Canmore may sit just outside the Banff National Park gates, but it’s a destination all its own. In this episode, local host Celine Brewer shares what makes Canmore such a great base for exploring the Rockies year-round: from summer hikes, biking trails, and cave tours to winter adventures like dog-sledding, ice walks, and cross-country skiing. You’ll also hear insider tips for parking, passes, getting around, and the best time to visit.

In this episode:

• Why Canmore makes a perfect Banff base 
• The best summer hikes and outdoor adventures around town
• Top winter experiences
• Local tips for parking, passes, and public transit
• Where Canmore fits into your Banff or Jasper itinerary

🗓️ Save your seat: Banff Trip Planning Workshop

Free Banff & Canmore Restaurant Guide

Links mentioned in this episode ⬇️

• Best Easy Walks & Scenic Trails in Canmore
  
  
• Grotto Canyon Ice Walk Tour
  
  
• Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
  
  
• Kananaskis Conservation Pass

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Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

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Choosing where to stay in Banff National Park can be confusing. Should you split your stay between Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, or Jasper? In this episode, Celine shares how to decide based on your travel style, budget, and plans. You’ll hear the pros and cons of each area, which makes the best base for first-time visitors, and when it’s worth splitting your stay.

In this episode:

• Banff vs. Canmore + how to choose your base
• What to expect in Lake Louise and Jasper
• Tips for ski season and winter stays
• When it makes sense to move between towns

🗺️ Banff Itineraries – See how I break up each day by location, with drive times, hotel picks, and daily activity ideas. 

🏨 Hotel Guides

• Affordable Banff Hotels
• Banff Cabins for a Unique Stay
• Banff Hotels with Private Hot Tub
• Best Banff Hotels without a Car
• Best Luxury Hotels in Banff

• Best Canmore Hotels
• Best Canmore Hotels with a Pool
• Best Lake Louise Hotels

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.

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Banff in November (and late October) is the in-between season when the crowds are gone, prices drop, and you can experience the mountains at a slower pace. But it also comes with a few surprises: road closures, icy trails, and early winter conditions that can change fast.

In this episode, I share what’s really open in November, how to plan around closures, what to pack, and how to make the most of shoulder season.

Banff Travel Consultations
Need a personalized plan for your fall or early-winter trip? Book a one-hour Banff Travel Consultation with me for up-to-date advice on openings, closures, itineraries, and safety tips.
➡️ Book your consultation here

More information on visiting in November

• Guide to Banff in November
• Banff Winter Packing List
• Walks / Hikes in the Banff Townsite
• Canmore Walking Trails

Winter Driving & Tire Information

• Parks Canada: Winter Driving on the Icefields Parkway
• Alberta 511 – Road Reports & Closures
• Understanding Tire Types (All-Season vs All-Weather vs Winter)

Winter Skating & Ice Safety

• Parks Canada: Skating in Banff National Park
• Canadian Red Cross: Ice Safety – Know When It’s Safe to Play

Conditions & Weather

• Banff Trail Conditions (updated seasonally)
• Banff Weather Forecast

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.

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Banff is packed with scenic drives, but some routes stand above the rest. In this episode, your local Banff Travel Planning Expert Celine Brewer takes you through the must-do drives: the Icefields Parkway, Bow Valley Parkway, Lake Minnewanka Loop, Tunnel Mountain Road, Vermilion Lakes, Mount Norquay, and beyond.

You’ll learn the best stops, insider tips for wildlife spotting, when to drive for the best light, and how to avoid common mistakes. Celine also shares advice on planning, fuel stops, and how to fit scenic drives into your itinerary.

👉 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Full Guide to Banff's Scenic Drives
• Complete Guide to the Icefields Parkway
• Complete Guide to Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive
• Complete Guide to the Bow Valley Parkway

👉 Grab the Guide Along App and use code TVLBANFF for 15% off.

👉 Grab one of Celine's Banff Travel Guides: 

• Ultimate Guide to Banff National Park and Area
• Ultimate Guide to Banff National Park in Winter

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

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October is Banff’s transition month, when autumn’s last colours meet the first signs of winter. In this episode, your local Banff Travel Planning Expert Celine Brewer shares what makes October so special, from fall colours to snow-dusted peaks. 

You’ll hear about the weather, seasonal closures, and what activities are still available plus what to pack for those unpredictable days.

Celine highlights hikes, scenic drives, and cozy October experiences, while also giving a reality check on what shuts down after Canadian Thanksgiving. 

Full blog post on Visiting Banff in October with updated closure details

👉 Grab Celine’s Free Banff & Area Restaurant Guide

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.

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September in Banff means one thing: larch season. In this episode, your local Banff Travel Planning expert, Celine Brewer, breaks down everything you need to know about larch hiking season in Banff National Park. From world-famous Larch Valley to lesser-known gems like Healy Pass, Saddleback Pass, and Taylor Lake, you’ll hear how to time your trip, which hikes are worth it, and what to expect on the trails.

Celine explains what makes larches unique, shares practical logistics for Moraine Lake shuttles, and gives advice for those looking for easier options. 

Grab this 4-Day Banff Larch Hiking Itinerary created to help ease your Banff trip planning and helping you fit it some of the most incredible larch hikes around Banff. 

 👉 Other resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Getting to Moraine Lake 
• Best larch hikes
• Shuttle options for hikers heading into Larch Valley:
  • Via Via Moraine 
  • Moraine Lake Bus Company
• Activities for Non-Hikers in Banff

Larch Hikes to add to your Banff Itinerary:

• Larch Valley
• Saddleback Pass
• Taylor Lake
• Healy Pass

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.

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Dreaming of Banff’s famous alpine scenery without the grueling hike? In this episode, Celine Brewer (your local Banff Travel Expert) takes you to Sunshine Meadows, one of the most spectacular high-alpine areas in Banff National Park. You’ll hear what makes this spot so special, from wildflower meadows and crystal-clear lakes to panoramic viewpoints you can reach by gondola and chairlift.

Celine shares insider tips on when to visit, what trails to choose, and how to avoid the crowds. 

Full Sunshine Meadows hiking guide with trail details.

 👉 Grab your seat at Celine’s Live Banff Planning Session here.

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.

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Cycling in Banff isn’t just about getting from point A to point B, it’s about slowing down, soaking up the views, and experiencing the park in a whole new way. In this episode, your Banff Travel Planning expert, Celine Brewer, shares her local guide to the best bike trails in Banff National Park, from family-friendly rides to bucket-list road cycling routes.

You’ll learn about:

• The best bike routes around Banff
• The best times to ride the different bike routes
• Safety tips, wildlife encounters, weather prep, and rental options

Whether you’re planning a gentle riverside ride, an e-bike adventure, or a full-day challenge, Banff’s bike trails offer incredible scenery and unique ways to explore the Rockies.

👉 Want more details? Check out the full guide to Banff bike trails

Best Bike Tours: 

Town of Banff E-Bike Tours

Bow Valley Parkway to Johnston Canyon with Shuttle Return

Icefields Parkway Multi-Day Bike Tour

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.

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Planning the ultimate Canadian Rockies road trip? The Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper is one of the world's most scenic drives, but it deserves proper planning to make the most of it. 

In this episode, Celine Brewer (your Banff Travel Planning expert), shares everything you need to know about driving the Icefields Parkway, including the best time to visit, must-see stops like Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefield, timing tips for each location, and how to avoid the crowds.

You'll discover hidden gems along the route, learn when to book your Columbia Icefield Adventure, get real-world timing examples from my recent trips, and find out which hikes are worth your time. Whether you're doing a day trip or splitting it over multiple days, this episode will help you plan an unforgettable Canadian Rockies road trip.

USEFUL LINKS:

📋 Complete Icefields Parkway Guide

🚌 Book Columbia Icefield Adventure

❄️ Book Ice Odyssey Experience

🧗 Adventure Ice Walks (Athabasca Glacier)

🎧 Guide Along App (15% off with code TVLBANFF)

Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the podcast and keeps it free for everyone.

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.

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Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada

Planning a trip to Banff can feel overwhelming with so many questions, like when to visit, how to get to Moraine Lake, what hikes are best, or whether you really need bear spray. In this episode, I’m tackling the most common questions travelers ask about Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks. 

From shuttles and itineraries to packing, wildlife, and iconic sights like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway, you’ll get clear, practical answers to help you feel confident about your trip.

Resources mentioned in the show: 

• Banff Itineraries
• Best Larch Hikes
• Moraine Lake Shuttles

👉 Want more help? Join my free Travel to Banff Facebook group with over 72,000 members sharing real updates and advice. I'm always active in the group making sure you get answers! 

 👉 And don’t miss my Live Banff Trip Planning Session on October 8th. Grab your spot here: banfftravelplanning.com/live
.

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