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 155773 times)

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #200 on: February 17, 2015, 12:30:03 PM »
LOL
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Offline AJK

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #201 on: February 17, 2015, 02:59:04 PM »
Couldn't have scripted this better.
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 philbenjoe

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #202 on: February 17, 2015, 03:02:08 PM »
Guys chill out.
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" Dr Seuss

Offline philbenjoe

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #203 on: February 17, 2015, 03:02:47 PM »
What's better banff or Norway?
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" Dr Seuss

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #204 on: February 17, 2015, 03:03:51 PM »
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 philbenjoe

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #205 on: February 17, 2015, 03:08:52 PM »
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" Dr Seuss

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #206 on: April 15, 2015, 01:53:38 PM »
Anyone with recommendations where to stay in Jasper for one night?
The Fairmont is $380+ USD or can get a collection B ovations voucher for $332.
Too pricey.
I see Tonquin Inn or Malign lodge in the $150 CAD rate which is much more palatable. But I'm hesitant to book them...
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #207 on: April 15, 2015, 01:56:16 PM »
Anyone with recommendations where to stay in Jasper for one night?
The Fairmont is $380+ USD or can get a collection B ovations voucher for $332.
Too pricey.
I see Tonquin Inn or Malign lodge in the $150 CAD rate which is much more palatable. But I'm hesitant to book them...
Buy a Fairmont night from someone?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #208 on: April 15, 2015, 01:58:01 PM »
Against the T&C's...
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Offline Joe4007

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #209 on: April 15, 2015, 02:03:36 PM »

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #210 on: April 15, 2015, 02:11:15 PM »
I see Best western through Hotwire (99% sure) for $260 CAD all in
or $290 CAD with AAA rate, cancelable and I have $100 Best western gift card
« Last Edit: April 15, 2015, 02:19:57 PM by Ergel »
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Offline travellove

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #211 on: May 04, 2015, 11:40:45 AM »
This is my 1st time posting so please bear with me. I'm debating between staying at the Fairmont Banff or Fairmont Lake Louise. Staying in both isn't an option for me.
What are the pros and cons of each one?
Which one has nicer views?
Which one is more strategically located so as to have shorter distances to other destinations in the Rockies?
Anything else I should consider?

Offline travellove

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #212 on: May 05, 2015, 08:25:50 AM »
No one has an opinion/answer?

Offline Aj3042

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #213 on: May 05, 2015, 08:44:25 AM »
No one has an opinion/answer?
Wait a bit somebody should. Why don't you look on Tripadvisor though? Unless you're looking for Jewish info it has lots more to offer.

Offline travellove

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #214 on: May 07, 2015, 11:56:00 AM »
Thanks. That's what I did. I asked on TripAdvisor

Offline Aj3042

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #215 on: May 07, 2015, 12:55:26 PM »
Thanks. That's what I did. I asked on TripAdvisor
That's the way to go. Curious what did they say?

Offline JunkYardUnz

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #216 on: May 07, 2015, 01:02:29 PM »

No one has an opinion/answer?
I haven't stayed in either so I can't help you there. But you might want to check out when the Kosher Tour is going to be there, and in which one they will be staying. I think they change each year.

Regarding if you want to be there when they are, is up to you. :) I asked them last year if I can join their minyan they hmmed and hawed and said they rather I don't.

Enjoy it, it's a awesome place, I went last year and loved it. You might want to consider investing in a expensive camera before your trip. Cellphones just don't do justice.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #217 on: May 07, 2015, 01:21:07 PM »
My lord, KMR is expensive. Just asked if I could pay for a single meal
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Aj3042

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #218 on: May 07, 2015, 01:40:50 PM »
My lord, KMR is expensive. Just asked if I could pay for a single meal
Yep take cost of trip multiply by 10=KMR.

Offline Srsy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #219 on: May 08, 2015, 07:27:32 AM »
Is there any minyan around in August?  Or the closest minyan is Vancouver?