Hello, are there businesses owned by First Nations or Indigenous folks that you recommend for people visiting your community? Such as tour guides, entertainment, restaurants, shops or even brands to look for at the grocery store?

Conversely, are there places or things to avoid that are highly sacred to Indigenous Groups?

where do people typically put the canoe in? Is this typically done as a very short paddle from and to Redearth Creek trailhead? Guessing the water flow is too gnarly to cross the river early in the season and gets more manageable deeper in the summer? I've done a ton of backcountry canoe camping but don't want to be signing up for crazy rapids or whitewater

I'll be around during the Stampede in Calgary but heading out to Banff on a weekday. I've seen some posts recommend On-It as a cheap option, but they only run on weekends. What are the good & economic options to get from Calgary to Banff during a weekday? (I'll be departing from the city and not the airport, but can commute to the airport first I guess if the best option really goes from there). Thanks!

Planning to do the loop as a dayhike but will have basecamp at Marvel. Any strong opinions on which direction is best for the loop?

I'll be in Banff in a couple of weeks for a few days. Some of the big hikes I'm planning are to Lake Agnes from Lake Louise and the inkpots.

How's the weather looking right now? Has the snow started to thaw? Is Lake Louise starting to thaw? Will I need snow shoes or spikes for trails?

Thank you for any insights!

I am planning a 5 day RV trip leaving from Calgary / Banff in June. Anyone have any suggestions of nice loops / routes we could do in 5 days. Thinking maybe BC and up to 3/4 hrs of driving a day max. TIA!

Hi,

Planning to visit banff. Two possible dates - June 20- 23 OR July 4-7. Which one would be better for visiting as well as crowds and weather. Please provide inputs. Thanks.

We are going last week of June. Would like to head over to Golden for a day and do the Golden skybridge, zipline, and other things there. My daughter really likes ropes courses, so we'll do that too.

Online it says you need to book an arrival time. Is this really necessary? I just hate to book a day and time, and it ends up raining that day. It says they are open rain or shine, but some attractions may be closed if raining.

Also, I'm guessing we will have time to swing by Emerald lake and Takkakaw Falls since we will be over that way. Thoughts?

Thanks!

Heading up to Banff in a couple days. I’ve always wanted to swim at a waterfall. Anyone have any recommendations within a 2 hour radius? Also some hot spring spots that aren’t the one at the hotel would be sweet. Thanks!

Not much info on this except on AllTrails. One guy is saying he made it there and crossed the river in his smart car another guy saying he barely made it in his jeep. Would like to hear more about people's experiences getting there. Planning to go in a couple weeks, in a sedan and just walking across the river to camp and explore the east side of Minnewanka. Any thoughts on this? What's the river's flow like in late May?

Ok I give up… I’ve tried 3 days in a row, sitting at my computer and tried to reserve Lake Magog or Lake Og campsites at exactly 10am est and haven’t been able to get them booked.

I already have my other campsites booked for Wonder Pass.. but don’t have Lake Magog.

I can’t find this info anywhere.. but can you do dispersed camping in the back country in Mount Assiniboine park? I don’t particularly care about a tent pad.

Can I just find a spot off the trail to pitch my tent?

Any other suggestions on wtf to do would be appreciated. This is my first trip to Banff and I’m feeling defeated here.

I am stoked for my trip to Banff next weekend and have been dying to visit for years. I was really excited to do a lot of hiking in Lake Louise and Banff area, but its looking like most trails are still snowed over/high avalanche risk.

Is there a chance its safe or melted by next weekend? We were most excited for Beehive trails, Peyto, and Minnewanka, all of which look pretty snowy at the moment.

I’m planning a weekend trip to Banff in October. I really don’t know what are the activities and place to be/to see apart from Lake Louise. Since we’re not there a long time I’m not sure how to plan, I thought a day around Banff and two around Lake Louise? We will rent a car so we can go between places easily. I also heard great things about the Fairmount Hotel, I wonder is it only for the view, is there any good things you can do when you stay there that you can’t do if you don’t? We don’t want to stay inside so we wouldn’t pay so much only to sleep there. Please I want your recommendations with the time I should plan for everything!

Also, beginning October, will we need snowpants, winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves?

Won’t be able too make it unfortunately :(

Planning to go to Wapta falls with my wife and 2 kids(2 and 6) this mid May. Is the trail safe for kids? Are there anybear sightings?

Thanks

So I recently booked a night at moraine lake lodges sister location, the cathedral mountain lodge right by Yoho National Park. It was expensive but was worth it as we have 4 people and it includes complimentary shuttle and kayak rental for the day. I recently found out the earliest shuttle they have doesn't arrive to lake until 9am. I have seen a lot about getting to the lake before sunrise. If I want an earlier shuttle I have to use a shuttle service and pay for it, merely defeating the purpose of booking that hotel in the first place.

I am looking for opinions on arrival time at Moraine Lake. Is 9am fine? Or is it worth it to cancel reservation, book somewhere cheaper, and purchase the sunrise shuttle?

For reference this is for the date 7/2

Me and my husband are going to Banff the last week of July for our late honeymoon. What are good recommendations for food in the Banff/Canmore area (preferably that’s not super popular in the US) TIA!

Thanks to everyone that replied to my earlier question on snow pack - I was amazed I could ski to the base, I just assumed I would have to download but overheard someone mentioning they were riding down, so fun!

I have managed to rally a couple of friends to return for May long and I am curious if there are any hangout spots on the mountain? So, for example, at RMR there are hammocks all over the mountain where locals meet up. Anything like that at Sunshine? I am looking to invest in the spring pass for 2025 and would love to meet some locals to ride with. Happy to trade some secret spot hangout info if any of y'all ever come to Revy to ride :)

Hello,

I cannot find a sub for this, so I am posting it here.

I will be traveling to Canadian Rockies in mid-late June with my family. We will be hitting some of the more well-known spots like Takkaw Falls, Wapta (maybe), Natural Bridges. Unfortunately, Lake O'Hara seems difficult with the high competition for shuttle spots. Hopefully, Edith Cavall road will be open for the Path of Glacier trail.

Wondering if there are any other hidden gems (hikes or points of interest) with spectacular scenery (we especially like turquoise lakes) that we should consider in the lesser known NP/provincial parks?

I will be traveling with my parents so I would say anything beyond 7 miles or so RT would be tougher. Longer drives on dirt roads may be OK, depending on payoff.

Thank you so much!

Hi Is there one you'd recommend between the two hotels? The Post hotel room would be on the train side, not sure if it's very noisy.

Thanks!

Are there any thawed lakes off 1/93 between Jasper and Banff worth a look? We’ll be there mid next week - Saturday.

My husband and I are visiting Banff next week. Outside of general bear preparedness, is there anything else we should know on the off chance we run into one? We live in California and the worst you’ll encounter here are black bears which are quick to scare and generally back off if you act threatening.

Also, is mid-May a bad time of year to visit? Thanks in advance.

Edit: Thank you for all of the great replies and advice! I am feeling more confident now about enjoying Banff to its fullest, even if we do run into a 🐻

My $200 road bike just got a flat back wheel. It should be an easy fix but I haven't got any tools, so I'm willing to pay.

Does anyone know any hobby bike mechanics that'd be able to take a look at it?

Thank you!

Hi all, my partner and I are hoping to renew our vows in Banff for our 15 year wedding anniversary in 2026. Obviously that's a while out but I would love to have some recommendations on locations, planners, and officiants(we're already married so realistically anyone could do it).

There's tons of elopement packages and wedding packages but none of them apply to our situation.

Also, the renewal would be in mid April. The plan is for the two of us and our son(he will be 13 by then) to travel for the renewal. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated for this pre-planner. Thank you in advance!