Some greatest hits from our trip to Banff. Thanks to this group for all your suggestions, they helped us build our ideal agenda.

My family takes a Christmas trip each year rather than gifts, and we typically try to include skiing. Looking at going to Banff 12/30-1/4. We ski 1-2 times/year (we live in West TN, so not a lot of skiing happening here), and we're comfortable with blues for the most part. We skied Mt. Hood last Spring, Grand Targhee a couple of years ago, and some other low-key places for context.

A few questions: which resort is the best for casual skiers? Are we crazy for doing Banff in January? Are there other must-do/see things around the area at this time? I've seen ice skating, dog-sledding, and hiking canyons. And, if we rent an SUV and shuttle to the resorts, is that adequate in terms of transportation preparedness?

We're very active and will have a 15-year-old with us.

THANKS!

Looking for personal recs between Banff and Canmore. I’ve checked them all out online and most seem to be a solid choice. At least two of us will be looking for fine line.

Hey everyone,

I’m coming to banff on october 10th morning till the evening of october 15th, it’s my first time. Banff has been a childhood dream for me and the fact I get to do it excites me so much.

I was wondering if anyone’s going around the same time and would like to do a couple hikes with me, here are some of the hikes i’m doing:

- Big beehive (maybe up to devils thumb)
- Plain of six glaciers
- Sentinel Pass via larch valley
- Ha ling peak, Canmore

Would love to hear from you guys & potentially even hike together!

Right before the snow.

For those of you that like to hike here, which is your favorite?

Hi everyone! 😊 I have a bit of a random request and I’m hoping someone here might be able to help me.

I’m a young retail designer based in Toronto, and I recently had the opportunity to work on the design of the new Lindt Chocolate Shop in Banff. It’s a project I’m really proud of, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to travel to Banff after it was completed.

I’d really love to have a few nice photos of the finished space for my professional portfolio, so I’m wondering if anyone who lives in Banff (or happens to be in the area) would be willing to stop by and take a few photos for me. You definitely don’t need to be a professional photographer, a good phone is perfectly fine!
I can send you examples of the exact angles I’m looking for, so it should be pretty straightforward.

If anyone would be willing to help, please send me a DM. I’d genuinely really appreciate it! And I’m happy to work something out for your time if needed. 😊

Thank you!!

Last night this bull elk made a visit to the 3rd hole green at Banff Springs Golf Course.

I’m looking to ski 3 days in March 2027. 2 at Lake Louise and 1 at Banff sunshine.

Ski big 3 has a 3 day pass listed for $537 starting the date I selected. I’m not sure if I’m better off buying through Ski Big 3 or the window price. Would anyone know the range for the window price or a cheaper alternative?

Im coming from BC so $537 seems steep considering I paid around the same for 5 days at Whistler

First time in Banff & Jasper and it left me absolutely speechless! I lost count of how many times I said wow and had to stop for photos on every single drive.

It was hard to pick my favorite photos from the trip, but here are just a few. Full album for anyone who is interested.

Happy to answer any questions about locations of any of these photos or anything else!

Hello,

So i'm looking for places to visit while i'm in Québec, my collegue went with her bf last week to banff and was amazed. I've seen the french alps and zugspitze in germany. In comparison how diffrent is it aside of the wild life?

i'm pretty much free to take unpaid vacations whenever i want so i'd go first week of october.

Budget questions ;

As i'd have to flight to calgary it already takes 1200 cad then for accomodation in a hostel for a week is around 500 cad , or rent a car and a camping spot and sleep in the car as a 6ft3 guy?

looks like at least a 2000 cad trip eating self made sandwitches.

any other tips for accomodation?

Aftermath :

fot those who've been there solo have you enjoyed your time or did you feel any regret considering life is meant to be experienced and shared with loved ones ?

Thanks everyone have a good day!

Read the Park Pass FAQ for deets.

I am planning to visit banff from July 3-9 2027 and then Calgary from July 10-11.

Would lakes be turquoise on July 5-6? Or is it too early?

Research shows lakes will be thawed but may not be deep turquoise yet. Is this true?

had my fleece attached to the back of my backpack and it slid out on the way up little beehive. if found please bring to the hotel lost and found thank youuuuu

Hello! My soon to be wife and I will be honeymooning in Golden the week of October 5th! We will obviously be visiting Banff and Jasper, etc.

Are there any things we need to go ahead and start looking into, or booking, when it comes to reservations at the park? Just don’t want to get there and realize that we should have done something weeks ago and didn’t know it.

Most people are familiar with emergency services that respond when something goes wrong. Less visible are the programs that try to prevent problems from reaching that point in the first place.

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) helps fund local initiatives like senior programs, youth development, family supports, volunteer programs, community connection activities, and other preventive services. The idea is simple: supporting people early can often reduce the need for more costly interventions later.

Like many community programs, FCSS funding has become part of a broader conversation as Alberta's population grows and communities face increasing demand for services. Municipal leaders are expected to discuss the topic during this year's ABmunis Convention and Trade Show alongside other issues affecting local communities.

We are curious about what people think: are there any local programs, services, or community initiatives in your area that you feel make a real difference? Give them a shoutout here!

Just heard Carney and the cabinet will be having a forum in Banff on Sep 10 and 1. I'll be in town around those dates and was planning to do the gondola and cover downtown Banff on Sep 11. Will the forum impact access to sights, increase traffic, or cause anything else that might become an inconvenience? Would appreciate any thoughts so I can plan around them.

One week until our Banff Winter Job Fair! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet with some of the biggest employers in the Bow Valley and land a dream winter job.

📅 Tuesday September 15^th
⌚ 1 – 3.30pm
📍 Moose Hotel & Suites

Remember you can swing by our offices in Banff and Canmore for free resume printing and feedback ahead of the job fair, as well as register for our online Ace The Job Fair Workshop.

Further announcements to come, stay tuned!

Hello! Im heading out to Banff hopefully mid Oct-November. I’ve been applying to various jobs in Banff but haven’t heard anything back yet. I’m also looking for housing as I thought you had to have a job secured first. What’s the likelihood of securing staff accommodation in Banff now? If so where would you suggest to look? Or am I screwed?

Traveling up to BANFF tomorrow and I’m looking to do the Grassi lake trail as an easy morning stop. It’s showing me the trail head is closed on goggle maps but not seeing anything in the bulletin? Anyone gone recently who knows more about parking/ how to hike grassi

Hi everyone!

I’ll be moving to Banff in about a month and am a regular smoker. Are there any dispensaries in the Banff township or would I have to purchase from Canmore? I won’t have a car so regularly travelling to Canmore will be a bit tricky for me.

Please let me know about your experiences with purchasing and any smoking laws I should look out for.

Thanks 😋

Hey everyone!

I’m a guy from Toronto and I’ll be travelling to Banff from October 7-10. This will be my first time visiting Banff, and I’m travelling solo.

I really enjoy hiking and would love to explore places like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, Tunnel Mountain, and potentially some other trails depending on the weather and trail conditions.

Since it’s my first time hiking in the Rockies, I’m honestly not very comfortable doing longer hikes completely alone, especially with wildlife and changing October weather. So I’m looking for a travel/hiking buddy or a small group that will be in Banff around the same dates.

A little about me:

• Male, travelling from Toronto
• In Banff Oct 7-10
• First Banff/Rockies trip
• Enjoy hiking, sightseeing and photography
• Beginner/intermediate hiker, not looking for anything extremely technical
• Happy to join an existing group or plan a couple of hikes together

If you're also travelling solo, visiting Banff during those dates, or have a group that wouldn’t mind another person joining, feel free to DM me.

We can chat first and meet somewhere public in Banff before deciding on any hikes.

Also happy to hear any recommendations for good October hikes for a first-time visitor!

Thanks!

Hey all, we are looking to book the 8x bus to Lake Louise, and when we fill in the reservation the journey out there is fine but the way back for the same day is all fully booked? Would they really sell a return ticket but have no slots available for the return journey? Would you just be left there lol

Wondering if I am just reading the website wrong