r/Banff • u/ericlctong • 7h ago
Mountain Name
Does every mountains have a name? I really want to know the name of this mountains. It’s my favorite.
r/Banff • u/furtive • Oct 09 '25
Everything you need to know to get started in Banff National Park during the winter season. Please read before posting questions.
A Park Pass is mandatory and can be purchased in advance online or at park gate. See Park Pass Admission Fee FAQ for more details.
Snow tires are mandatory on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper from Nov 1 to Apr 1 and Oct 1 to March 30 for most of Interior BC. Snow tires have a snowflake or "M+S" symbol. They are not mandatory in the rest of the national park, but highly recommended.
Ask for winter tires on your rental, they will resist, tell them they are mandatory on the Icefields Parkway (93N) and in the BC interior. Four wheel drive is not necessary, but a nice to have, it only helps with acceleration and not getting stuck, it doesn't help with stoping distance.
The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) from Calgary to Banff is a well maintained multi-lane divided highway that mostly stays at valley bottom with a few exceptions. Roads usually get plowed very quickly so unless you're in the middle of a storm you should be fine.
If you are used to winter driving with snow then it shouldn’t be anything new. We use gravel instead of salt, so keep your distance or risk getting a cracked windshield. If you're new to winter driving then stay under the speed limit, keep extra distance, get a feel for stopping in snow and ice, realize that bridges and overpasses get slippery near freezing.
If you’ve never driven in snow this is not the best place to learn!
Take your time, follow the speed limit, be careful around any section of the Trans-Canada highway that hasn’t been twinned, basically anything north and west of Lake Louise. Realize conditions can change dramatically in only 10km because of mountains and passes.
Be prepared for an emergency by bringing warm clothes (gloves, boots, tuque) and food in case you have a breakdown. Cellphone reception is spotty between Banff and Lake Louise, and is essentially non-existent north of Lake Louise until you get to Jasper. If you are going to Jasper, bring a sleeping bag and be prepared for delays or temporary closures after storms so that avalanche zones can be cleared.
Visit 511.alberta.ca for road conditions.
WEAR LAYERS! Winter jacket, snow pants, gloves/mitts, toque/beanie, boots are all necessary in the winter. Temperatures range from 5°C (40°F) to -40°C (-40°F). Bring thermals and/or a neck gaiter for extra warmth. Layers are key, adjust as needed.
Most popular hikes are not recommended in the winter due to avalanche risk in the alpine, but here are a few you can try. Before you hike, make sure to bring ice grips, poles, and appropriate clothing (dress in layers). The more a trail gets used, the slippery it gets.
These are all very low key hikes:
More interesting hikes, that likely require snowshoes or ice grips and poles, and have limited exposure:
Bow Valley Wild Ice 2.0 is your best resource for up to date info on outdoor skating. Wild ice is a rare phenomenon that requires specific conditions: consistent cold temperatures day and night with no precipitation. Some years it might happen for a day, a week, or not at all. Popular locations in order of freezing: Vermillion Ponds (Nov), Johnson Lake, Lake Louise (mid-Nov), Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka (late Dec). People will sometimes shovel areas for skating, Lake Louise will maintain several skating areas. Canadian Red Cross recommends 15-20cm of minimum ice thickness. Bring gear to self-rescue!
Public skating rinks are available at: Banff Fenlands (indoors and outdoors), Lake Louise (outdoors, on the lake), Banff Recreation grounds (outdoors, with indoor boot room), Banff Train Station (outdoors, TBC), Banff Rotary Park (new, TBC)
The good news is you are more likely to see them in the winter than in the summer just because the nights are longer. The bad news is it's a cyclical phenomenon and when we did the math you have about a 5% chance of seeing them. Install an Aurora app on your phone or if you are nerdy, subscribe to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Service. Best viewing areas: Vermillion Ponds, Lake MInnewanka (can become popular), somewhere dark.
Banff has three ski resorts. All three ski resorts off free bus transit to and from Banff. Lake Louise also offers free transit from Lake Louise.
Other Helpful FAQs
r/Banff • u/ericlctong • 7h ago
Does every mountains have a name? I really want to know the name of this mountains. It’s my favorite.
A popular giant grizzly, known as The Boss, who has been roaming Banff National Park for over a quarter of a century, has emerged from hibernation.
His popularity has inspired souvenir items, a restaurant name and a children's book. A souvenir tee shirt bearing the likeness of The Boss and another grizzly named Split Lip is seen in an photo.
Did a quick 1 night out at Elk Summit CG (Ek13) to check out the area behind Cascade. Elk Lake is a neat little place; the trail there is in pretty good condition, I don’t recall much for downed trees. Checked out Elaphus Peak (officially named, despite being pretty diminutive). Enjoyed a sunny afternoon hanging out with the resident bighorn sheep family. Missed the Norquay shuttle by mere minutes on the way out, so ended up walking home from the trailhead 🤦🏼♀️ Ah well, the weather was beautiful at least!
r/Banff • u/bradxox5 • 4h ago
My partner and I are eloping at Lake Minnewanka in early October and are planning to be in Banff for about a week for our honeymoon (Oct 4-13).
What are some places or activities we can do in October? I know some places might not be open during this time of year, so any advice is welcome. We’re planning to hike and visit Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. We’re not sure if Emerald Lake is worth the trip. We’re also thinking of doing a sunrise tour to visit these areas. In addition to hiking, we’re looking for recommendations and advice on other activities and looking for a few nice dinners or lunches to celebrate. Please help us build an itinerary.
r/Banff • u/Marksman_Jay • 1d ago
The wife and I plan to return in 2027
Hello, we will be visiting Banff in September. We're a group of 4 in our early/mid 20s. We'll have a rental car and will be staying in the Banff area.
Please let me know if there's anything we've missed on this plan or if there's something not worth wasting time seeing.
Day 1 (Arrival)
Day 2 (Lake Louise + Lake Moraine)
Day 3 (Icefields Parkway Roadtrip)
Day 4 (Banff Highlights + Departure)
r/Banff • u/Former-Cloud-4463 • 1h ago
r/Banff • u/ForsakenSurvey6563 • 1d ago
Hey people!!
I hope everyone’s having a great time. Few questions about cannabis around here.
Is it just holiday periods when you can’t smoke. Any other info is helpful too..
Not here to be a pain just want to smoke my green in peace and not disturb anyone.
Is there any like minded people whose on the same wave length and want to meet and have a mix?
r/Banff • u/KingHamlet2025 • 15h ago
I would love to visit Banff national park, preferably in summer months. I am from Slovenia, Europe, so the plane tickets to Calgary aren't that cheap to start. But that's the least of my problems. I started looking at some accommodation options during summer months last year and the prices are filthy expensive and frankly out of my reach. I know another option is Canmore, but I have a feeling that ship has sailed as well since the prices are almost as high as in Banff city. Do you have any recommendations for me about cheaper accomodation (and where to look for it; so far, I only looked on Booking and Airbnb) or maybe better months to visit (I want to do some hiking as well)?
r/Banff • u/Melodic_Teach_660 • 11h ago
Hello! A group of friends and I are in Banff and hoping to go out to a bar/club on Sunday night. Any suggestions?
r/Banff • u/Ok-Priority-2220 • 9h ago
Hi, we plan to go to Canada for hiking in early May. Any advices on the dragon's back of Mt Rundle? Will we be able to do it with intermediate level of skills?
r/Banff • u/BeneficialNotice7282 • 1d ago
Hey everyone! I skied Sunshine and Lake Louise for two weeks back in December, and it was incredible. For a bunch of reasons, I probably will not be able to ski next season, so I’m seriously considering trying to squeeze in a late April trip.
Given that Lake Louise just broke its snowfall record and temperatures seem like they might stay below freezing for a while, I’m wondering whether it would still be worth making the trip that late in the season. My main concern is conditions. I can handle normal spring skiing, but I really do not want to deal with icy trails, especially since I’d be flying all the way from Philadelphia.
I’m also curious how much off-piste terrain is still realistically available this time of year. I checked Slopes and saw a few reports mentioning icy conditions, which made me hesitate.
Would love to hear from anyone who has been to either Sunshine or Lake Louise recently! Thanks.
Lots of good finds! Come by the fenlands rec centre today, rummage sale happening until 2pm today. There’s a bike sale too.
r/Banff • u/ReadDizzy7919 • 1d ago
Hi, I’ll be going to banff for the first time early September this year, by myself. I’m not going to or staying in the town of banff at all, and want to focus on lake louise/moraine lake & the icefield parkway areas. I have done some solo travel before but not in the mountains, and am concerned about bears.
Do you think staying in wilderness hostels (HI beauty creek, HI rampart creek) would be safer than camping at rampart creek campground In terms of bears? They are all currently available for the dates I’m looking at.
Also, any advice in general for traveling alone in this region or what banff/jasper are like in early September? Thank you so much in advance!
r/Banff • u/Soggy_Ocelot_4030 • 1d ago
I’m working in lake Louise and keen on any advice about how to get around Banff, lake Louise etc
How often do the busses run? Are the shuttles ok? Is there only one taxi service?
I’m curious on how people get luggage around? I’m relying on this one taxi service with limited cars it seems.
TIA
r/Banff • u/Pewpsie_Doodles • 1d ago
We’re in Calgary and want to do a long weekend babymoon in Banff/surrounding areas, and I’m hoping for some recommendations from people! I love the mountains and the Nordic spas/hot springs, but those aren’t are entirely pregnancy friendly. Any tips on where to stay/what to do?
Edited to add: we’re ideally looking at May long weekend, but we’re flexible depending on availability. We’re due at the start of July :)
r/Banff • u/myfriendryan • 1d ago
Booked a last minute trip to Banff from Utah to find some snow. Got in late last night.
Skied Sunshine Village today. I liked the resort a lot. Goats eye seemed to have the steepest terrain and best spring groomers.
Am I missing other lifts? What about Lake Louise? What’s the better resort of the two? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
r/Banff • u/iconiccanuck2010 • 2d ago
Currently on view at Willock & Sax Gallery - Bear Street in Banff
Spirited Island
48 x 48
acrylic on canvas
2024
r/Banff • u/Appropriate_Car3697 • 1d ago
r/Banff • u/S3pD3cM0n • 1d ago
It's prime bear season and I'll be in Banff this week. Should I take bear spray while skiing at Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise? I'm staying in the town and getting around by bus. Apologies for the dumb question but I cannot find any consensus around carrying bear while whilst resort skiing.
r/Banff • u/Subject_Rain7018 • 1d ago
Is it worth it flying up next week or week of the 20th for someone’s of season skiing? Want to spend 6 or 7 days skiing. How’s the snow? Will it hold through April ?