyone know of any tours in december?
Also if i decide to spend the night in banff which hostel or budget accomodation is good?

One more question; as i am going to Yellowknife after Banff i need to buy some pretty warm clothes to wear in -40C weather. Are there any second hand shops in calgary which sell those types of clothes?

Thanks

please feel free to contact me at damianipiero@hotmail.com
if you have any advice of any kind for me

Hi, I am thinking of visiting Banff over Thanksgiving for 4 days. Is this a good time to visit Banff as well as the Banff National Park? And is it better to rent a car and drive around or to find day trips around the area? Thanks!

hi Guys we are coming to banff in february, and I'm starting to save my pennies- where are the best places to eat- we would like a mix of special treats, and everyday food! We are a family of 3 with a four year old, so how much should I budget for food for 2 weeks. This is our first trip to Canada, and we would like to look back on it with great memories, so while we would like a few special ideas! Although we don't want to be spending loads every day on food! Thanks we are really looking forward to this trip of a lifetime!

Wanting to head to Johnston Canyon this fall to hike the trails and photograph the falls. How cold does it get during the morning/afternoon around the first week of October? Sweater weather or jacketsjacketsjackets? Any good autumn colors at that time of year? Where do I go to see the Inkpots (heard about them, wasn't sure if they were in the same place or not). What is the parking fee or admission to the trails? Thanks!

I know this probably seems like a strange question, but we are visiting Banff for for the first time next year. My little boy is saving up his pocket money, and I was wondering whether there are any toy shops/or shops that are of interest to young children? Also what sort of activities would be suitable for him- we are going in february, and I have noticed that on a lot of tours there are age restrictions. Thankyou

How long does it take to drive from the town of Banff to the Columbia Icefields (where we would take the tour from)? Is it more of a half-day trip or a full day thing?

Thanks!

Hi
I am visiting Calgary, Banff and Jasper over the July 4 weekend. First 2 nights in Banff , then 2 nights in jasper and then on the way back last nite stay again in Banff. Can you please let me know which are the MUST SEE places in these 2 areas. IWe plan to see all the famous places/lakes but dont know if will need to hike to get to these places or are they accessible by car. will be coming with a 1 year old and husband and another couple. Can we manage with a stroller or should we get a child carrier instead?Also hows the weather like in July 4th weekendand should we carry clothes for extreme heat- shorts /t shirts etc and a light jacket.Any other tips about visitng that place with a 1 yr old.
Lastly if we have 1 afternoon available for Calgary whats the ebst thing to see in calgary or in the famous stampede.

A quick response will be highly appreciated as I only have few days to plan?
thnaks in advance?

we will be traveling for a week from calgary to vancouver on july 21-28. we will visit banff and jasper. i am asking about the weather condition at these time of the year, so we can decide what kind of clothes we need to bring, for example will we need a hot coat if we go up some mountains like mt edit in jasper etc.
thanks for the answers
giora

We are scheduled to arrive in Calgary on July 3rd afternooon and fly back on July 8th evening from Calgary and will drive to the Rockies and thats all that is planned so far. Can you advise me on the itenary for the 5 days I have...which places should I visit and in what order ...shd I go to Banff first and then Jasper and the must see places, activites..etc etc and which scenic routes do you recommend ...also which cities/towns shd I look for acco in . Its going to be a busy time of the year esp with the Calgary stampede...is that event worth spending time on ..which events are recommended.Also we have a 1 yr old ...so please sugegst activites etc
I am looking at this forum to help me plan my trip and all responses would be highly appreciated

We are arriving in Calgary in May and have 12 nights as we drive to Vancouver.
Would someone who has "been and done it" suggest an itinerary for us please???
I am quite used to a fair bit of driving......so what should we see/do?

Me and some friends are planning on visiting Banff over May long weekend. We were wondering if anybody has any travel tips. We're all young guys with our own vehicle and would love to do some camping and hiking, also river rafting if its available. Fishing would also be a bonus if its open anywhere...Will lake o'hara be frozen? would Moraine or bow be a better choice?

> I am planning a trip to Jasper and Banff from Seattle with my husband
> and my 11 month old baby. I have a few questions and would request
> inputs as I need to figure out my plan in the next day or so
> - Should we go in end of May 2008 or July first week. I know July is
> overall mroe recommended because of warm weather but is Memorial week in
> may end a definite no no. what kind of weather variation can I expect
> and will it prevent us from enjoying our trip/seeing places. Is July a
> compeltley different experience from May and worth delaying the trip
> - we only have 5.5 days max including travel time. Believe that
> vancouver to Banff drive is abt 10 hrs one way and driving so much in
> such a short vacation may not be the best idea. So we were thinking of
> flying to Calgary ( so we could get max time in the rockies) and use
> that as the starting point to go to Lake Louise, jasper and Banff and
> fly back from calgary to seattle. is that recommended Do we miss out on
> any picturesque places
> - recommended cities/hotels to stay ( nothing too cheap not too fancy )
>
> - advise activites with a 11 mth old and must see places

hi have booked a place to stay in jasper for 4 days and i will be hiring a car so i intend to travel to banff i have to return to jasper to catch my train back to vancouver.
my question is do i break my journey and stop off at the icefields if so is there places to saty that dont cost an arm and a leg also as its a long way in betwwen is it best to stop along the icefeilds on my return trip as well.
and lastly can i get on the the glaciers by bus from the parkway or do i need to go to banff and get on there hope someone can sort me out many thanks

Do you make United States Novelty ID cards or do you know where I could get one?

Hi All,

I am heading out to Banff next week (26th March) for two weeks skiing.

Apologies for the typical girly post - but its my first time skiing and whilst i've finally got all my ski gear sorted - i've no idea what people generally wear when going out in the evenings. I imagine its fairly casual - girls wearing jeans and snow boots?? Just wasnt sure if people dressed up at all for the clubs/bars? Do girls wear ugg boots/timberlands to clubs/bars? Or something smarter? Also do most people just wear their ski jacket out in the evenings, or everyday coats?

Any help would be really appreciated!

Thanks. K

We love Banff! My wife and I, along with my 1 year old daughter went last June, and we fell in love with the whole area. We want to go this year, and we are going to take my daughter and father-in-law. March is the only time that will work, so I have booked a room at the new Fox Hotel & Suites from March 20 to March 24. What should we expect as far as weather, and options for things to do. I am the only snowboarder of the group, my wife is going to be 5 months pregnant and we will have our almost 2 yr. old daughter. We really enjoy just driving around, hiking, eating, shopping, etc. I am just not sure what to expect that time of year. Any advice would be most helpful--specifically regarding activities, food, weather conditions, etc.

We are planning to visit the rockies in February. I know its not the best season to visit, but the flights are already confirmed... So we'll like to make the best out of this trip.

We have about 4 days set aside for the rockies. I've looked at several tour operators' itineraries out of Vancouver, but they don't look very good. They have 4D3N trips, with 1 night in Salmon Arm (with stops at a winery and jam factory) and 2 nights in Banff (Gondola ride, hot spring, bow falls, lake louise included). Cost with 10 meals and gratuities come up to CAD 400+ at least.

However, taking such packages mean spending lots of daylight time on the roads, and I am concerned that tour guides usually bring groups shopping and its a waste of precious time.

So I thought it'll be good to plan our own visit (is it advisable anyway?). I've come up with a rough itinerary, and hope those who are familiar with the area can comment and advise.

We are not very into snow sports and would probably just take up a beginner's lesson on our trip to Whistler.

We will travel overnight from Vancouver to Banff by Greyhound. Upon arrival, check into accomodation. Take up an activities package for the first day:

- Hotel Pick up and drop off/all transporation
- Discover Banff Sightseeing Tour (Morning)
- Gondola passes
- 12 Minute Spray Lakes Flightseeing tour (Afternoon)

For the second day:

- Visit the hot spring
- Icewalking OR Snowshoeing
- Visit lake louise
- Take Greyhound overnight back to Vancouver


Some questions:
- Is it easy to get around by walking/transit in Banff?
- Is it advisable at all to do the trip on our own?
- Would the weather in mid Feb be harsh?
- Should we extend another day to visit Jasper?

Thanks in advance for any advice!