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"Banff National Park: travel tips and guides to easily explore the rockies like a local."


Alberta, Canada has a total area of 250,000 sq. mi., and its vast lands offer a lot of fun adventures in every corner! To begin your pleasurable journey, here are the 5 fun things you can do here.


Downtown Banff Summer 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Fall/ Summer of Banff Avenue

1) Enjoy Banff Downtown Treats


Historians have mentioned that Banff was meant to be a haven of tourists and people who want to take a break from busy streets and schedules, and that is just what you’ll get here. Book your hotels here before you go sightseeing. Enjoy sumptuous, exotic, and authentic Banff meals in restaurants. Immerse in the local culture, and most importantly, enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains as you’ll see them in any direction you look.


2) Visit their Splendid Lakes


You will not run out of lakes to visit in Banff. Begin with most famous lakes like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Peyto Lake, which all have equally overwhelming views. Some lakes are open for swimming like the Johnson Lake. Go kayaking in Bow Lake and Emerald Lake part of YOHO in British Columbia but very close to the Alberta border, and in all spots, make sure to take great photos. Visit early in the morning or just before sunset to catch the time when the sunlight hits the water and the mountains perfectly. Witness nature’s legitimate editing skills as you witness lakes reflecting mountains in Herbert Lake and Hector Lake. Aside from witnessing the beauty, you can also take a dip or ride a kayak or canoe when you visit these lakes.


3) Go Camping!


Banff National Park has five campsites you can stay in for a few days or up to two weeks, so if you are in for some total nature immersion, camp at Castle Mountain Campground, Johnston Canyon Campground, Tunnel Mountain Village I, Village II, and Trailer Court Campgrounds, Two Jack Main Campground and Two Jack Lakeside Campground. You can also camp at less-visited spots like Mosquito Creek Campground and McDonald Creek Provincial Park. Lots of activities await you aside from sharing stories around campfires and grilling some burgers and barbecue.


4) Trek Different Trails


Make sure to pack enough water and trail snacks to energize you because the Canadian Rockies is a place to be if you are looking for exciting trails to venture. Start with Banff National Park Trails like the Sulphur Mountain Trail, Tunnel Mountain, Upper Hot Springs Trail, Bow Falls Trail, and Surprise Corner. You may also choose the Badlands to witness different rock formations and peek into the place where historians said dinosaurs have roamed. Wood Bison Trail, Skyline Trail, Wenkhamma pass, and more, more, more trails to choose from awaits you in Alberta.


5) Avail Winter Activities


Once the snow starts to fall, Alberta becomes a winter nirvana. The places you visited in the warmer seasons show a different charm when it is covered in white and when the waters turn into ice. Revisit the lakes and trails above in winter and get a whole new perspective and story to tell about the places. You’ll get a firsthand view of glaciers for sure!


Grab a hand of your loved one while you traverse the dreamy, romantic, and magical pavements of downtown Banff as this place becomes a view you only see in movies. Experience winter wonderland in Banff Springs Hotel and Fairmont Château Lake Louise as in winter, they have ice carvings in the midst of a vast space of snow. Skating, dog sledding, skiing, and snow tubing are other winter activities you can enjoy.

Ready to have fun? Let ABest Transport and Tour Services located just outside of the Calgary International Airport handle the ride and sightseeing tour for you while you sit back, relax and take pictures of all the scenery!


Contact us now at 1 (885) SKPDCAB, or send us an email at booking@abestx.com for travel and tour details.

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Calgary Airport (YYC) is one of the busiest airports in Canada and the busiest in Alberta because of locals and travelers. In 2019, an estimate of 17 million passengers and over 230, 000 aircraft landed and left here. If you are one of the people who plan to join the population of travelers this year, traveling to Banff and Lake Louise from the airport will be your primary concerns.

We have compiled here different ways to get from Calgary Airport to Banff and Lake Louise.

Tip #1: Poparide ( CarPool Service )

A free sign-up is offered by Poparide if you choose them to transport you to your Banff or Lake Louise hotel or destination



Pros:

This site boasts their user-friendliness as you simply search for rides, message available drivers, or reserve a seat, pay and you can skip the hassle of looking for rides upon arrival to the airport. You may also post a request informing drivers of your destination, and they will contact you.


Visit their page and see drivers posting their availability pickup time and date, cost per seat, and type of vehicle you’ll ride on. Drivers are rated by customers, so you can go into a little examination before picking a ride.


Their rates are pretty affordable:

Calgary to Banff - $18 to $20

Calgary to Lake Louise - $28 to $30


Cons:

Be sure that you are comfortable with socializing with newly-met people and you have no trust issues as booking carpools entails these two characteristics. If you do not have the mentioned characteristics and you value your own space and privacy, you will find Poparide, not the right fit. At today's Covid-19 situation sharing ride with a complete stranger is a big risk just for the sake of saving money on your travel to the mountain. Vehicle Insurance will be under the private insurance of the car owner offering rides.


Tip#2: Banff Airporter ( Shared Shuttle Service )

Travel with class and elegance through the Banff Airporter. This ride is from the company Banff On Demand. Aside from airport transport, the company also offers Banff Sedan for private travel and events use.



Pros:

Banff Airporter promises comfortable rides because of their Airporter is tech-enabled, you can work while inside it or relax because of its 110V plug-in and temperature-controlled high-back seat.

Once you book a ride with Banff Airporter, you will be asked of the specific drop-off point, and the company promises door-to-door drop-offs. Worry not of your bulky luggage and your kids traveling with you because you’ll land right in your doorways.

Their rates per person depending on the age of riders and whether it’s a one-way or return ride.


Calgary to Banff (one way): $35-$70 depending on the Age

Calgary to Banff and Banff to Calgary (round trip): $69-$138 depending on the Age


Cons:

Luxury and comfort come at a price, but this is not a total disadvantage because for sure, you’ll get your money’s worth. Nonetheless, if you are traveling on a budget, Banff Sedan may not be the ride for you. Also, if travel comfort is not your main motivation in booking a ride but total adventure, we suggest that you choose another ride.


Tip#3: Brewster Express ( Shared Shuttle Service )

Brewster Express possesses 125 years of experience in transporting people around the Rockies.



Pros:

Their brand new coaches are tourist-friendly. They have wide windows allowing a clear view of the environment; they are wifi capable (when the mountains allow them signal), and they also offer door-to-door drop-offs. Their rates also depend on passengers’ ages:


Calgary Airport to Banff: $36-$72

Calgary Airport to Banff and Banff to Calgary Airport (round trip): $62-$123

Calgary to Lake Louise: $50-$99

Calgary to Lake Louise and Lake Louise to Calgary: $85-$169



Cons:

Brewster Express is not the ride if you are hoping for a lot of stops for picture taking. They stop only at main drop off points and major hotels where riders will go down.


Tip#4: ABest Transport and Tour Services


Skip the cab, skip the bus and take ABest Transport and Tour Services rides. ABest is recently awarded “Travelers’ Choice Best Private Transfer | Sightseeing Tour in Canada 2020” by TripAdvisor, so you can rely on them to be customer-focused.



Calgary to Banff Shuttle Service and Tour
Private Transfer and Sightseeing Tours Exclusive for Today's Traveler


Pros:

ABest Transport and Tour Services offer Private Transport and Sightseeing tour, so you can enjoy privacy as you travel. The company can cater up to 12 passengers, so you can book them whether you come alone, with a companion, or with a larger group.


At today’s COVID-19 situation the last thing you want is to share a ride with other travelers coming from different parts of the world, it is not worth the risk when it comes to your safety of yourself and family. We are here to make sure that every trip is exclusive and safe for your self and your family.


ABest Transport and Tour Services are rider-driven, and their customer service sets us apart from all travel and tour companies in Alberta.


You can view client reviews on TripAdvisor about how their drivers are knowledgeable about the ins and outs of Alberta. They would give their passengers stopover to most scenic spots and even take pictures of them.


You might have heard as well that access to Lake Moraine is not that easy especially in summer peak season, but drop that worry because ABest Transport and Tour Services is a licensed tour operator and have a permit and pass to the tourist site they can enter anytime and even have their designated parking space and drop-off zone for commercial vehicles. Is there anything better than that?

The rates are starting at almost the same price as the shared shuttle. Contact us at booking@abestx.com or call 1-855-SKPDCAB


Calgary Airport to Banff (one way) – Starting at $150++ for 3 passengers


Cons:

Visit TripAdvisor’s website and see ABest Transport and Tour Services’ reviews. You’ll see one saying that they booked a tour for a day, but their expectations were not met because—ABest Transport and Tour Services exceeded it.


ABest Transport and Tour Services are reputable in delivering what they promised, but do not be surprised if they give you more!


Taxis and buses are available in Calgary Airport, but they are very costly ranging from $180-$400 for Uber and $250 for a taxi.

Take a pick from our suggestions. Choose what fits your needs best. If you know other options, feel free to share it with us in the comments below.









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Updated: Jul 5, 2022


4 Must Not Miss Winter Activities in Banff

Canada cannot be separated from the word—snow. When people from other countries think of Canada, they think of—snow. One may imagine that the winter season in this country is a time when people stay at home and have their warm cup of tea to stay warm. That’s unseemly as there is a whole of adventures you can do in the winter season especially here at Banff, Alberta, Canada.

We have compiled the 4 best winter activities in Banff to make your snowy visit a time to remember.

A Fairytale come true at Fairmont Banff Springs

Mimicked as the jewel of Banff, you wouldn’t miss the Scottish baronial architecture of Fairmont Banff Springs.

You may choose to view it up close and see how its interior is still intact after a century when it was built. Visit its famous spots—Mount Stephen Hall, Cascade Ballroom, Alhambra Ballroom—and immerse with its Châteauesque design elegance.

You may also choose to witness its splendor from afar. Included in many visitor’s winter activities here in Banff is prenuptial photography. They have Fairmont Banff Springs as their background to match the happily ever after marriage photos.


view from secret corner Fairmont Banff Spring hotel
Fairmont Banff Spring in Winter Season taken from the deck of Secret Corner photo by ABestX.com

Winter Hiking at Johnston Canyon

Hiking isn’t just for the warm seasons, but it can also be enjoyed in winter times. Be sure to wear the right winter hiking attire as the temperatures here get to as low as -20ºC.

Walkthrough the designated hiking path just beside the canyons while you stuff your eyes with whites and browns because of the snow-covered rocks. Feel the icy breeze slightly prick your cheeks and face as you relax with the sound of flowing “Ink Pot” spring waters which are almost frozen. Johnston Canyon’s waterfalls turn into majestic ice sculptures in winter, which becomes a location for ice climbing for more adventurous visitors.

There are also a lot of trails in Banff National Park hikers can explore during the winter season.


Snowboarding, Ski and more Adventures at Banff National Park

Aside from the park’s views of snow capped mountains, Banff National Park is the place to be to experience different winter activities. The green mountains in warmer seasons become great places for snowboarding and ski activities in winter, so have your ski paraphernalia ready and coordinate with ski resorts like Lake Louise Ski Resort, Mt. Norquay Ski Resort and Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard to begin your ascent and descent to the icy mountains.

Other winter activities in Banff also include ice skating at Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka, I know you want to visit Moraine Lake but unfortunately the road is close in winter season it will open again mid of May.


ice skating at the lake minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka in Winter photo ABestX.com

Omnipresent Perspective inside Banff Gondolas

Get a 360º view of the snow capped Canadian Rockies through the gondolas. Travel to this place just before sunrise or before sunset, so when you reach Sulphur mountain, you can get photos with perfect lighting. If you arrive there during sunset, prepare to be amazed by the country lights glowing as the sun continues to set.


There are a whole lot more to experience here in Banff, Alberta, Canada during the winter season like snowmobiling, sleigh rides, ice fishing and cave tours, and as you rider-driven travel and tours provider—ABest Travel and Tours Services—would gladly take you in your destinations safely and comfortably.

Connect with us your winter activities and itinerary plan.

Contact us now at 1-885-SKPDCAB or send us an email at booking@abestx.com, so we can arrange the tour for you.


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ABestX Traveler's Choice 2020
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