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 157885 times)

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #400 on: January 19, 2017, 10:40:41 PM »
I haven't gotten my pass yet so I checked my email, and it turns out I never got a confirmation (they warn you during checkout that it may take a few hours). So I made another order earlier today and just got a confirmation email.

If you've ordered and haven't gotten your pass yet, search your email for DoNotReply@commandesparcs-parksorders.ca; if there's nothing there you may want to order it again.

I didn't get confirmation the day it was posted either so I requested it again, and still no confirmation.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #401 on: January 19, 2017, 10:42:01 PM »
When did you request again?
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Offline Yaalili

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #402 on: January 19, 2017, 11:47:21 PM »
A few days after the first request, guess I should again.

Offline RabbiGoldenberg

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #403 on: January 20, 2017, 01:51:46 AM »
Is it interesting to go to Banff  in the winter  (February )?
It's good, but sometimes very cold. You need to check online to find out conditions in various places, some need snowshoes, cleats, or skis. I like winter when we can go, because it's much less crowded.

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #404 on: January 20, 2017, 06:14:19 AM »
A few days after the first request, guess I should again.

Got confirmation this time. Allow 6 weeks for delivery.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #405 on: January 20, 2017, 07:56:00 AM »
Got confirmation this time. Allow 6 weeks for delivery.

Awesome.
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #406 on: January 20, 2017, 08:05:53 AM »
It's good, but sometimes very cold. You need to check online to find out conditions in various places, some need snowshoes, cleats, or skis. I like winter when we can go, because it's much less crowded.

I'll be doing my workshop there 2/27-3/2, looking forward to some great show conditions. Hopefully we'll even find some solitude :D.
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #407 on: January 30, 2017, 07:48:57 PM »
I haven't gotten my pass yet so I checked my email, and it turns out I never got a confirmation (they warn you during checkout that it may take a few hours). So I made another order earlier today and just got a confirmation email.

If you've ordered and haven't gotten your pass yet, search your email for DoNotReply@commandesparcs-parksorders.ca; if there's nothing there you may want to order it again.

Got it today... and it's from the original order I placed :P.
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #408 on: January 30, 2017, 07:54:37 PM »


If this is your idea of interesting, go for it. Will not be as many tourists like July.

Funny thing is, this spot is inaccessible in the winter (unless you're a professional mountaineer and are in the mood of a 17-mile cross-country ski trip). This shot was taken during an early snow in the fall.

Also, the picture is flipped horizontally, which is annoying me for no sensible reason :-[.
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Offline RabbiGoldenberg

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #409 on: February 04, 2017, 10:35:27 PM »
One more thing about the Canadian Rockies in the winter. While the lakes are always frozen, the weather is only predictable a few days beforehand. You could get the standard -10 F with clouds and snow, or you could get a Chinook, where the warm winds blow in from Vancouver, giving you clear skies and 40-60 degree weather by midday. The weather is very hard to predict and analysts are often wrong (but not very often). Prepare for heavy winter or fall weather. Frozen lakes do not mean you can skate on them, even if the locals are. Just last week, I passed dozens of people playing ice hockey, etc on lac des arcs, and the ice was gray, covered in cracks.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #410 on: February 04, 2017, 10:44:36 PM »
One more thing about the Canadian Rockies in the winter. While the lakes are always frozen, the weather is only predictable a few days beforehand. You could get the standard -10 F with clouds and snow, or you could get a Chinook, where the warm winds blow in from Vancouver, giving you clear skies and 40-60 degree weather by midday. The weather is very hard to predict and analysts are often wrong (but not very often). Prepare for heavy winter or fall weather. Frozen lakes do not mean you can skate on them, even if the locals are. Just last week, I passed dozens of people playing ice hockey, etc on lac des arcs, and the ice was gray, covered in cracks.

I was under the impression that Chinooks were easterlies coming in from the plains... Am I wrong?

These details are important when you're planning a photography trip.

ETA: Wikipedia agrees with you; apparently they do indeed come from the west.
« Last Edit: February 04, 2017, 10:49:45 PM by Something Fishy »
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #411 on: February 06, 2017, 08:42:15 PM »
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Offline Yaalili

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #412 on: February 21, 2017, 11:24:28 PM »
Got it today... and it's from the original order I placed :P.

Mine came in today x2.

Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #413 on: February 21, 2017, 11:48:32 PM »
All Canadian national parks will be free for 2017.

Get the pass here.
Mine came in today
Same here  :)

Offline shulem92

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #414 on: February 21, 2017, 11:49:12 PM »

Offline BKYW

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #415 on: February 21, 2017, 11:51:45 PM »
Same here  :)

Mine too
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Offline Mutty

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #416 on: February 22, 2017, 03:54:07 PM »
Got my first set and then my second shortly after. First took long, second pretty fast.
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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #417 on: February 23, 2017, 06:37:06 PM »
mine came today. one pass as ordered. with a discover parks canada booklet
thanks something fishy

Offline aarony

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #418 on: March 10, 2017, 12:15:33 PM »
not sure if I should be starting a new thread for my question, mods, please move to a new thread if appropriate.

I am looking for advice on my summer itinerary, taking in Vancouver, whistler, Banff and Jasper over two weeks.  We are a family with teenage kids. Here is what I have so far...  I am trying to keep things interesting while also leaving some down time to relax.  I expect to add in some nice hikes in each area as we solidify  the itinerary.  I am looking for advice on whether this itinerary should work (not looking for advice on flights, rental cars, hotels).  Thanks in advance.

Wednesday7PM flight Newark-Vancouver
Thursday   capilano bridge, cliff walk etc… Maple grill for supper
Friday   bike stanley park, dragon boating on the bay
Saturday   Shabbos in community
Sunday   Drive to Whistler - Sea to Sky highway - stop at squammish for Gondola, two nights in westin whistler
Monday   whistler, peak to peak gondola,
Tuesday   back to vancouver for  flight to calgary
Wednesday Shopping, hike in canmore
Thursday   lake louise, teahouse hike, canoes, morainne lake valley of ten peaks
Friday   banff, gondola, horse back riding, scenic spots
Saturday   Shabbos in Canmore
Sunday   white water rafting
Monday   iceland parkway - peyto lake, photo stops, Jasper, maligne lake cruise
Tuesday   Jasper and return to banff - overnight in banff
Wednesday   330 PM flight Calgary-Newark


Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #419 on: March 10, 2017, 01:24:47 PM »
Sunday I would do white water rafting in Squammish
Monday, I would add another activity (ATVing, or ziplining)

Can you either fly into Edmonton or fly home from Edmonton? I really don't like the idea of driving both ways of the Iceland parkway.
You could check out the Edmonton mall Tuesday night. Wednesday in Jasper. Thrusday iceland parkway and move Thursday/Friday activities to Monday Tuesday
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