Recommendations for weekend trip to Banff

[GGG]

The best options aren’t in Banff. It’s Lake Ohara, Shadow Lake Lodge, Mount Assiniboine Lodge,or Skoki Lake lodge..

They vary in accessibility from Bus, to Helicoptor, to cross country ski / hike and they are stupid expensive but probably comparable to band springs. Excellent food. This is by far the best mountain getaway you can have.


You can sit in your cabin or around a fire all day and read, explore for a few hours. Winter in these places is truely isolated. I’ve done winter Skoki and have talked with people who have done the others. Maybe not what you are looking for as it’s a little rustic (composting toilets rather than spas) but really amazing. You also eat as a group with other guests so it has the right level of socialization and privacy.

[Gemnoble]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Definitely would also suggest/confirm these good recommendations in this order:

1. Ole Spaghetti Factory
2. Grizzly house so you can throw your clothes out after because it smells like 50 years of boiling fryer oil and cigarettes. Oh ya there are phones on each table so you can phone other tables for some reason. (are those still there). German swinger owners back in the day?
3. That pub with no windows and smells like sick and sewer back-up because its in a basement.

1. OP says they are boring people, so I gave a boring option.

2. It's like no other place I've ever seen and everyone should visit once.

3. That sounds like a Bar to me.

[Captain Otto]

We have stayed at the Douglas Fir for years. It is a little old now but it certainly has a rustic charm and wood fireplaces. Many have well appointed kitchens as well.

They have standalone A-frame chalets as well that again, just have a certain charm with the fireplace blazing!!

https://douglasfir.com/

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Captain Otto

We have stayed at the Douglas Fir for years. It is a little old now but it certainly has a rustic charm and wood fireplaces. Many have well appointed kitchens as well.

They have standalone A-frame chalets as well that again, just have a certain charm with the fireplace blazing!!

https://douglasfir.com/

I love those little a-frame cabins.

[troutman]

The best restaurant in Banff is Crazyweed in Canmore.

[DoubleF]

What about a Banff horse carriage tour? I've seen it a few times. Always seems cool. Always forget.

You can also ride horses on some of the trails which was quite fun and neat.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The only downside with the Springs and the Chateau LL are that due to their age they have a LOT of rooms that are just... really small. If I was looking for a place where laying in my room admiring the view was a real option, there are a lot of rooms in those joints that are just not remotely suited for that as a result.

[J pold]

BUMP.

I have some clients from Texas coming up to Banff/Jasper in September. They have a full day in Banff and asked me about things to do. They are an older crowd (50-60 year olds) coming with their spouses, so they are keeping things pretty civil.

They also asked me the best stops for short hikes/sightseeing on the drive between Banff and Jasper.

Admittedly, I don't know Banff/Jasper that well for Albertan, but I want to be helpful. Does anyone have recommendations?

[you&me]

Originally Posted by J pold

BUMP.

I have some clients from Texas coming up to Banff/Jasper in September. They have a full day in Banff and asked me about things to do. They are an older crowd (50-60 year olds) coming with their spouses, so they are keeping things pretty civil.

They also asked me the best stops for short hikes/sightseeing on the drive between Banff and Jasper.

Admittedly, I don't know Banff/Jasper that well for Albertan, but I want to be helpful. Does anyone have recommendations?

I'd say, even if you / they don't stay there, the Banff Springs is something to see.

Lunch or dinner at the top of the Gondola is pretty epic (and the food's pretty solid too)... Definitely a unique experience for someone from Texas.

[kipperiggy]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Banff has a BP's too, if you are feeling adventurous.

This thread is exactly why my partner and I said we could never tell anyone we went to Banff but went to BP's

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by kipperiggy

This thread is exactly why my partner and I said we could never tell anyone we went to Banff but went to BP's

There's an old saying that if you haven't been to BumPers, you haven't been to Banff.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by J pold

BUMP.

I have some clients from Texas coming up to Banff/Jasper in September. They have a full day in Banff and asked me about things to do. They are an older crowd (50-60 year olds) coming with their spouses, so they are keeping things pretty civil.

They also asked me the best stops for short hikes/sightseeing on the drive between Banff and Jasper.

Admittedly, I don't know Banff/Jasper that well for Albertan, but I want to be helpful. Does anyone have recommendations?

Skywalk?

https://www.banffjaspercollection.co...field-skywalk/

Located between Banff and Jasper.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by you&me

I'd say, even if you / they don't stay there, the Banff Springs is something to see.

Lunch or dinner at the top of the Gondola is pretty epic (and the food's pretty solid too)... Definitely a unique experience for someone from Texas.

The ghost/history tour at the Banff Springs is terrific.

[dammage79]

Burgers: Eddie Burger
Pub: St.James Gate. Honorable mention to The Elk and Oarsman and Tommy's. Can't beat a Tommy burger late night
Quality restaurant experience? Nourish, Bison


They also have a Chilis and two Kegs. The Keg downtown I'd recommend as well. But, it's the Keg. But it's a good one IMO.

[PepsiFree]

The McDonalds in Banff is pretty inconvenient. No drive-thru.

[J pold]

Is the Columbia Icefields tour worth it?

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by J pold

Is the Columbia Icefields tour worth it?

Why is the skywalk exclusive to private tours?

Like you can't even park there when driving through, and can't see it really.

Dumbest thing I've ever seen for something that's supposed to be an attraction.



And yeah the tour is a must do at least once for the experience.. although I'm sure it's rocketed up in cost since I went.

[Titan2]

Originally Posted by J pold

Is the Columbia Icefields tour worth it?

If you want to see a real world, in your face, example of climate change then yes.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by J pold

Is the Columbia Icefields tour worth it?

Can't remember the cost but I liked it.

Bring a water bottle and you can fill it up with the run off

[Sliver]

Aardvark Pizza. Probably sounds like a dumb joke, but I love that stuff.