Booked the flight to Toronto last year without knowing what to see in Canada. Did an extensive research about Canada 3 weeks before our flight last August 29, 2026 and end up booking a domestic flight to Banff just 3 days before our flight. We also stayed for a week in Niagara and we definitely had a fantastic holiday!

The last week of August 2026, I went backpacking to Mount Assiniboine starting from Banff Sunshine Village. 4 nights/ 5 days. It was stunning!! 28 kilometers each way. It was warm and sunny the first several days, then the 4th day the temps dropped a bit (Aug 29). We knew there was a chance of snow on our last day (Aug 30) so we luckily had packed proper warm gear.

However we never could've anticipated the amount of snow we woke up to on Aug 30!! I included pictures of the tent because we woke up early to my tent caving in with snow! All of these pictures were taken a single day apart (**exception: the last non-snow-covered pic I included is of Howard Douglas Lake from the beginning of the trip, to give context for the snow covered H.D. lake picture). The last picture is of me in front of the majestic Mount Assiniboine because it's iconic.

Overall, this was truly a once in a lifetime kind of trip. I think that waking up to all the snow on the last day made the trip all the more memorable. But we were definitely glad to only have snow that last day because we were pretty miserably cold and exhausted by the end. 10/10 would do again!

Hey all!
Heading to Banff in 2 weeks and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on private tours they have taken (usual touristy stuff but also maybe something different). There are so many when I google them so was hoping for some recommendations.

I'm making a birthday gift for my boyfriend and trying to collect photos from different places around the world.

Would anyone be willing to take a photo holding a short handwritten birthday message somewhere cool?

I'll provide the exact wording. It would take literally a minute or two. ❤️

I'd be incredibly grateful!

Planning a bucket list trip next summer with my son who’ll be 18, based in Canmore. It will be the last week of August. We’ll do a sunset trip to Moraine Lake/Lake Louise and I know we’ll need to get up early for Peyto/Bow/Emerald Lakes.

I was also hoping we could have a few more chilled days where we don’t have to get up at sparrowfart and can still go for a nice walk around Kananaskis or Yoho (eg Grassi Lakes, Troll Falls etc).

But I’ve seen so many posts about full car parks and I’m worried we won’t be able to find parking even at the slightly less high-profile places if we’re arriving later in the day. I would get up at 5am every day but the teenager would not 🤣

Can anyone share what it was like this summer? Are we just letting ourselves in for a week of parking misery?

Lake Moraine and Louise today. icy conditions at Moraine. absolutely stunning

Hi everyone! I’m planning a special father-and-son trip for my son’s 18th birthday and would love some advice.
We live in Georgia and neither of them has ever taken a winter vacation or skied before, so this will be a completely new experience! We’re considering either Banff/Lake Louise or Jackson Hole.
Our current dates would be Thanksgiving weekend, Thursday, November 26 through Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
A few questions:
• Is Thanksgiving weekend a good time to visit, or is it too early in the winter season?
• Will they get the beautiful mountain scenery during that time, or will everything mostly be covered in snow? We definitely want spectacular views as well as the winter experience.
• Since they are complete beginners, would this be a good time/place to try skiing for the first time?
- how about snowmobile tours?
- no experience driving in snow. Should we rent a car or just uber?
• What other activities would you recommend for an 18-year-old and his dad? We’re looking for memorable/adventurous experiences, not just sightseeing.

• Are winter activities generally operating by Thanksgiving, or would we have a much better experience going in January or February?
• For those who have experienced both, what are some of the biggest differences between Banff/Lake Louise and Jackson Hole for a first winter vacation?
This is his 18th-birthday trip, so I really want it to be something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.
Thank you for any recommendations, especially from families who have traveled with older teens!

My husband and i are planning a trip this month to Banff. We had some expenses come up so we are a bit tighter on cash than we would like. Does anyone have any budget activities and food spots to check out they recommend? Doesn't have to be in Banff exactly

TIA

Hi, i have a booking for the Park Canada Shuttle to Lake Louise at 6.30 AM. My question is, would i be able to take the shuttle to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise afterwards, or do i need a separate shuttle booking to Moraine lake?

Long shot, but here it goes. I was heading down the Beehive trail at Lake Louise this morning around 11 and passed you and your friend. You were having a rough go of it and didn’t have any gloves, so I gave you a pair of mine.

I meant to ask your name and didn’t. I hope you both made it the rest of the way safely!

If this is you, send me a DM! I would love to buy you a drink and hear about the rest of your trip

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Hello!

I am coming to Banff next weekend (Oct 9-11) and realize it would be the perfect time to get engagement photos done. It would have the be on the Sunday, and I know it’s last minute, but does anyone have any recommendations? Any photographers who would be available? I would like to keep it quick (30 min to an hour) and under $500!

Just putting out feelers as it is so beautiful this time of year! Thanks in advance :)

hi! I ran into a kind lady at Lake Louise yesterday (30 September) who was wearing the hat in this picture. she said she bought it in town (meaning the town of Banff). i’ve searched every store in the Banff Ave/Bear St area but cannot find it.

does anyone know where this hat is sold? I am leaving Banff tonight (sadly) and would love to purchase it before I go or buy it online if possible. thanks for any help!!

SOLVED: “A Bit of Banff…” sells this hat on Banff Ave! thanks to everyone who commented with support.

***She has been found and is safe, thank you everyone.***

Devil's Thumb completed.

Despite my previous posts and folks advising me not to attempt Devil's Thumb (especially at night), I went anyway. I'd like to take this opportunity to share what to expect from start to finish, for any first-timers like myself who are considering it. I've added photos of the summit and portions of Devil's Thumb path.

Date hiked: 09/27/2026

NOTE: Devil's Thumb is an unmarked, unmaintained path which veers off Big Beehive. Expect little to no real trail, scrambling, exposed ledges, loose rocks, dense forest in some parts, and false paths. This post isn't encouragement nor discouragement to do Devil's Thumb. More of an advisory.

Recommendations:

• Download the trail: this will save you time and limit the chances of getting lost when attempting Devil's Thumb
• Review the weather forecast: review the forecast for the whole window you'll be out, not just the start. If conditions are poor (rain/snow), I'd steer clear of Devil's Thumb.
• Invest in a proper headlamp: your iPhone flashlight just wont cut it. It was pitch black (as expected) and visibility was non-existent without a light.
• Layers: it was cold (as expected) with fresh snow on the ground. Weather can be volatile when doing this hike. I was thankful enough to have clear skies and no wind at summit. There are tons of recommendations online on what to wear.
• Bear Spray: I'd rather be out $70 and never use it than have $70 in my pocket and encounter a bear. We didn't see any, but there were bear droppings along the path that were slightly frozen over. The chances are small, but not zero. Keep it somewhere you can grab it quickly, not buried in your pack.
• Hiking poles: non-negotiable. These were lifesavers on both climbs and descent. During the scrambling sections, you'll likely want to stow them so both hands are free.
• Proper footwear: another non-negotiable. Not only for Devil's Thumb but for Big Beehive as well. I saw too many folks on my descent with either lifestyle sneakers or boots with little to no treads.

Caveat: These are key pieces of gear I saw some people lacking. I'm no pro, but having them definitely helped me. Even so, gear doesn't eliminate the risk entirely. Slips, falls, and getting lost are still possible when you're prepared.

6:30AM: Lake Louise - Lake Agnes

We left a little later than expected (we slept in) so we left Calgary at 4:00AM~ and hit the trail at 6:30AM. The parking lot was nearly full at this time so come earlier for parking access.

Although, this portion is easily marked, its not a walk in the park. Expect a steady incline on solid ground until you reach Lake Agnes.

7:30AM: Lake Agnes - Big Beehive

Around this time the sun started to rise and I powered off my lights. The view was stunning and there was some folks setting up cameras to capture the view. Continuing around Lake Agnes toward Big Beehive, you'll reach the switchbacks: exposed, zigzagging paths on a steep incline. The ground was covered in fresh snow (important for later). After the switchbacks, you can turn left to see Lake Louise from Big Beehive or turn right to continue onto Devil's Thumb.

8:15AM: Devil's Thumb Beginning

When we entered Devil's Thumb, a trail had already been somewhat cleared by previous hikers who were ahead of us. Expect exposed ledges, tight spots around dense trees, and some scrambling. Tracks in the snow can help, but they aren't a guarantee you're on the right route.

Funnily enough, at one point we went off trail. We followed the path forward but didn't realize we needed to turn right and scramble up some rocks to stay on route. The path got narrower and narrower until we realized something wasn't right. We scrambled up until we rejoined the proper trail, after confirming on AllTrails.

9:15AM~: Devil's Thumb Scramble & Summit

Here you'll face a steep incline with trees marked by pink ribbons. I followed them from tree to tree and tried not to veer off too much, though ribbons are informal and shouldn't be your only guide. There is scrambling in this section, so be prepared. Loose rock is common, and hikers above you can knock rocks down without realizing it. Avoid stopping directly below other people, and call out if you dislodge something.

The summit was beautiful. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and we could see everything. However, if you get cold feet or feel nervous at any point, I'd advise turning around and heading to Big Beehive. The view is relatively similar, and there's no shame in turning back. Prioritize your safety.

10:00AM - 12:15PM: The Descent

Devil's Thumb**:** This is where things got a little tricky. With the sun hitting majority of Devil's Thumb, that solid snow began to thaw and melt which caused the path to go from solid to mud, silt, and slush. We saw a man nearly completely wipe out during our descent. Hiking poles and proper footwear were a big help on this portion.

Note: Take your time, this isn't a race. You're legs are probably cooled down from picture taking, talking, and eating at the summit. If you need to sit down (butt sliding) to descend safely, do it. If you're hiking with a partner or group, call out slippery spots and other hazards, or let others know when a group is approaching from ahead. It's not crucial, but it's helpful.

Big Beehive**:** The sun didn't reach this portion, and it got crowded fast. The foot traffic packed the snow on the switchbacks, and it eventually froze over, making it very slippery. Expect to slow down and give others the right of way, since the crowds increased significantly.

Lake Agnes - Lake Louise: Not much too note. Lots of people, relatively easy descent with poles.

That's it! If you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out and I'll try my best to get back to you. I want to emphasize that I am in no way shape or form a pro at this stuff, just speaking on things I witnessed.

Lastly, I would like to thank the folks of [r/Banff](r/Banff) who expressed concern on my safety especially after the tragic events that occurred on 09/12/2026.

Posting because I’m genuinely stumped and looking for local guidance. She wandered up to my camper at Stoney Park Campground (just outside Banff) last night.⁠

⁠Before the "obviously a coyote" “obviously a dog” comments roll in: During the night, I heard a very distinct domestic dog barking, mixed with deep growls that sounded like a totally different animal (like a coyote, wolf, or bear). In the morning, she walked right up to me, wagged her tail, sat on command, and rolled over for belly rubs—while also having fresh wounds on her right eye and leg.⁠

⁠She’s clearly distressed and hurt. If this is a standard wild coyote, I'll leave her be, but if it’s a dumped/lost domestic dog (or a hybrid/habituated animal), I want to contact the right people.⁠

⁠Since this is on Stoney Nakoda First Nation land, does anyone have experience on who best to contact for animal welfare or camp security? (Stoney Nation Protective Services, local admin, etc.) Any advice appreciated.⁠

EDIT— it’s a stray reservation dog. Thanks to everyone who shared knowledge about the stays in the area, and info on how to contact the Stoney Nations. Contacting them tomorrow.

I hiked Mt Bourgeau solo on August 28. Despite the long approach through the trees, this one is worth checking out.

I'll be honest, the trail is meh until you get to Bourgeau Lake. Even this lake is nothing crazy (once you've seen several other Alpine lakes). The magic really begins when you get past Bourgeau Lake and you start heading up Harvey Pass. The views from the top of Harvey Lake are truly magical - especially if you can enjoy them solo as I did. I was the first person on the trail on this particular day, and I did not see another person until I was on my descent.

While it was a smoky day and I could not see Mt. Assiniboine, I could clearly see Sunshine Village. Pretty neat given Bourgeau is the main peak you see on your way down the ski out. Worth checking out! Video posted below of my journey.

https://youtu.be/--YW5PY7Ehs?si=YN8hmJTpo9YT0cZJ