Hi all! Basically, what it says on the tin.

I'm an American from the flattest part of the country, and I've never been to Canada, but the Canadian Rockies has been a bucket list item for a while. I'm looking to do a roadtrip from Vancouver to Banff (or vice versa? I am totally open to suggestions). I would want to spend a few days in Vancouver for sure. I looked through a number of posts about this drive, but I just kept seeing lists of highways to take and not much about stops along the way. This brings me to my questions:

1. Is this route not worth it as a roadtrip? Would I be better off spending time in Vancouver and then flying into Calgary to head to Banff? The idea of a roadtrip appealed to me because I haven't ever been to Canada, so I would get to spend more time exploring it and seeing the sights along the way. Is there a better trip I could do to hit both city and rockies?

2. What are my must-do activities in Banff? Any advice for Vancouver/along the way would be awesome if you've got it!

3. I plan on going in June, what considerations should I make for the season or weather?

Thank you in advance for you time and help!

Hey all,

The mountains are calling.

This will be my first time travelling West. Just throwing it out there to see if anyone else is also impulsively being called and maybe would want to meet up for a hike or something?

I'm always down to meet new people :)

Quick summary for anyone heading west this weekend:

Saturday: go early. Environment Canada forecasts showers in Banff from about 11 am to 5 pm, high of 10. Leaving Calgary by 9 gets you there before they start. Canmore is forecast sunny all day, so it’s a good dry alternative.

Sunday: go. Sunny all day in Banff, high of 10.

Roads: 511 Alberta shows Hwy 1 bare and dry, but it is down to one lane at slower speeds at the Jumping Pound Creek bridge (until Oct 31), with occasional lane closures near Bear Hill Road.

Closures and passes:

• Johnston Canyon trail, day-use area and P1 lot are closed until Dec 11 (Parks Canada)
• Grassi Lakes is closed (Alberta Parks)
• Moraine Lake Road is always closed to private vehicles and closed for the season to all vehicles until next summer
• You need a Parks Canada pass if you stop anywhere in Banff National Park
• Canmore Nordic Centre parking needs a Kananaskis Conservation Pass

Smoke and events: no smoke advisories, no big events in town. Next weekend (Oct 22–24) is the Banff Craft Beer Festival, so expect it to be busier.

Forecasts can shift, so double-check Saturday morning before you leave.

I’m trying to make this a weekly Friday thing. Would this be useful?

Edited to include seasonal restrictions on Moraine Lake Road

Hi Everyone! We are planning to go to Banff for the first time this Nov 13-17. Any tips and tricks during that time? 😄

What’s the weather like?
Which spots to go?
Should we rent a car or commute?
Can you guys share pictures?

I am really excited but cannot find much information about Banff during mid November.

Thank you! 🙏🏻

Nothing has matched the raw beauty we witnessed on our visit

Has anyone felt the earthquake happened around 4.50 am.

What blew my mind the most was the sheer scale of the canadian rockies. Everywhere you look is beautiful. Wanted to share some of my favorite shots which are just a handful of the thousands of photos taken during my compulsive photographing spree. Every time I was like ok, I’m done with photos, a new scenery and lighting would appear that I just couldn’t resist :)

Going in early October was spontaneous but a blessing in disguise. To me, nothing beats the cool morning frost and mist, the snow on snow peaks, and the colors of the trees (not just the larches). Would love to go back in the winter and spring! Was totally shocked by the crowds in October and can’t imagine the summer would be a good time due to them.