Banff Travel Podcast

By Celine BrewerSociety & Culture Leisure Places & Travel

Banff Travel Podcast episodes

October 2081: Calgary to Banff - What's Worth Stopping For
Flying into Calgary for a Banff trip and trying to figure out the best way to get into the mountains? In this episode, Celine Brewer shares how she would decide between renting a car and taking an airport shuttle, plus the few places she actually recommends stopping between Calgary and Banff.
Celine covers when a rental car makes sense, when you may be better off going car-free, and why this decision can look very different in winter.
And if you’re wondering whether you need to fill your drive with sightseeing stops between Calgary and Banff, Celine explains why the answer is often no, and how to decide whether adding something actually fits the trip you’re planning.
Planning your own Banff or Jasper trip? Join Celine inside the Banff and Jasper Travel Planning Hub for local itineraries, planning resources and live Q&A support.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Calgary Airport Shuttles to Banff
Best Calgary Airport Hotels
Banff Discounts
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
19 min
October 09 80: Planning a Trip to Banff? Do THIS first!
Planning a Banff trip and not sure where to start? In this episode, Celine Brewer shares the exact order she would use to plan a Banff and Jasper trip from scratch, beginning with the things you absolutely do not want to miss.
If you are starting to plan a Canadian Rockies trip, this episode will help you create a realistic framework before you get caught up in shuttle reservations, activity bookings and all the smaller details.
Are you starting to plan your Banff or Jasper trip? Come and join Celine inside the Banff and Jasper Travel Planning Hub. Save yourself hours of researsh by learning about the area, accessing itineraries created by a local, and joining live Q&A sessions where you can ask questions about your own trip (all in one place).
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
16 min
October 01 79: What Makes a Banff Hike Worth It?
What makes a Banff hike worth doing? In this more personal episode, Celine Brewer shares how she thinks about hiking in Banff and the Canadian Rockies, and why her idea of a worthwhile hike may be different from someone who only wants huge mountain views.
Using recent hikes to Emerald Basin and the Ink Pots, plus thoughts on Taylor Lake, Celine talks about enjoying the entire hiking experience, from quiet forest trails and creeks to alpine lakes and mountain views. She also explains how she still distinguishes between a nice hike, a great hike and one that is truly worth prioritizing on a Banff trip.
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
9 min
September 24 78: The Best Banff Viewpoints - Without a Big Hike!
Looking for the best Banff viewpoints without doing a big hike? In this episode, Celine Brewer shares some of her favourite viewpoints around Banff National Park, starting with places that require little or no hiking and then moving into a few where the extra effort is absolutely worth it.
You’ll hear about viewpoints around the Town of Banff, Vermilion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, the Banff Gondola and more. Celine also shares a few short hikes and viewpoints where a little climbing gives you an even better view.
Planning a Banff or Jasper trip for 2027 or beyond? Join Celine inside the Banff and Jasper Travel Planning Hub for ready-made itineraries, planning resources and live Q&A support to help you build a realistic Canadian Rockies itinerary.
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
19 min
September 17 77: Where to see Fall Colours around Banff Without The Hiking
You don’t need to hike deep into the mountains to enjoy fall colours around Banff. In this episode, Celine Brewer shares some of the easiest places to enjoy fall colours around Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis, with a focus on beautiful aspen scenery that doesn’t require a big hike.
She also covers a few easier ways to experience larch season if you want those classic golden mountain views without committing to one of the bigger hikes.
Kananaskis Fall Hikes
Best Larch Hikes
Come join the Banff & Jasper Planning Hub!
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
19 min
September 11 76: Do You Need to Get Up Early in Banff? The Best Times to Visit Popular Banff Places
Wondering what time of day is best to visit Banff’s most popular places? In this episode, Celine Brewer shares practical advice for planning around crowds in Banff, including when it’s worth getting an early start, when later in the day can work better, and when you may simply need to accept that a popular place will be busy.
Celine covers timing for places like Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka, Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Banff Gondola, the Icefields Parkway and the Town of Banff. .
Planning a Banff or Jasper trip for 2027 or beyond? Join Celine inside the Banff and Jasper Travel Planning Hub for ready-made itineraries, planning resources and live Q&A support to help you build a realistic Canadian Rockies itinerary.
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
24 min
September 03 75: 18 Beautiful Walks in Banff When You Don’t Want a Long Hike
Looking for the best walks in Banff National Park that still deliver incredible mountain scenery? In this episode, Celine Brewer shares 18 beautiful walks in Banff National Park for travellers who don’t want to tackle a long hike, including lakeshore walks, townsite trails, viewpoints, boardwalks and easy stops along the Icefields Parkway.
You’ll also hear practical information on distances, stairs and terrain so you can choose the best Banff walks for your trip. These are not all accessible trails, and some include uneven terrain or short climbs.
**Blog post coming soon**
Planning a Banff or Jasper trip for 2027 or beyond? Join Celine inside the Banff and Jasper Travel Planning Hub for ready-made itineraries, planning resources and live Q&A support to help you turn all those saved ideas into a realistic Canadian Rockies itinerary.
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
26 min
August 27 74: Banff in September - 5 Questions I Get Asked All the Time
Coming to Banff in September? Will it snow? Are Lake Louise and Moraine Lake still turquoise? Is it really less crowded? And when exactly do the larches turn yellow?
In this episode, Celine Brewer (your Banff Travel Planning expert), answers five of the questions she gets all the time about visiting Banff in September. You’ll learn what September weather can actually look like, what to expect at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and why September isn’t necessarily the quiet shoulder season you might be expecting.
Celine also shares what you need to know about larch season, including when the trees typically turn golden and why you shouldn’t plan your whole trip around one specific larch hike.
USEFUL LINKS:
Banff in September – Full Guide
Best Larch Hikes in Alberta
Best Banff Larch Hikes
Kananaskis Fall Hikes
4 Day Larch Hiking Itinerary for Banff
Moraine Lake Shuttle Guide
ALSO LISTEN TO:
🎙️ Episode 21: Visiting Banff in September? Here’s What to Expect
🎙️ Episode 26: Larch Hiking Season in the Canadian Rockies
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
19 min
August 14 73: Wildfire Smoke in Banff – Should You Cancel Your Trip?
In this episode of The Banff Travel Podcast, Celine Brewer talks about wildfire smoke in Banff National Park and one of the biggest questions travellers have during summer: should you cancel your trip if the forecast looks smoky? She shares what it’s really like dealing with wildfire smoke while living in the Canadian Rockies, why conditions can change quickly with the wind, and why smoke or rain forecasts several weeks out aren’t worth stressing over.
You’ll also hear how to check current air quality and smoke forecasts, how to adjust your Banff itinerary when visibility is poor, and ideas for less strenuous or more smoke-friendly activities.
If you’re worried about smoke affecting your upcoming trip and want help creating a flexible Plan B, you can book a Banff Travel Consultation here: https://banfftravelplanning.com/banff-travel-consultations/
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
22 min
August 0672: Best Water Activities Around Banff (Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Rafting & More)
Looking to get out on the water during your Banff vacation?
In this episode, Celine Brewer shares some of the best water activities around Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Yoho, Kananaskis, and the Canadian Rockies. From iconic canoe rentals at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to paddleboarding, river floats, whitewater rafting, canyoning, and more, Celine helps you decide which activities are worth adding to your itinerary.
She also explains the current Parks Canada regulations for bringing your own paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or other watercraft into Banff National Park and where personal watercraft are no longer permitted.
Parks Canada Watercraft Regulations
If you're bringing your own paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or other watercraft, be sure to review the current regulations before your trip.
Banff National Park Water Activities
Jasper National Park Water Activities
Yoho National Park Watercraft Restrictions
Kootenay National Park Watercraft Restrictions
Banff Discounts
Planning to book a guided tour or water activity? Check Travel Banff Canada's Banff Discounts page before booking. Celine has discount codes for several tours and experiences throughout the Canadian Rockies.
https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/banff-discounts/
Need More Help Planning Your Trip?
If you're looking for help putting together the perfect Banff and Jasper itinerary, visit the Banff & Jasper Travel Planning Hub, where Celine shares detailed itineraries, planning resources, workshops, and live Q&A sessions to help you make the most of your trip.
Support the Podcast
Send in your questions here!
Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.
Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis
Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada
26 min

About Banff Travel Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Celine Brewer is a local Banff travel expert who helps visitors plan unforgettable trips to Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies. She specializes in creating stress-free itineraries and…