Your must see/do in Banff

[GrrlGoalie33]

My mother in law is here from England and we're taking her to Banff for the weekend. What is on your Must list for Banff?

We're staying at the Elkhorn Lodge

Thanks!

[troutman]

Banff's hottest club is The Dancing Sasquatch.

[ranchlandsselling]

I'm not sure about "must do's" but whenever I'm in the area nothing beats a relaxing dip in these neat hot water pool with some strange snails. It's so nice, I'm always the only one in there although the odd looks I get confirms people are jealous of what I'm doing.

[undercoverbrother]

Take a dip in the pool at the cave and basin.

[Buff]

The Gondola

[Nyah]

Grizzly House. Make sure you have a reservation though.

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by troutman

Banff's hottest club is The Dancing Sasquatch.

Ask for a time machine at the bar.

[Wood]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Grizzly House. Make sure you have a reservation though.

Reserve the back room

[DoubleF]

Cascade gardens after the bridge is nice in the summer. Not now.
Hot springs is nice, especially after a longer day. Wear historical bathing suits. Forever laugh at how dumb she looked. Pics for proof.
Go to Lake Louise, skate and if ice castles are up, pics?
Gondola, more pics?
Wander down town. Pics?
Buying and eating random over priced confectionery. Diabetus and pics?
Go to Canmore. Pics again.
Wander DT area. More pics.
Go to Nordic Centre. Pics.
Drive to top of hill/dam or whatever that thing is. Pics of hair blown in 372 degree turns.
Go to Kananaskis Lake. Moar pics.

...Hikes? Pics till camera out of power or out of memory. Whichever is first.

Most likely staring at a mountain and the fresh air we have is more than enough for many tourists.

EDIT: Forgot to add... Selfies.

But... strapping skis on the MIL and throwing her down a hill is probably what most normal people prefer to suggest. "It's a tourist thing. Even kids can do it. Don't mind the bruises, frost bite and concussion. You're actually having fun."

[Tron_fdc]

English tourist hey? How old?

I've seen lots of 'em doing cocaine in the bathroom of the Aurora.

Failing that try Johnston Canyon. It's a super easy hike, and the falls are pretty cool in the winter.

[Wormius]

The brunch buffet at the Banff Springs Hotel is really good.

[Huntingwhale]

Banff is the STD capital of the world. A smorgasbord of infection awaits.

[Drummer]

Marble Canyon and Numa Falls. Lunch / dinner at Storm Mountain Lodge. These are about a 30 min drive west of Banff off of 93 South

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Banff is the STD capital of the world. A smorgasbord of infection awaits.

Your relationship with your mother in law appears to be different than most...

[GGG]

Johnston Canyon is a great winter hike, get some snow cleats though because it ices up quite a lot.

I like hiking up tunnel mountain in the winter. 1.6km long relatively snow free and just as good of view as the sulpher mountain gondola without the crowds.

Hot springs are great in the winter.

Stand on banff ave in the middle of the boulavard and take a group picture of your group with the street and cascade mountain in the background. Ask someone to take it instead of a horrible selfy.

Snowshoing on lake Minniwanka out to the steward Canyon bridge is a nice 1 km trip.

Ice fields parkway is fantastic in the winter if the weather is nice and its open. Do not go if storms are coming in.

Or you could go skiing but if shes never skiied before and you guys are good it doesn't work well she will feel she is holding you up. If you all don't ski a morning ski lesson followed by an afternoon of skiing will get you doing green runs safely.

[troutman]

Is she interested in seeing wildlife?

You can usually see a herd of elk around the railroad tracks in Banff or Canmore.

Between Canmore and Exshaw you can often find Bighorn Sheep.

[dammage79]

Sushi Train for dinner one night. Eddie Burger another. I promise you cannot go wrong.

As for sights, Bow falls in the winter is pretty sweet, The Banff springs for pictures. Also take a drive to Lake Minnewanka if you can, really nice scenery in the winter if you can get there.

Another drive worth recommending if the roads are clear, take a day drive up to spray lakes around the Canmore area. If Mountain scenery is the name of the game, this is probably the best spot spot on a clear winters day to get some amazing photos.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sushi Train for dinner one night. Eddie Burger another. I promise you cannot go wrong.

Went to Eddie's Burger Bar the other day. Quite good.

[keratosis]

May stop at Eddie Burger on my way back from Tofino.

[OMG!WTF!]

If you're going to drive up the Spray Lakes road from Canmore, and by all means you should, without question you should go for dinner at Mt Engadine Lodge. You have to reserve 24 hours in advance but it is easily the best experience you'll have. If dinner isn't possible, drop in for tea and cookies in the afternoon. And whatever you do, don't tell anyone else about it. We want the crowds lining up for the march up Johnson Canyon and dinner at Melissa's.