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 155749 times)

Offline eliteflyer

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #540 on: March 27, 2018, 07:08:56 PM »
I open the Banff thread, hoping to relive the amazing hiking and other outdoor experience...and Ungers donuts is the topic de' jour.   :o
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?

Certainly "doable". If your intention is to head to Banff, then north through the ice trail to Jasper and snap pictures along the way, I guess you could say you "did" Banff.

Better use of your time, IMHO is to find a base and spend your time enjoying nearby hikes (instead of spending 6+ hours a day driving). Also, Yoho (west of Lake Louise) is tremendously underrated. We spent nearly an entire week hiking there (check out the Iceline trail) and only spent one day doing some shorter hikes in Banff.  We had a large family group and stayed in a rented Airbnb in Golden, BC (which was too far west for my preferences, but worked well for the budget and was reasonable distance, particularly to Yoho).

You're absolutely correct to get your tickets/accommodations secured now rather than later.

Offline Specialized

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #541 on: April 02, 2018, 12:29:08 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?
I've never done the route through Jasper to Edmonton, preferred to go back to Calgary. The road to Edmonton is empty and dull, and just about as long as coming back. And the ice fields parkway looks different driving the other way. You will never be able to complete all the hikes and trails one way, so you can catch up on the way back.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #542 on: April 02, 2018, 01:47:29 AM »
Edmonton to Calgary ranks amount the most boring drives I had ever taken.

For the return I took the 11 from Abraham Lake, but that was in the winter and for photography purposes. For regular people, and in the summer, definitely do up and down the Icefields Parkway instead.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline sam28

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #543 on: April 12, 2018, 05:43:38 PM »
is a weak enough to cover Banff ? is it interesting place to go with kids age 4 and 10 ?

Offline mordechain

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #544 on: April 12, 2018, 05:46:07 PM »
Do your kids enjoy hiking?

Offline sam28

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #545 on: April 12, 2018, 07:49:39 PM »
Do your kids enjoy hiking?
I was in Vancouver and they enjoyed it

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #546 on: April 13, 2018, 09:34:40 AM »
is a weak enough to cover Banff ? is it interesting place to go with kids age 4 and 10 ?
Yes, not everything though... and Yes.

Offline S209

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #547 on: April 15, 2018, 04:12:48 PM »
Edmonton to Calgary ranks amount the most boring drives I had ever taken.
+1. Sheer boredom for 2.5 hours. Only excitement was being pulled over for going 146 (hence 2.5 not 3 hours)... Typical Canadian, let me off with a warning :)
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Offline S209

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #548 on: April 15, 2018, 04:14:21 PM »
Yes, not everything though... and Yes.
Drive to Edmonton, stay at the Fantasyland hotel, and check out all the attractions they have at the mall. Super kid friendly. PM me for possible free hotel tickets and attraction passes.
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Quotes in a signature is annoying, as it comes across as an independent post.

Offline jedderai

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #549 on: April 16, 2018, 04:03:45 PM »
Will likely be going to banff in the summer and staying at the Fairmont.  I will only be going for 5 days.  I would like to stay in the area and not drive more than I have to but at the same time don't want to miss out on the opportunity.  What would be considered a MUST without driving more then 30 minutes?  I would like to do activities (horseback riding, ATVs, canoeing etc). Is there a specific company anyone can recommends?

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #550 on: April 16, 2018, 04:05:02 PM »
Criminal to go to Banff and not drive the Icefields parkway.
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 whYME

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #551 on: April 16, 2018, 04:08:16 PM »
Criminal to go to Banff and not drive the Icefields parkway.
+100

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #552 on: April 16, 2018, 05:31:48 PM »
Criminal to go to Banff and not drive the Icefields parkway.
+1
It’s not like driving to an activity. The driving is the activity.

Offline jedderai

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #553 on: April 16, 2018, 06:18:45 PM »
How far out should I drive?
What are best areas to drive/stop? How far would it be from Fairmont Banff?

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #554 on: April 16, 2018, 06:51:47 PM »
How far out should I drive?
What are best areas to drive/stop? How far would it be from Fairmont Banff?
IIRC it wold be like 2-3 hours to the Columbia Icefields if you drove straight. I would go at least that far. Best suggestion would be to get a good guide book and read up on the area.

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #555 on: April 16, 2018, 07:31:29 PM »
Read my TR.
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 tzifanya54

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #556 on: April 16, 2018, 08:14:30 PM »
IIRC it wold be like 2-3 hours to the Columbia Icefields if you drove straight. I would go at least that far. Best suggestion would be to get a good guide book and read up on the area.
Or that  :)
Read my TR.

Offline jedderai

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #557 on: April 23, 2018, 03:26:01 PM »
@Dan TR was great an very helpful. Thanks!

Do you recommend the photographer you used there?  If so, please send info.

I will be going from the 28th of June to the 2nd of July BH.  Seems like the dates Im going will be crazy packed because of Canada Day (July 1st), but those are the only days I can go.  Does anyone know if traffic there gets really bad?  Also, is it a bad idea to go to glaciers on a Friday? I believe Shabbos starts past 9pm.





Offline Dan

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #558 on: April 23, 2018, 03:31:56 PM »
@Dan TR was great an very helpful. Thanks!

Do you recommend the photographer you used there?
Thanks.
Nope.
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 Mutty

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #559 on: April 23, 2018, 03:48:29 PM »
I have an app that anyone going to the Banff area must have (if driving yourself). It was recommended to us and we were so happy we downloaded it. Basically it's a GPS type app on your iPhone that gives you the tour of wherever you are at the time, like the ride to Banff, the ride to the icefields. It tells you the history of wherever you're driving at the moment - it knows where you are. It tells you things like how long a particular walk might take and perhaps stop here and not there. It's inexpensive and so worth it. Check the site. I bought the bundle when we went. Here's the site:
https://gypsyguide.com/tour/canadian-rockies/
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”