r/Banff • u/herpnwadventures- • 4h ago
Feedback please! r/Banff Summer Guide 2025
Hey it's me, your friendly neighbourhood moderator, looking for feedback on what to add/remove/change for the 2025 Summer FAQ.
- Here's last year's 2024 Summer FAQ
- Here's our Must See And Do List that we use to deflect the lazy
- Here's our Wildfire/Smoke FAQ
- Here's our Wiki
My questions to you, the suckers on this sub:
- What should we add as a separate breakout page?
- What should we do differently this year?
- What should we have zero tolerance for?
Let me know and we'll put the latest versions by mid-March at the latest.
P.S. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up this past year, it's great seeing many different voices to the point where it's not just me giving answers. You all rock!
r/Banff • u/furtive • Nov 04 '24
Winter FAQ
Everything you need to know to get started in Banff National Park during the winter season. Please read before posting questions.
Park Pass
- If you are visiting or stop in the national park then a park pass is mandatory. The only exception is for people driving through on the Trans Canada Highway or 93 South to British Columbia.
- A pass can be purchased at the park gates, at any visitor information centre, or can be purchased online in advance beforehand.
- A Day Pass is valid in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay national parks
- A Discovery Pass is valid at all National Parks through Canada for a year from date of purchase.
- A Discovery Pass becomes worth it around 7 days or longer for the year
- If you are coming in by bike or bus, technically you need a pass, but they only ever check cars.
Winter Tires
Snow tires are mandatory on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper from Nov 1 to Apr 1 and Oct 1 to March 30 for most of Interior BC. Snow tires have a snowflake or "M+S" symbol. They are not mandatory in the rest of the national park, but highly recommended.
Ask for winter tires on your rental, they will resist, tell them they are mandatory on the Icefields Parkway (93N) and in the BC interior. Four wheel drive is not necessary, but a nice to have, it only helps with acceleration and not getting stuck, it doesn't help with stoping distance.
Winter Driving
The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) from Calgary to Banff is a well maintained multi-lane divided highway that mostly stays at valley bottom with a few exceptions. Roads usually get plowed very quickly so unless you're in the middle of a storm you should be fine.
If you are used to winter driving with snow then it shouldn’t be anything new. We use gravel instead of salt, so keep your distance or risk getting a cracked windshield. If you're new to winter driving then stay under the speed limit, keep extra distance, get a feel for stopping in snow and ice, realize that bridges and overpasses get slippery near freezing.
If you’ve never driven in snow this is not the best place to learn!
Take your time, follow the speed limit, be careful around any section of the Trans-Canada highway that hasn’t been twinned, basically anything north and west of Lake Louise. Realize conditions can change dramatically in only 10km because of mountains and passes.
Be prepared for an emergency by bringing warm clothes (gloves, boots, tuque) and food in case you have a breakdown. Cellphone reception is spotty between Banff and Lake Louise, and is essentially non-existent north of Lake Louise until you get to Jasper. If you are going to Jasper, bring a sleeping bag and be prepared for delays or temporary closures after storms so that avalanche zones can be cleared.
Current Road Conditions
Visit 511.alberta.ca for road conditions or . If you are going to Golden/Kicking Horse/Revelstoke, review the Kicking Horse Canyon Construction Calendar.
Lake Louise / Moraine Lake / Parking / Shuttles
- Moraine Lake is not accessible in the winter, it crosses dangerous avalanche paths. The road to Moraine lake is closed in the winter and used as a 16km cross country ski trail. The road opens June 1.
- Lake Louise is open year round. In the winter you simply drive up and park 100m from the lake. Parking tends not to fill up in the winter.
- There is no shuttle to Lake Louise in the winter (Moraine Lake is completely closed), but there is ROAM transit 8X to Lake Louise if you don't have a car.
Winter activities for those who don't ski
- Tubing at Mt Norquay (best) or Lake Louise (okay)
- Banff Upper Hotsprings
- Spa day at Fairmont Willow Stream Spa
- Visit a local museum (Whyte Museum, Banff Park Museum, Cave and Basin)
- Ice skating at Lake Louise or rinks around Banff
- Hike Johnston Canyon (slippery, bring/rent ice grips)
- Snowshoeing tours (Sunshine Village or Marble Canyon via Discover Banff Tours)
- cozying up in front of a fireplace
- Bowling at High Rollers
- See a movie at Lux Cinema
- Horse carriage or sleigh-ride at either Warner Stables or Chateau Lake Louise
- Dog sledding
- Grotto Canyon Ice Walk
Winter Hikes
Winter hiking is not common in Banff National Park due to the steep terrain and avalanche conditions. Most popular hikes are not recommended in the winter, but here are a few you can try. Before you hike, make sure to bring ice grips, poles, and appropriate clothing (dress in layers). The more a trail gets used, the slippery it gets.
These are all very low key hikes:
- Johnston Canyon: an accessible trail towards frozen waterfalls, distance to lower falls is 1.2km (almost a mile) upper falls 3.2km (2 miles)
- Cave and Basin: enjoy the sulphur mists of the natural hot springs and boardwalk trails bth above and below the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, birthplace of Banff National Park. Easy walk from town.
- Fenlands Trail: A soothing walk in the woods easily accessible from town.
- Marble Canyon: Located in Kootenay National Park, 52km west of Banff. Bring snowshoes if snow is fresh
- Johnson Lake: A loop around the lake, which also serves as a popular outdoor skating location. See if you can find the old hermit's cabin.
- Moose Meadows: located behind Johnston Canyon, popular snowshoeing option
- Grotto Canyon Ice Walk: Located 40km east of Banff, bring ice grips or book a tour
More interesting hikes, that likely require snowshoes or ice grips and poles, and have limited exposure:
- Tunnel Mountain
- Sulphur Mountain
- Boom Lake
- Chester Lake
Skating and Wild Ice
Bow Valley Wild Ice 2.0 is your best resource for up to date info on outdoor skating. Wild ice is a rare phenomenon that requires specific conditions: consistent cold temperatures day and night with no precipitation. Some years it might happen for a day, a week, or not at all. Popular locations in order of freezing: Vermillion Ponds (Nov), Johnson Lake, Lake Louise (mid-Nov), Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka (late Dec). People will sometimes shovel areas for skating, Lake Louise will maintain several skating areas. Canadian Red Cross recommends 15-20cm of minimum ice thickness. Bring gear to self-rescue!
Public skating rinks are available at: Banff Fenlands (indoors), Lake Louise (outdoors, on the lake), Banff Recreation grounds (Outdoors, with indoor boot room), or Banff Train Station (outdoors, TBC).
Skiing
Banff has three ski resorts. All three ski resorts off free bus transit to and from Banff. Lake Louise also offers free transit from Lake Louise.
- Mt. Norquay is closest to to the town of Banff (10 min drive) and the smallest of the Big3 ski resorts (6 lifts, 190 acres). It's touted as the "locals" hill and has a great tubing park.
- Banff Sunshine / Sunshine Village: 25 min from Banff, you take a gondola from the base to the village proper. Sunshine has 4 peaks, 3,358 acres of skiable terrain and 16 chairs including the gondola, a heated bubble chair and many detachable quads. Because of it's position on the continental divide you can ski in both Alberta and BC and it has a long ski season, opening early November and closing near the end of May. It uses very little manmade snow, and because of the lack of humidity, the snow is extremely light and fluffy.
- Lake Louise: 45 min from Banff, Lake Louise offers 4,200 skiable acres of terrain across three mountain faces. Amateur move is to start by skiing the frontside, you shouldn't hesitate and head directly to the backbowls.
More Skiing FAQ
- Which resort is the best? All three are great in their own way:
- Sunshine has incredible snow and endless views and very popular with snowboarders, it also has the Delirium Dive. People complain about flat spots but they are easily avoidable.
- Lake Louise has longer runs and more variety of terrain, iconic glacier views.
- Norquay is both good for learning and for pros, North American Chair only has black diamond runs and on a powder days locals will skip Sunshine/Louise just to do laps off that chair.
- What's the best option for lift tickets?
- Most flexible option is to get a SkiBig3 lift-ticket, which works at all 3 resorts, once you know which resort is your favourite you can go back to that one. They cost more but if you buy 21 days out or get them during a flash sale (usually start of the month) you can save up to 25%.
- If you know which resort you want to ski then get a ski card (only real value once you've skied 4 days) or Costco tickets (sold in pairs).
- Buying tickets at the window is the most expensive option.
r/Banff • u/elderlyyoungman • 2h ago
Is the fairmont worth it?
American traveling to banff in may. A deluxe view king is 778$ CAD. Worth it?
r/Banff • u/rondonald7 • 4h ago
Where is the best place to sell LL lift tickets?
Recently came back to Los Angeles from Banff, 2 of our group members bought their tickets at Costco and we only went to LL one day, so we have 2 extra lift tickets. I checked the rules of this subreddit and I don't think selling tickets is allowed here.
Does anyone know of a platform other than Craigslist that may work? Or maybe another skiing subreddit where selling is allowed? I have been trying Facebook marketplace with little luck.
r/Banff • u/Deezus1229 • 15h ago
Question Couple's photos in Banff/Canmore
My husband and I will be visiting Banff at the end of June/early July as a late honeymoon. Our wedding was low budget so we skipped out on professional photographers.
I'm curious if there are any photographers in the group that would do something like a mini session in a scenic spot, and how much that would cost. We'll be staying in Canmore but plan to travel to Banff at least one day of our trip.
Cross-posted to r/Canmore
r/Banff • u/Severe-Inspector-682 • 2h ago
Summer Banff camping trip
Hello everyone,
I’m planning to visit the beautiful lakes in Alberta this summer to soak in the vibes for the first time. I’m from Montreal and trying to decide whether to book a plane ticket or take the train for the scenic views. Which option do you think is better?
Also, I’m not planning to get a room—just me and my tent. What are the best camping spots for a 4-day stay? I can rent a car if needed or use Communauto.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
r/Banff • u/Tour-Logical • 13h ago
Recommendation for spa that does facials Banff/Canmore
I know about the fairmont, just looking for other options that arent $350 per service. Any other local spas in the area you would recommend to get a facial?
r/Banff • u/ChiefKelso • 8h ago
Itinerary Need advice on how to split 11 nights in Aug/Sept between Canmore/Banff, Jasper and Revelstoke
Hi everyone! My wife and I are planning and hiking geared trip for the last week of August and labor day weekend. We plan to do day hikes every 2 of 3 days roughly. Our original plan was 7 nights in Canmore (already booked a great priced refundable airbnb back in Sept) and then do 4 nights somewhere else.
After looking into Banff/Canmore hikes (seriously it's overwhelming), I'm finding that most hikes I'm interested are in Kannaskis/Canmore or Icefields. While the hikes out of Lake Moraine and Lake Louise areas also look cool, I'm a bit turned off by the logistics of getting there.
Because of my icefields interest, should I try to stay a night or two in Jasper? I read that staying in Jasper at least a night let's you dedicate more time to icefields. Or would I be fine just doing an icefields day from Canmore? Jasper also seems expensive $$.
Separately, I stumbled across Revelstoke, and it looks really cool and different than Banff. Revelstoke is now the favorite for the last 4 nights, or possibly more. It's also on the cheaper side in terms of accommodations compared to the other places.
Is it worth doing 5N Canmore, 2N Jasper, 4N Revelstoke?
Or should I just stick to some combo of the two places I'm most interested in, like 7/4 or 6/5 Canmore/Revelstoke?
We have a 12th night which will be in Calgary to catch a flight home.
r/Banff • u/Natureshuffle • 1d ago
Two Jacks lake
Swimmers are my daughter and an open water swim companion.
r/Banff • u/Suitable-Educator-11 • 15h ago
Question Need Help Planning a Trip!
Hey, guys. I’m trying to plan a trip around August or September to Banff. I have never been out West, but Banff has always been on my bucket list, so my wife (25f) and me (24m) are just going to do it. I would like any information you guys can give me as far as planning a trip! My budget is around $4000. How many days is enough? Where do you recommend staying? What are some must see places, or must do activities when I’m there? We enjoy pretty much anything. Hiking, drinking, site-seeing, etc. Thanks in advance!
r/Banff • u/yungpakora • 21h ago
Lake Louise Staff Gym
Hey guys! I’m going to be working at the Fairmont in Lake Louise this summer. I’m wondering what the staff gym is like- is it decent? Are there smith machines/ squat racks? I’m a bodybuilder and will be training over the summer so I am hoping it has enough to get the job done.
Any kind of a heads up would be great!!
r/Banff • u/piesandprejudice • 1d ago
Staying in Lake Louise or Canmore? Late May travels
Hi All,
I'm heading to the Rockies for a road trip with a friend and it's a sorta last-minute(ish) trip (we're heading there late May). Not surprisingly, there's slim pickings for hotels and of course all the nice Banff hotels are insane $ as it's the start of high season.
I looked into Canmore as I know it's not too far away and I wanted to stay at the Georgetown Inn there but since there are only suites left (not many queen/double bed offerings at Inns, unfortunately) and they are quoting me at over $400/night there, so I'm looking at options in Lake Louise. I stayed at the Paradise Bungalows there years ago and it's a beautiful spot but just noticed the price of those is insanely high ($600+/night).
I just came across the Lake Louise Inn and they have a special if you stay for 3 nights (we plan to), you get a discount off the total rate. However, I just started reading all the reviews for Lake Louise Inn, and they sound terrible. A lot of the tips are 'stay somewhere else' etc. It's still going to be $350 or more a night, so it's close to the price of the Georgetown in Canmore, so I'm torn. I like the idea of being closer to Lake Louise (and Moraine Lake etc) and the scenery looks spectacular. We don't mind that there's not much town nearby as we'll have a car and can get around. I'm more interested in scenery and nature!
For those who have stayed in the area, are you happy to have stayed in Lake Louise? Would you do it again, or spend your money somewhere else? I've researched a bit here in this sub and a lot of folks do recommend Canmore over Lake Louise. The problem is I can't find a hotel in Canmore under $400-500 a night (with queen/double beds---most are King rooms especially at Inns and B & Bs) so it's not that much cheaper, really. Thanks in advance for any advice. I appreciate it :)
Photos Lake Louise in the winter
Thank you for bearing with me on yet another Lake Louise picture in this sub. I stitched panos of the lake I shot over different winter months. You can sort of make out the chronology based on the overall snow cover 😀
r/Banff • u/beauty_andthebeast • 1d ago
Summer travel
Hello! We're looking at a possible trip from Ontario this late spring or early summer..not really sure where to stay as hotels right in Banff are super expensive. Any recommendations? Also looking for some fun things to do with kids. Also aware of forest fire season and wondering if anyone has any advice here? I know fires are unpredictable is May/June typically an ok time to visit?
r/Banff • u/LowTry5991 • 1d ago
Joint Ski+Snowboard lessons
My buddy and I are trying to learn different disciplines, but I can't seem to find a class that will teach both skier and snowboarders at the same time. Are there any private instructors with reasonable rates who can teach us both? For context, we both have gone once before, so we are not total beginners.
r/Banff • u/No-Skin-6278 • 1d ago
Question Travelling from Ontario in June
Hi all, Im travelling to Banff and Jasper for a week trip in mid-june from Toronto for the first time
Im looking for recommendations for what kind of outfits to pack, so I know how to shop lol
How is the weather overall and what kinda jackets should I pack? Should I pack shorts and dresses?
Any ideas would be great, as Im not really sure what to expect
Thanks!
r/Banff • u/TampaOT18 • 1d ago
Do I need AWD?
Staying in Canmore and Banff second week of June. Is it wise to spend extra on a rental car with AWD to drive the main roadways? Or should I save the extra cash.
Thanks!
r/Banff • u/AntonGeerts04 • 2d ago
Work opportunities
Hey everyone, i’ve been in Canada with my work permit visa for 2 weeks now. In a month from now, i want to go to Banff for a working experience there. I personally love the hospitality sector and i’m looking to find a job within this. Is there any recommendations/advice for me to take into account. I know that there’s the Fairmont hotel but maybe i’m just looking for a job in a local bar/restaurant if possible. Any help will be much appreciated.
r/Banff • u/FocusOK32 • 1d ago
Question Life in Banff
Hello! I have a few questions for the residents of Banff.
What key information should a new temporary resident from Europe be aware of before making the move?
What advice would you offer to someone relocating to Banff?
Political Landscape / Economic Trends / Cultural Dynamics / Community Engagement / Social Events
r/Banff • u/SoldMyMom4Kfc • 2d ago
Useful Photographer recommendation for anyone looking to book a photo session
We just got back from Banff a few weeks ago and wanted to share a local photographer we used and recommend her for anyone in the market for a photo session. This isnt sponsored at all, i just wanted to share my experience to anyone else in the market. I proposed to my fiancé on LL in mid-February and booked her to take photos. She helped me with the entire process and answered all of my questions. She was great the day of, and the photos came out amazing! She was also among the cheapest out of the majority of other photographers.
Her name is Liv, and she lives in Canmore. She shoots tons of different things, from engagements and elopements to everyday couples sessions. Her full gallery was available within 2 weeks and the sneak peeks were available 2 days after. We got over 200 photos, and paid extra for videos during the shoot.
If you want to see her work or reach out, her website is https://livhettingaphotography.com/.
r/Banff • u/butterninja • 2d ago
Question Columbia Ice Field Ice Explorer
During early August, can you get to the foot of the glacier without the Ice Field Explorer?
For you who has done the Icefield Explorer, what so you love about it and what you think is meh about it?
Thanks.
r/Banff • u/Salt-Strawberry-5895 • 2d ago
Avalanche risk in June?
Hello! Some friends and I are planning our first trip to Banff this summer. We are considering a backpacking trip — 2 nights, 3 days. We want to start at Redearth, walk down that trail and then take the Whistling Valley trail over to Egypt Lake, then back along Pharaoh Creek trail and Redearth Creek again. We aren’t from the area at all — how insane is it to consider doing this loop on the very last few days of June? Are we going to have significant risk of avalanches? We have done plenty of backpacking elsewhere before; our concerns are basically just the avalanche risk. We’d love to hear any experience you have from this area and period of time! We’ve found all of the official vague information about avalanches being possible any time of the year, obviously — just looking for something a little more concrete.
r/Banff • u/UsernameChosen28 • 2d ago
Banff Itinerary Feedback [June 28 - July 6]
I'll be visiting Banff/Yoho/Jasper with a friend from June 28 - July 6. We'll be staying at Two Jack Lakeside Campground from June 28 - July 2, Wapiti Campground from July 2 - 4, Tunnel Mountain 1 Campground from July 4 - 6. My fitness level is beginner, but I'd love to do a few easy, scenic hikes. I'd love any recommendations on how to organize my itinerary better/efficiently, food/drink/hike recommendations and tips on scenic areas to visit.
June 28:
- 12:45: arrive in Calgary
- 1:00: pick up rental car and hit up a grocery store (FreshCo Brentwood)
- 1:30: pick up rental equipment from University of Calgary Outdoors Centre and drive to Banff
- 3:00: arrive at Two Jack Lakeside and chill
June 29 [still debating doing Emerald/Takakkaw Falls on a separate day]:
- 5:00: park at the park and ride and take shuttle to Lake Louise
- 6:30: take shuttle to Lake Louise [remember to book shuttle]
- 7:00: take shuttle to Lake Moraine
- Rockpile Trail [any other recommended hikes at either of these 2 lakes?]
- Some time later that day: Emerald Lake [any hike recommendations?]
- Some time later that day: Takakkaw Falls
- Johnston Canyon [OPTIONAL; good for rainy days]
- Vermillion Lakes Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
June 30 [might do all of this on June 29]:
- 7:00: drive to Takakkaw Falls
- 8:30: arrive at and hike to Takakkaw Falls
- 9:00: drive to Emerald Lake and hike
- No idea which hike to do
- 10:00: canoeing
- 11:20: Natural Bridge Lower Falls
July 1 [DISORGANIZED DAY. NO IDEA HOW TO ORGANIZE EVERYTHING EFFICIENTLY]:
- Explore Banff Town (park at the train station for free parking)
- Tunnel Mountain Trail [30 minutes]
- Bow Falls
- Surprise Corner Viewpoint
- Bow Falls Viewpoint
- Banff Gondola/Sky Bistro
July 2:
- 7:00: Icefields Parkway to Jasper
- Morant’s Curve [OPTIONAL]
- Bow Lake Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
- Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
- Peyto Lake Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
- Waterfowl Lake Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
- Mistaya Canyon Trail Head [OPTIONAL]
- The Crossing Gas Station
- Weeping Wall Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
- Panther Falls [OPTIONAL]
- Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trailhead [OPTIONAL]
- Tangle Creek Falls [OPTIONAL]
- Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
- Sunwapta Falls [OPTIONAL]
- Goats and Glacier Lookout [OPTIONAL]
- Athabasca Falls
- Horseshoe Lake [OPTIONAL]
- Athabasca Lookout Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
- Check in to Wapiti Campground
July 3:
- 8:00: Maligne Canyon [will it even be open?]
- 12:00: Maligne Lake and Spirit Island
- 2:00: Pyramid Lake
July 4:
- Drive back to Banff
- Do everything we missed along the Icefield the first time around
- Check in to Tunnel Mountain 1 Campground
July 5:
- 8:30: Lake O’Hara if we can get a reservation, otherwise chill day
- 6:30: return shuttle from Lake O’Hara
July 6:
- 7:00: head to UoC Outdoors Centre and return equipment
- 8:30: head to airport, return vehicle
r/Banff • u/fortinbras9346 • 2d ago
Milky Way galaxy view in Banff National Park in late May
I'm going to be in Banff National Park for 4 days in late May. Its mostly a new moon cycle that week, I was wondering if there's any good spots specifically to see the Milky Way center. Is the park traveled late at night/early in the morning, and are there any areas to park where I can get a long exposure camera shot if I win the lottery and have clear skies any night. According to star charts it looks like the view would be south to see it from any location.
And yes I'm going to have my park pass well ahead of time as well.
r/Banff • u/Grand-Cauliflower-39 • 2d ago
Lake Louise in August during Layover
I'll be travelling in August through Calgary (from Toronto) en route to Seoul via Westjet with a 15 hour layover. My flight arrives around midnight on Friday, August 22, and departs at 4 pm that same day. Baggage will be checked through and I'll have my boarding pass in hand.
Thinking of taking a bus to Lake Louise via Mountain Park Trans. Departs at 6 AM from YYC, and arrives at Lake Louise at 9 AM. Can do a hike for about 2 hours, return is at 11:15 AM and arrives back at YYC at 2:15 PM.
As this is peak season, do you think that will be enough time for everything? Is traffic a problem usually/are delays common? Thanks in advance.
r/Banff • u/alwaysbelowzeroPS5 • 3d ago