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    Banff National Park

    4.8 (174 reviews)

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    Lake Moraine
    Melissa S.

    Beautiful views and a great national park to visit!! It does get crowded at the turquoise lakes, so be sure to order your passes for the shuttle to Lake Louise and Lake Moraine well in advance of your trip. It was nice that the shuttle was hop-on, hop-off, so you can spend as much time as you want walking around each of the lakes. If you are visiting Banff I highly recommend getting a rental car, so you do the entire scenic drive to Jasper and Yoho National Parks too.

    Sarah S.

    I've been to many places around the world and Banff is absolutely gorgeous! I honestly thought I had to go to Iceland to see this level of beautiful winter scenery - but alas! It's right in our backyards for Americans, right here in North America! Head up to Calgary and spend some time in the Banff National Park - it's so gorgeous! Be sure to buy your National Parks Pass and plan for all types of weather. You'll most likely fly into Calgary Airport and drive 90 minutes out to the park. Because of the varying weather, I'd suggest getting a car that can handle the same for your rental. Don't feed or approach wildlife ~ take those pics from afar! July and August are the busiest months if you can avoid them. Must Dos: The Banff Gondola (heights-averse people beware). Lake Louise. Hike Johnston Canyon. Check out downtown Banff Avenue (there's a cute bear vibes brewery). Icefields Parkway ~ Columbia Icefields. See a moose and a mountain goat, if you see a bear, I'm so jelly. I know others like the Cave and Basin but that was our group's least favorite site. I mentioned before, but definitely top 5 places I've been when it comes to nature. I'm a nature head and Banff ROCKS.

    Matthew L.

    What an amazing national park! Banff National Park is Canada's first national park - it has what I call the trifecta of necessary landscapes to make the park beautiful: mountains, water, and trees - in a perfect combination. Lake Louise and Lake Moraine both reminds me of Jenny Lake in the Grand Tetons - except the water is more strikingly turquoise in Banff. I spent last weekend in Banff with a friend, during Canadian Thanksgiving. It was a busy weekend, filled with many tourists (such as myself!) We stayed in Banff village, which lies within the national park. For visitors visiting or staying in Banff, you will need to pay a park fee based on person per day, which at time of writing is 11 CAD/day. So for the two of us, it came out to be 11 CAD/day x 3 days x 2 persons = 66 CAD. Well worth the money to stay in Banff/in the park since it gave us more flexibility with activities and later start times, vs having to commute from a nearby city outside of the park. Parking in Banff can be tricky and fill up, especially during busy times. We opted for taking the Roam bus system & Canada Parks shuttle (which I would advise to book ahead of time, to secure a seat), to take us to/from & around the lakes area. This is because the lakes areas' parking lots often get filled up - so to save time, and stress, we primarily used the bus to get around. We stuck to most of the basic hikes around the Lake Louise and Lake Moraine areas. It was also snowing during the weekend I went, so it posed some challenges with road and trail conditions. I used regular hiking shoes and hiking poles, which were for the most part OK - though it was pretty slippery for parts of the incline on the Teahouse Trail. Many folks who had spikes on their shoes commented on how slippery it was - so overall - the hikes can be challenging even for those who were the most equipped. My friend and I didn't make it all the way to the top as the snow was coming down pretty hard and the trail got even more slippery. We also took the gondola from Sulphur Mountain. The 1 bus line takes you from Banff village directly to Sulphur Mountain. Your gondola ticket allows you to take the bus for free to get to/from Sulphur Mountain. We were hoping to catch the sunset while up on top of the gondola station - but due to the snowy/cloudy weather, we didn't get much of a view. Mother nature is unpredictable! We still had a good time though - as it was pretty cool to be up on top of a mountain while it was snowing. You might be wondering about getting bear spray or not. My friend and I both rented one can of bear spray between the both of us. I rented it in Banff village at a sports rental place - they stated that 1 can was enough for both of us given that we weren't going far within the park. Lake Louise and Moraine areas tend to be very highly trafficked, so if you're not really venturing outside of the busy areas, you might be OK without needing bear spray. The majority of tourists stayed at the lake waterfront areas, which were so packed with people -- I'm sure no bear would want to go there! I hope to visit Banff again when it's warmer (and less chance of snow). The lakes were beautiful, even with the snowy/dreary weather. I'm certain it's even more beautiful when it's sunny.

    Mary L.

    The park is beautiful. Being in Banff brought me right back to Switzerland! Their popular hike was even secured with railings so I didn't have to worry about flying off the ledge. The lakes were even more spectacular than the pictures can do it justice. Simply and amazing experience.

    Michael B.

    Do I have to say anything besides post a few photos? This is one of the most scenic parks in the world. Well worth a trip. This was our second visit. After our first trip here six years ago we had to come back with our adult children to share the experience.

    Jason Z.

    Huge national park and tourist attraction near the Banff area that encompasses a large area with plenty of water features and mountain peaks. Plenty to do in the summer and winter with views to match. Entrance is free in the summer months and the very easy to reach and popular attractions are a nightmare due to the lack of oversight from any Canadian park rangers or staff combined with the absolute idiocy of the tourists which make you feel like Canada is a 3rd world country. Too much littering and stupid stuff going on compared to the US national park system. Lots of great trails and scenery but the more popular attractions are a big turnoff.

    Erin S.

    My husband and I went to Banff with our toddler 9/18-25/24. It was chilly, and in the mornings, it sometimes got to below freezing. I wore leggings, a t-shirt, and a heavy fleece jacket with a beanie and it was enough to keep me warm! Wear layers so you can peel off as you hike. We wore trail runners and those were adequate for hiking. We stayed in Canmore and drove into Banff, which really wasn't too far. *NOTE: Get a bus pass to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. We weren't able to get the Parks Canada shuttle, so we went with a private company, Fairview Limousine Shuttle. It was CA$25 for Lake Louise and CA$35 for Moraine Lake per person, but if you wanted to do sunrise, it was like 3x the price. We did the shuttle to Moraine Lake at 7:15 am, so we got there just after sunrise, at 7:45. It was so cloudy that day that being there for sunrise wouldn't have been worth it anyway. Thursday, 9/19 - Peyto Lake (.8 miles total) - Got there at 1:30 pm, there were enough parking spots. Took less than 30 minutes total, including stopping for pics. Stay on the trail! The trees are incredible and smell amazing!! Absolutely stunning views. They have toilets with no running water in the parking lot. - Bow Lake - Walked around a bit, didn't really hike. We heard there's a nice hike, which we would've done if we hadn't started so late in the day! - Mistaya Canyon (.7 miles total) - Took 20 minutes, pretty!! - If we were to do it again: would've gone to Mistaya Canyon first, then Peyto, then Bow. Friday, 9/20 - Johnston Canyon to Upper Falls (3.4 miles total) - Got there at 8 am on a rainy and cold day, so there was plenty of parking. By the time we got down at 10:40, parking lot was full. Bathrooms with running water at the start. Because it was rainy and cold, the trail was almost empty. Very pretty! Took us a little over 2 hours, including stopping for lunch. We would've loved to do Ink Pots, but the toddler was cranky. - Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park - Got there at noon and it was packed, had to park far away. Stroller-friendly boardwalk. Amazing views. There are canoes for $100/hour?!?! Little cafe and bathrooms without running water. We were there for about 30 minutes, but there are plenty of trails if you choose to hike! - Natural Bridge - Got there at 1 pm, found a parking spot. Bathrooms without running water. Quick stop, very cool. Saturday, 9/21 - Tunnel Mountain Summit from Upper Parking Lot (2.6 miles total) - At 8:45 am, plenty of parking. Very cold--below freezing. Took us 50 minutes to get up with stops and pictures, spent 30 minutes at the top but it was just so cold. Took us less than 30 min to get down. The elevation gain made it challenging, especially with a toddler on my back. But worth it! I think the views of the golf course just before the summit were prettier than the views of the town of Banff at the summit. - Two Jack Lake - Very pretty viewpoint! Go down the gravel path and look on either side for lovely views. - Lake Minnewanka - Eh, skip it. - Johnson Lake - Plenty of parking at 12:45 pm. Easy hike around the lake. Not worth it. Sunday, 9/22 - Took Fairview Limousine Shuttle to Moraine Lake. - Moraine Lake: Rockpile Trail (.8 km loop): Got to the lake at 7:45 and the shuttle left at 9 which was more than enough time. Quick walk up to take pics, hung out up there to pass the time until the bus came back. - Lake Louise: Lake Agnes Tea House Trail (3.4 km one way): Lake Louise was STUNNING. Completely uphill hike to tea house with stairs at the end. We stopped a lot of times and drank a lot of water. Took 1:15 on the way up. Lake Agnes was fine, but nothing compared to Lake Louise. Spent about an hour at the tea house, the wait really wasn't that long. Got tea, vegetable soup, biscuits, a cookie bar. Took an hour to get down. Much easier going down, but hard on the knees. Monday, 9/23 - Hoodoos - Fine, pretty short. We followed the sign someone had written on and didn't go past where the trail ended because there were. no views past it. If you don't have time, this is fine to skip. - Bow River - We stopped at the Bow Falls Viewpoint for a picnic lunch. It was so peaceful. We didn't do the trails, but I'm sure it would've been lovely. Even just stopping there for lunch was so nice. Highly recommend! Banff was incredible. Don't pass it up!

    moiii
    Shwe N.

    always have wanted to visit here and finally... yay!! canadian national parks are on another level for sure.. so affordable and breathtaking truly nature is beyond pictures and it's crazy to think how it's snowing still around june and the sun setting at 10pm i will come back banff! hopefully nothing tooo crazy during the busy season but it was still sunny yet chilly but also my cold tolerance is terrible keke

    Danielle P.

    We visited the Banff National Park this week, while we were in the Alberta Canada area. This is very popular tourist attraction year round, so keep this in mind when booking hotel reservations. You will need a park pass during your stay, and you can purchase them online, upon entering the park, or at the Banff visitor center. We had beautiful weather during our visit, and we were able to see plenty of wildlife during our visit. We would highly recommend this National Park to people who enjoy the outdoors and the wonders of the wilderness. Please keep in mind that many of the hiking trails are not handicap accessible. You need a national park pass to enter, I reserved mine online prior to arriving. I also reserved a shuttle to see the most popular lakes. I highly recommend you do some research before going. Bring bear spray, also stop at visitors centers for maps and info. The staff was very helpful. This is one of my top ntl parks out of the USA. @glampedlife

    Lake Agnes tea house
    Jess L.

    Beautiful park, you just need to be prepared with buying park passes and if you want to go to Lake Louise or Moraine lake you need to book shuttles! You can buy daily park passes online and print them, buying at the drive in gate there are always long lines (if you are coming from Yoho or Golden stop in Field at the visitor center to purchase a day pass). The day pass does last until the next day at 4pm so you essentially getting 2 days. The hikes can be pretty steep so be prepared for that! Very beautiful and very blue water

    Ane V.

    Canada's oldest National park with breathtaking views and scenery. From snow capped mountains, glaciers, and wildlife such as moose, elks and grizzly bears. For people who loves adventure, summer is the best time for hiking, camping and exploring. While winter is good for skiing with the Canadian Rockies as the backdrop. Accommodations are available, maybe it be a luxury hotel or outdoor campground. I visited last April and there were still a lot of snow. I was in awe while passing the snow capped mountains, frozen lakes and the landscapes. It is beautiful! We even saw some wild deers. I would surely come back during Springtime or Summer to enjoy more. Entrance is CAD$21 per car and it is valid for 24hrs.

    A Photo At Lake Louise Banff, Canada.

    Banff National Park is special to me and my family because there were big mountains and Turquoise-colored lakes. I want you to go there, it costs a lot of money like $342 per night!!!! (by Google Gemini) But it is worth it in my opinion. I went there on June 24th 2024 US. Beautiful. I know i'm 1 year late, I stayed in Canmore, which isn't too far from Banff.

    Seth A.

    Banff National Park is incredible. Standing among snowcapped mountains is hard to describe. And that's what you'll discover. I know there are the Grand Teton Mountain Range in the USA, but it's different here in Banff. Taking the time to explore these surroundings can change you. In a spiritual sense, you'll have time to reflect and appreciate how traveling to places like Banff can humble you and make you a better person, in life. I apologize for talking so deeply. I'd like to relay my experience... Upon driving to Banff at the entrance station, it is about $10 per person per day. The gate agent asks how many days you'll be spending here. If you're planning on spending 5 - 7 days...it's worthwhile to get an annual pass for $70. Best of all this $70 covers Banff, Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper. I highly advise getting the yearly pass and for those Americans, it's $70 - Canadian or about $55 - US. Btw...cell phone reception works well in and around Banff. I plugged all the destinations I wanted to see into Google Maps and was easily guided to them. - Welcome to Banff Sign - good opportunity to pull your car over and take a picture with the sign announcing you have arrived! - Surprise Corner Viewpoint - a terrific spot to pull over, exit your car, cross the street and walk to a wooden platform where you'll have beautiful views of the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel nestled in the background among a picturesque landscape setting. - Banff Gondola - in my opinion, this is the most important attraction in Banff. The sceneries from the top of Sulphur Mountain were unmatched! Stupendous! What a journey to the top. They have a wonderful boardwalk section for you to spread out from other tourists and grab first-class photos! - Bow Falls Viewpoint - quick waterfall stop. - Walk Around Downtown Banff - a charming and rustic downtown walking area filled with souvenir shops, gift stores, cozy restaurants and then some... Also great about browsing around town is that they close off the roads to cars so you can walk in the middle of the streets and grab worthwhile pictures of downtown with the snowcapped mountains hovering in the distance! Downtown Banff for me was the best! Better than well-known Jackson Hole, Wyoming! - Cascade Pond - grass area for picnics and hanging out among more mountains. Pleasant atmosphere with a great walking path around the lakes. - Norquay Mountain Overlook - there is a lodge at the top of the road but I just stopped at the viewpoint to appreciate seeing downtown Banff in the background. A quick, but cool stop. - Vermillion Lakes - decent stop to look around. - Lake Minnewanka - although windy when I was here in mid-June, a scenic lake to walk around for a little. - Two Jack Lakes - again like Lake Minnewanka - walk around the pretty lake surroundings. - Johnston Canyon - pathway through a canyon ravine leading to the Lower and Upper Falls. A total of 4.8 kilometers roundtrip. A popular stop. The Lower Waterfall was okay. I liked the Upper Waterfall better. - I know this is not part of Banff...but while spending my time in Banff, I did a side daytrip to Kootenay National Park. That's where the annual pass for $70 came in handy. - Drive the Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise Village. This is an alternative to Canada Highway 1. It's more of a local road rather than the main highway. - Morant's Curve - cool photo moment of a train track with occasionally passing trains set among a forest backdrop with those wondrous snowcapped mountains standing high and mighty. This spot is a photographers dream, lol. - Lake Louise Village - walk around at shops, eat and speak with a Ranger at the Lake Louise Visitor Center. - Lake Louise - one of the most popular attractions in Banff. The lake is really colorful when the sun is out. You can walk around the lake for a nice hike. Most folks hung out in front of the incredible Chateau Lake Louise. I did hike to the other side of the lake. It's crowded, lol. Parking is rough. You can take a gondola here as well, but after doing the Banff tram, not sure anything else can match that. - Moraine Lake - right next door to Lake Louise. Parking is a nightmare. Do the Rockpile Trail for awesome views. The lake is really colorful and the rugged mountains hang on top of you. Unbelievable setting! - Another side daytrip to Yoho National Park. - Start driving magnificent Icefields Parkway. - Herbert Lake - Quick stop. Quiet lake. - Crowfoot Glacier - Gorgeous! - Bow Lake - The stops keep getting better! - Peyto Lake - 6/10's of a mile walk to terrific observation point. Continue on to Bow Summit Lookout for even high views - but this adds 3 extra miles each way. And I'm going to end here. At this point in time you're on the heart of Icefields Parkway and far enough away from Downtown Banff. Welp...I wanted to get in all the landmarks, sights and attractions of Banff Town and Banff NP that I got to. What an unforgettable experience.

    Two Jack Lake

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    Buy your park pass before coming if driving. July busiest month of the year so get ready to just go with it if visiting.

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    Banff National Park Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Banff National Park

    It is known for its mountain peaks and turquoise glacial lakes (Lake Louise and Moraine are the two popular ones).

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    Central Park - Great running/walking path alongside Bow River and Central Park

    Central Park

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.5 km

    I can't believe there's only one other review for this beautiful park in the heart of Banff town!…read more Just a few minutes walk from downtown Banff and perfectly situated along the Bow River, Central Park is a huge park for everyone to enjoy! My first time here was actually in summer of 2019 and they happened to have live music one afternoon at the gazebo. So many people were spread out around the park relaxing on the grass, picnic blankets or sitting at one of the many picnic tables just enjoying the sunny day, hanging out and listening to the local artist/band while soaking in the gorgeous views of the mountains and Banff town! More recently, my hubby and I were back in town for the 2023 Banff Marathon/Half Marathon/10K weekend and the race hub was set up at Central Park (race packet pick up, expo, pre-race festivities, and start/finish area). We loved getting to do "Yoga in the Park" here as part of the Banff Marathon festivities and just hang out here before and after the race itself. If I lived in Banff, I'd probably be here everyday! It's just the most picturesque place to go for a run, walk, have a picnic, take your kids to play in the playground or just run around on the grass. They even have a farmers' market and craft market here from time to time (possibly weekly), and a large public washroom/restroom building by the main parking lot. Not to be missed when in Banff!

    What a great place to be on Canada Day! Live music, dancing, drums, fireworks, everyone in red -…read morefrom head to toe. Great to see the community to come together to celebrate their country. Shout out to Amelie Patterson. Awesome performer- hope she comes to SF one day.

    Photos
    Central Park - Gorgeous views from near the gazebo (taken during my first visit in Aug 2019)

    Gorgeous views from near the gazebo (taken during my first visit in Aug 2019)

    Central Park - Main walkway into Central Park from parking lot

    Main walkway into Central Park from parking lot

    Central Park - Amazing place for outdoor yoga!

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    Amazing place for outdoor yoga!

    Banff Gondola - sulphur mountain

    Banff Gondola

    4.5(257 reviews)
    3.5 km

    I visited Banff for the second time recently, and I finally made it to the gondola for their…read moreChristmas event. My entire family had a blast-this was the highlight of our trip to Canada this year. Everything was so well organized and thoughtfully arranged. My kids got to complete so many creative activities: cookie decorating, meeting Santa, crafting a gondola themed ornament, roasting marshmallows, etc. as a plus, everyone was very friendly and cheerful. The views are stunning, and while I didn't get to walk through boardwalk (not stroller friendly and I have a child in a stroller), I hope to next time!

    I recently visited Banff with my running group and they planned a whole week of activities for us…read more We had a free day to pick our own activity on our last day here. Out of the options that they presented to us, I chose the Banff Gondola. We spent the whole week running and hiking and I wanted something relaxing to do. The Banff Gondola takes you 2,292 feet up a steep mountainside to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The ride itself is eight minutes long. After buying my ticket, I chilled at the Starbucks that is at ground level and watched the gondola take people up the mountain. There is also a gift shop next to it. Each gondola cabin is designed to hold up to four people and offers a 360-degree view as you ascend up the mountain. Once you arrive at the Banff Gondola Upper Terminal on Sulphur Mountain, you have four levels to explore. The fourth level is the rooftop observation deck where you get amazing panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. You can see the entire town of Banff from up here. There is also an outdoor boardwalk that leads to Sanson Peak. I spent a few hours up here exploring the different levels. There is a coffee shop and a couple of restaurants at the top. I did the walk from the observation deck to Sanson Peak and back. The views are just stunning. The observation deck can get crowded and it can get a little windy at times. I spent my time taking photographs and relaxing on the benches. I then grabbed a coffee before heading back down. The Banff Gondola is a little pricey, but I am glad I picked this activity. It was a nice way to close out my trip to Banff.

    Photos
    Banff Gondola - Here we are having reached the top of the ride!! The view was absolutely incredible!!

    Here we are having reached the top of the ride!! The view was absolutely incredible!!

    Banff Gondola - Nothing but views.

    Nothing but views.

    Banff Gondola - We ate at the buffet, very average food, pricey. Fantastic view!

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    We ate at the buffet, very average food, pricey. Fantastic view!

    Norquay Via Ferrata - North American Chair Lift

    Norquay Via Ferrata

    4.4(18 reviews)
    3.3 km

    I had a blast doing the Via Ferrata here at Norquay. My running group company booked this adventure…read moreas an excursion on our trip to Banff. The Via Ferrata (Italian for the Iron Path) has five different types of adventure tours: Explorer, Ridgewalker, Alpinist, Skyline and Summiteer. Each of these trails cater to all different types of skill levels. My travel company booked the Explorer package for our group which is 1 km (3,280 feet) in distance and lasts just over 2 hours. The views are breathtaking and I really enjoyed doing my first Via Ferrata. You can see one of the coolest looking mountains Mount Rundle in the distance while on the trail. Mount Norquay has a rich ski culture that goes back to the early 1900s. It lies directly northwest of the Town of Banff and is one of Banff National Park's three major ski resorts. The mountain has a top elevation of 6,998 feet. The main chair lift is one of the oldest lifts in North America and has been providing riders with views of the Bow Valley since 1948. Mount Norquay Ski Resort is operated by Norquay Mystic Ridge Ltd. Norquay has a total of 60 runs and is a huge supporter of alpine ski racing. The Mount Norquay Via Ferrata is located in Banff National Park. We had a great guide that took us up the sheer rock wall and across the suspension bridge. I initially was a little nervous, but felt safe the whole time with the harness that attaches to the mountain's steel cable pathway. Those cables can hold a ton of weight. Anyone without rock climbing experience can do this. Before we started our climb, our guide went over all of the safety rules and let us do a practice run on a short wall before we headed up the chair lift. Norquay Via Ferrata offers complimentary hiking boots if you forgot to bring some and has a bistro and snack bar if you are hungry. The Norquay Via Ferrata is a must if visiting Banff National Park.

    The best experience we have ever gone into blindly. Very well curated guided experience, great…read morecondition equipment, amazing and funniest guide. We had lot of fun with the Ridgewalker hike/climbing we did. Worth every dollar we spent on it. It was safe and the instructions were clear, concise and easy to follow. The work that goes into maintaining those trails is very much unknown and underappreciated. So thank you!

    Photos
    Norquay Via Ferrata - Suspension Bridge

    Suspension Bridge

    Norquay Via Ferrata - Making our way to the Suspension Bridge

    Making our way to the Suspension Bridge

    Norquay Via Ferrata - The Start of our Journey

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    The Start of our Journey

    Discover Banff Tours - Bow river

    Discover Banff Tours

    3.9(64 reviews)
    0.0 km

    This tour is wonderful! We saw elk, big horn sheep, coyotes, and deer. It was a light snow day…read morefor our tour so views were limited, but the driver/tour guide made the entire trip very enjoyable. Chloe was knowledgeable and friendly, she helped make the tour very fun and memorable!

    We had a terrible experience with Discover Banff Tours and would never book through them again…read more We booked a dog sledding excursion for 6 people, including our family and our friends visiting from San Diego. We paid nearly $1,400 in full for 2 sleds, submitted all required guest information right away (weights, ages, etc.), and even received an email confirming that everything had been received and that we were fully confirmed for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Then on Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the excursion, they called asking for the same information all over again. We told them we had already submitted it and had the confirmation email to prove it. After putting us on hold, they came back and admitted there had been a miscommunication on their end and that the person who handled our booking failed to enter our information properly. Because of their mistake, our reservation was given away to someone else. So after taking our money, confirming our booking, and making us think everything was locked in, they left us with no dog sledding tour and no real solution on the only day that worked for our group. They did offer us Friday, but that did absolutely nothing for us because we leave Thursday and our friends fly home Wednesday. That is exactly why we booked this in advance the previous Friday. The kids were already excited for this experience, and we were left scrambling at the last minute trying to find another company because of their mistake. The only thing they could really offer was a refund or to push other excursions we had no interest in. That's not customer service -- that's damage control after they failed to do their job correctly. This was extremely unprofessional, careless, and a huge inconvenience during a family trip. Avoid the middleman and book directly with the actual dog sledding companies.

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    Banff National Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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