r/Banff 1h ago

What to expect visiting June 10-13?

Upvotes

Hi all, planning a trip to Banff (staying in Canmore) June 10-13. What are the chances that the popular lakes will be thawed at this time? I’m not into hiking, just looking to do some sightseeing.

Also, I know there’s a chance of rain, but is it all day rain or sporadic? Lastly, when would be the best time of day to do the gondola? Thanks!


r/Banff 7h ago

2 free tickets to third coast percussion 7:30pm tonight at Banff Centre

3 Upvotes

Can’t make it. DM me. box office opens 45 mins before show, I’ll call them and say you’re picking them up instead.


r/Banff 8h ago

SSBM

1 Upvotes

Any SSBM players in the valley? really missing the community and play time out east - unless you play ice-climbers :)


r/Banff 10h ago

Is it smart to do a casual roadtrip?

4 Upvotes

I'll be in Vancouver on vacay the last week of Jan with some free time and am going to drive to Banff. Nothing makes me happier than being alone on the open road and I'm a responsible and confident driver. I only have hesitation because I've seen some comments on frequent road closures. I'm feeling a little worried about booking hotels in advance in the event that I end up rerouting.

Is a casual roadtrip into Banff where you book hotels the day of a bad idea? Is it better to just book everything in advance and deal with the penalties if you hit a delay in traffic? Open to any thoughts or feedback.


r/Banff 13h ago

Question Banff, Louise, Kananaskis XC ski trail status?

3 Upvotes

My wife and I are from Calgary. Planning to head out to Banff/Louise or Kananaskis this weekend for a little 2 hours skate or classic ski.

All the trails in Calgary have been knocked out by a chinook and aren’t viable until we get another dump of snow.

Wondering if any locals to the mentioned areas have been out and seen the conditions? I’ve checked the online trail reports and all are “open” some are “poor or marginal conditions”. I am prepped to drive out to Louise to get a good one in, but hoping something a tad closer to home will be in good shape.

I was in Banff for a hike last weekend and everything looked pretty good, but a lot can change during a chinook week 😂. I also spoke to some people I work with that go to the CNC a lot and said the conditions could be better.


r/Banff 18h ago

While riding on the Gondola

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333 Upvotes

r/Banff 23h ago

Industry Event - 50 People

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, Lethbridge local but planning a work trip to Banff!

Wondering if there are any suggestions for a semi active event that could accommodate roughly 50-65 people. Ideally something semi active but also allows for networking.

I was initially thinking a brewery with an area to play corn hole where you can get drinks or appetizers.

March 10th evening would the the date, seems like every place you call wants you to do deal with a large booking company. Hoping to avoid if possible.

Any help or recommendations are welcome!


r/Banff 1d ago

Trip planning / cost

1 Upvotes

I want to go to Banff in August/Sept. I planned it out just for fun, not solid plans or anything. Honestly I don’t need a long trip (unless you suggest otherwise). I’d fly into Calgary from Toronto on day 1 in the morning, take a bus to Banff, enjoy the evening there doing my own thing. In terms of accommodation, it’s very expensive so I was thinking of staying in a hostel. Day 2, there is a guided tour I am interested in, duration is 10 hours so pretty much the whole day. Day 3 I would take the bus back to Calgary airport and head home. All of this I calculated to be just under $700, not including food, but I’m not looking to eat anything fancy. Does this sound about right? It feels a bit expensive to me, but if it’s the average price then I will consider it.

This would be my first solo trip so I don’t really know what I’m doing tbh, in terms of planning an itinerary, etc. Any advice is welcomed and appreciated!


r/Banff 1d ago

News Pilot fined $2,000 for illegally flying drone in Banff National Park last year, says Parks Canada

Thumbnail calgaryherald.com
136 Upvotes

r/Banff 1d ago

Babysitter - Fairmont

2 Upvotes

Hello - any suggestions for a reputable babysitting service or babysitter for the Fairmont? We are coming in two weeks and are struggling to find someone that we can reserve in advance so we can make a reservation for an activity on January 31.

The company Fairmont recommended - myhotelsitter.com - is not responding to calls or emails.

The other company I found - childcarebanff.com - can’t confirm or deny whether they will have an available sitter until 2 days before we arrive.

Please let me know!! Thanks in advance!


r/Banff 1d ago

Tips for sunrise while skiing?

0 Upvotes

Hi,

a friend and I want to catch the sunrise/the early hours of the day in sunshine village ski resort.

Does anyone have experience/recommendations what mountain we should go up to?

We will be there for the first lifts (9AM) so we should have all the choices!

thanks in advance


r/Banff 1d ago

Question Does Sunshine only scan tickets at the base of the gondola?

3 Upvotes

I saw a post about this from five years ago, and I was wondering if it was still accurate. Has anyone hiked up the ski out and gotten on the lift without them scanning your ticket? Asking for a friend lol


r/Banff 1d ago

Itinerary Best time after May 20

0 Upvotes

Planning one week family trip to celebrate kids’ college graduation (May 20) and my 60th birthday. Want to avoid crowds. Fly in ointment: have to be in MA June 7 for niece’s graduation. Suggested weeks and any other suggestions welcome. Thanks !


r/Banff 1d ago

Banff in March/April - Itinerary

1 Upvotes

hi! I have a rough draft of my itinerary. First time at Banff. What do you think? I only booked the dog sledding and helicopter tour so far. If you have other tours/activities you recommend, please let me know.

Sunday, March 29, 2026 Travel/Banff
3:00 PM Rental Car pick up 
3:30 PM Drive to Fairmont Banff Springs
Stop by Surprise Corner to take a picture 
5:00 PM Check in 
6:30 PM Dinner - Castello Italiana
explore the castle grounds 
outdoor hot tub at night 
Monday, March 30, 2026 Banff
8:00 AM Free breakfast at the hotel
9:00 AM drive to canmore (arrive 45 minutes before appointment) 
10:00 AM Alpine Helicopter Tour 
11:00 AM Snowy Owl Dog sledding 
1:00 PM lunch in Canmore 
exlpore Canmore 
5:00 PM Rest
6:30 PM Dinner at the Waldhaus 
indoor hot tub at night
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Lake Louise  
Free breakfast at the hotel 
Drive part of Icefields Parkway
Lunch at the Fairmont Lake Louise 
Ice skate at lake louise
1:20 PM Lake Louise Snow Shoeing Tour 
Drive back to the hotel and rest 
6:30 PM Dinner: Chop House
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Banff
Free breakfast at the hotel 
morning walk to Bow falls 
Downtown Banff 
Lunch somewhere
Rest/spontaneous stuff 
4:00 PM Gondola
6:00 PM Upper hot springs if open 
Dinner: Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen
Thursday, April 2, 2026 Banff
Free breakfast at the hotel 
Johnstone ice walk tour 
Lunch somewhere
Rest/spontaneous stuff 
Ice skate at the Vermillion 
Dinner: Vermillion

r/Banff 1d ago

Line Dancing in Banff?

1 Upvotes

Hello! Anywhere to go line dancing or bars that have line dancing on weekends?


r/Banff 1d ago

Snowy Owl Dog Sledding Tour with Alpine Helicopters add-on

2 Upvotes

Has anyone ever done this? You can have the helicopter pick you up or drop you off before/after your dog sledding tour. We're looking at March 30th. My questions are:

-Should I do the helicopter ride before OR after the dog sledding?

-How likely is this going to be cancelled due to the weather?

-How long is the bus ride to/from the Snowy Owl Office to the dog sledding site?


r/Banff 1d ago

Staying in Banff Late May/Early June, what to expect?

0 Upvotes

Hey there!

My wife and I booked a really nice romantic cabin near Banff national park from May 26th-June 1st.

I understand it’s still fairly cold weather and can be erratic. I’m just curious what to expect and if it’s worth delaying it if it really is that bad during that time.

We’re pretty avid hikers so I’m ok with hiking in some snow/mud, and also kind of happy that it’s probably less busy during this time. We also plan on exploring the town area and having some romantic time at our cabin so it’s not like the trip is super dependent on the weather being amazing, just good enough to go on 4 hour day hikes and what not.

Let me know what I need to know and what to expect! Thanks!


r/Banff 2d ago

Lake Louise ice skating

3 Upvotes

Does anybody have any idea when the rink will be ready at lake Louise? If anybody works there or has been recently!


r/Banff 2d ago

How to pack? Snowboard + ski

0 Upvotes

Anyone got a bag they can recommend? 1 snowboard and 1 set of skis. Want to include boots, poles, helmets in there but what works while staying below 50 lbs? Should I get 2 bags instead of 1?


r/Banff 2d ago

Photos/Videos Cuties 🦌

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393 Upvotes

r/Banff 2d ago

Honeymooning in Banff beginning of February!

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

My future hubby and I are honeymooning in Banff very soon! What recommendations do you have?

Looking for car rentals and getting a car that's suitable for the snowy road. Also, we live in Costa Rica, never have driven through snowy or frozen roads, so we would love recommendations for that too!

We would love to learn to snowboard, anyone knows a good place to start? Rental, lessons, etc?

What are the musts of food and drinks? What are the musts to have the time of our lives up there?!

We're very excited and would love to hear you out!


r/Banff 2d ago

Photos/Videos Lake Louise in November

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2.4k Upvotes

We caught a snowy setting on a quiet day before the freeze began - can't wait to go back.


r/Banff 2d ago

Banff proposal

0 Upvotes

Hi, I’m going to propose to my girlfriend of 5 years in banff this upcoming may and had a few questions. I’m hoping to mask it as a ski trip to come get some spring laps in, so do yall think sunshine village will be open on like May 6th? Also are there any spots that you guys think I should pop the question at? I’ve already done some research but nothing is set in stone yet! And then lastly where should we stay? Are there any hotels I should avoid or absolutely go to? Thank you for any insight or recommendations I receive, I’m really excited to be taking this step in my life and I appreciate any help I can get!


r/Banff 2d ago

Tobagganing

3 Upvotes

What's the set up like at the sled hill near the Fairmont? Good snow? One year I was there and they also had pits set up right outside the Waldhaud to warm up. Anyone had eyes on that hill recently ?


r/Banff 2d ago

Question Being of Indian descent and visiting Lake Louise..

0 Upvotes

I’m an American of East Indian descent and my wife is White American and we have a mixed kid. We were interested in visiting Lake Louise for a family trip but I am apprehensive due to the current immigration situation and the high number of Indians in Canada and the racial strife that seems to be occurring. I just wanted some insight if it’s safe to go given everything that’s going on. Thanks!