Vacation!
I'm going to Banff! There was enough money left from the grant that funded my post-doc to go to one last conference, and we chose wisely. My duties are to hang up my poster and attend my colleague's papers, so I have lots of time to see the mountains.
Craig and I have never been to Banff or Alberta for that matter. Any must-see's/do's?
Also any advice on getting around? The shuttle from the Calgary airport to Banff is pretty expensive, so we're considering renting a car. It just seems easier. We've already booked our hotel (did I mention that conferences rock!) and we'll have 5 days at the end of May to play.
I LOVE Banff. Hubby and I honeymooned there and it was amazing. If you're the outdoorsy type, you definitely want to take an afternoon to hike up Sulphur Mountain. Or, if you don't have the time, take the gondola up because the views are fantastic!! A 360 panoramic of the area! For relaxation, you can't beat a day at the spa at the Banff Springs hotel, with their Turkish Mineral pools. If it's chilly in the evenings, it's worth a trip to the natural warm springs in the area. And of course, lots of shopping and great eating in town. You'll have a blast!
(Oh, and we rented a car from Calgary. It was worth it, and it made it possible to take a side trip to Lake Louise, which is also amazingly beautiful if you can fit it in!)
Posted by: Sara | April 21, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I went to a conf. there a few years ago - it was snowy and wintery though. I *adored* it - the hotel had an outdoor rink down the mountain (I walked down daily), and it was just stunning. Anything you do there will be worth it. (I was at the Banff Springs Hotel - the "castle").
I'd go back in a flash ;)
Posted by: Sara | April 21, 2008 at 03:12 PM
I love the Banff area! My son and daughter-in-law live in Canmore, just down the highway. If you do rent a car and have the time, a wander around Canmore is fun too. Lots of galleries in both Banff and Canmore. And Canmore has a great yarn store too. http://www.knitandcaboodle.ca/
The kids have been getting my gifts there for a couple of years now.
And Lake Louise is always a beautiful place to visit too.
Posted by: Cyndi in BC | April 21, 2008 at 04:14 PM
I've always wanted to go to Banff. I hear it's just amazing. Have a great time.
Posted by: Jessica | April 21, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Hey! I know that conference! My name is actually on one of the presentations! My advisor is doing the presenting, though. He's doing one called "Peer Group Experiences In Youth Sport Settings" in the Parental And Peer Influences On Youth Physical Activity session. I won't be going to Banff though, I have a spring course to teach. Are you in the sport/physical activity field? I didn't know!
Posted by: Katherine | April 21, 2008 at 04:41 PM
I just got back from Banff! It's absolutely breathtaking. I suggest if you rent a car and have a day to spare to go on the Icefield Pkwy. It's beautiful scenery. You can stop at Lake Louise (which a month ago was frozen solid), the icefields, it ends in Jasper which is a cute town. Here's the website. http://www.icefieldsparkway.ca/ Also take time to walk around the Banff Springs Hotel if you're not staying there. It's fun to see.
Posted by: Pat | April 21, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Yeah, rent a car. The town is small and walkable, but there are tons of cool hikes and things that you need a car to get to.
There's a bike path along the Bow river if you want to rent bikes for a day. The hotsprings are also amazing (I think you really want a car to get there). Also there's the Lake Agnes Teahouse (only accessible via foot, horseback or helicopter) which I remember visiting when I was a kid.
Definitely go to Lake Louise and wander into the hotel. It's really old and really beautiful.
There's also a little walking trail up Tunnel Mountain, which is so tiny it is practically in town. You probably won't even have to drive to get there, and its only about 1/2 hour walk...with a nice view of Banff from the top.
Posted by: Today Wendy | April 21, 2008 at 05:12 PM
If you do rent a car, you can fit a visit to Make 1 ,in Calgary. Worth the $$for a rental any time. Have fun. Denny0x0x
Posted by: denny knows what a hippy is | April 21, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Have a great time. Most conference don't happen in great places like that.
Posted by: JoVE | April 21, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Do enjoy. I went to school in Calgary and stayed weekends with my aunt in Canmore. Definitely go the Alberta gas-guzzling independent way.
Posted by: Angie | April 21, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Oh wow! Have a great time :)
Posted by: Knittripps | April 21, 2008 at 08:12 PM
I have lived in Banff (for just over a year altogether), currently live in Calgary, and will be in Banff again this summer, and it is a great town. Lucky you being at the Rimrock! I would say a car is a good idea, especially as the Rimrock isn't in town (although I'm sure they do shuttles). Don't forget to look into the cost of a park pass as well, as all vehicles need a pass while anywhere in the park, or else.
The view from Sulphur Mountain is great yes, but I don't find the hike worth it. You're going back and forth, there's no real view from the trail, and you are right under the gondola pylons. I say save the hiking energy for somewhere with more view along the way. :)
One of my favourite hikes was to the Inkpots. You need a car to get to the start of that one.
Tunnel Mountain is a good little hike, as a poster above said, with a great view of the town. That's where the Banff Centre is, which is an arts centre (and the reason I've spent so much time in Banff). That time of year there is usually a jazz festival going on...
I also second Lake Louise. I haven't done any hikes in that area (I do have pics of me standing on the frozen lake in winter though!), but the hotel is gorgeous.
Food highlights? I live for The Dip at the Rose and Crown. The Magpie and Stump is great, you get drinks in mason jars and good Mexican food (and huge, cheap margaritas. yum.)
The only yarn store in Banff is at in the Banff Springs Hotel, and sells only qiviut.
Poke me if you want more info, I could talk for ages about Banff.
Posted by: Heather | April 21, 2008 at 10:09 PM
still not too sure i wanna go to alberta...thems god fearng folk in alberta
Posted by: martin m. | April 23, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Definitely go to the ice fields, who knows how much longer they'll be around.
From what I hear driving in Calgary is a Bitch. All driving in AB can be nasty even up here.
And get ready for the "You Betcha!" with the twang.
Posted by: deeni | April 23, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Got a day for yarn shops in Calgary?
Besides Make 1, there's Pudding Yarns, Knit One Chat Two, Gina Brown, the Knitting Room and, finally, the Beehive, if you want to travel back in time. Definitely isit Knit n Caboodle, too.
Posted by: LynnK | April 24, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Definitely take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain - it's really pretty, and you can do the boardwalk hike along the ridge at the top. The Banff Centre is good for cheap entertainment, and you can get yourself a cheesy 'Banff, Alberta' sweatshirt in town. Have a great time!
(and bring warm clothes...just in case!)
Posted by: Heather | April 26, 2008 at 04:35 PM
I'm a little late to the game, but I went to school in Calgary and loved going out to Banff on weekends. I recommend Melissa's for food.
I would also recommend renting a car for easier mobility.
If you have time, the Kananaskis Provincial Park is between Calgary and Canmore, and also has amazing hikes.
Posted by: tara | May 20, 2008 at 08:06 AM