Banff - things to do for non-skiers
#31
Re: Banff - things to do for non-skiers
I first visited Banff in 1969, and haven't changed my mind much in all the intervening years ............... over-run by tourists, ye olde fudge shop, and shops selling Chinese- or Japanese-made souvenirs.
Yes, Jasper has one fudge shop, the same type of souvenirs, but it never feels over-powered.
Where are you staying in Jasper??
Jasper Park Lodge is very expensive but I love it.
We've stayed twice recently at Whistlers' Inn ............ built in the 1930s and retaining a lot of that era's atmosphere, reasonably priced, clean and comfortable, in downtown, and with a very lively pub on the main floor. Ask for a room(s) on the quiet side as one side looks out over the railway tracks ........... though we had a room directly opposite the station last year and were not disturbed by any noise.
Lovely kitschy coffee and sandwich shop, Coco's Cafe on Patricia Street, and also a wonderful bakery on Connaught, Bear's Paw bakery and The Other Paw Bakery Cafe.
Do take the gondola to the top of The Whistlers to get an overall view.
Lots of places to eat
Yes, Jasper has one fudge shop, the same type of souvenirs, but it never feels over-powered.
Where are you staying in Jasper??
Jasper Park Lodge is very expensive but I love it.
We've stayed twice recently at Whistlers' Inn ............ built in the 1930s and retaining a lot of that era's atmosphere, reasonably priced, clean and comfortable, in downtown, and with a very lively pub on the main floor. Ask for a room(s) on the quiet side as one side looks out over the railway tracks ........... though we had a room directly opposite the station last year and were not disturbed by any noise.
Lovely kitschy coffee and sandwich shop, Coco's Cafe on Patricia Street, and also a wonderful bakery on Connaught, Bear's Paw bakery and The Other Paw Bakery Cafe.
Do take the gondola to the top of The Whistlers to get an overall view.
Lots of places to eat
We're hoping to do a lot of hiking etc in the area (wife, 17 year old son and I). In Jasper we're staying in a house through VRBO about a 10 minute walk SW of the main part of town.
In Radium Hot Springs we found a place through Air B'n B. We'd like to be able to make our own meals so we booked those kind of places.
#32
Re: Banff - things to do for non-skiers
A Japanese tourist took my picture once as I stepped off the Greyhound in Banff. I may still be in an album somewhere on far side of the Pacific.
#33
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,873
Re: Banff - things to do for non-skiers
The highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies is near Jasper .... Mount Robson, ~12,970'.
The sight of Mount Robson as you drive the Yellowhead Highway from BC to Jasper is one that is never to be forgotten ....... you drive round a a bend and there is this huge mountain rising straight in front of you. It looks as though the road is going to run into the base!
I had that view for the first time in 1969, it's still very vivid in my mind. Now we see it regularly from the train between Vancouver and Jasper
#34
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Re: Banff - things to do for non-skiers
First visited Banff in the summer of 1965 as a 1 year old (father was on a sabbatical in Canada) and there are photos of me there that I may try and recreate as a 53 year old.
We're hoping to do a lot of hiking etc in the area (wife, 17 year old son and I). In Jasper we're staying in a house through VRBO about a 10 minute walk SW of the main part of town.
In Radium Hot Springs we found a place through Air B'n B. We'd like to be able to make our own meals so we booked those kind of places.
We're hoping to do a lot of hiking etc in the area (wife, 17 year old son and I). In Jasper we're staying in a house through VRBO about a 10 minute walk SW of the main part of town.
In Radium Hot Springs we found a place through Air B'n B. We'd like to be able to make our own meals so we booked those kind of places.
You will probably be able to recreate them very well ......... Banff is within Park boundaries, and development is restricted, so many areas look as they did 50 or more years ago!
The same also of course applies to Jasper.
#36
Re: Banff - things to do for non-skiers
We just spent a few days at Mont Tremblant and neither of us did skiing but found loads to do.
How about riding a snow mobile (you should be able to find a two hour guided ride), a day pass at a spa resort, Canmore definitely worth a drive out to and a look around. Any wildlife parks near Banff?
How about riding a snow mobile (you should be able to find a two hour guided ride), a day pass at a spa resort, Canmore definitely worth a drive out to and a look around. Any wildlife parks near Banff?
#37
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,873
Re: Banff - things to do for non-skiers
We just spent a few days at Mont Tremblant and neither of us did skiing but found loads to do.
How about riding a snow mobile (you should be able to find a two hour guided ride), a day pass at a spa resort, Canmore definitely worth a drive out to and a look around. Any wildlife parks near Banff?
How about riding a snow mobile (you should be able to find a two hour guided ride), a day pass at a spa resort, Canmore definitely worth a drive out to and a look around. Any wildlife parks near Banff?
Banff National Park ....... Canada's first National park
zoos and wildlife parks are not allowed within a national park ... you only have to walk down the street to see moose, deer and possibly even a bear (though not a bear in winter)
#38
Re: Banff - things to do for non-skiers
So much the better! It was a bit weird and sad seeing these magnificent animals through wire and cattle grids!