Banff and Jasper Master Thread

[Ddf2022]

Can you bring meat into Calgary from USA?

[AYHG]

Can you bring meat into Calgary from USA?

Yes, up to 20 kg. Packaging must identify the meat and state that it's an American product.

Due to the recent bird flu, poultry must be in retail packaging. I assume the type of packaging that would make tampering obvious, like Empire does when sold in ShopRite/Trader Joes.
It states: Hatched, Raised and Harvested in the USA



See here: https://inspection.canada.ca/food-safety-for-consumers/bringing-food-into-canada-for-personal-use/eng/1389630031549/1389630282362

Note that you can buy frozen meat and chicken in Calgary at Sobey's Bridlewood and possibly at Safeway Glenmore Landing.

[emineh17]

I'm heading to Calgary/Banff next week with my family.
3 kids aged 10,7, and 3.

I have Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning to travel around Banff and I'm staying at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.

What are the absolute must-do things that I can fit into those days that are kids friendly?

[Ddf2022]

Is anyone staying in the Fairmont château lake Louise this summer? It’s impossible to get a parking spot by Lake Louise, so I wanted to know if somebody was staying in the Fairmont I would be able to park at the hotel under their reservation. I would obviously pay for the parking, but you need to be a hotel guest to even have the option. I spoke to the hotel. If you have a reservation, you can park multiple cars.

TIA

[Specialized]

I'm heading to Calgary/Banff next week with my family.
3 kids aged 10,7, and 3.



I have Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning to travel around Banff and I'm staying at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.

What are the absolute must-do things that I can fit into those days that are kids friendly?

A friend made this a few years ago for visitors that come to the area. It has a full list of things to do, hard to know what to choose.

[Specialized]

Can you bring meat into Calgary from USA?

When we lived in Calgary, we used to bring a suitcase of meat and cheese every time we flew out and back in. 50 lbs fits into a sports duffle packed very tightly, and everything must be frozen solid before you go. When the airplane is flying, it is -70 outside, so everything stays pretty cold. The shredded chesse often ends up refrigerator cold after a flight. Pack smart, the most perishable stuff in the center. Declare everything at the border and it is all exempt from taxes.

[casualchurner]

Is anyone staying in the Fairmont château lake Louise this summer? It’s impossible to get a parking spot by Lake Louise, so I wanted to know if somebody was staying in the Fairmont I would be able to park at the hotel under their reservation. I would obviously pay for the parking, but you need to be a hotel guest to even have the option. I spoke to the hotel. If you have a reservation, you can park multiple cars.

TIA

Just went to Lake Louise on Wednesday. We got there at about 2 in the afternoon. They are extremely strict about parking. Parking is no longer allowed at all on the road heading up to LL. This includes the Fairmont and all the smaller places along the road. The parking attendants seemed to be alternating between allowing some cars in and not allowing others. If they don't allow you in, there is no option to wait around or keep circling; they send you right back down the road, where there are cones by each turnoff not allowing you to pull a U-turn. BH we were allowed in and we found a spot right away, but I guess we were really lucky. We waited on line for a canoe for 45 minutes, which I also hear is not too bad. Canoe rental was CA$155 for 1 hour, which was  enough time for us.

[ari3]

Just went to Lake Louise on Wednesday. We got there at about 2 in the afternoon. They are extremely strict about parking. Parking is no longer allowed at all on the road heading up to LL. This includes the Fairmont and all the smaller places along the road. The parking attendants seemed to be alternating between allowing some cars in and not allowing others. If they don't allow you in, there is no option to wait around or keep circling; they send you right back down the road, where there are cones by each turnoff not allowing you to pull a U-turn. BH we were allowed in and we found a spot right away, but I guess we were really lucky. We waited on line for a canoe for 45 minutes, which I also hear is not too bad. Canoe rental was CA$155 for 1 hour, which was  enough time for us.

A lot easier if you either come early in the morning or late in the afternoon. An added benefit is thinner crowds. Alternately you can take the shuttle.

[casualchurner]

A lot easier if you either come early in the morning or late in the afternoon. An added benefit is thinner crowds. Alternately you can take the shuttle.

Agreed. By the time we left LL (maybe around 4) there were plenty of open spots in the lot. We drove to the ice fields the day before and had an early start, so we wanted a slow morning on that day. We figured we’ll drive to LL and try our luck. BH it worked out.

[Saulius]

Just went to Lake Louise on Wednesday. We got there at about 2 in the afternoon. They are extremely strict about parking. Parking is no longer allowed at all on the road heading up to LL. This includes the Fairmont and all the smaller places along the road. The parking attendants seemed to be alternating between allowing some cars in and not allowing others. If they don't allow you in, there is no option to wait around or keep circling; they send you right back down the road, where there are cones by each turnoff not allowing you to pull a U-turn. BH we were allowed in and we found a spot right away, but I guess we were really lucky. We waited on line for a canoe for 45 minutes, which I also hear is not too bad. Canoe rental was CA$155 for 1 hour, which was  enough time for us.

I been there a few times, although not in recent years.  Used to drive in early morning and to do some all day hikes. I particularly love going to Moraine Lake, (which is extremely more scenic than Lake Louise), then I take the trail to Consolation Lake, and have done the other trails that start there.

See:  https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/moraine-lake

and then the easy trail to Consolation Lake from there: https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/consolation-lakes-trail/

And the more intense hiking trails:

https://hikingwalking.com/index.php/destinations/ab/ab_rockies/banff/sentinel_pass/sentinel_pass_detail

http://www.hikingwalking.com/destinations/ab/ab_rockies/banff/paradise_sentinel

http://www.hikingwalking.com/destinations/ab/ab_rockies/lake_louise/

[AsherO]

Banff area is apparently getting a Chabad:

https://collive.com/veteran-shluchim-pioneering-a-new-frontier/

[TDR]

I’ll be in the Canadian rockies from Sunday to thursday. I plan on doing banff one day (monday), Lake louise another  day (Tuesday)and the colombian icefields on another. Those are my main days. Is it worth it to really push myself to go up all the way to Jasper national park which is an hour and a half north of the ice fields. stay overnight Wednesday in Jasper and then see Jasper national park on Thursday morning. Then I would need to take a looong drive to edmonton airport (like 4 4.5 hours). Or should I just spend Thursday in banff as there is a lot to see and nothing crazy special in jasper. The accommodations are not as good in Jasper and there is no chabad. (which now serves a hot breakfast and is getting a full menu!)
Any tips appreciated!

[jj1000]

I’ll be in the Canadian rockies from Sunday to thursday. I plan on doing banff one day (monday), Lake louise another  day (Tuesday)and the colombian icefields on another. Those are my main days. Is it worth it to really push myself to go up all the way to Jasper national park which is an hour and a half north of the ice fields. stay overnight Wednesday in Jasper and then see Jasper national park on Thursday morning. Then I would need to take a looong drive to edmonton airport (like 4 4.5 hours). Or should I just spend Thursday in banff as there is a lot to see and nothing crazy special in jasper. The accommodations are not as good in Jasper and there is no chabad. (which now serves a hot breakfast and is getting a full menu!)
Any tips appreciated!

Sounds like you already decided 

[TDR]

Haha , I know Jasper is nice my question really was if someone did it do they think I should stretch for it, as its an entirely diff national park and does have things that Banff doesnt

[The Thinker]

I was there sukkos time and Jasper is where we saw the most wildlife. Lots of moose, elk and rams. We also had a night flight from Edmonton and were able to see the northern lights faintly from the plane. If you do decide to go, there is a National Park called Elk Island that is 45 min away from Edmonton airport and has dark skies (and buffalo).

[TDR]

Thanks! I can be only for a few hours in the morning and I'm not as into that wildlife, I'm going for for sights, were there any sights that were must see that you couldn't get a feel for in Banff national park and the rest of the Canadian Rockies? I will obviously hit the Colombian ice fields but not sure if Jasper has must sees that you can't see in banff

[jj1000]

Thanks! I can be only for a few hours in the morning and I'm not as into that wildlife, I'm going for for sights, were there any sights that were must see that you couldn't get a feel for in Banff national park and the rest of the Canadian Rockies? I will obviously hit the Colombian ice fields but not sure if Jasper has must sees that you can't see in banff

Just skip Jasper. No need to drive yourself crazy to go there.

Yes, the drive to Jasper and back is beautiful though: