Is Banff actually worth visiting?

[moonpie89]

After exploring pretty much all of eastern Canada, I'm slowly making my way to explore the west.

I love the outdoors so I'm excited about that.

I heard Banff is extremely expensive to visit. There's barely any affordable places to stay.

I'm thinking of going in the next 2 months.

[EricJonesAB]

When I went it was summertime when you can really see the awesome mountains and beautiful glacier fed lakes. I just started out shopping in Edmonton, then I drove and stayed overnight in Hinton, then went to Jasper and did a few activities like the Skytram. Then I drove through the mountains for a few hours, stopped at some beautiful lakes and stopped in Banff to eat. Then I just continued on to Calgary and stayed there overnight.

Those mountains are really beautiful in the summertime, and I imagine there's good skiing in the winter if you're into that.

[moonpie89]

Yes I'm a beginner at skiing. I like skating too. Sounds beautiful

[EricJonesAB]

It is pretty great in the summer, but to be honest I personally wouldn't go in the winter time myself if you're just sightseeing. In the next 2 months it's gonna be really cold weather, dangerously icy roads, and everything's covered with snow.

[moonpie89]

Ughh shit. no wonder why the flights were so cheap. Ohh well

[EricJonesAB]

Yeah like it's kind of a narrow highway through the mountains between jasper and Banff and there's wildlife that walk right out on the highway. People stop and take pictures of mountain goats and stuff in the summer. I would be nervous to drive though there in the winter and I live in Alberta, lol.

[moonpie89]

Lol im flying in to Calgary. Hopefully that weekend isn't too bad 😭😳😳

[EricJonesAB]

If you just go to Banff from Calgary it shouldn't be bad because that's a major highway between there. Hopefully you find something fun to do there this time of year.
Good luck.

[moonpie89]

Thanks so much 😊

[EricJonesAB]

You're welcome, Calgary's kind of a nice city too if want to explore that.
I have a sister that lives there and she used to take me all over the place there.
Go up to the top of the Calgary tower and look around if you feel like it. Enjoy.

[KostasKouvalis]

If you've never been to the mountains, sure. I visited way back in 2004. We stayed in Cranmore, then visited Banff, Jasper and Mt. Robson the next morning, then made our way towards Vancouver.

I have no idea how it is now, but I imagine it's expensive to stay in Banff itself., and I probably wouldn't recommend it in the winter

[moonpie89]

Did you go in the summer? Yes everything is so overpriced now

[KostasKouvalis]

Yeah, I went in August. I don't think it's worth going in the winter honestly, because the main attraction is the turquoise water of Lake Louise, which is completely frozen over during the winter. There's no sense in going and not seeing the iconic scenery.

You live in Eastern Canada?

I know. I did some traveling this year, and it was so expensive.

[moonpie89]

The flight was super cheap lol. I've seen videos of the lake now and people are skating on it. Still looks pretty.

Where did you travel this year ? Yes I've driven through most of Ontario , all of Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia

[KostasKouvalis]

Really?

California Coast in January. Utah, Wyoming and Idaho in June. Italy and Malta in October. Kauai in November

It actually came down to a toss-up between Italy and Quebec. Quebec for a week seemed more expensive then Europe for two. In hindisite it wasn't, though I don't regret going to Italy, but I'd still love to visit Quebec. It almost WAS Quebec, but the main reason I didn't go, is because Canada wanted you to get some stupid COVID app, then literally like a week after I booked my Italy trip, they lifted it.

[moonpie89]

Quebec the proince in general is really beautiful. I've been to so many cities and towns in Quebec. Took me 10hours to drive through the province to get to NB.

Damn. I would love to go to Cali one day.

That sucks. There's always next year

[KostasKouvalis]

Kinda wanna go for Christmas now, though in Christmas I'd probably only be restricted to Quebec City. I wanted to take that train, but it only runs through Columbus Day and I've been trying to travel in the off season now.
With the snowstorms now, it's probably not a good idea anyways, and it won't happened this year anyways, but maybe next year I will try to visit during the Christmas season.
I see in Quebec would be best to have a car, as the tours are very limited. I wanted to visit Ille de Orleans, but the only tours they have are bloody food and wine tours. Was also looking into Trois Riveries and another town where the train stops, but maybe those aren't really worth it. I don't know

I found a beautiful sculpture garden in Quebec City but it costs like $50. Canadian attractions have always been expensive, and I've never been cool with the policy of charging non-residents higher rates

[Emiliamazing]

A married couple, who happen to be friends of ours, went late summer, and said it was far more reasonable than the winter seasons. They don't have any children to come so they do have a little extra discretionary income.

[Wish4UrB00ty]

Have you looked at the hostels? There are a few in Banff. It’s a beautiful town if you can go!! There is also I nice little town just south of Banff that I know a lot of people stay in because it is cheaper.

[Guy13]

No idea but going to Ottawa July 15th.

[moonpie89]

Really how come

[moonpie89]

First time going or?

[Guy13]

Yes, it is my first time. A guy made friends with at Halliburton in another country got moved there almost year-half now. Just to go and see what it is about. Free place to stay too... Tour guide... fresh set of women etc.

[moonpie89]

You live in the west right ? Ahahs it's a boring city though. Although it can be very fun depending on the people you're with 😆

[Guy13]

When I was 18 and older Montreal, NYC, and Boston triangle. Montreal is enough excitement to last a lifetime 😎

[moonpie89]

Lmao Montreal is overrated 🤣 😂 . NYC was so much fun 😍

[Guy13]

"Frenchies" are wilder that both Boston and NYC "Hamburgers". Maybe we got lucky...

[moonpie89]

Lmao 😂 😂 😂 😂

[Shamalien]

It’s beautiful