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Message
Anyone ever been to Banff?
Posted on 11/30/17 at 1:11 pm
Posted on 11/30/17 at 1:11 pm
My wife and I are looking at heading up to the great white North in April, and this is now on the list. We aren't big skiers, but we love mountains, hiking and always wanted to see the northern lights. Might get a chance to do that in Banff.
Recommendations? Advice?
Recommendations? Advice?
11
Posted on 11/30/17 at 2:47 pm to Displaced
quote:
We aren't big skiers
quote:
hiking
You may want to go later in the year if you want to do a lot of hiking. There will still be lots of snow on the ground. Also the lakes don't thaw to that beautiful blue color they are known for until mid June-early July.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 3:12 pm to Displaced
Banff is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. As far as mountains go, it doesn't get much better. My wife and I went this past summer. As the previous poster said, much of that area will still be frozen/snowcovered. If you want to do hiking (and be able to access the majority of the park), wait until June . Avoid 4th of July weekend, as it is much more expensive and is VERY crowded. If you have the time, make sure you spend a few days in Jasper as well--the drive from Banff to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway is breathtaking. Also hit the other parks around Banff, at the very least Yoho. You can easily spend 10 days there and stay very busy, especially if your trip includes Jasper. Driving the Icefields Parkway is a must.
The aurora is visible from Banff at times, but your chances of being there while its visible are pretty slim (Kp index has to be 3 or higher). However, it has been a pretty active year.
The aurora is visible from Banff at times, but your chances of being there while its visible are pretty slim (Kp index has to be 3 or higher). However, it has been a pretty active year.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 5:41 pm to Displaced
We went in August 2011. One of the most beautiful places we've been. While Lake Louise is probably the most popular lake, I loved Moraine Lake much more.
I don't have any help to offer on hiking because we didn't do any.
I don't have any help to offer on hiking because we didn't do any.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 5:49 pm to Displaced
quote:
always wanted to see the northern lights. Might get a chance to do that in Banff.
Slim but possible. There are sites you cal look into that help forecast like This one.
According to this it should be visible tonight. It's pretty accurate several days out
Posted on 11/30/17 at 11:08 pm to Displaced
Went this past June/July. Fantastic place. Recommend the following:
Sky Bistro - for a nice meal where you’re surrounded by peaks and clouds. Only way in/out is by gondola.
Park Distillery - boutique distillery recently opened. We got a tour when there, it was the tits.
There was an Irish pub(St James Gate) and another non-descript bar we hung out at: Elk and the Oarsman. They were fine, but nothing all that unusual.
We floated the Kicking Horse river, which is about a 90 minute drive to BC. Was awesome, but doubt this is an option in April.
Hiking was probably my favorite thing we did. I can’t get peope who’d go to Banff not spend as much time outside as possible.
Sky Bistro - for a nice meal where you’re surrounded by peaks and clouds. Only way in/out is by gondola.
Park Distillery - boutique distillery recently opened. We got a tour when there, it was the tits.
There was an Irish pub(St James Gate) and another non-descript bar we hung out at: Elk and the Oarsman. They were fine, but nothing all that unusual.
We floated the Kicking Horse river, which is about a 90 minute drive to BC. Was awesome, but doubt this is an option in April.
Hiking was probably my favorite thing we did. I can’t get peope who’d go to Banff not spend as much time outside as possible.
Posted on 12/1/17 at 12:06 am to Displaced
That whole stretch of the Canadian Rockies is spectacularly beautiful. Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, etc. You won't be disappointed by the scenery.
I passed through there almost as an afterthought when I was returning home from Alaska. It was late Sept and there were still plenty of tourists around. I'd love to get back there and spend a couple of weeks instead of a couple of days.
I passed through there almost as an afterthought when I was returning home from Alaska. It was late Sept and there were still plenty of tourists around. I'd love to get back there and spend a couple of weeks instead of a couple of days.
Posted on 12/1/17 at 2:10 am to Displaced
My buddy got married in Banff last July which was a perfect time to go IMO if you’re not skiing.
We stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs which became as integral as the town and its surroundings for me. I treated that hotel like it was my new house...getting lost in it, exploring every corner it had to offer. It’s expensive but I’ll stay there every time I visit from now on.
Hiking-wise, we only got to do Lake Louise up to the tea house which I highly recommend for a novice trek. Mild weather and no rain didn’t hurt.
In town, I can second Park Distillery and the balcony at Banff Brewing Co. overlooking the strip.
On our next trip we’ll get a car and explore the area better...can’t wait to go back.
We stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs which became as integral as the town and its surroundings for me. I treated that hotel like it was my new house...getting lost in it, exploring every corner it had to offer. It’s expensive but I’ll stay there every time I visit from now on.
Hiking-wise, we only got to do Lake Louise up to the tea house which I highly recommend for a novice trek. Mild weather and no rain didn’t hurt.
In town, I can second Park Distillery and the balcony at Banff Brewing Co. overlooking the strip.
On our next trip we’ll get a car and explore the area better...can’t wait to go back.
Posted on 12/1/17 at 11:37 am to Displaced
I don't think there's anywhere in North American more beautiful than the Canadian Rockies nor a stretch of road more scenic than the Icefields Parkway connecting Banff to Jasper.
But if you want to hike, I would definitely wait until the peak of summer to go.
But if you want to hike, I would definitely wait until the peak of summer to go.
Posted on 12/1/17 at 11:15 pm to Displaced
As mentioned if you want to hike then go in the summer.
I am looking at heading up next summer to do some hiking and backpacking. Maybe even walking from Jasper to Mexico.
Someone here posted a pic of a cabin on lake near Banff that was permanently embedded in my mind.
Speaking of pics, this thread needs some:
Moraine Lake
Peyto Lake
View from Mt Indefatigable
Lake Louise and Fairmont Chateau
Hopefully this thread gets bumped a few times and you get some responses. Banff is one of the most beautiful regions in N America.
I am looking at heading up next summer to do some hiking and backpacking. Maybe even walking from Jasper to Mexico.
Someone here posted a pic of a cabin on lake near Banff that was permanently embedded in my mind.
Speaking of pics, this thread needs some:
Moraine Lake
Peyto Lake
View from Mt Indefatigable
Lake Louise and Fairmont Chateau
Hopefully this thread gets bumped a few times and you get some responses. Banff is one of the most beautiful regions in N America.
Posted on 12/2/17 at 7:29 am to IllegalPete
Following as it was recommended in a post I made I while back. I’m looking to travel in June, wife, 9yr and 13.
Recommendations on places to stay?
What are the chances in mid June to have Lake thawed revealing the water they are known for vs ice covered?
Recommendations on places to stay?
What are the chances in mid June to have Lake thawed revealing the water they are known for vs ice covered?
Posted on 12/4/17 at 3:11 pm to Geaux1
My first time in Banff was in late June 2010 and Lake Louise looked like it had been thawed for awhile at that point.
Posted on 12/4/17 at 3:24 pm to Globetrotter747
quote:
I don't think there's anywhere in North American more beautiful than the Canadian Rockies
Kluane, in the YT is more scenic. It's not very accessible though
Posted on 12/21/17 at 10:54 pm to Geaux1
Just booked my trip to Banff last week. We are actually staying in Canmore. The prices for condos were a good bit cheaper than Banff and bigger as well...have a family of six total. Will be there in mid June for a full week.
Posted on 12/22/17 at 2:57 am to RogerTheShrubber
Roger,
What makes Kluane less accessible? And does anyone have any recommendations for parks in Canada and/or Alaska that you feel are even more scenic than the Rockies in Alberta? I have been to Denali - drove up the Parks Hwy. from Anchorage - but it was a short trip in March a long time ago. It wasn’t a bad trip by any means, but it wasn’t the right time of year for what I (at least now) like to do (hiking) and wasn’t planned out very well. So I want a redo at some point.
Any thoughts?
What makes Kluane less accessible? And does anyone have any recommendations for parks in Canada and/or Alaska that you feel are even more scenic than the Rockies in Alberta? I have been to Denali - drove up the Parks Hwy. from Anchorage - but it was a short trip in March a long time ago. It wasn’t a bad trip by any means, but it wasn’t the right time of year for what I (at least now) like to do (hiking) and wasn’t planned out very well. So I want a redo at some point.
Any thoughts?
Posted on 12/25/17 at 4:28 pm to RogerTheShrubber
I love that there are posters from all over the country here at TD.
You, PNW, that dude from ID, and many others here have turned me on to places I would have never known existed.
Appreciate your contributions Roger.
You, PNW, that dude from ID, and many others here have turned me on to places I would have never known existed.
Appreciate your contributions Roger.
Posted on 12/25/17 at 6:06 pm to Globetrotter747
quote:
Roger,
What makes Kluane less accessible? And does anyone have any recommendations for parks in Canada and/or Alaska that you feel are even more scenic than the Rockies in Alberta? I have been to Denali - drove up the Parks Hwy. from Anchorage - but it was a short trip in March a long time ago. It wasn’t a bad trip by any means, but it wasn’t the right time of year for what I (at least now) like to do (hiking) and wasn’t planned out very well. So I want a redo at some point.
Any thoughts?
Kluane has huge ice fields, glaciers, a peak over 19,000' but there's really no road access into the park. It's like Jasper and Banff but on a more grand scale.
It's part of a world heritage site that includes Glacier Bay, Tatshenshini-Alsek and Wrangell - St Elias. Many peaks over 15,000' and incredible scenery. Kluane park and preserve is about 25% larger than Jasper and Banff combined.
Lake Clark, Wrangell-St Elias and Glacier Bay all are full of incredible scenery in Alaska. The sheer sizes make it virtually impossible to experience all in total in a lifetime. The wildlife alone elevate them to elite statusg
This post was edited on 12/25/17 at 6:19 pm
Posted on 12/25/17 at 6:21 pm to IllegalPete
quote:
Appreciate your contributions Roger.
No problem
North America is stunning in its beauty. We could spend a lifetime of exploring and not see it all
Posted on 12/26/17 at 8:38 pm to Displaced
See my thread in the travel journal on the top of the page for restaurant recs.
Posted on 12/26/17 at 9:47 pm to Displaced
I went in August and the hiking was great! Banff is beautiful, but we enjoyed Jasper even more. Jasper has a great town right in the middle of the Park and there is so much to do within a short distance. In Banff, things are much more spread out and it's a lot more crowded, so you spend a lot more time getting from place to place.
My suggestion is to spend more days in Jasper than in Banff - and to stay IN Jasper, that's essential. Don't stay in the town east of the park.
My suggestion is to spend more days in Jasper than in Banff - and to stay IN Jasper, that's essential. Don't stay in the town east of the park.
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