Topic Wiki

List of TR's:

Kosher Food/ Restaurants:
Chabad of the Rockies (Canmore) offers fresh eat-in, takeout and Shabbat meals: https://www.chabadrockies.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/6321517/jewish/Kosher-Food-for-Purchase.htm

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:

« Last edited by JudahMcB on July 12, 2024, 01:49:36 PM »

Author Topic: Banff and Jasper Master Thread  (Read 186331 times)

Offline Specialized

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 54
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Calgary, AB
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #560 on: April 24, 2018, 07:10:41 PM »
I just to Banff with my kids on Sunday, and it was a perfect day. Slightly pre-season (but parking lots are beginning to fill up), easy paths for strollers on the Tunnel Mountain hoodoo lookout, the candy store reopened. There's a nice new playground which was quiet and had a lot to do.

Offline mgarfin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2645
  • Total likes: 308
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #561 on: May 09, 2018, 07:10:10 PM »
Fairmont Lake Louise

1. Anyone used free nights from a "friend" and checked in without an issue?
2. Will they store freezer items?
3. Can you get a microwave in room? or how else can you get meals heated?

Offline Mutty

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1466
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: AA Lifetime Gold; PC Platinum; AccurHotels Platinum; National Executive; Marriot Silver Elite; Hilton Gold; SPG Gold; Hertz #1 Club Gold 5 Star; SixT Platinum; Avis First
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #562 on: May 10, 2018, 10:43:51 AM »
Fairmont Lake Louise

1. Anyone used free nights from a "friend" and checked in without an issue?
2. Will they store freezer items?
3. Can you get a microwave in room? or how else can you get meals heated?
1. I don't know. 2. yes 3. in room - request it (I was on the gold floor but I don't know if that makes a difference for 2 and 3.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline Traveler718

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1288
  • Total likes: 850
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #563 on: May 14, 2018, 05:42:45 PM »
Not the same as a "friend," but I used my wife's free night in Lake Louise without any problems.

Offline jedderai

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 139
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #564 on: May 22, 2018, 06:25:09 PM »
Is it recommended to rent an SUV or is a regular car good for drive up from calgary and IP?

Offline how

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1878
  • Total likes: 62
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #565 on: May 22, 2018, 06:42:40 PM »
Is it recommended to rent an SUV or is a regular car good for drive up from calgary and IP?
your preference

Offline Traveler718

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1288
  • Total likes: 850
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #566 on: May 23, 2018, 03:44:08 PM »
I didn't experience any need for an SUV. As long as you plan to stick to the main roads, a regular car is completely adequate.

Offline Mutty

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1466
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: AA Lifetime Gold; PC Platinum; AccurHotels Platinum; National Executive; Marriot Silver Elite; Hilton Gold; SPG Gold; Hertz #1 Club Gold 5 Star; SixT Platinum; Avis First
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #567 on: May 23, 2018, 04:13:08 PM »
I didn't experience any need for an SUV. As long as you plan to stick to the main roads, a regular car is completely adequate.
I agree. Did the same. All regular roads.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline sam28

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1897
  • Total likes: 142
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #568 on: May 23, 2018, 04:49:08 PM »
is Banff a good place to go with kids age 4 and 10 ? if yes how long should we stay in order to cover it in full ?

Offline Specialized

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 54
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Calgary, AB
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #569 on: May 24, 2018, 08:05:05 AM »
is Banff a good place to go with kids age 4 and 10 ? if yes how long should we stay in order to cover it in full ?
Yes, but you need to plan how to help the four year old with the long, scenic parts and limit the hikes. Look for playgrounds, candy stores. Any amount of time is good, but most people take a few days to a week.

Offline Mutty

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1466
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: AA Lifetime Gold; PC Platinum; AccurHotels Platinum; National Executive; Marriot Silver Elite; Hilton Gold; SPG Gold; Hertz #1 Club Gold 5 Star; SixT Platinum; Avis First
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #570 on: May 24, 2018, 11:36:23 AM »
is Banff a good place to go with kids age 4 and 10 ? if yes how long should we stay in order to cover it in full ?
We didn't go with children but most of it is sightseeing, walking around. It's beautiful nature. Not sure how much a 4 year old would get out of it. As adults it was incredible. We went early sunday morning until late Thursday night and we found it enough time. Just my opinion.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline eliteflyer

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 1541
  • Total likes: 71
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #571 on: May 25, 2018, 10:02:05 AM »
We didn't go with children but most of it is sightseeing, walking around. It's beautiful nature. Not sure how much a 4 year old would get out of it. As adults it was incredible. We went early sunday morning until late Thursday night and we found it enough time. Just my opinion.
Our kids (almost 4 at the time) enjoyed and did many of the easier hikes.

Offline sam28

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1897
  • Total likes: 142
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #572 on: May 25, 2018, 11:20:53 AM »
Our kids (almost 4 at the time) enjoyed and did many of the easier hikes.

how long did u stay there ? where did u stay ? and what did u cover with the kids ?

Offline tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5728
  • Total likes: 275
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #573 on: May 25, 2018, 12:08:56 PM »
Definitely doable with kids.

Offline whYME

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3386
  • Total likes: 1246
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #574 on: May 28, 2018, 11:34:46 AM »
I didn't experience any need for an SUV. As long as you plan to stick to the main roads, a regular car is completely adequate.
Depends how deep the snow is

Offline Dawie

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 1754
  • Total likes: 529
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: KBLM

Offline jedderai

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 139
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #576 on: June 10, 2018, 07:18:53 PM »
How far in advance should i be booking activities? 

Offline Specialized

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 54
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Calgary, AB
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #577 on: June 11, 2018, 12:40:50 AM »
The activities can be planned on the day you go, but the hotels need to be reserved in advance. It gets pretty packed this time of year.
I wouldn't plan activities too far in advance because the weather can change. Just get a general view of the type of things you want to do and let nature run it's course.

Offline tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5728
  • Total likes: 275
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #578 on: June 12, 2018, 07:54:33 PM »
How far in advance should i be booking activities?
Day of is fine, even during tourist season.

Offline jedderai

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 139
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #579 on: June 25, 2018, 04:05:23 PM »
Will be traveling to Banff Wednesday and my passport expires mid August.  Was brought to my attention today that this may be a problem.  Is there going to be any issue? TIA

Probably wrong thread but if someone can direct me into the right forum it would be greatly appreciated.