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 155094 times)

Offline henche

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #120 on: June 21, 2013, 03:41:28 AM »
Yellowstone/tetons is pretty awesome. And like Fishy says, the scenery is pretty accessible. Like 90% of visitors never get more than a mile off the highway.

Offline jj1000

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #121 on: June 21, 2013, 10:10:06 AM »
Check JAC, it's the closest. BIL is also an option, you drive the amazing Beartooth Highway to get to Yellowstone. IDA is about a two hour drive away, maybe check that out too.

I flew in to SLC, about 4 hours away, but much cheaper, many more options, and the drive itself is beautiful so it wasn't that bad.

Post some of those amazing pictures and you'll probably entice Dan more. I remember you posted some of them on ddf before.
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #122 on: June 21, 2013, 10:32:35 AM »
Post some of those amazing pictures and you'll probably entice Dan more. I remember you posted some of them on ddf before.

:)

I have a half-time written TR sitting around somewhere, maybe it's time to finish it...

I'll upload some pictures when I get home later.
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Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #123 on: June 23, 2013, 09:32:01 AM »
I enjoyed my time in Banff immensely but only went on 1 real hike, the rest of the time we spent enjoying the beautiful sights and there is plenty of that!

Offline Mutty

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #124 on: July 11, 2013, 09:45:04 PM »
I quickly scanned through all 9 pages and didn't find the following. If you don't go with the program what do you do about food? Shabbos (and minyan)?
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #125 on: July 12, 2013, 02:25:47 AM »
I quickly scanned through all 9 pages and didn't find the following. If you don't go with the program what do you do about food? Shabbos (and minyan)?
There is some basic kosher food in the calgary like matzah and borsht  ::) but you will need to really bring along food. see the kosher food while traveling thread. Sometimes in the summer there are a minyan of frum people around but unless you arrange something before on one of these minyan sites you wont have a minyan - if your staying for shabbos which I dont recommend you will need to go back to calgary (1 1/2 hour drive) for a minyan and you will still have a issue with food

Offline Mutty

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #126 on: July 12, 2013, 04:51:10 PM »
There is some basic kosher food in the calgary like matzah and borsht  ::) but you will need to really bring along food. see the kosher food while traveling thread. Sometimes in the summer there are a minyan of frum people around but unless you arrange something before on one of these minyan sites you wont have a minyan - if your staying for shabbos which I dont recommend you will need to go back to calgary (1 1/2 hour drive) for a minyan and you will still have a issue with food
thx
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Offline dovy2

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #127 on: July 14, 2013, 01:22:15 AM »
any round-about ways getting there with miles, besides AC to YYC? and good locations to land around the area and within driving limits?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #128 on: July 14, 2013, 01:38:05 AM »
Calgary is the closest major airport, around 90 minutes away.
Edmonton is around four hours
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Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #129 on: July 17, 2013, 10:46:16 AM »
Anyway back on topic we're going to do Banff.
Im lo achshav eimosai and all that jazz.

Anyone know what's the story with bringing food into Canada?
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 Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #130 on: July 17, 2013, 10:50:33 AM »
Anyway back on topic we're going to do Banff.
Im lo achshav eimosai and all that jazz.

Anyone know what's the story with bringing food into Canada?
Never had any issues
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #131 on: July 17, 2013, 11:12:28 AM »
Never had any issues
Did you declare it?
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 Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #132 on: July 17, 2013, 11:19:43 AM »
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Mordy2

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #133 on: July 17, 2013, 11:49:37 AM »
I was there a couple years ago... I didn't bring meat but another frum person did and the custom officials found it... They had dogs sniffing all the luggage at baggage claim!
« Last Edit: July 17, 2013, 11:52:40 AM by Mordy2 »

Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #134 on: July 18, 2013, 02:32:52 PM »
Anyway back on topic we're going to do Banff.
Im lo achshav eimosai and all that jazz.

Anyone know what's the story with bringing food into Canada?
YMMV
We stopped in Toronto and picked up food. In Calgary your options are very limited.

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #135 on: July 18, 2013, 02:50:33 PM »
YMMV
We stopped in Toronto and picked up food. In Calgary your options are very limited.
Hmm...wonder if I'm making a big mistake then.  What the heck am I going to do after they take away all my food :P
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Offline sky121

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #136 on: July 18, 2013, 02:54:15 PM »
Hmm...wonder if I'm making a big mistake then.  What the heck am I going to do after they take away all my food :P


Great way to diet.
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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #137 on: July 18, 2013, 03:12:55 PM »
Hmm...wonder if I'm making a big mistake then.

Hmmmm... Yellowstone, then? < Ducks and runs for cover :P>
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Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #138 on: July 18, 2013, 03:21:29 PM »
Hmmmm... Yellowstone, then? < Ducks and runs for cover :P>
I would've if the miles gods would have been nicer.
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Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #139 on: July 18, 2013, 06:52:26 PM »
Hmm...wonder if I'm making a big mistake then.  What the heck am I going to do after they take away all my food :P
As per the site below you can bring 20kg meat per person
http://www.beaware.gc.ca/english/brirape.shtml
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