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 155770 times)

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #80 on: June 12, 2013, 03:18:06 PM »
Saving money is least compelling reason.

The adventure and experience are the chief reasons why I'd try to pull this off.
Understood, that's why I said I plan on doing it at some point as well. just letting you know.
Quote
It'd have to a close couple ;)
Maybe I have different perception of things but unless you were married to your brother in laws sister and he was married to your sister I don't see how it could be done
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Offline AJK

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #81 on: June 12, 2013, 03:24:46 PM »
That just might be the case :P
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Mordy2

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #82 on: June 12, 2013, 03:30:36 PM »
You definitely see lots of RVs on the road in the Canadian Rockies...

Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #83 on: June 12, 2013, 04:34:12 PM »
You definitely see lots of RVs on the road in the Canadian Rockies...
All driven by Chinese for some reason

Offline AJK

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #84 on: June 12, 2013, 04:35:14 PM »
All driven by Chinese for some reason

As it turns out, I'm a Chinese descendant. So at least I won't be hurting that statistic :P
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #85 on: June 12, 2013, 04:43:40 PM »
Save the RV for a cross country trip. Although there many many RV's around Banff you will enjoy the drive, scenery, and parking more with a regular car. Although it will be convenient to have a flush-able toilet with you wherever you go.  ;D

As far as sleeping in an RV with another couple...... No comment

Offline ayjay

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #86 on: June 13, 2013, 01:35:50 AM »
Any more TRs?
Am I crazy to go to Banff with a baby in a stroller?
Dan I've been to banff/jasper many times. It's certainly not worth going with a kid in stroller

Offline AJK

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #87 on: June 13, 2013, 01:41:53 AM »
Save the RV for a cross country trip. Although there many many RV's around Banff you will enjoy the drive, scenery, and parking more with a regular car. Although it will be convenient to have a flush-able toilet with you wherever you go.  ;D

As far as sleeping in an RV with another couple...... No comment

2 bedroom RV? :)
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline henche

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #88 on: June 13, 2013, 04:13:13 AM »
Don't share an RV with anyone you wouldn't share a tent.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #89 on: June 13, 2013, 09:14:14 AM »
Don't share an RV with anyone you wouldn't share a tent.
this is my understanding as well
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #90 on: June 13, 2013, 09:44:53 AM »
Dan I've been to banff/jasper many times. It's certainly not worth going with a kid in stroller
Want to write a TR with what you did there (and what could and can't be done with a kid in a stroller?)
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline ayjay

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #91 on: June 13, 2013, 01:44:01 PM »
Want to write a TR with what you did there (and what could and can't be done with a kid in a stroller?)
I hope to write a TR when I have a chance, although I didn't go with a stroller.

The 2 main aspects of the Canadian Rockies are the beautiful scenery and the activities (camping,hiking,biking,rafting)..... If youre traveling with a kid you can see all the scenery while driving through banff/jasper and making stops along the way, but you'll be missing out on the many hikes and other activities. It all depends on what you want out of the trip.

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #92 on: June 13, 2013, 02:06:48 PM »
Camping is what you do with guys, not with your wife.

You don't think any of the hiking trails are stroller friendly?

Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline AJK

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #93 on: June 13, 2013, 02:10:46 PM »
Camping is what you do with guys, not with your wife.

-1
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Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #94 on: June 13, 2013, 02:13:05 PM »
-1
When you guys hike/camp the Kalalau trail lemme know about it.
POIDH.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline AJK

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #95 on: June 13, 2013, 02:40:45 PM »
When you guys hike/camp the Kalalau trail lemme know about it.
POIDH.

So only the Kalalau trail is camping?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #96 on: June 13, 2013, 03:26:42 PM »
So only the Kalalau trail is camping?
Yup.
And only the insane all-day hike my wife and I did in LIH is hiking :D

Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline ayjay

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #97 on: June 13, 2013, 04:24:03 PM »
You don't think any of the hiking trails are stroller friendly?
Dunno. There are tons of different trails, so you might find some that are fine for strollers, but IMO a stroller will really limit your options.

Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #98 on: June 13, 2013, 04:27:20 PM »
Dunno. There are tons of different trails, so you might find some that are fine for strollers, but IMO a stroller will really limit your options.
Sounds like you went mostly for the hikes. There are gorgeous hikes but there is plenty do to besides, especially if your only going for 3 - 4 days.

If you have time to write a TR I would want to read it.

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #99 on: June 13, 2013, 04:28:07 PM »
Dunno. There are tons of different trails, so you might find some that are fine for strollers, but IMO a stroller will really limit your options.
Of course. An infant will always limit what you can do on every trip.

That in it of itself doesn't mean it's not worth doing unless there's nothing worth doing there when you have in infant (a la an OWB in MLE/BOB)
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.