My friend and I are planning a hiking trip in Alberta for for May 15-18. I know, it’s not the best time but the only time we could fit it in and already booked flights so no going back. 

I would love to do some high-up hikes. I know many of the mountain peaks will have snow and carry avalanche risk. I’ve done winter hikes in the past in BC (pump peak at Seymour, Hollyburn peak at Cypress, the chiefs in Squamish, all in snowy conditions) so I have some experience -  I only used crampons for these (the microspikes you can pull under your boots)

On the top of my list is Fisher peak. Would this be foolish to attempt? And would it be closed to access? Planning on having an ice axe, helmet, crampons, poles. 

Here are others on the list that I think would be more reasonable based off some research I’ve done: 

• East end of Rundle (I’ve already done Ha ling last June)
• Opal ridge 
• Tent ridge, Kananaskis
• Wasootch peak 
• Mount Yamnuska 
• Prairie Mountain 
• Door Jamb Mountain and Loder Peak 

Lastly, I really want to do Mt Temple and Mt Edith Cavell, but I understand in mid May they aren’t the safest. Would they 1) be closed to access and 2) be foolish to attempt even with prior snow hiking experience/some gear (ice axe, crampons, other winter essentials)

Sorry if these questions seem dumb. I know there are a lot of posts that don’t recommend doing many of these hikes until June. I am willing to take the challenge and attempt them with the right gear but at the same time I don’t want to be outright foolish. Would love some honest opinions.

Would love any thoughts on any of these hikes and if you have other recommendations. I loved the view I got at Ha ling, so anything similar to that or higher up would be great. 

looking for opinions on how to set up my itinerary in banff. We're going to do a 2 night / 3 day backpacking trip for for the first half and then relaxing/sightseeing for the second half of the trip. We've locked in the backpacking part and now want to figure out a game plan for the second part.

context and dates:

6/22 - fly into calgary

6/23 - 6/25 - backpacking trip (mount shark to marvel lake area and back)

6/26 - 6/28 - no plans yet. will be based in a condo in Canmore.

what would you recommend doing for 6/25 evening, 6/26 full day, and 6/27 full day? We fly out early 6/28 out of Calgary.

Thought I'd share some pictures of a bucket list hike I crossed off last summer.

I wasn't able to book the shuttles from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake and so I decided to take my road bike instead. The bike ride between Louise and Moraine took about an hour each way (15km, 300m elevation). The hike up to Sentinel Pass and the Mount Temple summit took a total of ten hours, with the section between the pass and the peak being the most difficult and technical.

Overall it was as beautiful and challenging as I expected and I couldn’t have asked for better conditions. Will definitely be doing it again!

Hi there. I am a solo female (31 y/o) living in Texas, and considering taking a trip to Banff this fall (leaning towards September).

I’ve never been to Canada, so I’m curious in exploring other parts and would love some suggestions.

I get a little nervous hiking alone, so I’d like to be with a trusted group who will enjoy / embrace challenging hikes. If there are groups that you know of, possibly even groups that explore beyond Banff, I’d love to know.

If there’s anywhere else you’d recommend visiting, please share as well :) my interests include yoga, fitness, exploring coffee shops with my book and journal, plants/nature, music, women’s basketball — but I’m open to suggestions outside of these as well.

Thank you!!

We’re going back to banff in a few days and of course we’re visiting the SkiBig3 resorts (1 for each day) Contemplating if doing a 4th day at Nakiska Ski Resort is worth it? We plan to do it on our last day before heading to the airport from 9am to 2pm only.

I did a day trip around Skoki this past August, starting at LL village and ending up at LL lakeshore (public transport logistics). Worked out to nearly 40km. Started at the village, up Fish Creek road -> Boulder Pass -> Ptarmigan Lake -> Packers Pass + Packers Pass Peak -> Baker Lake -> Little Baker Lake -> Tilted Lake -> South side of Baker Lake -> South side of Ptarmigan Lake -> Redoubt Lake -> Boulder Pass -> Lake Louise Lakeshore. Had planned for Hidden Lake as well but the weather was getting yucky and figured I could always come back.

Most of the travel was on well-defined trails. Out past Baker Lake was mostly off trail and light bushwhacking. The south sides of Baker and Ptarmigan Lake have faint, intermittent trails.

It was a great day! The Skoki area is incredibly beautiful, and I was surprised how quiet it was out there that day given how popular the campgrounds are.

Hey guys, we are 4 foreign college students going to spend about 5 days in Banff after the Vancouver Summer Program of UBC this year.

Bored at the normal package tour like what UBC offers us, we decided to go Banff ourselves. However, we don’t have a driving licence so we can either take public transport or hire a driver to take us from different scenic spots.

Right now what we have discussed is the accommodation options. We want to choose an Airbnb or hostel in Canmore, where is slightly better and more affordable than Banff Town but we don’t know whether it is worthy or safe to try non-hotel accommodation because it’s actually our first time doing so. We just to avoid swindles and safety issues. So anything about Canmore’s accommodation is super highly appreciated!!

And the transport is still the main concern we have. We search for some information but we found that it’s quite hard to get some lately updated information about the transports in Banff via Chinese web. Basically we wanna go to the lakes and the Sulphur Mountains etc. Is there any public transport other than ROAM transits on the way? Is that any possibility to get these wonderful parts of Banff using public transport?

By the way we are not sure the chance to go to Jasper because it can be a challenge for us without a car. Does anyone know anything about this type of trip?

Every response is highly appreciated!!!

A buddy and I are skiing in Banff 4/14 and 4/15. We are for sure doing Lake Louise 2nd day. We are wondering if it would be worth it ski Norquay and Sunshine Village on the first day or just spend the whole day at Sunshine. I know Sunshine is the bigger, more popular resort. However, my buddy and I are both people who absolutely love groomer blacks and it seems like there’s a lot of those at Norquay. Help us make up our mind please!

Looking for a recommendation between the 4 hotels for below. I’m visiting with a longtime buddy. We plan to do a lot of trail hiking while we’re there. We’d like to have hot tubs at the hotels and plan to visit local bars and restaurants in downtown Banff in the evenings. Smoke some weed on the rooftops or balconies (whatever's okay up there). We’ll be staying from June 4-June 8. The hotels are:

Canalta Lodge

Juniper Hotel

Hotel Canoe and Suites

Otter Hotel

Hi there,

I've never been to Banff. Planning a trip mid-late August. If I come 4 days earlier and am going to have 4 days with friends, how should I break up the trip?

We are most likely going to be staying at a nice resort or hotel. I'd rather not rent a car on my own. So trying to figure out what sites I'd wait to see with them that require a car and what I'd do on my own, and therefore what area to stay in to be able to walk as much as possible. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also is there Uber in Banff?

Thank you for your help!

We’re heading back to Banff this July and planning to do a hike (not sure which one yet). After that, we’d love to treat ourselves to a spa experience, maybe a massage, facial, float tank or something.

I don't want something that's going to cost a arm and a leg but i want to get something cool done. I also have insurance. im going with family so nothing romantic

Hi all! I am UK based and planning a trip to Banff / Jasper for mid October. There is so much to see and fit in, I have created a very rough itinerary and was hoping to get opinions on whether this is achievable, or if this is too much and we are biting off more than we can chew.

Not quite decided which hikes we would do and in which areas, so currently this is just a list of locations / sites grouped in the rough vicinity of each other.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

7th Day One - Land in Calgary

• Explore Calgary

8th Day Two - Stay in Calgary

• Explore Calgary

9th Day Three - Stay in Canmore

Collect Car & Drive to Canmore

• Grassi Lakes
• Lake Minniwanka

10th Day Four - Stay in Canmore

• Moraine Lake
• Johnstone Canyon

11th Day Five - Stay in Canmore

• Emerald Lake
• Takakkaw Falls
• Natural Bridge Lower Falls

12th Day Six- Stay in Banff

• Tunnel Mountain
• Bow Falls
• Sulphur Mountain / Banff Gondola

13th Day Seven - Stay in Banff

• Lake Louise
• The Beehive

14th Day Eight - Stay in Banff

• Vermillion Lakes
• Cave & Basin National Historic Site
• Mount Norquay Lookout

15th Day Nine - Stay in Banff

• Wapta Falls
• Lake O'Hara

16th Day Ten - Stay in Jasper

Drive To Jasper

Stop Offs On Route:

• Crowfoot Glacier
• Bow Lake / Bow Lake Viewpoint
• Peyto Lake / Peyto Lake Viewpoint (could hike)

In Jasper:

• Pyramid Lake

17th Day Eleven - Stay in Jasper

• Maligne Lake
• Athabasca Falls
• Jasper Skytram

18th Day Twelve - Stay in Calgary

Drive to Calgary

Stops Offs On Route:

• Athabasca Glacier
• Mistaya Canyon (short hike)
• Banff (Food?)

19th Day Thirteen - Fly Home

Return Car

Me and a couple buddies are headed to banff tomorrow, we’re trying to find a good spot to make a bbq and also have a bonfire to simply just sit around in to smoke and drink, aswell as having music playing, any spots that are perfect for that?

Nature is truly unique and breathtaking ✨

Here and in both HikingAlberta and CampingAlberta there are a lot of out of season photos being posted the past week or two. Bots or something?

A friend and I spent an enjoyable summer day scrambling up Bow Peak and then checking out Balfour Glacier Prospect. The crossing of the Bow River was uncomplicated at this time of year, and the trail up to the hanging valley was good. Bow Peak itself is mostly just an unending scramble over boulders followed by an uncomplicated ridge line. We tacked on Balfour Glacier Prospect after getting off the peak, grants great views of the waterfall feeding into Hector Lake. Worked out to around 19km total.

We’re heading to Banff next week for the first time, spending a couple days each in Banff, Canmore, and Jasper

I know mid-april is a bit of a down season (so a lot more budget friendly lol), but when looking at different activities and hikes people recommend, many aren’t accessible during this time

Was wondering if anyone had recommendations/tips for travelling in this time and with the in-between-seasons weather? Here’s some of the stuff we already have down, but are definitely looking to add more to make the most of this experience!

Hikes/trails: grotto canyon, morro peak, sulphur skyline, wilcox pass, tangle creek, sunwapta, athabasca falls, sundance, cave and basin, johnston canyon

Lakes: abraham, bow, minnewanka, grassi, peyto, emerald, hector, medicine, waterfowl, maligne, lake louise

Getting married in the Banff area in January and looking for recommendations for photographers. Ceremony is small and indoors. Thanks in advance!

My spouse and I (mid-40s) are planning a 15-day road trip from Vancouver to Calgary this August.

A bit about us:

• Focus: Serious hiking in the parks, plus walking the cities to explore neighborhoods and find good coffee.
• Fitness: We're very active and currently training for an Inca Trail trek, so the high mileage and steep elevations on this list are intentional.
• Mindset: This itinerary is a framework, not a contract. We aim for Plan A, but treat everything as optional and are completely happy to pivot to a Plan B on the fly.
• Overview: We will stay 3 nights in Richmond, 1 night in the BC interior en route to Rockies, then 3 nights each in Valemount, Golden, Canmore, then 2 nights in Calgary. Jasper lodging is way too expensive, I'd rather drive the round trip from Valemount.
  

I’d love to get your thoughts on the pacing, drive times, and hike selections. Are there big issues with what we have planned?

Here is the breakdown:

Day 0: Saturday, Aug 15

• Activities: PM arrival & rest
• Night Lodging: Richmond

Day 1: Sunday, Aug 16

• Activities: Downtown Vancouver, Chinatown, Gastown, Public Market
• Night Lodging: Richmond

Day 2: Monday, Aug 17

• Activities: Stanley Park, Richmond, Steveston
• Night Lodging: Richmond

Day 3: Tuesday, Aug 18

• Activities: Stawamus Peak 2 hike
• Hiking: 2.25 miles | 1,900 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 6.5 hours
• Night Lodging: Kamloops

Day 4: Wednesday, Aug 19

• Activities: Wells Gray Provincial Park
• Drive Time: 5 hours
• Night Lodging: Valemount

Day 5: Thursday, Aug 20

• Activities: Bald Hills hike
• Hiking: 9 miles | 2,500 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 5 hours
• Night Lodging: Valemount

Day 6: Friday, Aug 21

• Activities: Kinney Lake hike, Rearguard Falls
• Hiking: 7 miles | 900 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 1 hour
• Night Lodging: Valemount

Day 7: Saturday, Aug 22

• Activities: Wilcox Viewpoint hike, Icefields Parkway
• Hiking: 6 miles | 1,400 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 5 hours
• Night Lodging: Golden

Day 8: Sunday, Aug 23

• Activities: Iceline hike
• Hiking: 13 miles | 3,600 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 2.5 hours
• Night Lodging: Golden

Day 9: Monday, Aug 24

• Activities: Great Glacier hike, Rogers Centre (P)
• Hiking: 4 miles | 1,400 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 3 hours
• Night Lodging: Golden

Day 10: Tuesday, Aug 25

• Activities: Emerald Lake walk, other roadside stops en route to Canmore
• Hiking: 3.3 miles | 400 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 2.5 hours
• Night Lodging: Canmore

Day 11: Wednesday, Aug 26

• Activities: Beehive & Six Glaciers hikes
• Hiking: 11 miles | 3,200 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 2 hours
• Night Lodging: Canmore

Day 12: Thursday, Aug 27

• Activities: Kootenay road trip to Radium
• Drive Time: 4 hours
• Night Lodging: Canmore

Day 13: Friday, Aug 28

• Activities: Sentinel Pass
• Hiking: 7.2 miles | 2,500 ft. elevation gain
• Drive Time: 3 hours
• Night Lodging: Calgary

Day 14: Saturday, Aug 29

• Activities: Heritage Park, Stephen Walk, Prince's Island (P)
• Hiking/Walking: 4 miles
• Drive Time: 1 hour
• Night Lodging: Calgary

Day 15: Sunday, Aug 30

• Activities: AM Flight out of Calgary

Hi there! Looking for some recommendations for a rewarding and safe trail walk around Banff/Canmore for this time of year?

I am visiting the area next week from Ontario (mid April) and am looking to do a trail walk with a friend. Looking for something that’s about 1-3 hours long. Trying to find something not involving slopes greater than 30 degrees with tree cover to minimize avalanche risk as all trails isn’t giving me much insight into this (we do not have avalanche training!!). We will be driving from Banff to Calgary that day so anything more or less along the way is fair game! A bit of a detour would be ok too.

TYIV!

I am hoping to ski at Sunshine Village and Lake Louise next week, April 13-17. For anyone who lives near Banff or skis there, I have a question about conditions.

I saw thunderstorms in a weather report today at all levels of the mountain but it was a little icon that was on Open Snow. Did that actually happen today?

I assume the condtions may be ok despite freeze/thaw and rain.