What to Pack for Early Spring in Banff:
Bonjour! We went to Banff National Park for spring break in March. Even though it was winter, this guide can be used for any season to this destination. Let me start by saying three little words, or big words as it were. It. Is. Amazing! The beauty cannot be expressed in words. Every piece of this place is breathtaking. We were here from Wednesday to Sunday and could have used another day or two, however we got a lot done. I hope you find this information helpful in planning your trip to BNP. I’m not an expert and the accuracy is based on when I was there. I hope you can use this guide to benefit your trip planning.
The late winter, early spring weather was perfect! It was cold enough to have great snow, however, we didn’t freeze. You still need to pack your winter clothes though because you will be spending most of your time outside.
- Patagonia and North Face: sweaters, vests, jackets
- Smartwool socks and base layers
- Leggings, sweatpants, snowpants
- Sorels snow boots
- Hats and mittens
- Helmets, goggles, neck warmer, face mask
- Skis, poles, boots, snowboard
- Bags for skis/snowboards (they count skis and boots as one bag)
- Backpack
- Swim suit
- Passport
- Camera
Click here to read my full post on winter packing in Banff.
Before I talk about the Canadian airports, over 20% of the Canadian population speaks French. So you might hear a lot of Merci and BonJour. We knew this living next to the Canadian border, but it was still a little bit of a culture change.
Canadian Airports
Side Note: We flew Westjet: $30 to check a bag one way. You get a carry on item for free and a personal item like a backpack. Skis, poles and boots are considered one checked bag.
We flew out of Winnipeg https://www.waa.ca/ so I thought I’d add this information for the people that would be flying out of this airport. More than likely, you will be flying out of your local airport and into Calgary.
Winnipeg
Parking
There are three types: Valet, Reserved (some ramps are covered but there is a top floor that isn’t covered), and Outer Reserved (a little longer walk). You walk right across the street to the airport. We used reserved and this is what we would do again.
Where We Ate
The Green Carrot
For a delicious and healthy drink, check out their menu here: https://www.greencarrotjuice.com/
KAMP: Kale, Apple, Mint, and Pineapple juice = 3-4 pounds of veggies in each bottle
Acai Smoothie: Strawberry, blueberry, acai, banana, almond milk, and cold pressed apple juice
What they offer: Cold pressed juice, smoothies, Acai Bowls, and light eats
Prairie Bistro
A friendly, quick service, sit down food. Great service, but food was marginal. My chicken burger was a preheat.
Sky Lounge
Located right next to Prairie Bistro and offered some live music.
Hotels Onsite
Courtyard Marriott (right across) and Four Points by Sheraton
Tip: There is an outlet mall in Winnipeg if you have time to shop! https://www.outletcollectionwinnipeg.com/
Calgary
The Calgary airport was very nice. https://www.yyc.com/en-us/calgaryinternationalairport(yyc).aspx Once we arrived, we headed to baggage claim and then across the street to Alamo to rent our car. I would highly recommend renting a car, rather than taking a shuttle. The driving is easy and then you have quick access to everything you want to do once you arrive in Banff.
Where We Ate
Chilis/Tim Horton’s
We ate here for breakfast on the departure flight mainly because they were side by side. My husband wanted an omelet so he ate at Chili’s. My son and I tried Tim Horton’s. I ordered a bagel with bacon and my son tried a myriad of donuts. The bread was so soft! I don’t know what it is about Canadian bread, but it’s always so soft.
Regina
We had a stop over in Regina on the way home (a small, nice airport) that we didn’t expect, but it was seamless. We only had a 45 minutes layover. Our arriving and departing gates were side by side, so we had time to spare. We are usually running through the airport as we hear “Jackson party of four, last call!”
On the flight, I ordered a club soda with a lime. They asked if “dry lime” was ok. Uh, sure?? I didn’t know there was such a thing. Not half bad considering…
The Drive to Banff
First Stop, Calgary Olympics
Your first stop should include WinSPORT in Calgary. This is the site of the 1988 olympics. There are a ton of winter activities. The skiing doesn’t look great, but there are other things to try like a chance to ride in a bobsled! If anything, stop by for a picture. https://www.olympic.org/calgary-1988 and https://www.winsport.ca/
The drive to Banff is about 1.30 hours – Remember you are entering a National Park so you will need to stop by the ranger station for your park pass, which is around $10/adult/day. You can stop at the Visitors Center or at the National Park gates. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/index
Where We Stayed in Banff
There are many lodges and hotels in Banff. You can find anything you are looking for from luxury to a hostel. We opted for a middle of the road hotel, the Delta Banff Royal Canadian, for the first leg of our trip. We like to stay near the action, but not in it, so this was perfect. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ybacl-delta-hotels-banff-royal-canadian-lodge/
Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge
Located toward the end of Banff Avenue, you are out of the “main action” of downtown, however, you are close enough to walk. A perfect spot if you ask me.
There is a restaurant and lounge onsite. We did not eat supper there because it was usually closed by the time we got back. We did enjoy the breakfast buffet, however which included pancakes, oatmeal, fruit, bagels, etc.
They offered complimentary Tazo Tea and Starbucks in the mornings and apple cider at night. There is a wood fire blazing when you walk in so it sets the tone for a great winter getaway. Parking is a little tricky, so I would suggest using valet for $15/day (self parking is $15/day as well) so you might as well use valet. The hotel is fairly small with only 3 floors and 79 rooms. There is a car rental onsite if you utilized other transportation from the airport.
Where to Eat in Banff
Pacini Italian
This restaurant is located in the Moose Hotel and Suites on Banff Avenue. We loved it so much, we ate here twice! https://pacini.com/en/
I ordered the Bruschetta–twice! It was a pizza type crust with a tomato, marina, and a pesto sauce. My husband ordered the gluten free pizza and my son had the regular pizza. There is a complimentary bread bar, which is fun to do while you wait for your food. You pick your bread, spread on a variety of flavored butter such as tomato basil or garlic, and then grill the bread. They offer a gluten free menu.
The restaurant is open until 11PM, which is a plus because your days in BNP will go fast. We were at a ski resort usually all day and then wanted to do some sightseeing, so we normally didn’t get back to Banff until 9:30 and didn’t think we would find anywhere to eat. We were so busy, we forgot to eat earlier!
Keg Steakhouse
The Keg, which was recommended by locals is open until 10 PM. We enjoyed prime rib, steak filet, Keg burger (which is like a hamburger). We enjoyed the food and the view was great. Ask for a table near the window to view the mountains. Reservations are recommended, however, we were able to walk in. https://www.kegsteakhouse.com/locations/banff-downtown/
Skoki’s Waffle and Frozen Yogurt Place
Check out Skoki’s on Banff Avenue for breakfast or a snack (crepes, waffles, pancakes, and acai bowls). http:// http://www.skokis.ca/
Where to Shop in Banff
Banff Avenue offers a variety of local shops as well as your popular stores such as Patagonia, The North Face, Lululemon, Gap, and Smartwool.
Things to Do in Banff
Photo Opp
Take a picture at the famous Banff sign located on the edge of town.
Sulphur Mountain
Sulphur Mountain https://www.banfflakelouise.com/sulphur-mountainoffers 360 degree views of six mountain ranges. You can also see the town of Banff and the Fairmount Hotel. You take an eight minute ride in a gondola up to the top. It’s 7,486 feet when you land. If you want to get a little higher, you can hike up to the Cosmic Ray Station and the old weather station. If you’d like to enjoy mountain top dining, try Sky Bistro. We didn’t eat there because it was quite full and we didn’t make a reservation, but the view looked amazing! https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/dining/sky-bistro/
Tip – When you are driving to Sulphur mountain, turn left to go to gondola and turn right to go to the hot springs. We drove almost all the way back to Banff before we discovered the hot springs were at the base of the mountain. The Fairmont Hot Springs hotel is also close by, and it’s a spectacular spot in itself.
Hot Springs
You park at the bottom of the hill and walk up. The hot springs are heated to as hot as 116 degrees in the winter and it is heated geothermally making it a true mineral bathing experience. You must remain fairly quiet for a fully zen experience. https://www.banfflakelouise.com/banff-hot-sprin
Lake Louise
Ski Resort
The Lake Louise ski resort is about a 40 minute drive from Banff.W
Where to Eat at the Lake Louise Ski Resort
It offers a variety of eats. We grabbed a quick breakfast at the Lodge of Ten Peaks. I asked for a toasted bagel with bacon on top. They were good to accommodate. There is also the Kuma Yama Ramen and Sushi Lounge (rated high in food quality) and the Powder Keg Restaurant and Lounge. The Sushi restaurant was busy, so we ate at the latter for lunch. It was good. I walked over to Kokanee Kabin later and it was the perfect place to enjoy a hot coffee or a cold beer. Your choice! Hot soup, chili and a variety of freshly prepared grab & go items are available. https://www.skilouise.com/
The lift ticket prices are as follows: Please check here for ticket updates: https://www.skilouise.com/lift-tickets.php
They also offer snowshoeing adventures, which looked really fun. Since I didn’t ski, I purchased a gondola pass and it was worth every penny for the view alone.
Fairmont Lake Louise
We stopped by the famous Fairmont Hotel on our way back from skiing. In the summer, the view of the lake is stunning. In the winter, it is frozen. Ha. But the views are no less breathtaking. We hiked a little (they had several nice trails) to take in the views and walk on the famous lake where they offered ice skating and a MASSIVE ice castle. I would love to stay here in the summer, but you are definitely secluded away, which can be good or bad depending on what you are looking for. ps://www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/
Sunshine Mountain
Banff’s only mountain top ski resort, where some of the best skiing is right outside your room. https://www.sunshinemountainlodge.com/
Check in to your room at the bottom of the mountain and they will transfer your luggage to the top while you ride the gondola. Dress warm! The gondola is not heated. The ride will take about 17 minutes. We stayed in a mountain view room and the view was amazing! If you are not staying on the mountain, arrive early! The parking gets very busy. Our friends stayed in Banff and they had to catch a shuttle half way down the road because the parking lot was already full. It added another hour to their morning. The gondola opens at 8 AM. On your way back to the parking lot, you can take the green trail down to bottom of gondola for a relaxing, easy trail or ride the gondola back down.
Where We Ate on Sunshine
TIP –Restaurants get VERY BUSY over the noon hour. Try to eat before the noon hour or after. 2:00 PM is when we usually ate.
Java Lift Coffee Shop
This is located in the lobby of the lodge. We ordered lattes and muffins in the morning for a quick breakfast. The muffins are so soft! It gets pretty busy late morning when the skiers arrive, so go before 9 AM.
Mad Trapper
Located in the Old Sunshine Mountain Lodge. I went here several times during the day. There is a fireplace and couch if you want a hot toddy to warm up or try a caesar. https://www.baconismagic.ca/canada/caesar-drink/ Canada’s National Cocktail. Try it outside on the upper deck. Great views from here. There is also a limited service bar outside with adirondack chairs scattered all around. It’s a fun place to sit and enjoy the sunshine! We ordered nachos. Beware! THEY ARE HUGE, but delicious. My son indulged in Poutine and it looked amazing. What is Poutine? It’s french fries and cheese curds (the real kind) topped with brown gravy. It originated in the Canadian province of Quebec, so it’s an authentic must try!
For dinner, The Mad Trapper is a great place to eat or enjoy a cocktail if you are staying on the mountain. By this time, all the skiers have left, so it’s a lot quieter and definitely more relaxing. It was the original Sunshine Mountain Lodge so it’s rustic in a cozy way so don’t expect grandeur. It’s a great no frills, ski bum spot. I always like to try a local(ish) beer and the Infamous IPA was delicious. It’s brewed by Grandville Island Brewery in British Columbia, Canada. Mad Trapper is your basic menu. If you are looking for more of a food experience, try Eagle’s Nest.
Eagles Nest
Located on the second floor in the lodge. You walk through Chimney Corner to Eagle’s Nest. If you are looking for an upscale restaurant, this is the place to go. We sadly did not eat here as it was busy all day and into the evenings. Since we were alone on the mountain (lodge guests only), I thought it would be a little quieter, but there was always action around. I don’t like it too quiet, so it was nice to see people milling around.
It has great views of the mountains and it was rated the Top Ten Ski Resort Restaurant in Canada by Food Network Canada. Reservations are strongly recommended. When you make your reservation, ask for mountain view seating. I’m kicking myself now that we didn’t eat here, but after a day of skiing, my teenage son and husband wanted a quick bite and I loved the low maintenance scene of the Mad Trapper.
Chimney Corner
Located on the second floor of the lodge. Casual fireside dining open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No reservations required, nor accepted. I ate here for lunch and the steak sandwich was AMAZING! I also had a garden salad with the best balsamic dressing. The sandwich only came with a bottom bun, which was all you really needed. I also sat at the island when you enter the restaurant. It’s a great place to grab a quick bite or for an afternoon break. It faces the mountain directly, so the view is breathtaking! Amazing food, amazing views! They also serve Veuve by the glass, which I was excited about.
Lookout Lodge
The ski lodge has a variety of eats and drink, but it was always so busy, so I preferred to enjoy the lodge instead.
TIP: You get several bottles of water delivered to your room daily at no cost.
Things to Do on Sunshine Mountain
Verde Day Spa
Get a $10 off coupon from the front desk. There was only one massage therapist offering massages and facials. They say to make your appointment at least 24 hours in advance, but luckily for me, I was able to make my appointment as a walk-in. There is only one treatment room that I could see so it’s probably a good idea to call in advance to secure an appointment. They have robes and slippers for use in the lodge rooms, which people were wearing to the spa and hot tub. https://www.sunshinemountainlodge.com/verde-day-spa
Hot Tub
This was about a 50 person hot tub. To enter, go through the Verde Spa doors. There is a dry sauna (uni-sex) along with showers in the bathroom. Towels are also provided here. I thought it was fun to hot tub with my beanie on, but not necessary.
S’mores
They offered s’mores around a relaxing fire nightly from 8-9 PM during our stay. They had marshmallows and the most amazing graham cracker/chocolate combination. YUM!
Tobogganing
This was held from 6-8:00 PM. You need to make a reservation at the front desk. It’s really fun for youth and adults alike! You do go pretty fast, so remember to use your foot to slow your speed. Sunshine always has a variety of events planned after the mountains close.
Kids Kamp and Daycare
I don’t know much about this other than it’s available if you have little ones like this. The picture below was the CUTEST thing I saw during my trip. What a cute little ski prince. ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓
Ski School
Looking for some ski lessons? Perhaps you want to learn how to snowboard? The ski school is located in the Map Trapper building. There were quite a few people learning different aspects of the sport. They offer private or group lessons.
Other Things You Should Know About Sunshine
Salomon has own building on site for rentals and skis for sale.
The gondola quits early, except on Fridays until 10:30 PM. If you get stuck on the mountain, Sunshine Susie will bring you home for a fee, if possible. You might want to check beforehand! Our flight was grounded (the 737 incident) so we had to catch a different flight. They were so gracious at the resort and offered to take us off the mountain in Sunshine Suzy at 4 AM for no charge since it was not our fault. The people are amazing at Sunshine. Scratch that; they are amazing all around Canada. They were always saying “no worries” or “hello friends” very gracious people that make you feel right at home.
Final Thoughts
Like I said, the people are amazing everywhere. I was so glad we decided to take this trip. My husband and son went last year, and now I can see why they wanted to come back. The weather was great, and the snow was perfect. The ski season in Banff is November through May which is one of the longest in North America. The locals say March is a great time to come for skiing and early June/mid-September is the time to come for summer/fall because it’s not quite so busy. The summer gets VERY BUSY here. It has some of the most photographed places around. It’s a must see!
Next Time
- Snowshoeing Adventures
- Dog Sledding
- Sleigh Ride
- Johnston Canyon
- Jasper – One of the guides told us in the summer, wildlife are walking all around
You can enjoy this full itinerary any time of year! If you come in the summer/fall, you can also enjoy Moraine Lake (it is closed in the winter), Vermillion Lake Docks, the beautiful water and hiking everywhere. I will definitely be coming back to this area.
Until I see you again, Au revoir.
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This is a great summer blues (in a good way) look for your summer porch or outdoor patio! Granted the items are a splurge but they are built to last.
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