Calgary Canada and Banff..........anyone been there before?
- Thread starter Fayette_LION
- Start date
I was there 2 summers ago. Didn't spend time in Calgary other than the airport. Banff is absolutely spectacular. We stayed at a Fairmont property. Was beautiful. Lake Louise is worth the hike. We went white water rafting, played golf, hiked etc. the town of Banff is charming. Lots of really good restaurants and bar The wild in Banff is literally everywhere since its a national park. I saw elk right on the edge of downtown.
Go through there every fall going to BC steelhead fishing. The drive from Banff to Jasper is all it's cracked up to be. Amazing on a sunny day when the peaks are visible. The Park has less wildlife than Y'stone, but always a chance to see a Griz early and late. Too bad, but the best place to see elk is the Banff golf course. IMO Banff is an overbuilt tourist trap. Jasper is nicer, but still thronged in the summer.
Outdoor mecca. National park passes and entrance permits are free this year (to all visitors) as part of Canada 150 celebrations so numbers are expected to be way up. Make reservations early. Banff is beautiful as is Lake Louise and must visits. If you are looking to get away from the crowds try http://kananaskis.com/.
I lived in Calgary for several years in the 1990s, but expect it has changed immensely. Was boom town in the 2000s, but downturn in oil prices has hit Alberta's economy, but it is rebounding. Calgary Stampede is also a wild time with the biggest outdoor show on Earth. http://www.calgarystampede.com/stampede
Jasper is a long way to travel but a trip to Athabasca Glacier is worth it. Do it now bf it is gone. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attracti...sca_Glacier-Jasper_National_Park_Alberta.html
I lived in Calgary for several years in the 1990s, but expect it has changed immensely. Was boom town in the 2000s, but downturn in oil prices has hit Alberta's economy, but it is rebounding. Calgary Stampede is also a wild time with the biggest outdoor show on Earth. http://www.calgarystampede.com/stampede
Jasper is a long way to travel but a trip to Athabasca Glacier is worth it. Do it now bf it is gone. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attracti...sca_Glacier-Jasper_National_Park_Alberta.html
Last edited:
Lake Louise is probably the most beautiful place on earth; that I've ever seen. Very picturesque. Calgary, can get quite cold any time of the year. I was there in August and the temp. was probably 50's with a strong wind that made it seem like late fall. I don't know much else about Calgary, since my time there was very short. I do know that below zero temps. in the wintertime are very common.
When people say the weather changes every 15 minutes, it is true in Calgary.
Just got back from BC and Alberta 2 days ago, our 3rd trip to this part of Canada. Will post pics and a report ASAP. We spent 3 nights in Jasper, then drove the Icefields Parkway en route to Golden, BC.
Be ready, it is going to be crazy busy. On our last trip we hiked to both tea houses at Lake Louise. This time was more of a drive by as we spent most of our time in BC. We stopped by LL last Saturday and the crowds were outrageous. Honestly, we spent 15 minutes there and couldn't wait to leave. Peyto Lake, same thing. Not sure where you're staying, but getting an early start is highly recommended. Glad we spent our time in Jasper, love that town and it never seemed too crowded. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the Rockies if you get the chance.
Be ready, it is going to be crazy busy. On our last trip we hiked to both tea houses at Lake Louise. This time was more of a drive by as we spent most of our time in BC. We stopped by LL last Saturday and the crowds were outrageous. Honestly, we spent 15 minutes there and couldn't wait to leave. Peyto Lake, same thing. Not sure where you're staying, but getting an early start is highly recommended. Glad we spent our time in Jasper, love that town and it never seemed too crowded. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the Rockies if you get the chance.
Banff + surrounding areas is one of my favorite places on earth. Was there a couple of years ago and can't wait to get back. Thinking next year. The hikes and drives are jaw-dropping.
FL - The Chicago Tribune travel section last Sunday (6/25/17) had a full page (5): "Banff may be beautiful, but Jasper is better".
Interesting reading if you can track it down.
Interesting reading if you can track it down.
Played golf in Banff. Warmed up at it was 80 and sunny. Then right before tee time a storm broke out thay delayed round about an hour. Holes 1-4 weather was perfect. Hole 5 head 40mph wind in our faces. Rained again for 5 minutes and the rest of the round was sunny. Weather is nuts there
Took my wife to Banff a number of years ago...stayed at the Banff Spring Manor Hotel...fab setting and great place...spent about 12 days exploring the different places, including Lake Louise , the National Park..saw tons of wildlife...thoroughly enjoyed every bit, except for the travel to Calgary...overall, a fabulous place!
Have been to all. No matter where you are, it will be beautiful. I assume you have places to stay lined up since you are going next week. My advice, depending upon what you like to do (hiking, etc.), is to ask the locals. Save a trip into Banff proper for cloudy day. It's mostly shops and restaurants. Enjoy the mountains and views on the sunny days. Chateau Lake Louise is beautiful (one of the Canadian Pacific Hotels). You can do some shopping inside or have lunch in a nice atmosphere. You then also walk around the lake as one poster commented. Calgary is nice but as you can tell, my preference is the scenery. If you want to be "in" the mountains (Calgary is about a 45 minute drive out), and want to avoid the tourist trap of Banff proper, stay in a little town called Canmore which is a good launching point both to Banff and Lake Louise.
If you play golf Banff Springs golf course is something you must do. Jasper Park is nice too but Banff is better.
Here's a boring Trip Report with pics I put together on tripadvisor.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTop...ip_Report_with_Pictures-British_Columbia.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTop...ip_Report_with_Pictures-British_Columbia.html
Go to Lake Louise and hike to the tea house - incredible scenery on the way! Emerald Lake is very beautiful also but prefer Lake Louise.
If you have time, drive down to Waterton Lakes National Park. It shares a lake and a border with Glacier National Park in Montana. Hike to and around Crypt Lake, which is about 90% in Canada and 10% in Montana.
Banff Sprints Hotel has a hot springs swimming pool. You don't have to stay at the hotel to use the pool (unless the policy has changed in the last 20 years).
Banff Sprints Hotel has a hot springs swimming pool. You don't have to stay at the hotel to use the pool (unless the policy has changed in the last 20 years).
Flew into Calgary and drove about 90 minutes. Mine was a June trip. Really nice and great little town. A ton of local stuff to do.
Five years ago we hiked to both tea houses high above Lake Louise. A must do if you have time. It's definitely an endurance hike. My wife was struggled a bit after the second tea house at Lake Agnus, but she's a trooper.
https://goo.gl/photos/bRZexCQ2ZmTLLSfZ8
https://goo.gl/photos/bRZexCQ2ZmTLLSfZ8
Similar threads
