Banff Canada summer vacation

[Michelle]

Anyone been in the summer? Could 3 chicks on a girl's trip have fun there? Since it is Canadian mountain water is lake Louise too cold to swim in during July?

[irishbride2]

H and I went for our July honeymoon and loved it. It was cool though. We wore sweaters during the day. No way would I swim.

[Sloane]

I live near there, and no, you don't swim, but there's lots of hiking, kayaking or canoeing on Lake Louise, which is gorgeous. Are you staying in Banff or Lake Louise? What kinds of things do you like to do?

[keweenawlove]

Feb 11, 2016 22:31:38 GMT -5 @domerjen said:

keweenawlove swam, I think. There are hot springs nearby too, if the lakes are too cold.

DH and I just booked for June this year. So excited!

We swam in Lake Annette in Jasper. It was at the end of August and great for swimming. I don't know if I would have swam in Lake Louise. On top of being colder because it's glacier fed, there's a ton of silt in the water which is what gives it the amazing color but I wouldn't want to be swimming in it. The was a tri in Lake Minnewanka in Banff so that might be a better bet for swimming.

Swimming aside, it would be an awesome girl's trip.

[Michelle]

Feb 11, 2016 22:49:13 GMT -5 Sloane said:

I live near there, and no, you don't swim, but there's lots of hiking, kayaking or canoeing on Lake Louise, which is gorgeous. Are you staying in Banff or Lake Louise? What kinds of things do you like to do?

The challenge for a girls trip is we have three different vacationers.

One, God bless her, just wanted to be with her girlfriends and said she doesn't care where we go. But she has the tightest budget.

Another has no children, and always wants to go somewhere where she can get a great deal. The problem is the other two of us have children so we have to vacation at times where that's not gonna happen. This traveler had her heart set on Europe because we are all turning 40, but she does not seem to follow international news much because all the places she wants to go are inundated with refugees right now. Like the coast of Greece, which is also reportedly very expensive right now because of the banking crisis. Or she want Spain or Portugal which are going to be extremely crowded in July which is when I think we will be able to go. And it will be more expensive.

I think going to places that have amazing views where she can kind of check it off of her bucket list is appealing to her. I have asked her what she wants out of a vacation and I can't seem to get her to answer me. She did really like the Banff Springs Fairmont so this is looking hopeful.

For vacations, I, the third traveler, like to go to the mountains. We live in Houston which is really flat and hot and to get a break I like to go somewhere with a higher elevation, a view, cooler temperatures, where I can get peace and relax because I have a very stressful busy job. I am also very heavy but finally got some thyroid medicine which is helping me to lose a little weight without trying and if I try I can lose more. But I am very heat intolerant. So a hot sunny Mexican beach in July is not appealing to me at all.

When at a better level of fitness, I loved hiking. And The opportunity to hike in such a beautiful place is definitely an inspiration for me to get on an incline treadmill. I like seen bits of history, nature, hot springs are awesome, the spa at the Banff Springs Fairmont looks pretty awesome too. The second traveler and I both like photography. We all like wine. They like beer and craft beer activities.

[momin2013]

(lurker here)

With the Canadian dollar as low as it is, I would definitely do Banff for your vacation.

DH and I have been there in July, and it was absolutely gorgeous; warm enough to be comfortable without a jacket, but not stifling hot like it would be in other parts of the country in July.

Agree with PP's that you wouldn't swim in Lake Louise. There are a lot of hot springs in the area though, which are a-ma-zing, and super relaxing, too!

As far as hiking goes, you could do a little or a lot in the Banff area. Obviously, the more you can hike, the more scenic views you'll be able to get, but the whole region is just so beautiful even driving, it's absolutely worth it to see.

We found Banff to be a relatively inexpensive vacation; we flew into Calgary and rented a car at the airport. So for the week we were there, for transportation we basically just paid for gas, which would be pretty cheap if you were splitting it.

If you do go, one must-see is the Columbia Icefield, where you get to actually go out onto a glacier in this bus with giant wheels. You can drink the glacier water that's melting out there - it's very cool.

[downtoearth]

I would go there with girlfriends - you can do it on a budget, relax and do some easy, but breathtaking hikes. They have hotsprings, gondola rides, self-guided driving tours, walking/hiking tours, and so many other lakes around there also.

I haven't been to Banff in years, but it would be memorable and probably fit all of your budgets and tastes.

[Michelle]

thank you to everyone for your input - I'll share with the ladies!

[Sloane]

Things to see/do: Columbia Icefields for sure, Lake Louise is gorgeous (I mentioned the canoing/kayaking, no experience necessary), the Spa at the Banff Springs is top notch, bring your bathing suit and you can go in and out of the different pools. If you stay at the Banff Springs, then there's also horseback riding/trail ride from there which is quite fun and a great golf course. The hotel itself is old but it's as close to a castle as you can get, it's also very haunted

Hikes/Walks: Lake Louise has a hike to the Tea House up there that's a decent one and you can also walk/hike nearly all around the lake. Johnson Canyon would fit the bill for all of you, relatively easy hike and absolutely gorgeous views down to the lower falls.

Dining: The Rimrock Eden restaurant (just down the street from the Springs http://www.banffeden.com) has won numerous awards and is one of 5 diamond restaurants in the whole country. For more casual, The Grizzly House is an institution, they have phones at the tables that used to be used in the 70s to call other patrons' tables to hook up, don't wear anything there that you don't want to smell like fondue for the next year.

ETA: If you're looking for cheaper to stay, because the Springs is anything but, Hidden Ridge Resort is just up Tunnel Mountain and it has little chalets with kitchens. Generally, it's full of people up on girls' or guys' weekends.

[Michelle]

Thanks Sloane! I'm hoping my friend will be on board with this vacation - sounds awesome! We don't have to go to Europe for castles and adventures!!