Topic Wiki

List of TR's:

Kosher Food/ Restaurants:
The local supermarkets (e.g. Nesters or IGA in Banff) have many kosher shelf products.

There's frozen chicken and some meat products here, also a kosher aisle of dry foods: Safeway Glenmore Landing - 1600 90 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2V 5A8, Canada

Synagogue:
None, though check GoDaven for temporary minyanim

Things to Do:

Download the GuideAlong app (formerly known as GyPSy Guide) and purchase the package for the Canadian Rockies Tours for $24.99. This self-paced guided audio tour covers Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park and more. It's an incredibly useful and informative app.

Banff
Johnston Canyon hike, Upper Falls recommended, 2 hr round trip.
Banff Gondola, take boardwalk (15 min, spread out stairs) to peak for amazing views
Mountain Biking - e.g. Tunnel Bench Loop (moderate, lots of fun with great views)
Bow Falls and Bow River
Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake loop drive - boat cruise tour and speedboat rentals available

Lake Louise (45 min drive from Banff)
Shoreline trail walk
Canoe rentals
Lake Agnes teahouse hike (moderate, 2.5 hrs round-trip, can continue to Little Beehive or Big Beehive)
Plain of 6 Glaciers hike (moderate, 5-6 hrs round trip, Tea House along the way)
Lake Louise gondola


Moraine Lake (30 min drive south from LL)
2023 Update: Access by personal vehicle to Morraine Lake is no longer allowed. The only options to get to Morraine Lake are by Canada Parks Shuttle, private Lake Morraine bussing companies, and maybe a private tour bus. Local Banff bus service (Roam) may also have a shuttle to Morraine in addition to their service to Lake Louise. Reservations for busses get booked up early, so plan at least 3-4 days ahead. [Parking is extremely limited, arrive very early or later in the day, road is closed when parking is full.]
Walk along lake
Canoe rentals sometimes available
Rockpile climb to great viewpoint

Athabasca Glacier Adventure (90 min drive from Lake Louise or Jasper)
Early arrival recommended (first tour is at 10:30am, book online in advance)
2 hour duration, bring bottle to drink glacier water
Wear layers, temperature is unpredictable
Skywalk is a tourist trap, you can skip it and stay on bus to return to parking lot

Icefields Parkway drive from Athabasca Glacier to Banff with scenic stops:
Parker Ridge trail 2-hour round-trip hike (medium difficulty, uphill climb)
Peyto Lake viewed from Bow Summit (cars must park in lower lot and walk 10 min, but later in the day the upper lot can be used)
Mistaya Canyon (beautiful pull-off hike along Icefields Pkwy. Hike is about 10 minutes down to a powerful river rushing through a canyon with waterfalls)
Bow Lake (quick pullout stop)

Jasper

Yoho National Park
Takakkaw Falls
Emerald Lake
Natural Bridge


Hotels:

Getting Around:
A car is basically a must, though there are shuttles from Banff to the major attractions.
The nearest commercial airport is Calgary (YYC), a 90 min drive from Banff.

Notes:


Author Topic: Banff and Jasper Master Thread  (Read 155757 times)

Offline aarony

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #480 on: July 05, 2017, 06:59:29 PM »
No need to stay in banff. Canmore is fine too and only 20 minutes further.

Offline amx

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #481 on: July 06, 2017, 01:32:50 PM »
ok Thank You

Offline em0616

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #482 on: July 06, 2017, 03:08:24 PM »
No need to stay in banff. Canmore is fine too and only 20 minutes further.

I stayed in Golden, BC  - I stayed at: https://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/rocky-mountain-cabins-and-lodge.html
There is also http://www.mountainviewcabinsbc.com

It's closer to the other side of the park called Yoho  ... e.g. Lake O'hara http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho/activ/randonnee-hike/ohara
80 km from Lake Louise

---

I didn't like Banff or Canmore so much... I prefer Lake Louise area.

Offline mordechain

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #483 on: July 06, 2017, 07:00:03 PM »
I just booked the Holiday inn Jasper in Hinton. 25k ihg points for a room going for $460.

Offline eliteflyer

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #484 on: July 06, 2017, 07:47:07 PM »
I stayed in Golden, BC  - I stayed at: https://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/rocky-mountain-cabins-and-lodge.html
There is also http://www.mountainviewcabinsbc.com

It's closer to the other side of the park called Yoho  ... e.g. Lake O'hara http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho/activ/randonnee-hike/ohara
80 km from Lake Louise

---

I didn't like Banff or Canmore so much... I prefer Lake Louise area.
Interesting you say that. My extended family is planning a Banff trip in August and booked a chalet in Golden because Banff was too expensive. That being said, they've book-ended a three night stay in Golden with two night stays in Calgary, which I'm not too thrilled about for a week-long trip.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #485 on: July 06, 2017, 11:48:51 PM »
Interesting you say that. My extended family is planning a Banff trip in August and booked a chalet in Golden because Banff was too expensive. That being said, they've book-ended a three night stay in Golden with two night stays in Calgary, which I'm not too thrilled about for a week-long trip.
That's just plain old stupid
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Offline eliteflyer

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #486 on: July 07, 2017, 12:22:25 AM »
That's just plain old stupid
I agree, but don't want to rock the family boat too much since grandparents are footing the lodging costs. I raised suggstions back in January for places to stay closer to Banff, but was rebuffed. Apparently, this is the "affordable" way to do it since each family member can use their own SPG/Marriott points to stay at a Residence Inn in Calgary :o. Here are my choices for the Sunday to Sunday August trip (which is presently: Sunday night - Tuesday at a hotel in Calgary; Tuesday - Friday in Golden; Friday-Sunday in Calgary):

1) Don't go (blame it on work)
2) Ditch the larger family for the beginning and end of the trip (particularly the beginning) and find my own lodging closer to something more interesting (Banff/ open to other suggestions)

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #487 on: July 07, 2017, 12:26:44 AM »
Option 2, fly into Edmonton, stay Sunday/Monday in Jasper (Monday tour Jasper). Tuesday drive the icefields parkway and meet them in Golden
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Offline eliteflyer

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #488 on: July 07, 2017, 10:28:40 AM »
Option 2, fly into Edmonton, stay Sunday/Monday in Jasper (Monday tour Jasper). Tuesday drive the icefields parkway and meet them in Golden
Interesting suggestion. I didnt check Jasper accommodations, but they were all booked up in Banff for my dates (this is peak season in August). Any thoughts on where to go Friday-Sunday? The notion of spending the weekend at a non-descript off-the-highway hotel in Calgary is very unappealing!

Offline aarony

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #489 on: July 07, 2017, 11:51:24 AM »
Jasper accommodations are the hardest to find.  What are your dates

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #490 on: July 07, 2017, 12:27:30 PM »
Interesting suggestion. I didnt check Jasper accommodations, but they were all booked up in Banff for my dates (this is peak season in August). Any thoughts on where to go Friday-Sunday? The notion of spending the weekend at a non-descript off-the-highway hotel in Calgary is very unappealing!
With minyan, I'd go to Edmonton. It's a very nice community.
Without minyan, I think Fairmont Lake Louise would be an amazing place to spend shabbos.
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Offline eliteflyer

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #491 on: July 07, 2017, 02:40:46 PM »
Jasper accommodations are the hardest to find.  What are your dates
Aug. 13-20

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #492 on: July 08, 2017, 11:49:38 PM »
availability at the fairmont jasper. although it's criminal what they charge
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Offline amx

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #493 on: July 12, 2017, 01:37:06 PM »
Going to banff/canmore next week with 13 month old. Can/should I take the drive to Athabasca Glacier (3 hrs) Is it worth it? and can I do it without the whole tour thing?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #494 on: July 12, 2017, 01:38:20 PM »
No point in going if you don't go on the glacier with the tour.
I would definitely go. There are other stops to make on the way as well.
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Offline amx

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #495 on: July 12, 2017, 01:40:18 PM »
Ok thanks, The baby will be ok on the snocoach? Do I have to book in advance? Enough time to also do johnson canyon hike in same day? Thanks
« Last Edit: July 12, 2017, 01:43:32 PM by amx »

Offline Saulius

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #496 on: July 12, 2017, 08:21:12 PM »
Ok thanks, The baby will be ok on the snocoach? Do I have to book in advance? Enough time to also do johnson canyon hike in same day? Thanks

You can book in advance online, and you get a 10% discount. No problem taking an infant. The coach just travels to the icefield, and then you are allowed to walk in the demarcated area.
https://www.brewster.ca/attractions-sightseeing/columbia-icefield-glacier-adventure/

You don't have to book in advanced, but it would save you lots of time in the ticket line, as it gets extremely crowded. However, in the early
morning, it's fairly empty.

Duration of the tour is 80 minutes.

Offline amx

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #497 on: July 16, 2017, 01:53:22 AM »
For bringing food into canada do I have to check it in or can I brig it in my carry on (dont wanna risk losing it)?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #498 on: July 16, 2017, 02:48:29 PM »
For bringing food into canada do I have to check it in or can I brig it in my carry on (dont wanna risk losing it)?
Same difference
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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #499 on: July 16, 2017, 10:40:54 PM »
Anyone can recommend where to do ww rafting in the banff/jasper area? It seems the best place is on the kicking horse river, however there are many places that offer it.