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 155767 times)

Offline blue eyes

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #520 on: September 01, 2017, 12:12:28 AM »
There seems to be such an array of options for gondolas/chairlifts I'm not really sure which one(s) are worth paying these steep prices for.

There's the
Banff Gondola,
Sunshine Village Gondola/Standish xyz,
Lake Louise Gondola/chairlift,
Mt Norquay chairlift.

Then in Jasper there's the Jasper Skytram.

Every one of these charges a crazy admission and all claim spectacular views.

Can someone knowledgeable here please clarify what's hot and what's not?

TYVMIA
Why don't u try hiking up the trail leading to the top of the gondola? its a great hike and then you can take the gondola down for half price.

Offline blue eyes

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #521 on: September 01, 2017, 12:13:46 AM »
How does the free Discovery Pass for Canada Parks work? It says on the website they are available in any CIBC branch. Should I stop on the way to get one, or can I easily get one in Banff?
are you talking about the parks pass?
at the entrance they offer it to you at least they did at the waterton national park. the pass is good for all parks...

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #522 on: September 01, 2017, 12:34:18 AM »
How does the free Discovery Pass for Canada Parks work? It says on the website they are available in any CIBC branch. Should I stop on the way to get one, or can I easily get one in Banff?

I have a couple in Monsey, if that helps you at all. Let me know.
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Offline mordechain

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #523 on: September 01, 2017, 05:07:50 AM »
You don't need the actual pass. If there's even someone at the pay Booth they'll wave you right through.

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #524 on: September 01, 2017, 01:25:35 PM »
Thanks for those answers, don't need to bother with it then.

As asked above, how good are the gondola experiences? Is there a point of doing both Lake Louise and Banff, and if not, which one is recommended?

Offline blue eyes

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #525 on: September 03, 2017, 03:20:09 AM »
I didn't check all three but tetween jasper and Banff I would go with jasper (and its cheaper)

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #526 on: September 03, 2017, 03:37:05 PM »
Anyone have thoughts on Banff Gondola vs Lake Louise vs. Both?

Offline Mutty

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #527 on: September 05, 2017, 02:29:07 PM »
Anyone have thoughts on Banff Gondola vs Lake Louise vs. Both?
We did the Banff one. If it's cloudy, don't waste your money. We wasted ours.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline aarony

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #528 on: September 05, 2017, 05:01:32 PM »
same rule for virtually all Gondolas.  Only go up if it is a clear day...

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #529 on: September 12, 2017, 03:13:05 PM »
Very true. Last week was smoky from the wildfires, the staff at the Banff gondola recommended that we wait for a clear day (the reservation date/time on the tickets is non-binding). We went up on Sunday as the sun was setting over the peaks. The views were breathtaking. My advice for anyone in the future is that Banff gondola is very worthwhile, as long as it's a clear day. Be sure to climb the boardwalk to the peak.

Offline Specialized

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #530 on: March 24, 2018, 11:33:38 PM »
Reopening the Banff thread as tourism season begins... We just got in two Bochurim checking out the mountains during Bein Hazmanim. Travel and hotel bookings really heat up after Pesach and onward, so make sure to plan your accommodations in advance. Our two Bochurim ended up in an Airbnb an hour's walk from Shul. We would have loved to host them.

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #531 on: March 27, 2018, 12:35:29 AM »
Reopening the Banff thread as tourism season begins... We just got in two Bochurim checking out the mountains during Bein Hazmanim. Travel and hotel bookings really heat up after Pesach and onward, so make sure to plan your accommodations in advance. Our two Bochurim ended up in an Airbnb an hour's walk from Shul. We would have loved to host them.

Just checked pricing on tickets from nyc for first week in June was 320 a few weeks ago now it's 450

BTW we are thinking f of arriving Sunday to Calgary and depart Thursday from Edmonton.
Is this a good plan?

Online tzifanya54

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #532 on: March 27, 2018, 09:11:33 AM »
Just checked pricing on tickets from nyc for first week in June was 320 a few weeks ago now it's 450

BTW we are thinking f of arriving Sunday to Calgary and depart Thursday from Edmonton.
Is this a good plan?
It will be pretty packed days, if you try doing all the sights. Its very doable though. Don't miss out on Bliss donuts in Edmonton. Best donuts I ever had (In all fairness though I don't eat Cholov Stam)

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #533 on: March 27, 2018, 09:16:35 AM »
It will be pretty packed days, if you try doing all the sights. Its very doable though. Don't miss out on Bliss donuts in Edmonton. Best donuts I ever had (In all fairness though I don't eat Cholov Stam)
Have you tried Ungers donuts in CLE or Elite in LA?
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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #534 on: March 27, 2018, 09:33:25 AM »
Have you tried Ungers donuts in CLE or Elite in LA?
Yes on both. Ungers didn't impress me. Café Elite I forgot about, but yes definitely better than Bliss. 

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #535 on: March 27, 2018, 09:36:09 AM »
Yes on both. Ungers didn't impress me. Café Elite I forgot about, but yes definitely better than Bliss. 
You had Ungers custard, cinnamon, and miami donuts in the morning and weren't impressed? That's a first.
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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #536 on: March 27, 2018, 09:57:04 AM »
You had Ungers custard, cinnamon, and miami donuts in the morning and weren't impressed? That's a first.
just cinnamon (was all they had that day IIRC), it was a very solid donut. I just wasn't blown away, maybe because of all the hype, I was expecting a lot more. I guess its time to go back to CLE to try the other 2. Btw have you ever tried Bliss?

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #537 on: March 27, 2018, 09:57:48 AM »
just cinnamon (was all they had that day IIRC), it was a very solid donut. I just wasn't blown away, maybe because of all the hype, I was expecting a lot more. I guess its time to go back to CLE to try the other 2. Btw have you ever tried Bliss?
If that's all they had, I doubt you went in the morning when they're fresh...

Never been to YEG.
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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #538 on: March 27, 2018, 10:02:01 AM »
If that's all they had, I doubt you went in the morning when they're fresh...

Never been to YEG.
Its been awhile I thought I went right after davening, I don't recall 100%.
Ok, so here is the deal, I will make my way back to CLE, to try all the Ungers flavors. You go YEG and try Bliss, then we will compare notes.

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #539 on: March 27, 2018, 10:35:57 AM »
Its been awhile I thought I went right after davening, I don't recall 100%.
Ok, so here is the deal, I will make my way back to CLE, to try all the Ungers flavors. You go YEG and try Bliss, then we will compare notes.
Sounds like a plan. Almost went for a Northern lights run, but the forecast was cloudy.
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