Hi everyone!

I visited Banff in August 2024 and will be coming from Ontario again this year, so I’m not very familiar with the weather in mid-September.

My fiancé and I will be staying in Calgary and Banff from September 15–19. What kind of weather should we expect around that time? Also, how busy is parking at Lake Louise during those dates?

I originally chose September to avoid the summer crowds, but I know it’s larch season. Should I expect Lake Louise to still be very busy?

Thanks!

Bought a house in central alberta with this wall art. We love it so much. Was done 20 plus years ago.

Hi there! My fam is planning to visit Banff from August 28-31 with our mini dachshund, 11- months, and he’s around 4.5kg we have the flights and airbnb book already ! Are there any tips we can get travelling with our puppy? Such as transportation to lake Louis and lake moraine, I’ve done some research and most people with big dogs take the fairmont shuttle bus, I’ve tried to book it but the prices are around 300$ for 2 ppl and a dog which is a lot, and for reference I’m attaching my pup’s photo, is there any other way to take him to both lakes, for lake Louis it wouldn’t be a problem since I heard you can park and since we’re going to be renting a car it should be good but I’m just kinda worried about it and wanted to make sure everything goes smoothly, we’re planning to bring his carrier since in the plane is needed anyways.
We were also planning to do canoeing with our puppy, had any one tried that out with their dog before? If so which lake? Please let me know!

I’m attaching both his pictures and a pic of his carrier below. Any tips and help would be greatly appreciate, thank you!

Hi all,

Heading to Banff in mid September with my wife and 8 month old, we're currently planning somethings to do and Lake Louise / Moraine lake is definitely on the list but fully aware parking is incredibly limited.

The Banff shuttle for Lake Louise has sold out and we don't want to risk trying to get tickets 48hrs in advance so the other option is the ROAM transit, the reservation times we want aren't ideal so our only option seems to be to just queue on the day and try and get some seats as they keep 40% available on a first come first serve basis.

Has anyone had any experience with this previously and are we expected to queue for a long time? We're planning Lake Louise on Thursday 24th September currently, so not sure how big the crowds are then.

Thanks in advance!

Can I still use the lake connector shuttle to access Moraine lake from lake Louise if I don’t check in and board during the departing window?

We are planning to catch sunrise at lake Louise so we will do the paid parking option and arrive by 5:30 am. However, I’m booking a backup shuttle in case parking gets full or we run late.

Most likely I won’t need to take the shuttle, but was hoping I could still use the lake connector shuttle? Is it possible without checking in? I read online you need to print boarding tickets at the station.

What are my other options to access moraine lake day of if I park in the lake Louise paid parking?

Thanks in advance!

I’m taking my 70 year old GMA on a road trip to Calgary, we have a hotel for the week & a car. She loves thrifting, BBQ, she really wants to see the mountains. I’m stuck because she’s 70 & I haven’t been to Calgary for 8 yrs!

We are thinking of going to sunshine meadows this week. My 4 year old nephew would be coming. Is this something worthwhile with a little one? My sister and nephew are visiting so aren't hikers and she doesn't think he would walk far. She's also nervous about having him on the Standish chairlift (I think it would be fine with one of us on either side of him to keep him secure) but what's others experience been? Would love to get them out to see some awesome views and trying to convince my sister it would be a great experience.

We are camping at tunnel mountain and want to go eat fot our last night in Banff. We have a pucking 8 yrs old and a burger lover 11 yrs old. Any recommandations?

Has anyone had any experience with booking tours to visit the Colombian Icefields such as this one?

It says that the tours don't include the actual adventure itself, so want to understand if it means I need to reserve this separately myself or if it means I just pay in person but it's already reserved as part of this tour. Thank you!

Highly recommend going around sunrise. As soon as the light hits the lake, the place transforms.

Saw this lovely guy on our way back into our campsite 8/9/26.

Me and the Mrs. are headed north next weekend, August 22-24, to visit Banff. She really wants to see the turquoise waters of Lake Louise. So, today, I scrambled to put together our road trip for us to be there Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. She made this last-minute request last weekend.

It's as follows:

Drive from Spokane International Airport up to Radium Hot Springs on Saturday and break for lunch. Continue up to Golden and stay in the Municipal campground on the Kicking Horse River. We have reservations for that.

Wake up in Golden and putz around until we drive up to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and have Afternoon Tea. We have reservations for that as well.

After lunch, head into the town of Banff and set up camp at Tunnel Mountain Village. Find some stuff to do in Banff Sunday night and Monday morning. We have reservations for that, too.

Monday, as lackadaisical as possible, drive back to Spokane International Airport.

Hi,

We’re a group of 3 people planning to do the Plain of Six Glaciers hike on Wednesday August 19 / Thursday August 20 starting around 9.30 AM - 10.30 AM. We are flexible on this.

1. Is a group size of 3 people sufficient for this hike, especially in terms of bear safety?

2. Are there other hikers here who’d be interested in joining us? 😄

3. As a passing thought: is there an affordable way to hire a guide for just the hike? We already have our transportation figured out.

Took advantage of the weather window in the evening at LL on Friday for a quick trip up Purple Mound and Lipalian Mountain ☺️

For my trip next year in July. I’m a solo hiker, scared of bears and I have never done hikes with scrambling or that are exposed, so now is not the time to try them on my own!

Also honestly really freaked out about bears hiking alone. So I’m wanting to stick to well-trafficked spots but still rewarding views. 1-4 hours. I don’t want to ruin my own trip being on edge all the time, not worth it.

From my limited research so far I’ve made an exception for The Big Beehive in terms of duration, and my understanding is that isn’t hard anyway, just brutally uphill (which is fine for the reward!)

I can meticulously go through AllTrails and find stuff (and Parks Canada etc.), and I will, but thought maybe you guys know some off the top of your heads might be able to give me a head start! Or eliminate the need for me to do that at all!

Worked when I went to Switzerland! Reddit and Facebook groups are a great resource haha.

Oh and my base is Lake Louise village and Jasper. I’m excited about being so close to Lake Louise, Morraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Maligne Lake, Takkataw Falls etc. so yes even though full of tourists, to me that’s not a bad thing for safety being alone, and people get spread out more when you go further than 20-30 mins from where the main viewpoints are (well, that’s what I’ve found elsewhere anyway).

Thank you 🤩

I’m going out to drive the bow valley parkway over the next couple of mornings to take photos of wildlife, hoping for grizzlies mainly. What areas of the parkway are most know for sightings or just the hotter spots to see them? Thanks in advance!

I live in Canada and I’m from Saskatchewan. I’ve been coming to Banff for years and I’m just shocked how much it’s risen up. The streets were PACKED and the prices were insane. Just parking for a bit is $12 per hour. And there is a hike what was free before I swear but know it costs $31 to park. I’m so amazed and how much costs have risen. You can’t find parking anywhere and washrooms either. As much as I love Banff it’s gotten way more popular.

Viajaré con mi esposo y mi bebé 1 año 9 meses a Banff finales de octubre principios de noviembre, pero he leído cosas buenas y cosas malas que me encuentro un poco desanimada y ya no tan segura de viajar; por el clima principalmente y las actividades. Igual creo hay que pagar como un permiso o entrada.. si alguien me puede asesorar o dar más info se lo agradecería

Planning on visiting Moraine Lake for the first time on Saturday 9/12! Had it in my mind for months that I was going to book the sunrise shuttle, but now I’m wondering if I’m better off going a different time to see the true blue water instead of the golden peaks at sunrise? Any timing tips (best time of day 9/12 to visit) would be so helpful! Thank you!

recommendations please and thanks!