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 155098 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #140 on: July 18, 2013, 06:59:41 PM »
As per the site below you can bring 20kg meat per person
http://www.beaware.gc.ca/english/brirape.shtml
Cooked? Raw?
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Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #141 on: July 18, 2013, 07:14:38 PM »
Last time we were in Calgary we brought in food without a problem. We did declare everything.

However we bought all meat/chicken at the kosher store on Calgary before heading to Banff. They might not have a huge selection but it was enough. They also had a bakery where we bought fresh bread.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #142 on: July 18, 2013, 07:41:25 PM »
Cooked? Raw?
Sounds like either
Must be marked and declared
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Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #143 on: July 19, 2013, 02:58:22 AM »
Last time we were in Calgary we brought in food without a problem. We did declare everything.

However we bought all meat/chicken at the kosher store on Calgary before heading to Banff. They might not have a huge selection but it was enough. They also had a bakery where we bought fresh bread.
how long ago were you there? AFAIK that store closed down

Offline jj1000

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #144 on: July 19, 2013, 03:03:45 AM »
@Dan many big stores have international agriculture cards to show their food is certified good to ship. It's worth asking whoever you get your meat from.

I got one from Raskins in CH for fish I brought into Lithuania.
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Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #145 on: July 19, 2013, 09:33:14 AM »
how long ago were you there? AFAIK that store closed down
About 10 years ago. Quite possible it closed down, but I'm sure there's a supermarket with a kosher section where the frum people of Calgary buy their kosher products.

Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #146 on: July 20, 2013, 02:46:47 PM »
yes they sell manishevitz matzh ball mix and borsht etc.... The frum people I know know get their food from Toronto or Vancouver. Of course basic items with an OU or COR you will find anywhere

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #147 on: July 21, 2013, 12:39:55 AM »
yes they sell manishevitz matzh ball mix and borsht etc.... The frum people I know know get their food from Toronto or Vancouver. Of course basic items with an OU or COR you will find anywhere
I find it hard to believe they don't sell kosher cheese, bread or meat anywhere in Calgary...

Offline plainbachur

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #148 on: August 11, 2013, 03:54:23 PM »
Mow when is the trip report comming?

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #149 on: August 14, 2013, 02:13:18 AM »
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.

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Fairmont Banff
« Reply #151 on: September 15, 2013, 08:12:51 AM »
I am looking to go to the Fairmont in Banff does anyone know how to get cheaper rates or possibly free nights? The prices are app 350 a night....
Leaving sept 29- oct 2

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Re: Fairmont Banff
« Reply #152 on: September 15, 2013, 09:51:13 AM »
Why specifically the Fairmont??
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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #153 on: September 15, 2013, 10:43:28 AM »
I didn't really find any other nice hotels... I looked on Expedia.com the fairmont and rimrock were the nicest the others looked a little old. Do u have other suggestions?

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #154 on: September 15, 2013, 11:00:50 AM »
I didn't really find any other nice hotels... I looked on Expedia.com the fairmont and rimrock were the nicest the others looked a little old. Do u have other suggestions?
The Fairmont building is nice but the rooms and service are quite tired.

What about the Fairmont Lake Louise? Or any other hotel on a pretty lake like Lake Moraine, etc. Or along the icefields parkway.
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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #155 on: September 15, 2013, 06:22:27 PM »
is it possible to rent a car in Banff, or if I want to rent a car, I must rent it in Calgary?

Offline dimples

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #156 on: September 15, 2013, 06:31:18 PM »
I didn't really find any other nice hotels... I looked on Expedia.com the fairmont and rimrock were the nicest the others looked a little old. Do u have other suggestions?

The fairmont is quite old and pricey. There really arent nice hotels there at all. everything is rustic looking or small. even though we didnt need a minyan we ended up staying outside banff in ca because we wanted to be able to get out for shabbos and chose a small econolodge in canmore 30 minutes from banff that worked out nicely.

we forgot our lechem mishna and couldnt find anything whole with a hechsher except for apple flavoured pita or something of the sort. all the bagels were sliced and there is no kosher section in banff sobey's.

we did stay in the fairmont in calgary and it was okay.  seems like out there all the fairmonts are old and rustic. i remember lake louise fairmont being very hot in the downstairs lobby...
« Last Edit: September 15, 2013, 06:41:56 PM by dimples »

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #157 on: September 15, 2013, 06:55:20 PM »
But at least Fairmont LL is in an awesome location.
Canmore leaves you really far from the icefields parkway.
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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #158 on: September 16, 2013, 12:06:02 PM »
I have an option of going with a bus provided by the trip organizers, or rent and drive from Calgary to banff, what is recommended? Is it worth to drive myself and stop along the way? Is it possible to rent a car in banff and return in Calgary?

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #159 on: September 29, 2013, 05:20:50 PM »
which airline does it pay to post the miles earned by staying in fairmont?
possible to Aegaen? will it help for status?

any way to get better than presidents club?