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 155726 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #160 on: November 07, 2013, 10:59:55 PM »
In case you were wondering about the acronyms...

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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.

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #161 on: March 26, 2014, 12:37:08 AM »
Here's a short TR I had posted a while back in another thread but it really belongs here:
Flights - into Calgary and out of Edmonton, 25k United from EWR, 1 stopover
We spent 3 days in Banff and surrounding areas, like Lake Louise and Morraine Lake. We went whitewater rafting one day which was amazing. We stayed in Canmore since it was cheaper than Banff.
We spent Shabbos in Calgary. We contacted the hachnosas orchim committee who placed us for Shabbos and arranged our meals. We met a lot of really great people and this was one of the highlights of our trip!
On Sunday, we drove the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. One of the members in the shul in Calgary gave us a list of recommended stops which was very helpful. We did the popular glacier tour - very cool!
Monday- Jasper
Tuesday - We drove to Edmonton to visit the West Edmonton Mall (we were a group of 3 girls!). We had free tickets to all the attractions, courtesy of a high school classmate who now lives in Edmonton - indoor water park, amusement park, bowling, mini golf, ropes course- and we had a blast! There are 2 Kosher places - a milchig restaurant in the mall and a bakery called Bliss.
A car is practically a must.

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #162 on: July 01, 2014, 09:43:47 AM »
What's the best prepaid SIM card to get for Banff? Coupla hundred MB of data, and some calling to the US would be nice as well.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #163 on: July 01, 2014, 10:45:28 AM »
« Last Edit: July 01, 2014, 10:48:29 AM by Ergel »
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Offline Yitz

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #164 on: July 15, 2014, 06:17:03 PM »
Looking for some info I would like to fly on points from NYC to edmonton or calgary do you have to fly with a stopover? I have Ba or united points which would be the better choice? Thanks

Offline avrumy22

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #165 on: July 15, 2014, 06:21:31 PM »
Looking for some info I would like to fly on points from NYC to edmonton or calgary do you have to fly with a stopover? I have Ba or united points which would be the better choice? Thanks

I flew through Chicago. A lot of flights either go through there or YYZ.

EWR also has a direct flight with United.

Offline Yitz

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #166 on: July 15, 2014, 08:29:22 PM »
I flew through Chicago. A lot of flights either go through there or YYZ.

EWR also has a direct flight with United.
Thanks

Offline Matovu

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MINYAN IN BANFF
« Reply #167 on: July 20, 2014, 06:39:28 PM »
Hi

Planning a Trip to Paradise after Tisha B'Av.
We all read about the Kosher Food I can bring from The Pom People.
But;
I'm inclined to travel 1 and Half hour to 2 Hours to Calgary Chabad for Minyan.
Or staying near the shul and traveling back and forth to Banff everyday this long.

anyone planning a trip ?
here is something useful,
http://www.chabadalberta.org/media/pdf/824/pbnw8243365.pdf

Anyone going to be in the Area ?
even a half hour away... (would love some SPG hotels...)
let's get together and do this twice daily
Shachris and Mincha-Maariv.

We're a big community here.
can we pull this together ?
Is this only wishful thinking.


here's more from Chabad:
http://www.chabadalberta.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/105504/jewish/Tourist-Information.htm


Please reply
Thank You

Offline ChAiM'l

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #168 on: July 20, 2014, 07:04:29 PM »

Planning a Trip to Paradise after Tisha B'Av.


Flying Malaysian?

Offline etech0

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #169 on: July 20, 2014, 07:08:39 PM »
Are there any SPG hotels in the area?
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline dovy2

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Re: MINYAN IN BANFF
« Reply #170 on: July 20, 2014, 07:22:56 PM »
Hi

Planning a Trip to Paradise after Tisha B'Av.
We all read about the Kosher Food I can bring from The Pom People.
But;
I'm inclined to travel 1 and Half hour to 2 Hours to Calgary Chabad for Minyan.
Or staying near the shul and traveling back and forth to Banff everyday this long.

anyone planning a trip ?
here is something useful,
http://www.chabadalberta.org/media/pdf/824/pbnw8243365.pdf

Anyone going to be in the Area ?
even a half hour away... (would love some SPG hotels...)
let's get together and do this twice daily
Shachris and Mincha-Maariv.

We're a big community here.
can we pull this together ?
Is this only wishful thinking.


here's more from Chabad:
http://www.chabadalberta.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/105504/jewish/Tourist-Information.htm


Please reply
Thank You
Imy"h planning on going aug 20 -25

Offline Yitz

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #171 on: July 20, 2014, 07:28:24 PM »
Hi

Planning a Trip to Paradise after Tisha B'Av.
We all read about the Kosher Food I can bring from The Pom People.
But;
I'm inclined to travel 1 and Half hour to 2 Hours to Calgary Chabad for Minyan.
Or staying near the shul and traveling back and forth to Banff everyday this long.

anyone planning a trip ?
here is something useful,
http://www.chabadalberta.org/media/pdf/824/pbnw8243365.pdf

Anyone going to be in the Area ?
even a half hour away... (would love some SPG hotels...)
let's get together and do this twice daily
Shachris and Mincha-Maariv.

We're a big community here.
can we pull this together ?
Is this only wishful thinking.


here's more from Chabad:
http://www.chabadalberta.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/105504/jewish/Tourist-Information.htm


Please reply
Thank You

I like the idea. I am hoping to make such a trip, I will be in touch if it works for me

Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #172 on: July 20, 2014, 07:36:40 PM »
Every hotel has tons of Jews this time of year. No need to drive hours every day.

Also you really want to be north of Banff.
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 Matovu

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #173 on: July 20, 2014, 07:59:04 PM »
North of Banff, do you mean Jasper ?
What cities ?
And why north ?

Offline JunkYardUnz

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #174 on: July 20, 2014, 09:11:47 PM »

Are there any SPG hotels in the area?
I think the closest one is in Calgary. I paid $200 (250-50 Amex Travel Promo) for a one bedroom suite in the Solara Resort in Canmore. It a nice suite, full size kitchen and porch/deck that you can grill on.

Offline JunkYardUnz

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #175 on: July 20, 2014, 09:15:29 PM »

Hi

Planning a Trip to Paradise after Tisha B'Av.
We all read about the Kosher Food I can bring from The Pom People.
But;
I'm inclined to travel 1 and Half hour to 2 Hours to Calgary Chabad for Minyan.
Or staying near the shul and traveling back and forth to Banff everyday this long.

anyone planning a trip ?
here is something useful,
http://www.chabadalberta.org/media/pdf/824/pbnw8243365.pdf

Anyone going to be in the Area ?
even a half hour away... (would love some SPG hotels...)
let's get together and do this twice daily
Shachris and Mincha-Maariv.

We're a big community here.
can we pull this together ?
Is this only wishful thinking.


here's more from Chabad:
http://www.chabadalberta.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/105504/jewish/Tourist-Information.htm


Please reply
Thank You
FYI Shikah is like 10:00 PM so it should be easy to get a Mincha/Mariv at the end if the day. Enjoy it, the place is gorgeous ... Just came back. You might want to invest in a good camera before you go. I didn't and regret it :(

Offline Mutty

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #176 on: July 20, 2014, 10:57:11 PM »
FYI Shikah is like 10:00 PM so it should be easy to get a Mincha/Mariv at the end if the day. Enjoy it, the place is gorgeous ... Just came back. You might want to invest in a good camera before you go. I didn't and regret it :(
How about a trip report?
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Offline Dan

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #177 on: July 20, 2014, 11:15:14 PM »
North of Banff, do you mean Jasper ?
What cities ?
And why north ?
Because everything you want to do is north of Banff. Read my TR.
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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #178 on: July 22, 2014, 01:04:21 PM »
so no SPG
anything else decent ?
besides those cabin Logs... :)

Fairmont is too Expensive.

Did anyone here stay at anything else besides the Fairmont ?
Any recommendations ?

Offline Matovu

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #179 on: August 03, 2014, 05:02:05 AM »
So who's going to be with me in Lake Louise in a week ?