The Future Barreras
Things To Do
General Hiking
This link is generic hiking, ranging from easy to hard, winter hikes, and hikes for families! This link also has information on hiking waterfalls, Lake Louise to the Tea House and beyond, and many more. We highly recommend purchasing hiking boots if you are interested in this activity as hiking can get rocky.
Hiking to Lake Agnes Tea House
Want to hike the infamous Lake Louise? Start at the shores near the Fairmont Chateau Hotel and climb uphill on a wide path for 2.2 miles, featuring waterfalls along the way. We recommend beginning this hike around 6 AM, as it gets heavily trafficked early on. At the tea house you will find beverages and light lunch combos, a great resting point before turning back around. CASH ONLY. Take the Roam transit from downtown Banff, or can drive if you have a car.
Places to Eat, Drink, and Party!
There are many places within the small town of Banff to eat, drink and party! We suggest searching on your own depending on what part of town you would like to be in. To eat, we personally like Park Distillery located on Main Street for the view, a meal, and an ice cold beer. The Sky Bistro on top of Sulphur Mountain couldn't be any more beautiful for a view of the town. To drink, there are multiple breweries throughout town such as Three Bears Brewery and Banff Avenue Brewery. Do not go to Banff without starting at Tommy's Neighborhood Pub followed by a night at the Dancing Sasquatch Club, located next to each other off Main Street!!
Waldhaus Restaurant
Connected to the Fairmont Hotel is a German-inspired restaurant. Warm up by the fireplace while enjoying fondue, schnitzel, and draft beers!
Gondola to Top of Sulphur Mountain/Sky Bistro Restaurant
Take the gondola from the bottom of Sulphur Mountain to the top to view a 360 degree view of the entire town of Banff. Sitting at 7,500 feet above sea level on the observation deck you will feel on top of the world. The only restaurant on the mountain (and fancy FYI), Sky Bistro, is open to make a reservation. If not, you can simply go up, hang out on the deck for as long as you'd like, then back down the mountain.
Cycling the Banff Legacy Trail
Cycle through one of the most scenic bike paths in Canada, either from Banff to Canmore, vice versa, or both round trip either way. A one-way ride is about 16 miles, with little elevation gain. Surprisingly between mountains, this trail is relatively flat with few uphill sections. The recommended time of year to do this is April-mid October so this time of year will be ideal. The link will tell you more about where to start and end, encountering wildlife, maps, transportation options, and some of the scenic spots to stop and take in the view.
Stargazing Spots
Banff has some of the most breath-taking stargazing views. We visited Vermillion Lakes around midnight only to stumble upon the Milky Way and shooting stars with the naked eye (see picture above). The link attached has some of the best places to stargaze and things to bring while doing so. Who knows, the northern lights could possibly come out?
Golfing
We've been told Banff has some of the most scenic golfing in the world, with mountains surrounding you everywhere you look! If interested in a tee time at the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, contact Tyler as we have priority being guests and having our wedding at the venue. There are multiple other phenomenal golf courses listed in the link.
Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
If you just want to absolutely relax, visit the Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Here you will find services such as massages, facials, salon services, etc. Included after the spa is access to the indoor pool, multiple whirlpools, along with access to the fireplace and many more amenities.
Staying in Canada for a While?
There are so many things to do outside of Banff Town that we highly recommend! If you are wanting to make a trip out of visiting Canada, drive through Jasper National Park (3 hours north of Banff Town) to get to Athabasca Glacier, a 10,000 year old sheet of ice. Stop at the Athabasca Glacier Visitor Center to grab tickets, an ice cold beer, or some snacks before trekking to the most eye soaring glacier you could ever walk upon. **KEEP IN MIND THERE IS ZERO CELL SERVICE FROM BANFF TO JASPER (WHICH IS PRETTY AWESOME) AND ONLY ONE GAS STATION, SO FILL UP PRIOR)** Here you can visit Columbia Icefield Skywalk, where you are walking on a glass bridge between mountain tops. Be prepared for snowy weather as you drive straight north.