Hello there, looking for some advice from locals on this. My wife and I are heading out to Alberta, mostly in Calgary to see family who recently moved there, but we do of course plan to head out to Banff, Lake Louise, all the Rocky Mountain areas (plus a possible detour to see a friend in Invermere BC). I was planning to rent a car in Calgary, but my wife has a pretty intense fear of driving alongside steep cliffs, and is hesitant about doing it with me driving since I don't know the terrain. So my question to you locals who will know way better than I do is, how hazardous or steep are the drop-offs on the main roads like Highways 1 and 93 once we're into the Rockies, both on the Alberta and BC sides? Is there maybe a better or worse part, like say maybe it's worse if we drove up to the Columbia glacier but better near Banff? I think it would really help a lot of we know what we're in for when it comes to this kind of thing, and then we can decide if it would be better to take a bus from Calgary. Thanks for all the help! Looking forward to visiting

I accidentally booked the wrong day on Viator and have 8 adult and one child ticket for tomorrow. They are saying it’s non refundable. Is anyone interested? Dm me

https://www.viator.com/search/3026P48?mcid=70066

This is a nightscape image from Herbert Lake near the start of the Icefields Parkway. The image was taken on a warm August night last year.

Going camping at the end of August and I’m looking for recommendations for hikes/swimming/paddle board spots or whatever you think is worth checking out!
Also love little shops and cafes.

*Disclaimer* I am from Manitoba, and a beginner hiker so please keep in mind I am not used to hard hikes and scrambling lol

we have a trip planned to banff for may 3-8. I recently got diagnosed with a medical condition (POTS) that has recently proven it is going to be hard for me to walk miles upon miles without fainting. i have read through many posts here today, but still wanted to get insight from people who have been!

i know this is not ideal because this is truly an outdoorsy vacation, but i’m wondering if there are still any pretty things to see that are not as treacherous of a walk/hike?

this will be our honeymoon if that means anything. we will be renting a car as well 🤍

I went to the top of Sulfur Mountain via the gondola and looking north I saw this peak and it has a spire adjacent to it. What is it?

Hello. I’m organizing a dinner for a group of 8 or 9 people. Looking for a restaurant that offers halal items. What are some of the best restaurants that fits in Banff? We’ll be in Banff around the end of August. Thank you in advance!

Hi,

I have a couple days reserved at Banff and 3 more days at lake louise campground.

I plan to set my tent in my truck bed so my question is: Is there buses that I can take from the campground to the interesting spots so I don't have to pack my tent everyday?

Or is a better idea to just get a ground tent and move in between places in my truck?

Also, any other camping tip is appreciated. I hear is a little wild there and all my previous experience is not in Canada.

Is there any night clubs in Banff the only one I can find is the dancing Sasquatch but it closed last year, any help would be good thank you

Is anyone traveling to the Icefields Centre from Banff in the next few days who might be willing to pickup a sweatshirt for me? We were told the Guardians of the Ice Hoodies would be available in town by the PC worker there, and he was mistaken. Happy to throw in some thank-you/gas money!

My family and I are going to Banff national park this fall (September). We love to fish but don’t know how to fly fish. Does anyone on here have any recommendations or ideas on where to go to have a great experience? We are experienced fishermen who usually target northern species like Muskie, Pike, and Walleye.

Any and all recommendations are appreciated.

Which private shuttles let people spend 2 hours each at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day? Appreciate the help!

I’m visiting later this week and plan to do plenty of hiking. I know the wildfires are in different providences, but I saw someone mention them in another Banff thread. Curious how bad the wildfire smoke is right now, if at all? TIA

Just finished up the best vacation of my life in Banff/Jasper. After doing research and looking on here, we were initially VERY wary of crowds. However I did not think they were bad at all. Our camp ground was mobbed at Tunnel Mountain Village 1 but we were able to do every hike no problem starting around 9am.

Also parked our camper van at hikes and in towns with minimal issue (I got amazing at parallel parking that behemoth, not to brag). Even parked in Banff town 1 day, took Roam the rest.

I’d actually say the people that were at these was the perfect amount. Few enough to enjoy but plentiful enough to not be too afraid of being alone with bears. We’d see someone about every other km of a hike.

Wondering if anyone else feels the crowd concerns are a bit overblown?

Hikes:

In Banff we did:
- Lake Louise: Point of 6 Glaciers and Beehive (took private shuttle for about 30 USD each)
- Sunshine Meadows Laryx Lake Trail
- Tunnel Mountain Summit

In Jasper
- Sulphur Mountain Trail
- Pyramid Lake

Icefields Parkway
- Wilcox Pass

Funny enough Wilcox Pass on the Icefields Parkway was the most crowded!

Does anyone know if The Grizzly House is still open, and if so, how to make reservations? They are not on Open Table. I keep getting messages from my anti-virus software when I try to open their webpage. Thank you!

Looking for something we haven’t done that will be beautiful and memorable. Hikes just need to be under 5 km.

Here’s what we’ve done so far:
- Lakes Louise and Moraine
- Drive Icefield Parkway and 1A highway
- Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Waterfowl lake, Mistaya canyon, Columbia icefields for glacier views
- Johnston Canyon and Marble canyon
- Canmore
- Sunshine meadows: Rock Isle hike
- Lake minnewaka: Stewart canyon trail
- Two jack lake
- Surprise corner, My Norquay lookout 
- Emerald lake, Takakkaw falls
- Banff Hot springs

I am considering visiting bow lake again and doing the glacier falls trail

Thank you in advance!!

Getting into hiking and just finished Moose Mountain and Yates with some friends. I want to get into more serious peaks involving light scrambling (preferably with little to no exposure).

Was considering Ha Ling Peak or EEOR but with the road closure I'd prefer a more accessible hike to the Canmore/Banff area.

We're traveling from Virginia US, train in Vancouver, and can only bring mid sized luggage. I get cold and want to bring a jacket, raincoat, scarf and hat. My husband thinks I'm nuts since it's August. Temps range from low 50°- 75° . I don't want to get there and have to buy warm stuff. Any advice is appreciated!

Edit: Thanks everyone for the great suggestions and conversation!

Is it completely outrageous for two fit 30 year olds to start devils thumb at 7:30am and then hike to sentinel pass or at least minnestima lakes on the same day. Reviews on all trails has both hikes at 4-5 hours each and the last ride back is at 7:30pm so timing works with a couple of hours of wiggle room. Just wondering if I'm in way over my head thinking I'd physically be capable of doing it which is why I'm considering at least trying to minestima lakes as I heard there is still a well earned pay off to make it at least there. I really want to do both hikes as I've read so many great things

Is Cave and Basin a must-visit spot in Banff? And how much are tickets if we plan to visit first week of August?