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 155107 times)

Offline YudiG

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Banff and Jasper Master Thread
« on: February 20, 2011, 03:47:56 PM »
Perhaps we can start a master thread for Banff....can anyone recommend activities, hotels etc as I began the task of planning a holiday?

Thanks!
« Last Edit: August 04, 2017, 01:28:18 PM by Something Fishy »

Offline how

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2011, 04:23:37 PM »
Rimrock and Fairmont are the nicest in Banff. There is another Fairmont in Lake Louise which is 40 minutes away. You can also stay in hotels in Canmore which is about a half hour away from Banff.

Offline horeini

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2011, 06:06:42 PM »
i personally stayed at fairmont was not at all impressed view from hotel room is limited because windows are very small rooms are stuffy and small basically you paying for location

Offline kivabb

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2011, 08:28:51 PM »
We stayed at the http://www.beckerschalets.com/ many years back. Was nice and in the middle a Icefields Parkway. Many cabins have kitchens as well.

Offline eliteflyer

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2011, 09:06:45 PM »
Not sure what your budget is, but KMRtours has been running summers up at the fairmont for several years now. A few years ago, they even did a pesach there.

kmrtours.com

Offline YudiG

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2011, 01:28:57 AM »
I'm looking for post pesach 2 days..thanks everyone keep the tips coming! what is good to do there activities wise?

Online AsherO

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2011, 01:48:02 AM »
I'm looking for post pesach 2 days..thanks everyone keep the tips coming! what is good to do there activities wise?

Just go see the mountains, it's breathtaking, one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.
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Offline how

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2011, 07:17:25 AM »
Just go see the mountains, it's breathtaking, one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.
+1

Wherever you go the view is breathtaking. For a start lake Louise, lake moraine, Ice fields, Gondola at Banff, Bow lake, Takkawa falls, Lake minnawanka loop.
How long r u staying? It will be very cold there right after pesach

Online AsherO

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2011, 08:44:32 AM »
+1

Wherever you go the view is breathtaking. For a start lake Louise, lake moraine, Ice fields, Gondola at Banff, Bow lake, Takkawa falls, Lake minnawanka loop.

I recognize most of those names, but I didn't remember them on my own, thanks for listing them.

I heard Jasper (another state park north of Banff) is even more beautiful. Since it's even further off the beaten path, fewer tourists get there.
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Offline MLM

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2011, 03:46:47 PM »
In Banff we stayed at rim rock it was gorgeous. It was ten years ago so I can't tell u what it is today. In Jasper we stayed at Fairmont it wasn't as fancy but very scenic huge grounds etc. We did cave rappeling abd glacier climbing and also scenic drives. Was an extremely memorable trip!

Offline how

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2011, 08:09:53 AM »
The ice fields are in Jasper. They are about 2 1/2 hours from banff but the drive is well worth it with breathtaking scenery along the way. (and bears and other wildlife). if you want to saty in jasper there is a fairmont there too a little past the ice fields. (The main sites are near banff. jasper is more quiet natural beauty.)
The Rimrock is still beautiful. and a little cheaper then fairmont. (unless you used the friend and family rate 2 years ago!!!)

Offline aarony

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2011, 04:58:22 PM »
Check out these gypsy guides, they are absolutely the best self tour guides for driving the canadian rockies.

http://www.gypsyguide.com/canada/index.php


also, don't forget to stop at Peyto Lake, the photos i took there are the ones i was able to blow up and hang on my wall - people don't believe that it is real - the color of the lake is fascinating.

Offline how

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Re: Banff - Canada
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2011, 05:17:17 PM »
Check out these gypsy guides, they are absolutely the best self tour guides for driving the canadian rockies.

http://www.gypsyguide.com/canada/index.php


also, don't forget to stop at Peyto Lake, the photos i took there are the ones i was able to blow up and hang on my wall - people don't believe that it is real - the color of the lake is fascinating.
+10
Peyto Lake is gorgeous. the color comes from rock particles of melting glaciers. fascinating! But  once you snap your picture and take in the view your on your way!

Offline tuki046

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #13 on: May 16, 2011, 10:26:54 PM »
Where is the best place to stay when visiting all these places? Banff? Or lake louise itself?

Offline how

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2011, 01:16:07 PM »
Usually Banff. Lake louise has nothing there besides the beautiful lake

Offline Bp

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2011, 12:04:21 AM »
anyone have any experience going to the rockies with little kids??
am i going to be in over my head? any advice or opinions on this?
« Last Edit: June 02, 2011, 12:10:09 AM by Bp »

Offline yissie

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2011, 10:21:24 AM »
Should work okay considering lack of night life in that region anyway!
KTH

Offline rukiddingme

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #17 on: June 02, 2011, 11:13:46 AM »
anyone have any experience going to the rockies with little kids??
am i going to be in over my head? any advice or opinions on this?

We're hoping for a trip to Banff this summer without the kids.  I don't know about your little kids, but mine would not do well driving a few hours into the ice fields or Jasper, hiking and then driving back.

We're going to VT or NH with the kids - there's more variety that they can appreciate in addition to the natural beauty.

Offline Bp

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #18 on: June 02, 2011, 09:11:44 PM »
We're hoping for a trip to Banff this summer without the kids.  I don't know about your little kids, but mine would not do well driving a few hours into the ice fields or Jasper, hiking and then driving back.

We're going to VT or NH with the kids - there's more variety that they can appreciate in addition to the natural beauty.

Should work okay considering lack of night life in that region anyway!

Thanks for the responses.

So the only issue would be the distance from place to place? how about the actual places is there a lot of walking and climbing
 to do? or is it easy to access with kids?

Offline yissie

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Re: Banff Master Thread
« Reply #19 on: June 02, 2011, 09:56:33 PM »
Most vistas and attractions can be accessed , however there are basic ways to take in the views,  and more aggressive hiking, horseback ways to see the views. the latter would be difficult with small children
KTH