Snow day in Banff National Park
It was always high on my list to pay a visit to Banff National Park in Calgary, Canada. I had been to Canada once before but I always heard amaaazing things about the views that Banff had to offer. So for my 25th birthday, I gathered my friends and decided to venture out to Calgary to spend it there! I’m a March baby so my California friends and I had to brace ourselves for some real winter weather. I would highly recommend visiting the national park any season as it is just as beautiful - sun or snow. So are you ready to have some fun in some soft powdery snow in Banff? Let’s go!
How to get around:
Renting a car will be essential to your travels out in Banff to get up and down the mountains! I would highly recommend a four-wheel drive as there are bound to be snowy and rocky roads on your trek in the winter! I did not see any other way to utilize public transportation in Calgary during my visit.
Packing for the cold:
First things first, in order to have a successful trip, you need to be dressed and equipped for success! Here’s a basic checklist to follow when packing for some fun in the snow:
Thermals - Long sleeve + Long bottoms
Fitted Sweaters - Wool, cashmere, or any thick material is going to keep you nice and cozy.
Leggings - Fleece-lined leggings are the way to go because the more layers, the better.
Warm Socks - No explanation needed. Your toes will seriously thank you later.
Beanies/ Scarves/ Gloves
Snow boots - If you’re planning on hiking or just walking in the snow, these are a must! Make sure to find ones that are comfortable with your thick socks and have a good grip as you want to avoid slippage as best as possible.
Sunscreen and sunglasses - Snow is highly reflective of UV radiation, so don’t forget your sun protection!
If this isn’t enough - I would also recommend purchasing hand warmers. Especially if you are going to take off your gloves at any point or will be participating in any snow activities, these have always been a huge lifesaver for me in cold weather.
Snow Activities:
I would like to note these activities are specific to visiting the national park in the winter. It is possible to do all of these in one day if you are ambitious otherwise I would pick one or two and take your time exploring around!
Ice Skating: Stop by the skate shop in the hotel for rentals and head on over to Lake Louise for a once-in-a-lifetime skating experience! This was seriously one of the top activities of my trip in Calgary! Most people will visit Lake Louise in the summer for its beautiful turquoise color but in the winter, you get to skate and walk right on top of it. Plus the mountains you get to see are incredible! (111 Lake Louise Dr, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0, Canada)
Hot Springs: If you’re tired of the cold, hop into the Banff hot springs for the perfect way to spend your afternoon. (1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada)
Snow Tubing: There are loads of options for snow tubing around Banff but Mt Norquay was an amazing experience and had a great resort area for rest/food. (2 Mt Norquay Rd, Banff, AB, Canada)
Icefields Parkway: This is the main road that will take you to the various lakes where you'll see all the beautiful scenery that Calgary has to offer. Grab a coffee to beat the nap time feels on the car ride over and get your phones / go-pros out to capture the beauty all around the National Park.
Please message me if you ever have any questions. Safe travels!
