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 156011 times)

Offline Specialized

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #660 on: July 11, 2019, 12:20:34 PM »
Thank You! What about meal-mart cold cuts. Do they carry stuff like that?
Costco doesn't sell that. You can get it at Superstore on Southport, Safeway at Glenmore Landing, or Sobey's in Bridlewood. Sobey's usually has the best selection.

Offline Specialized

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #661 on: July 11, 2019, 12:33:21 PM »
It seems that Superstore was the original supplier, but they did what they wanted and didn't really listen to the needs of the community. There were supply shortages at crucial times, and there wasn't much variety. The Jewish community went to an out of neighborhood grocery store and sold the concept that it would expand their customer base. Sobey's did this, and they were quite successful. They offer a 15% discount the first Tuesday of every month, and many people do their full shopping then. Safeway is part of the same chain, so they did some of the same.

Offline Saramalka

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #662 on: July 15, 2019, 01:55:22 PM »
I will be travelling from Israel to New York and then to banff.
I am trying to figure out cellphone. I have an unlocked phone with a sim card from H20/Att for new York.
What should I do about my time in Banff, which is only 3.5 days. Can I rely on whatsapp in the hotel. I understand the roads have minimal reception, so it might pay to use the gypsy app. Any info appreciated

Offline Specialized

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #663 on: August 13, 2019, 10:09:20 PM »
I see that many people are coming in for Shabbos Nachamu. Are there any Minyonim scheduled in the Banff/Lake Louise area? If so, where? How about for Shabbos?

Offline nucheiner

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #664 on: August 13, 2019, 11:09:32 PM »
I see that many people are coming in for Shabbos Nachamu. Are there any Minyonim scheduled in the Banff/Lake Louise area? If so, where? How about for Shabbos?
There is a post on GoDaven site, temporary minyanim section. Dunno details.

Online Something Fishy

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Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline rivkao

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #666 on: June 02, 2020, 09:05:41 PM »

Offline Specialized

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #667 on: June 23, 2020, 07:29:38 PM »
Any idea if us citizens will be allowed in through the border?

US citizens are allowed through for business, but if they catch you in Banff, you get whacked with fines. They are looking for it.

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #668 on: June 23, 2020, 08:29:22 PM »
US citizens are allowed through for business, but if they catch you in Banff, you get whacked with fines. They are looking for it.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/rcmp-americans-banff-alaska-1.5621452
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline KSMH

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #669 on: July 19, 2020, 12:15:13 PM »
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/stars-air-ambulance-1.5655105

I remember going on the busses and being repeatedly told that climbing up the glaciers by foot is extremely dangerous, I guess, now the busses are as well.
One tourist trap down?
Always praying for delayed baggage.

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #670 on: July 31, 2020, 12:58:26 PM »
I am planning a trip to Banff with my wife and 3 kids aged 7,4 & 2. We will be landing there around 1pm on Sunday and leaving at 5pm on Thursday.
Anyone have an tips on what we should do considering the age of the kids?
Do the stores with Kosher products have any Meat, chicken, cheese etc...?
I am booked at the Stoneridge Resort. Should I be looking to stay elsewhere?

Offline jjjcs36

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #671 on: March 08, 2022, 11:05:07 AM »
Hello,

My husband and I are looking into planning an affordable 5 day kosher group tour (for 28 people) of Banff and Jasper in June and are looking for feedback on the following:

1) Cost would be approximately $1650 CAD or $1299 USD per person including flight, tour bus, tour guide, 3.5/5 star hotel, park admission, 3 meals a day.
2) Dates are June 12-16 as hotels/flight would be half the normal price, plus the weather will be nice iyH.

3) Minyanim daily and Daf Yomi

4) Due to the extreme scarcity of kosher catering and Cholov Yisroel availability, we are looking to do the following:
  - Continental breakfast (cereal, yogurt, muffins, fruit)
  - Lunch (bagels, salads, tuna/egg/salmon)
  - Dinner (premade double-wrapped kosher fleishig meals from local COR caterer) - meals will need to be microwaved in the hotel room

If this type of trip interests you, what is your feedback on the details above?

We are open to suggestions.

Thank you so much,

Offline Moshke

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #672 on: July 20, 2022, 06:58:36 PM »
Did anything change for the better for kosher food options?

Offline insidescoop99

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #673 on: August 03, 2022, 08:27:57 AM »
Are there ways to book Fairmont Banff/ Lake Louise other than cash. Points/FNC etc? Cash rates are currently high. Thanks

Offline Dr Moose

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #674 on: August 04, 2022, 11:32:22 PM »
Did anything change for the better for kosher food options?
Did you find anything further on this?
Hey there! I am using DansDeals Forums.

Offline luv2trvlwithfam

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #675 on: February 24, 2023, 09:29:29 AM »
Has anyone done banff/jasper recently?
i'd like to take my son during summer bein hazmanim trip and see if we can do Glacier and Banff/Jasper.
we love outdoors and as a family we've been to a bunch of other national parks (yellowstone/tetons/zion/bryce etc..) but not Glacier
would love information on where best place to stay is, as well as for shabbat.
and if we spent 5 days in  Glacier can we/should we drive into canada banff? or is there something else in the Glacier area?

thanks for all the help!

Offline luv2trvlwithfam

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #676 on: February 24, 2023, 09:30:18 AM »
I am planning a trip to Banff with my wife and 3 kids aged 7,4 & 2. We will be landing there around 1pm on Sunday and leaving at 5pm on Thursday.
Anyone have an tips on what we should do considering the age of the kids?
Do the stores with Kosher products have any Meat, chicken, cheese etc...?
I am booked at the Stoneridge Resort. Should I be looking to stay elsewhere?


how did this trip turn out for you?

Offline yochai

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #677 on: May 07, 2023, 10:37:35 PM »
How many days would you recommend for a summer family trip to the Banff area?

Offline BKYW

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #678 on: May 10, 2023, 11:30:02 AM »
How many days would you recommend for a summer family trip to the Banff area?

We want a nice few years ago so I don’t know if Covid changed anything. But we flew out from NYC to Edmonton, drove to Jasper arrived in the evening. And flew out from Calgary Thursday night. So 4 full - long - days (we went in May nightfall was like 10:30 PM) and we were not bored. If you take it more leisurely maybe 5 days. Or you can do a wider area for more.

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Re: Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« Reply #679 on: June 06, 2023, 10:21:53 PM »
Any up to date kosher food info for Calgary?