A Rookies Guide to the Rockies
The Mountains are Calling… and You Must Go!
Us small town Ontario kids had no idea what to expect when going to Banff National Park in Alberta for the first time. All we knew was that there were mountains… big mountains!
These are our helpful tips to serve as your guide to the Rockies!
Do Your Research
Before this trip, I spent many hours researching where to go, what to see, what to bring, where to eat, and more! It is incredibly important to do your research before jumping into the car or on the plane! I recommend checking out lots of different reliable travel blogs to get various perspectives and opinions before making your plans. If you’re heading out west, be sure to check out our posts Top 5 Things to Do in Calgary and 10 Things You MUST do in Banff, Alberta.
Be Prepared for All Types of Weather
On day two of our trip to Alberta, we went to Drumheller with our family from Calgary. As we were heading out the door, Ben’s niece said he needed to bring a sweater. Ben responded, “the weather says it is going to be 29 degrees and sunny”... without missing a beat she said, “This is Alberta, you need to be prepared for anything”. Sure enough, that day we needed our sweater, and our raincoats.
So, moral of the story- don’t trust the weather forecast and be prepared for anything and everything!
Pack lightly
Bring only what you need! I admit, I am an overpacker- however I wish that I wasn’t. It is so much easier to travel lightly, especially when on a road trip. You can quickly pack up your hotel room or AirBnB, hop into the car, and be on your way. If possible, try to fit all your belongings in a backpack- it is a game changer! I was so jealous of Ben when he was able to throw his bag on his back, while I had to wheel mine around.
Invest in some comfortable, durable hiking boots
This is something I wish I had done prior to the trip! Although we made it work with our running shoes, we needed hiking boots for some of the trails we were on. We did the Big Beehive hike at Lake Louise, and there was one part of the trail that had me thinking… “If we slip, that would be a serious problem…”. It was a little uncomfortable to say the least. For my trip to Europe this past March, I purchased some hiking boots from MEC, and they are like walking on a cloud!
Avoid Peak Times
Obviously, given that Banff is one of the top travel destinations in the world, avoid June- September if you can. However, if you have a schedule like me that only allows travel in the summer, avoid the peak times at the most popular destinations. For example, go to Lake Moraine or Lake Louise REALLY early in the morning.
Book in Advance
There are very limited hotels available within Banff National Park, so book your accommodations as soon as you’re able. We highly recommend staying at this adorable tiny house in Golden, BC (technically not Banff, but worth the drive!).
Also, many attractions allow you to book your tickets in advance, which can allow you to skip some of the lines.
Check out less popular destinations
Lake Moraine and Lake Louise are on the top of everyone’s list, and that explains the outrageous crowds and lines at these destinations. We recommend doing a little research to find some other beautiful spots within Banff National Park, such as Bow Lake or Peyto Lake! We even snuck out of Banff and over to Yoho National Park, to escape the crowds and check out Emerald Lake.
