Headed to Banff

Hey neighbors to the North. Headed to Banff next week for four days from Spokane. Any idea what the weather and roads are like going to lake Louise and places like that? Anything the wife and I should do in the area? Any advice helps! Thanks friends

 

Do you ski, snowshoe, or xc ski ? or Fat tire mountain biking?
The ice fields parkway is a spectacular drive if the clouds are not socking in the mountains.
It looks like you are going to have great weather for your trip, warm and a fair amount of sun

 

Road's are well groomed. Just make sure you have good tires to start with and take your time.

Beware of parking in Banff, they are super strict and will ticket quickly.

I would strongly suggest the hot springs while in town.

 

Definitely check out the hot springs, Lake Louis, and Johnston Canyon.

Johnston Canyon had 3 cool natural features (that I forget the name of rn) that were all a relatively short hike from the parking lot.

If you like snowboarding/skiing check out Sunshine. It's a really great hill.

 

Thank you all for the information. Gotta go online and get a Park Pass now I suppose...

 

Just keeping on checking the weather as long as you are there - every day. It can change so fast in the mountains that you would want to plan your activities and driving accordingly. Enjoy your trip. By the way, the Basin Cave is pretty interesting and the first national park, and if your into wildlife there is a small park museum by the river which has a lot of taxidermy of the area. If you have some time go up to Lake Louise and go for a hike there if the trails are any ways clear. Or just have tea in the lake louise CP hotel.

 

Awesome info, thank you all. I am hoping to get some skating in at Lake Louise as well. Any restaurant recommendations, a nice dinner spot perhaps? Wishing we were going a week later and I’d pop over to Calgary to watch them play my Ducks

 

There are a few road cameras you could watch;



https://roadreports.ama.ab.ca/?layers=camera

BC side;
http://drivebc.ca/#mapView&ll=54.8833,-122.6667&z=5

 

If you're going to skate, bring your skates. All it takes as one tour bus full of Asians for the hotel to run out of skates. I'd also be curious if the skating will be open, this week is supposed to warm up significantly.

Banff has plenty of good places to eat however I'd say the Saltlik is my choice when I'm bringing someone new to Banff or hosting a business dinner. It is a steak house but you will get a pile of truly unique fair. They do have beef alternatives and unique appetizers that make the place worth it even for the steak eating challenged. Keep in mind Beef raised and killed in Canada has a different fat and flavour than US beef, which is something I enjoy crossing the border since literally steaks look and taste slightly different in a good way both ways. The sides are amazing and you get to order them ala carte, make sure you get the Lobster Mashed Potatoes. They are otherworldly. Don't order more than 1-2 sides for a couple of people, since they are pretty generously sized. The upstairs of the restaurant is more formal and the basement is kind of like a low key bar. I prefer the basement when I'm just with my wife. Nothing like good wine, fine dining, and a killer dinner in a pair of blue jeans while watching hockey.

The Bison is another solid restaurant choice, but their menu is focused on what I'd call alternative meat dishes. Don't expect to get anything here that will remind you of home. Your wife will probably love it and if you're a foodie you probably will too but I find I always feel disappointed with the taste for what I've paid for food there and how over hyped the place is. I also am not a fan of the place in the winter because the use a huge wood oven to cook a lot of their food and the seating is either boiling hot or freezing cold depending on your distance from that oven.

Both places have a great selection of worldly wines and local beers.

If you're just coming off the ski hill drop by the Banff brewery for a quick pint, local Alberta beers not only help pay my pay cheque but many are grabbing awards in Germany and the eastern US. Most of the very top end Malt Barley in the world comes from Canada so you're in for a treat if you've never had local craft from the Northwest.

Parking downtown is absolutely stupid on even weekdays so I do recommend that if you're staying in a hotel that you either walk downtown or take a cab. Keep in mind the nicest hotels are also the farthest from downtown lol, so I prefer to stay in a normal room close to downtown.

 

Thank you Sterdog! I am definitely bringing my own skates and hoping for cooperating weather. I truly appreciate all of your wisdom and help!

 

I can't help you out with weather and road conditions but I can wholeheartedly agree with your choice of places to visit. It has been many years since I have visited Banff and Lake Louise; beautiful area to visit. Enjoy your trip!

4BYTOY

 

We are staying at the Juniper, looks like they have a shuttle service to downtown so that will work good

 

Yeah I’ve never stayed there but I know where it is. Either the shuttle or a cab will work out for you nicely.

 

if you like fossils and such, don't forget to pay a visit to gems/minerals and fossil shops. Very cool stuff to look at. Also, Ammolite is a beautiful souvenir!

 

It's the most beautiful place on earth, very jealous of your trip. I was there with my family on a trip in the mid 80s and want to get back. Don't know what the heck I'm waiting for acutally.

 

i recommend Peyto Lake. a bit off the beaten path of the other lakes in the area, and Peyto is even more beautiful if you have time to head that way. i've been to Moraine and i find Peyto more striking.

 

If your going to lake Louise I would recommend driving up to emerald lake, only about a 30 minute drive well worth it imo

 

Me either! Go now while it’s perfect weather!

 

Well we are home and it was amazing! Did all the touristy stuff right away to get it out of the way and then just mixed and mingled with all the people as much as possible. Drank beer from every brewery I could find, Grizzly Paw was my favorite ( even went to Canmore and got some Poutine and gear from the location). The biggest thing is no pictures do it justice, must see in person! Also, everyone that works there seems to be from Australia haha

 

I've got so many more places:
Emerald Lake
Lake Louise
Emerald Lake
Moraine Lake
Johnston Canyon
Bow Lake
Lussier Hot Springs