Welcome to Banff!

Hi! It is our first time going for a white christmasy ambiance in Banff! Im traveling with friends and we are not really skiers or snow baorders but are highly interested in visiting either Banff Sunshine or lake Louise Ski resort instead of paying for the banff Gondola to see great views (and maybe watch skiers on the side). What would you recommend between the two? We will just maybe have sightseeing and probably tryout cafe or restos at the resort if available.

Hi everyone,

I’m traveling around the USA with my kids (16 and 9 years old) and, last minute, I’m thinking about taking them to Banff next week. They absolutely love the snow - sledding, tubing, tobogganing, and any kind of snow-related activity.

I wanted to check if these activities are typically available this early in the season and if Banff would be a good destination for the whole family right now.

We’d be coming from the East Coast, so I’d love to get some local knowledge before making the trip.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi! I’m hoping to hike Grotto Canyon in the next day or two, and was wondering if anyone has been recently or knows whether the river bed has frozen over to walk along yet? I’ve been before in late winter when it was well and truly frozen and loved it, hoping it will be the same earlier in the season. Also if it’s half frozen / slushy ice is it still safe to walk along the river? From what I’ve read it is safe, as the river is shallow.

Thanks!!

Anyone looking for 2 tickets to the sold out Banff Beerfest tonight? Runs from 5-9PM.

$165 for 2 tickets OBO - comes with $80 in beer tickets ($40 a ticket!)!

Hi I was wondering how safe it is to go hiking in Banff. My girlfriend and I are headed there Nov 29 - Dec 1. We are going to Sulphur Mountain and Johnston Canyon. We will have Bear spra and iced spikes for our winter boots and of course we will check the trail and weather condition and stay on path to avoid potential avalanche risk areas. Is there any further tips, would be greatly appreciated :)

I know they haven't announced exactly when it's opening, but how is the construction going?

Last time I was there the chairs were not on the cable yet, so I was wondering how are things now. And do you think it's opening soon?

Top of the world and Juniper are already running, so there should be no reason for it to not be running as well other than construction is not done

Planning to visit Canada in late Mar. Wanted to know the weather conditions especially amount of sunshine per day, temperature and amount of rainfall Is it worth visiting Banff in Mar?

Hi there

I'm visiting Banff in early Feb, outside of any peak visitor periods. Realistically, do I need to pre-book ski resort child care for my 3 year old? Do they tend to have plenty of vacancy outside of peak?

We'd only plan to have him in for 2-3 days over a 10 day period, not too fussed on what days they are. We'd rather wing it if possible and not have to lock in to anything pre-booked.

Thanks!

Looking for casual dining recommendations in the Banff & Lake Louise areas. Basically anything you don’t have to pay $40/plate for.

I’m visiting Banff currently and it’s super nice! I promised 2 of my friends I would get them something neat.

I like giving, but I don’t wanna give a random mug that just says “Banff” or something of that sort.

Any ideas? Doesn’t have to be exclusive to Banff but Canada in general. I was thinking of getting them a cool looking syrup bottle or famous Canadian drink.

Much appreciated for any help!

Which way would be best to drive for first time if we can only do it one way?

I'm doing my practicum in Banff and ill be staying there for a couple months with a family friend, will I still need to buy a entrance pass??

Middle-aged couple staying at Buffalo Mountain Lodge in mid-December. We are looking for fine dining options (avoiding places ideal for families with children). Would prefer restaurants NOT owned by the dominant restaurant groups. Thanks

Looking at taking the fam to ski lake Louise. Have 2 kids, 5 & 7 should we stay in banff and do the 45 min bus or stay somewhere closer to the slopes?

Closer to the slopes doesn’t look to have many dining options.

Just curious to see what people think here

Me and my friends are planning on coming to sunshine this weekend for a day (3 hour drive)

Is it worth it this early in the season since the tickets are only $90?

Is there enough runs and snow to keep busy for the day and have a good time?

Is there any park to ride yet?

I’d say we are intermediate to advanced just want to make sure we aren’t gonna be severely disappointed.

I am looking at Sunshine's trail map to see where the open runs are. I am quite confused by what I am looking at. Sorry if this is a very stupid question. The website says Bronze Ecstasy (24), Cherub (66) and Highway One (38) are open (inside red squares in the screenshot below). But how do you actually get on them?? The lifts that are open, Teepee Town LX, Angel Express, seem to go way above them and none of the runs that connect the lifts to above-mentioned runs are open. And there's actually no lift or run open in the vicinity of Highway One. So how will you actually be able to ski on these slopes that are supposed to be open?

https://preview.redd.it/1gu5zqg8kz1e1.png?width=1650&format=png&auto=webp&s=584b7211c92c673ccecf99a8dbbe30f8fd70bdca

Another stupid question while I have you here: what do the different 2-character prefixes in all the slope names mean? Like GE. Cleavage, JW. Juniper

https://preview.redd.it/uy59ne5liz1e1.png?width=1526&format=png&auto=webp&s=1282586d7523ac8cb4cc34975d7350e150189251

I was looking at the section of the back bowl of Lake Louise by Upper Boomerang over to Boundary Bowl (#135-141 & #70-73) - are they just all normal runs like the rest of the hill that I can just do, or do they require anything extra like significant hiking, or safety equipment (avalanche beacon, etc)? I couldn't find much information on it

Also, I'll be there in late March - do all those runs usually open up?

I’m heading to Banff for the first time this winter and want to make the most of it. I’d love some advice (preferably non-touristy) on:

• Best winter trails to hike or walk (nothing too intense, but scenic and safe for the season).
• Must-see spots for stunning winter views or photography.
• Cross-country skiing spots and recommendations for where to rent gear if I don’t have my own.
• Cool winter drives or scenic routes near Banff.
• Cozy restaurants or hidden food gems to warm up after exploring.

Hi All! I read through a bunch of posts but didn't find one to quite answer my question. We will be in Banff the first week of Feb and wanted to plan our gondola experience to overlap with sunset. I know the sun sets a little earlier in the winter. Any suggestions on timing to grab our tickets that would overlap with the sunset?

Thanks in advance!

We're thinking of renting a camper van from Canadream in Calgary in April and camping in Banff and Jasper.

Any advice, suggestions and/or concerns on road hazards, camping in spring, etc. would be much appreciated!

Visiting Banff/Jasper the first week of December, what lakes will be frozen by then for ice skating? I heard Lake louise doesn't freeze til mid-late december

Hey, in Calgary next week, option to ski 1 day at Banff/Sunshine this season. Having trouble understanding the lift tix prices:

• Ski Big 3's website wants to charge like $189 for 1 day in Nov
• But then skibanff.com says a full day ticket is $88

Is it possible to buy that $88 ticket? Or do you have to get the $129 Mobile Super Card to get the $88 price?

I.e., for me who'll be there 1 day this season, could I ski for $88 or is $129 the cheapest?

Thanks!

Hi there, does anyone know roughly how much it’d be for 2 weeks ski pass in sunshine over christmas? And if I will need to get the big 3 pass if I’m there for that long? Cheers 👍

Hello!

My boyfriend and I are visiting Banff December 13th- 18th (my second time, his first time). I have scoured the restaurant recommendations lists, recent posts, winter in Banff posts, etc and I think I have a pretty good idea of what we'll do in town while we're there - although always up for recommendations.

My palate is a bit more "advanced/adventurous" than my boyfriend, he's a total carnivore, born and raised in Georgia. One of our favorite things to do in our town is either go out for KBBQ or eat stir fry at home.

Are there any similar restaurants to a KBBQ or Stir Fry fiend in Banff? Canmore? Calgary? We will be flying in and renting a car, so no issues traveling a bit, but it's something I know he would enjoy since he's not a hugely adventurous eater. Or anything super meat heavy LOL.

Thanks for my weird request! Happy to take any other recommendations for activities and things to do while we're there as well for a boyfriend who is INCREDIBLY American (I mean that sarcastically) although I know there's plenty of posts for ideas.

Hello! First-time visitor to Banff (and Canada!) here :)

My boyfriend and I will be visiting in early June 2025 (weekend of June 7). We are from Los Angeles and don’t have the first idea of what to bring to the Canadian Rockies and what to wear to ensure we’re comfortable and dressed appropriately for the weather. What kind of jackets/clothing/shoes should we be bringing? We’re not super adventurous or experienced in the outdoors, so we’ll probably do some easier hikes and canoeing but nothing crazy like hours-long hikes or rock climbing, etc.

I ALSO suspect my boyfriend might be proposing in Banff, and wanted to wear something cute but comfortable.

Any ideas?

Im hoping to visit Banff in the second half of July next year with two friends. Am I mad or are pretty much all the hostels in the Banff / Lake Louise / Jasper hostels fully booked already?!

Excuse my terrible grammar:

Hello all,

I have work trip coming up in December to Vancouver and I want to do some exploring in my free time.

Is it possible to do a 1 day trip to Banff without a car?

I’m aware this will limit my experience and I may not get to see everything I want to.

I’ve started looking at flights which are 1.5 hour from Vancouver to Calgary. My plan is to snag the earliest flight and get a head start. I heard the airport offers shuttles to Banff. Is this true? If anyone has taken the shuttle, can you share your experience.

What are some places to go that does not require too much hiking or a car? I really want to visit Banff town.

I’m visiting from outside of the country so I have no idea what to expect or where to go.

Any and all recommendations/tips are greatly appreciated!

Hi folks! My girlfriend and I will be coming to Banff for a ski trip in mid January. I’d appreciate your help coming up with an idea for a winter proposal. I know there’s lots of beautiful areas in Banff to propose, but many of them seem more practical in the summer. I’m hoping for something doable in the winter.

Some things I’m looking for in the spot:

1. Relatively secluded
2. Beautiful view of mountains
3. Able to propose without our bulky winter clothes (e.g. step outside on a patio for a quick break from a restaurant or the Fairmont)

I may not have a car, however if there’s a spot that meets these requirements but needs a car, I could try to secure one.

Getting outside in nice clothes will certainly be tough. An idea I had was to go to the Fairmont, and go outside for a stroll and propose then. However, I haven’t been to the Fairmont before so I don’t know what the winter views look like, and if there is somewhere to walk around that is secluded.

I recognize it’s a lot to ask for, but I’d be grateful for any help! Thanks!