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 187019 times)

Offline blue eyes

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #320 on: June 02, 2016, 11:54:39 AM »
Looks like Someone (you ?) started a temporary minyan on godaven & there is another 1 in jasper that already has 5 people
I didnt start it but its a good idea... I'll check it out.

Offline Ysturmwind

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #321 on: June 15, 2016, 01:32:10 PM »
I've brought food countless times over the border. I declare it and usually no one even noticed I've declared it. My most recent trip the guard at baggage claim exit asked me what was in the box, I said meat, it's on my declaration form. She started to say i can't bring neat and I explained to her that I was below the limit. She didn't really to argue with me so she just let me go.
You are allowed to bring a certain amount of meat (I think 20KG/person, you can look it up). It needs to be marked that it's sources in the US

When you bring meat across the border do you have it all labelled with the country of origin? Our best option now is to bring food from Pomegranate and they will write on the label the meat is from the US but will not put on an official notice. Do you think that would pose a problem?

I looked in the the Kosher Gourmet in TO and they wanted $100 just to ship the food to Banff.

Offline BKYW

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #322 on: June 15, 2016, 04:08:58 PM »
When you bring meat across the border do you have it all labelled with the country of origin? Our best option now is to bring food from Pomegranate and they will write on the label the meat is from the US but will not put on an official notice. Do you think that would pose a problem?

I looked in the the Kosher Gourmet in TO and they wanted $100 just to ship the food to Banff.

Printed on the label should be OK
IME They didn't even ask or check

For overnight shipping with ice $100 is a decent charge

Offline Ysturmwind

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #323 on: June 15, 2016, 04:33:43 PM »
Printed on the label should be OK
IME They didn't even ask or check

For overnight shipping with ice $100 is a decent charge

Great, thanks!

I agree not a bad charge, but for the small amount of food we need (only a few meals worth) I would rather just bring it from NY.

Offline RabbiGoldenberg

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #324 on: June 17, 2016, 04:03:31 PM »
They get annoyed when they see cardboard boxes. Bring the meat in a gym bag and you won't have a problem.

Offline Ysturmwind

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #325 on: June 21, 2016, 11:18:36 AM »
Good to know, thanks. I plan to bring it in a small cooler bag packed inside my checked luggage.

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #326 on: June 23, 2016, 11:54:02 AM »
Good to know, thanks. I plan to bring it in a small cooler bag packed inside my checked luggage.
I had no issue bringing in food in my checked bags

Offline Zc

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #327 on: July 12, 2016, 11:44:31 PM »
any idea of where to stay for Shabbos (including meals) in the Canadian Rockies for a couple without kids?

on the Calgary Chabad Website they said they weren't hosting anyone this year (posted May 2016). Anywhere else to stay in Calgary for Shabbos? Or how about Banff for Shabbos?


Online tzifanya54

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #328 on: July 13, 2016, 09:39:07 AM »
any idea of where to stay for Shabbos (including meals) in the Canadian Rockies for a couple without kids?

on the Calgary Chabad Website they said they weren't hosting anyone this year (posted May 2016). Anywhere else to stay in Calgary for Shabbos? Or how about Banff for Shabbos?
Edmonton?

Offline Ysturmwind

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #329 on: July 13, 2016, 09:50:37 AM »
Message RabbiGoldenberg. He mentioned previously that the Calgary community will host guests.

Offline Mutty

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #330 on: July 13, 2016, 11:17:50 AM »
Is it too cold already in August to go to Banff (after Tisha Bav)? I saw somewhere said July the's time
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline Ysturmwind

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #331 on: July 13, 2016, 01:22:38 PM »
Is it too cold already in August to go to Banff (after Tisha Bav)? I saw somewhere said July the's time

You'll be fine to go in August. It should not be that cold by then.

Offline Mutty

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #332 on: July 13, 2016, 04:52:04 PM »
You'll be fine to go in August. It should not be that cold by then.
Thanks. My nephew and niece are there now. I told them to tell us all when they return. Maybe week after tisha bav.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline BKYW

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #333 on: July 13, 2016, 07:11:54 PM »
any idea of where to stay for Shabbos (including meals) in the Canadian Rockies for a couple without kids?

on the Calgary Chabad Website they said they weren't hosting anyone this year (posted May 2016). Anywhere else to stay in Calgary for Shabbos? Or how about Banff for Shabbos?

Try the orthodox synagoguge
http://www.hojmi.org/contact.php
Hachnasat Orchim E-mail: segal.marina@gmail.com


Offline RabbiGoldenberg

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #334 on: July 14, 2016, 02:00:05 AM »
Banff is good year round, but it's only not very cold until latest end of September. Try the Renoir for Shabbos, and email Marina to see if we still have room for meals.

Online tzifanya54

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #335 on: July 14, 2016, 04:19:41 PM »
Is it too cold already in August to go to Banff (after Tisha Bav)? I saw somewhere said July the's time
August is fine.

Offline Mutty

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #336 on: July 18, 2016, 07:44:08 PM »
Wanted to go but the main good hotels, like Fairmont are booked solid. I want it to be a nice vacation so I wanted something like the Fairmont. I guess it's major season and we won't get anything decent. Probably have to plan way in advance. Oh well.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #337 on: July 18, 2016, 08:04:59 PM »
I stayed at the Delta kananaskis village, a very nice place. It's now part of the Marriott chain, I p paid 150 a night last summer. Only down side is that it's a half hour from the Banff gate, but still in a beautiful area

Offline mordechain

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #338 on: July 18, 2016, 08:07:32 PM »
August is fine.
+1. August is beautiful.

Offline Ysturmwind

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #339 on: July 18, 2016, 08:18:22 PM »
Wanted to go but the main good hotels, like Fairmont are booked solid. I want it to be a nice vacation so I wanted something like the Fairmont. I guess it's major season and we won't get anything decent. Probably have to plan way in advance. Oh well.

Keep checking again and again. When I first looked there nothing available but eventually a room opened up and I grabbed it right away.