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Banff for first-time visitors. Today we will tell you everything you need to know. What do we know about Banff? Well, we've been there on three different trips, so we know a lot. The interesting thing is that each trip was unique. We traveled as a family even before we had children. We traveled together as a couple, and then returned on a journey of several generations. So we saw a lot in Banff. And each trip was completely different in style: from a road trip to a vacation without a car or participation in a private tour. Therefore, I believe that we have many prospects. Today we'll share everything we think you should know: access to the lakes, parking, shuttles, weather, how to avoid crowds, and more. So let's begin.
Let's do this. First and very important point: the town of Banff and Banff National Park are not exactly the same thing. The town of Banff is located inside Banff National Park. You can walk around town, but if you're going to the Rockies, you'll want to see lakes, hike trails, and get lost in the That's right. You're going to see the best that Canada has to offer : nature, mountains, and landscapes. And the town of Banff is a place where you can sort out the logistics and rest in comfort after a long day of sightseeing.
The town of Banff is one of the most orderly towns I've ever seen in a national park. There you can arrange all logistical matters, plan excursions, taste delicious international cuisine, and find many interesting local hiking trails. This place is definitely not to be missed, but at the same time, if you're going to Banff, the photos you've seen are most likely of the famous lakes and areas outside the town. Yes. So, Banff is not everything. This is just a part of what you will see in That's right. Apt remark. This is just a drop in the ocean. That's exactly it. Next, we'll talk about where to stay when visiting Banff National Park. You have a lot of
options, from very expensive to quite affordable. Of course, the further you travel from Banff, the cheaper the accommodation becomes, but then you have to think about transportation there and back. So, the most expensive option, of course, is to stay in the town of Banff. There are several beautiful hotels, lodges, and wooden houses there. And this is probably the most convenient place. You are in the very center of the park. Next, another option is to stop in Canmore. Canmore is a neighboring town just outside the park. Accommodation prices here are somewhat lower. Although they are still quite high. Well, let's not kid ourselves.
We stayed at a hostel in Canmore during one of our trips. Yes, that's right. And Canmore is a really good option because you're a 20-minute bus ride from Banff. That means you're not far away, but at the same time you don't live in the most expensive place. Yes. Another option worth considering is Harvey Heights. I would call Harvey Heights a small village. It is tiny. Located very close to Canmore. There are several houses, hotels, and more affordable housing there. again, the prices are a little lower there. This is true. And we were there together as a multi-generational family. With your father Daniel and our daughter Aurelia, and everything went great.
Next we have Cochran. The drive to Banff will take just over an hour. This is a satellite city west of Calgary. You can rent Airbnb here. There are several hotels and motels. Housing prices obviously drop the further you get from the mountains, but it's still a reasonable distance. For example, we went Cochrane. We literally did it. This was our very first trip to the Canadian Rockies and Banff. We came with your parents and Togo. We found that we could go out, have busy days, then come back and not feel too tired. So yes, it's a great option. And finally, last but not least, Calgary. Theoretically, you can travel from Calgary to the Rockies for a day by taking a shuttle
or booking a private tour, as many of them pick up passengers from the city. And if not, you have the option to take the shuttle from the airport, which is also quite convenient. And you can just take a nap during the trip. What's pretty cool is that there is a well- developed hotel infrastructure near Calgary Airport. So you can find a place to stay at a reasonable price. It's also worth noting that the airport is a good place to rent a car if you're considering that option. But there are many transfer options, especially from the airport. Another cool thing is that many hotels near the airport offer a free shuttle to the airport itself. So if your transportation departs from the airport, it makes things much easier. Our
next tip: plan your visit to Lake Louise and Moraine as separate activities, as it requires careful preparation Yes, they have always been popular, and every year they only become more popular. This is, to be honest, a bit shocking. When we first visited them in 2018, both places were already very crowded. And now-even more incredible. New rules also appeared. For example, you can no longer just drive to Moraine Lake No more. Previously, in 2018, we could do this. We did that, but now the rules have changed. So, what you need to know about Moraine Lake: the parking lot there is quite
small. It was crowded even 10 years ago. You can only imagine what is happening there now. Therefore, they closed access to private cars. Now, to get to Moraine Lake, you need to use a Parks Canada shuttle, go with a private tour or public transportation, but not your own car. You might think that there are probably fewer people there now. But no, it's full of people there. For example, I climbed Rock Pile when I was there and there were just as many people. But there are ways to avoid the crowds. We'll talk about that later. Lake Louise has a different problem. You can still get there by your own car. The parking lot there is much larger. But the fact is that the availability of parking does not guarantee that you will find a
free space there. Parks Canada released statistics from last year, according to which 75% of drivers who came to Lake Louise were unable to find a parking space and were forced to turn around. So, again, if visiting Lake Louise is your dream, you simply have to see it. You need to plan your time accordingly. Consider the time of day when you plan your visit. Avoid peak hours. And you really have to plan everything. And you'll need a little luck too, I'd say. Yes, I completely agree with that. I would also add to this the seasons. If you're visiting the park during the peak summer season, you know, forget about it. It's very crowded there. So maybe consider spring or fall if you plan to arrive with your own transportation. If not, just do what we
talked about with Maureen. You can consider private transfers, Rome or the Parks Canada shuttle option Next important question: do you need a rental car to explore Oddly enough, no. Well, the first time we drove here from Ontario. We arrived in a Ford Flex and explored the park on our own. We did it ourselves. Yes, that's true. But times have changed since 2018. The park has become even more popular now. And there are fewer parking spaces. We've already talked about this. And especially if you're coming for the first time, and this video is for beginners, and you want to see all the classic places, renting a car can be more of a burden than an advantage. So, we already mentioned this, but you might want to consider the Parks Canada shuttles. You
can use Rome Transit. You can choose private tours. Keep in mind that downtown Banff is very walkable. So I would say the car question depends on whether you want to visit the main sites, which are already well connected, or whether you want to go deeper into the park and visit more remote locations- then maybe a car makes sense. Yes, that's right. If you are thinking about traveling further, a rental car becomes a more suitable option. It all depends on what kind of trip you're planning, but if you want to see the classics and most notable sights of Banff, this isn't a must. So, Banff is expensive. This is a fact. If you're planning a trip here, you just have to know that you'll be spending money. So I would advise you to plan exactly how you want to
spend them. What do you want to spend them on? I would choose a few activities from my wish list and prioritize them. And if you're traveling during peak season, book them in advance so you don't miss out. It could be something like, I don't know, horseback riding. Or maybe you want to take a gondola ride at sunset. Yes. Or maybe you've seen canoeing on Lake Louise or Moraine Lake and you 're thinking, "Yeah, I'll spend like $160 or $180 an hour on that. I want to take an epic shot of the lake ." So yes, Banff-it's definitely expensive, but you can make a list of priorities, like Audrey said, and pick the things you absolutely have to do.
Yes. And save in other areas, like housing, food, maybe eating out less often That's right. You can go to Tim Hortons, you can go to Subway Sandwich, something like that. You don't have to spend $30 on lunch or dinner at a restaurant. So yes, there are definitely ways to save money. You can also take public transportation from Banff or Canmore. So, there are definitely ways to visit Banff on a budget, but don't expect it to be like Southeast Asia on a shoestring. Aha. Not at all, not at all Banff is crowded. Very crowded, especially if you are planning a trip in the summer. Is it possible to completely escape the crowd? Not everywhere, but there are some ways to
do it. Let's start with Lake Louise, as it is a kind of star, a jewel of the Rocky Mountains. Yes. Here's a great example: when we were recently on a private trip with my father, Daniel, and our daughter, Aurelia, we did something on Lake Louise for the first time. We went on a hike to the observation deck. We started in the so-called selfie capital, where everyone flocks, mostly near the lake shore. That's right. And then we left that area and started climbing the trail, and we were honestly shocked by how few other tourists there were. Yes. We went up to the Fair View lookout, and when we got there, there were maybe four people taking pictures. This is one way to escape the crowds in Lake Louise. The same goes for
Moraine Lake. The further you go, you know, the deeper you go, let 's say, uh, the fewer people there are, because everyone usually gathers. Yeah. in the same places. Yes. At these two lakes, you'll notice that everyone goes there for the same classic shot. And I would say it's maybe 5 to 10% doing something else. If you're one of the 5-10% of people who go on short hikes, it's worth it because you feel like you're exploring, not just a tourist. And the coolest thing is that you only add 20-30 minutes to the time you spend in these places. You don't have to spend the whole day there. You can add another 30-60 minutes and take these great hikes to both Lake
Louise and Moraine to escape the crowds. Yes. And I would say the best way to avoid the crowds is to go on one of those overnight horseback rides like you did with BA Trail Riders. Disappear in a national park. 6 days on horseback. Oh, tell us about it. This is simply incredible. I mean, this is BA National Park in all its glory. You are literally running away from all the crowds. In fact, within the first hour you don't see anyone else . You are going deep into the national park. There is no one there. Maybe every 2-3 hours you will meet a random family of German tourists.
Hardcore. And then you say, "Oh, cool. Look what you're doing." This is truly the best way to experience the park. It's not touristy, it's an adventure, and you can stay in these wonderful historic lodges-an experience I highly recommend. I would rate this an 11 out of 10 for exploring a BA national park, especially if you want to enjoy it without the crowds. So, our next tip is to factor in travel time, as it will take a lot of time. Sure, you see the sights and admire the scenery, but sometimes it's hard to calculate how much you can do in a day. I'll go from B to Lake Louise." It will take 45 minutes and then on to the next point.
Yes. But no, you have to take into account that there may be traffic jams. Finding a parking space. You may need to use the restroom, have a snack, or take a short walk. That's right. You can also see wild animals along the way. And you might accidentally get lost once or twice. So, yes, it's worth setting aside a significant amount of time so you don't rush into something thinking you won't make it to the next place in time. I would advise, if you are traveling alone and for the first time, to make your route a little more relaxed. Allow time for each place you visit, and don't try to run around like crazy to see everything.
Yes, that's right. Because you might want to pull off the road, you know, you're driving on the highway, you see a sign for a waterfall, and you think, "Oh, I want to see that." So keep your plans flexible and remember that everything will take longer than you expect. That's right. Next tip: the pace of the trip should be determined by the people you are traveling with. So think about what kind of trip you are planning. Are you traveling alone? Are you traveling with your family? Is this a multi-generational trip, with grandparents? Consider the composition of the participants and plan the route accordingly. Also, if you are traveling with friends, what is their fitness level? Do they love hiking as much as you do?
Yes, exactly. Because many famous places don't require hiking. You can see epic views without going on 30- or 60-minute hikes. So this is definitely worth taking into account. And yes, we ourselves have grown up a little. We have a child, we have grandparents, and if you are traveling with multiple generations, plan more time so that everyone is comfortable. You may need to change the diaper. Someone may become tired and out of breath. Anything can happen. So add that extra time and make the trip convenient for everyone. Yes, the weather in Banff is unpredictable. This is not a surprise. We are in the mountains, in the Rocky Mountains.
Everything changes very quickly here. You can leave the town of Banff thinking that the day is beautiful and sunny. "I just need a light sweater." And then you drive 2 hours deep into the mountains, and suddenly it starts raining, snowing , hailing. We literally had this experience when we went to visit the Athabasca Glacier. We had four seasons in one day. That was definitely the case. We started in the rain, then it was sunny, then rain again, and when we reached the glacier in the ATV, a real blizzard began. And then we came back, and the sun was shining again. So we literally experienced the entire spectrum of weather in one walk. My
memory from that excursion is the ice pellets hitting us in the face. to take photos. The wind was blowing, but it was so cold that my hands started to go numb and I lost mobility. So, in short, we were completely unprepared. Don't be like us. Take things for all seasons. Bring gear that will provide you with extra warmth as well as protection from the elements. Next tip: don't ignore the town of Banff completely. Yes, you probably came for the lakes, waterfalls, and mountains, but the city is also great. There is something to do here.
You will probably need a few days of rest, depending on the length of your stay and the amount of hiking you do. Also, if the weather turns bad or it rains, make time for the city. I will name three museums that I simply adore. One of them is the White Museum, which has a lot of Rocky Mountain landscapes. It's really very beautiful if you're into art. There is also a Banff Park Museum where you can see local fauna. There are stuffed animals there. Can I intervene for a moment? This is my favorite museum. Your favorite? The coolest thing is that they preserved it as a time capsule. It's like a journey into the past. This is my favorite museum in Banff. Sorry, continue.
Yes. I meant to say that there are black bears, grizzlies, moose, deer. You can see all those animals that you might not have encountered in the park in the wild. Here you can see them up close. So that's really cool. And there's also the Buffalo Nations Museum if you want to learn more about the history and culture of indigenous peoples. This is another museum that we really liked. So I would recommend visiting these three. That's right. And besides museums, the city has several very pleasant walking routes. We love the Bow River Valley Trail. Yes. And it's also worth going to see the waterfalls. It is also an incredible sight.
Cascade of Time Gardens. A very underrated place, and it's free. It's easy to get there. And yes, you can also visit local parks. If you are heading to the riding area in Banff, you will pass several parks along the way. Again, as with large lakes, it only takes 5-20 minutes to escape the crowds. And our last point, number 11: respect nature. This applies to both wild animals and the elements. So what we often see in Banff National Park is people spotting a bear, a black bear, walking along the side of the highway. They stop the car, open the door, get out with their cameras, and try to chase the bear. Friends, this is a wild animal.
Yes, to be honest, it's a little scary. I grew up on Vancouver Island in a very small town. So we knew a lot about wildlife, but unfortunately, many people are visiting a national park for the first time. Perhaps this is one of their first encounters with wild animals. And you don't want to make the mistake of not respecting their personal space. You want to protect yourself. You want to save animals. You should also be very careful near places like waterfalls and rivers. Yes. I have seen parents letting their young children play on the bank of the river where the current is raging leading to the waterfall, and it is simply terrifying. I think many visitors come from the city and have no experience of being in wild, rugged
terrain. So just respect nature. You know, distance will protect you. I also want to add one more point. Unfortunately, every year many injuries, accidents, and sometimes even deaths occur during hiking. So when you head out on the trails, you also have to be very careful while walking. You know, you want to take that same great shot. You want to take an epic photo, but you have to be extremely careful where you step and, in essence, put safety first in everything you do while visiting a national park. Yes. So, these were the tips for those visiting Banff National Park for the first time. Let us know if we missed anything. You can add this in the comments. And for those planning a trip, we hope this was useful. If you have any more questions about the
town of Banff or Banff National Park, you can also leave them below and we will be sure to answer. That's right. We plan to make more videos with tips about Banff. So please let us know what you would like to know. And we also want to wish you a wonderful first trip. Yes. So enjoy Banff National Park, and see you soon for new videos about Banff on our channel. See you later. Pope.
