What does a Banff itinerary look like when you only have 2.5 to 3 days and you want to see the highlights without overplanning? In this episode, Celine Brewer shares a real Banff travel consultation with an American couple in their 60s planning their first trip to Banff. 

You’ll hear how Celine builds a realistic plan around Lake Louise and Moraine Lake logistics, scenic viewpoints, easy walks, and decisions that keep a short Banff trip enjoyable. This episode is perfect if you’re planning a first-time Banff visit and you want to hear how a local expert turns a wish list into a Banff itinerary that actually works. 

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Two iconic boat cruises, one in Banff and one in Jasper. In this episode, Celine Brewer compares the Lake Minnewanka Cruise and the Maligne Lake Cruise so you can choose the best fit for your Banff itinerary or Jasper itinerary. 

You’ll learn what each cruise feels like, how the scenery differs, the driving tradeoffs, which one is easier to add to a Banff trip, and why Maligne often wins for pure mountain scenery while Minnewanka shines for storytelling and variety.

Book your cruise

• Maligne Lake Cruise (Jasper) - Opens May 29, 2026
   
• Lake Minnewanka Cruise (Banff) - Opens May 8, 2026

Full review of each cruise

• Maligne Lake Cruise (Jasper)
   
• Lake Minnewanka Cruise (Banff)

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Not a hiker? Banff is still an incredible trip. In this episode, Celine Brewer shares the best ways to experience Banff National Park without big hikes, including easy walks with great views, gondolas and chairlifts, scenic drives, and simple “pick one and go” activities that still feel like a full Banff day. 

Links mentioned in this episode

• Banff for Non-Hikers guide
• Easy walks and hikes in the Banff townsite
• Canmore walking trails 
• Banff discounts
  
  
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Lake O’Hara is one of the most spectacular places in the Canadian Rockies, and it stays that way because it is intentionally hard to access. In this episode, Celine Brewer breaks down what makes Lake O’Hara so specia and how to decide if it deserves a spot in a Banff itinerary.

She also explains every realistic way to get there, including the shuttle lottery, and what it actually means to hike the access road in and out.

Everything you need to know about Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park:

• How to get to Lake O’Hara
   
• Lake O’Hara hiking trails
   
• Camping at Lake O’Hara

Save your seat for upcoming shuttle workshops for Moraine Lake and Lake Louise!

• Shuttles Workshop: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttle options
   

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What if, instead of a list of travel tips for Banff, you could listen in on a real Banff travel planning conversation?

In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer shares an actual Banff travel consultation with a client planning a September trip to Banff National Park. 

You’ll hear how Celine refines a rough Banff itinerary into something more realistic, including where it makes sense to use a shuttle vs. pay for a more scheduled option, how to think about timing Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and how to build in flexible options. 

This is an experiment format please leave your feedback here. 

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Banff is busy. That’s not exactly news. But does that mean it’s too crowded to enjoy?

In this episode of The Banff Travel Podcast, Celine shares her honest local take on what crowds in Banff are really like, where they tend to feel the most intense, and how to avoid the worst of them so you can still have an incredible trip.

In this episode:

• whether Banff is actually too crowded
• where and when crowds tend to be the biggest issue
• how I avoid crowds as a local
• how to set realistic expectations so crowds do not ruin your trip

If Banff crowds are something you’ve been worried about, this episode will help you plan your Banff itinerary so you enjoy your trip more.

Mentioned in this episode: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Shuttle Workshop

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Planning Banff for a big family group is a totally different kind of trip. In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer shares a simple framework for building a multi-generational itinerary that works for kids, teens, parents, and grandparents. You’ll learn how to choose the right home base, avoid the common group-travel mistakes, and plan days that include “together time” without forcing everyone into the same pace.

Need help with your family trip? Book one of my Banff travel consultations

Links mentioned

• Banff vs Canmore: where should you stay?
   
• Where to stay in the Canadian Rockies (best bases)
   
• Banff with kids: local family guide
   
• Family-friendly hotels in Banff
   
• Best things to do in Banff for non-hikers
   
• Cave and Basin National Historic Site
   
• Lake Minnewanka cruise
  
  

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

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You’ve booked your Banff trip, and now the real questions start. In Part 2 of this Q&A series, local Banff trip planner Celine Brewer tackles the nitty-gritty logistics that come up once you’re finalizing your itinerary. Think gondolas and chairlifts, biking vs driving the Bow Valley Parkway, how Lake Louise and Moraine Lake transit works, what to pack for hiking, and the practical details people miss like bear spray and park passes.

Links mentioned

• What to bring hiking in Banff (packing breakdown + gear list)
• Banff hiking tips (includes bear spray guidance)
• Top apps for visiting Banff National Park (including audio guides)
• Which Banff gondola is right for you
• Bow Valley Parkway guide (closures, stops, and tips)
• Cycling the Bow Valley Parkway (routes, distances, difficulty)
• Johnston Canyon hike guide (including seasonal tips)
• Banff park pass: what it is and why you need it
• Moraine Lake Shuttle - what you need to know

Join one of my Live Banff Trip Planning Workshops!

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

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Planning a Banff trip can feel like a spiral of browser tabs and conflicting advice. In this episode, local Banff trip planner Celine Brewer kicks off a two-part Q&A series answering the big-picture questions she hears most often in her Live Banff Trip Planning Workshops. You’ll learn what actually needs to be booked ahead, what does not, and how to make the key decisions that shape your itinerary before you get lost in the details.

Links mentioned

• Live Banff Trip Planning Workshop recording (instant access)
• Where to Stay in Banff
• Moraine Lake shuttle options and how to book
• Which Banff gondola is right for you
• Getting around Banff without a car
• Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park
  
  

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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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March in Banff is still winter, and that’s what makes it such a fun time to visit. In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer explains what Banff in March really looks like, how to plan your days with longer daylight, what to expect from crowds during spring break, and the best winter activities if you ski or if you don’t. 

Book a Banff Travel Consultation Here

Links mentioned

• Banff in March guide
• Sunshine Meadows snowshoeing tour (affiliate): 
• Snow tubing in Banff
• Grotto Canyon Ice Walk
• Easy Winter Hikes

Check out these Banff Hotels with Private Hot Tub

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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