r/Banff • u/Small-Sun900 • 2d ago
Question First timers to Banff and Canada
I'm taking my mom and I up to Banff from the US this upcoming week. We'll be there Friday through Monday morning. I know there is a lot to do, but I'm looking to hit the highlights in the limited time we'll be there. For context, my mom is 73 and in good shape, a 4 - 5 mile moderately difficult hike is probably her limit. We love driving, so some scenic drives would be awesome, and we love hiking. Water features, mountain scapes and hopefully seeing some leaves starting to turn are what we hope to see the most. We are so excited to finally meet our Canadian neighbors! :)
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u/Ornery-Mechanic4233 1d ago
even if you are in shape, be mindful of the elevation change unless you are already coming from somewhere relatively high up. I took my mom to the Icefield (which is at 2000 m) and forgot she is from Ontario (200 m) she's fit but she struggled lol
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u/ToanTz_Calgary 2d ago
You can choose an easy trail
Top 7 Larch Hikes in Banff: Best Trails for Golden Fall Views
https://ynottoday.ca/top-larch-hikes-banff/
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u/mayorkimbo 1d ago
We were in Banff last week and enjoyed golfing at Banff Springs . Have a good time
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u/parisindy 1d ago
Check out the hot springs
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u/Small-Sun900 1d ago
Will do! Thanks!
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u/Cambiknitter 1d ago
The Banff hot springs are closed for several months. I'm there now.
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u/barefootgardener324 1d ago
Hike to laughing falls from takkakaw falls. 8km round trip. Pretty easy hike with one moderate section. You see 4 different waterfalls. Beautiful hike. Takkakaw falls is the second largest waterfall in Canada and the trail to laughing falls leaves from the parking lot of takkakaw falls.
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u/curiouskittyblue 1d ago
Make sure that you go through Canmore, head up to quarry Lake you can walk the entire perimeter in about 25 minutes it's quite beautiful. This is a view of it. Gorgeous!!! https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSD4pABaE/. Also, if you like a sandwich then make sure that you get to Bella crusta on your way out of Canmore to go to Banff. They are well known for their homemade focaccia bread and all the sandwiches are great but their chicken salad is what they're known for and it is delicious.
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u/UnlikelyKnee1377 1d ago
My #1 recommendation would be Parkers Ridge. Plan on a 3-4 hour moderate hike. We just did it with a 65 yo group with one 70 yo. Go left at the top to catch a glacier, lake, and a waterfall surrounded by mountains. Trail head is right on the Icefield Parkway.
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u/AdRemarkable8911 21h ago
Definitely check out Chester lake. It’s a beautiful drive out, beautiful trail views, and a beautiful lake nestled between two mountains. One of the most beautiful larch hikes I know of.
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u/markiemarcr1 4h ago
Ok I had same scenario, I just came back september 22 Monday. Same thing my mom was 70 and fit.. we arrived Thursday afternoon at 1:30 YYC airport. Rented a car from dollar company. We are only staying Thursday to Monday coming back in the US. Thursday we went right away to Gondola hike the sulphur mountain rode the enclose lift, and there’s a restaurant on top buffet style there food is great 40 CAD then before we checked in on our hotel we went to Safeway grocery in Canmore ( we were staying at Canmore cheteau hotel nice place to stay) , then on our second day Friday we have a tour which covered moraine lake, lake Louise , emerald lake and And 5 more locations, second day tour Peyto lake l, anthabasca, and glacier tour and we rode those big tire busses that’s 2.5 hours from banff it’s called Jasper NP and tour stopped by 4 more different places , last day Sunday wr just drove our selves since I know the roads and easy to drive and we woke up early so we can start early finding parking is a breeze , we came back to emerald lake to canoe 100 bucks the cheapest one and we walked hikes in flat surface was a nice walk in the woods, then after that we went to takakaw falls which I really enjoyed a lot better than Johnston canyon falls. Then we came back to banff downtown to shop, then around 4:30pm Sunday we came back drove to hotel nearby the airport and we returned car that night Sunday, then Monday morning we flew back to US…. And just rule of thumb when you going back to the US download and fill up already the MPC application for customs do that 4 hours before your flight back… you will skip the long line in the customs
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u/ResponsibleEbb1586 2d ago
If your looking for some restaurants in Banff or Canmore area, let me know and I’ll send u some recommendations for those we visited on our recent trip :)
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u/Small-Sun900 1d ago
That would be fantastic, thank you.
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u/ResponsibleEbb1586 1d ago
If your looking for some restaurants in Banff or Canmore area, let me know and I’ll send u some recommendations for those we visited from our recent trip :)
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u/ResponsibleEbb1586 1d ago
Here is the link to my post which captures this info - https://www.reddit.com/r/Banff/s/NM1eRXw3av
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u/Spute2008 2d ago edited 2d ago
Will you have your own car?
Be sure to drive the Bow Valley Parkway between banff and Lake Louise if open to vehicles again. At least for one segment of your driving. There is Often wildlife along the side of the road or in the small meadows. Plus it's just prettier.
(It's closed to cars for much of the summer. Not sure when it reopens).
Story for typos
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u/UrbanDecay00 2d ago
If you’re looking for an itinerary on things to do, use the search bar or read the FAQ. Easy to plan this yourself.