UdderlyHopeless

Background: I volunteered to watch/bond with my 7-year old nephew while his mom and my other sister do "girl" things (I'm assuming spa, tea, and the like) in Banff in February. He tried skiing once last year and said he didn't like it. I got him to promise me he'll give it another shot this time. However, if he still doesn't like it I don't want to force him, so I'm looking for suggestions on alternate activities, just in case.

He likes snow and outdoor activities (just not skiing, apparently), so I would like to take him on some walking trails, like in Johnston Canyon, or along the river near our hotel. I also read up on dog-sledding companies that take children. I've never tried cross-country skiing -- is it really difficult for a 7-year old (or for me, too)? Also, I have never snow boarded before -- should I use the one day of skiing to have my nephew try snowboarding instead? Is that something he might like more than skiing?

I will have a maximum of 4 days to fill (not counting the minimum one day of skiing that he's already promised me) if he doesn't enjoy the first day of skiing. I am open to any suggestions Fodorites might offer.

Also, we're staying at the Banff Springs hotel, if that makes a difference. And I was planning to rent a car so I' won't be limited to the immediate area around the hotel.

Thank you in advance for any advice, even critiques of what I'm doing wrong.

ShelliDawn

Behind the Banff Springs is a really great hill for tobagganing and if I recall correctly also has a skating rink. I would call the hotel and double check.

I think dog sledding is a great idea, not so sure about cross country skiing though. I love it, but for a kid who doesn't want to downhill I'm not sure if he would enjoy it.

At the Chateau Lake Louise, you can go for a horse sleigh ride (http://www.brewsteradventures.com/dev08/ll_sleigh.html).

If he likes hockey, there's a street hockey tournament on Feb 8 and 9 he may enjoy watching (http://www.banfflakelouise.com/Area-...-To-The-Street)

amer_can

Banff Springs will have lots suggestions..Get in touch with the concierges and discuss this with them. Hot springs are accessable, dogs sledding, innertubing..ice skating..However cc skiing may not be his cup of tea but snowshoeing might work. Make sure he has layers of clothing as the weather may be cold or warmish..Who knows..There are probably sleigh rides at Banff as well. Can't imagine Brewster missing a source of $$.

UdderlyHopeless

Thank you for the replies. I did check out the hotel's suggested activities, and there are supposed to be sleigh rides nearby, and ice skating and curling (?) on the property. It sounds like I should forget about the x-country skiing and try out snow shoeing instead. A gondola ride also might be fun, just for the view. I won't hold my breath on seeing any wild animals, but if there are some, that would be a bonus.

And the Lake Louise ski resort says it has tubing as an option, so that's a good alternative to skiing.

If anyone else has suggestions, please add to this. But it sounds like there are enough activities for kids to keep him busy for 4 or 5 days.

On a related question, I didn't ask for advice on the hotel because I had no vote in the selection. But I was reading some recent reviews and it sounds as if the hotel has lost some of its appeal (rooms needing renovations and fake flowers in the lobby, for example). Should I lower my expectations so I won't be disappointed?

amer_can

The Chateau, with fake flowers or not is awesome!! Banff Springs falls into the same description.. If you belong to Fairmont President's Club you will often get upgrades and/or other perks. Ir's free btw!. It would probably be imprudent to try to supply real flowers in the abudance that would be needed for these 2 hotels..Winter you know..also airexpress ends in Calgary, hours away so as i say imprudent. Even if you do not have a vote a membership, in your name, will/can be of value and maybe for the whole group. There are also indoor swimming pools.. Curling is a winter sport, large gramite rocks are sent skidding down a sheet of ice and hopefully ending up in the bullseye..Sort of like ice shuffle bd. Too heavy for a 7 yr old.

ShelliDawn

Curling is similar to shuffle board, but it's bigger and on ice. It might actually be fun for a 7 year old assuming they have child size rocks available (adult rocks are 40lbs).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curling

UdderlyHopeless

Again, thanks for the info! I can't believe I made it this far in life without knowing what curling is. And the photos of the hotel look really nice, I guess it's expected they can't import flowers in the winter. Thank you again,
U.H.

LindainOhio

Take a half hour drive to Lake Louise. You will love seeing it. Walk around etc...

I would also find out the train schedule and drive out to the Twin Tunnels. It's fun to watch the train go through the tunnel. Might as well drive out to Emerald Lake if he is still having fun. Emerald Lake is beautiful. Have lunch or a snack there at the Lodge. Get a piece of bumbleberry pie if htey have it.

UdderlyHopeless

Are the "Twin Tunnels" also called the "Spiral Tunnels" where you can see the front of the train exit the tunnel above, while the rest of the train in still entering below? I read about it in TripAdvisor and thought it sounded interesting. Will also try to check out the two lakes you mentioned (they are so beautiful in pictures). Thanks again, everyone.

LindainOhio

They are called the Spiral Tunnels--my bad

kgsneds

I'm not sure about Emerald Lake in February - it will be frozen and the walking opportunities limited by snow and avalanche risk. Outdoor activities are limited to xc skiing/snowshoeing and skating, and they don't rent skates.

It certainly is an option for a place to eat - if the road conditions are OK - but I don't think that it would hold a huge amount of interest for a 7 year old. Lake Louise would be a much better option - the hotel is cool just to poke around, plus you have lots of activity options for kids of all ages.

Also, I'm not positive, but if you are staying at the Fairmont in Banff, you might be able to get some privileges at the Chateau in terms of good rates on rentals and use of pool etc. Worth asking, and the concierge in Banff might be able to assist with activities in Lake Louise. In addition, I believe the Chateau is one of the Fairmont properties with a 'canine ambassador'.

amer_can

Good suggestion kgsneds..People don't take advantage of the concierge's skills ofren enough. Dog sledding would be fun..Google Brewster tours and or dogsledidng., hay rides. in Banff.

dottyp

Putting in a plug for the Banff museum - an amazingly fabulous building containing an equally amazingly fabulous display of animals, birds, etc found in the Banff National Park.

oscarandpenelope

Banff Park Museum? I don't think it's open in the winter.

limalberta

Consider Sleigh rides as it is a cheaper option.
Think of ice skating at Lake Louise.

http://www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/...gonlakelouise/

Here is an article on most winter articles that are available in Banff.

http://www.todocanada.ca/winter-acti...national-park/