Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Banff at Thanksgiving....Crazy?

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Canada (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/)

- - Banff at Thanksgiving....Crazy? (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/banff-at-thanksgiving-crazy-200368/)

Banff at Thanksgiving....Crazy?

I have a travel dilemma. The crux of my question is: Has anyone here ever visited Banff or Calgary in late November or early December? We're interested in seeing Lake Louise and the Banff Springs Hotel, but can only travel at that time (would have preferred summer...didn't work out). We're not skiers, just intrigued by the beautiful pictures we've seen and love the Rocky Mountains. Is Banff worth the trip? Is driving around southern Alberta crazy/dangerous at that time for an American with moderate experience driving in snow? Has Calgary any redeeming characterisitics for tourists? Thanks for any opinions.

I used to live in Calgary, and like the people of Denver, we all did not leave in the fall and come back in the winter. From Calgary to Banff, and up to Lake Louise, there are wide inter-state quality highways, with excellent snow clearing operations. To go to the towns and main hotels, you can be assured, unless there's a very freak storm, of no significant problems. Of there is snow and ice, the plows will be out, and sand trucks or salt trucks cope with the ice, so there's nothing too much to worry about. If the roads are snowy or icy, make sure you do leave lots of extra space between you and the next guy, and if you do have to stop quickly, remember to life you foot off the brake and steer around obstacles, instead of leavingyou foot hard ont he brake. (With anti-lock, leave you foot down, but remember to steer.) But that won't be a problem. Dress warmly, because it is colder in the mountains than in Calgary. Calgary weather is very variable; it can rise or drop 30 degrees in a couple of hours. Calgary's got a good museum, some interesting old buildings, a tower you can visit to see the surrounding countryside, great views of the mountains, and lots more. I always like to go out into the country and drvie by ranches and oil wells. Excellent restuarnts, fine hotels, etc. Think of it as sort of Denver-like. There can be lots of snow in late November and early December in the mountains, so it will be beautiful to look at. Enjoy yourself. BAK

Thanks very much for all the information Brian. I feel a little better about the Banff part of the trip. Any restaurants or sites in particular which you recall as being especially nice in Calgary?

The Banff Springs Hotel is one of my favorite hotels in the world. It has a world class spa, and outdoor hot pool; it is like an old castle. You will love it!! My favorite restaurant in Calgary is The Belvedere. Great atmosphere, food, and service. Order the Sea Bass. Banff is DEFINATELY worth the drive. It is beautiful.

Brian has great info. As far as the Banff Springs Hotel, I would visit but I doubt I would stay there (as a resident of So. Alberta) unless I was extremely wealthy and could afford the suites and the extra attention that the wealthy get. There are many places in Banff and Jasper that are maybe not as spectacular but a much better bargain and more consumer friendly with still being quite luxurious. In So. Alberta, we really don't get full, cold winter until January for the most part (I am talking on an average) and then the cold weather seldom lasts more than 2 or three weeks. Right now, it is about 65 degrees F. outside (if you are from the States), about 20C and sunny and calm. This year has been extremely dry and very hot and the winter is expected to be also quite warm (if you can go by the Farmer's Almanac!). The roads in So. Alberta are very, very good. And also well maintained. If there was a heavy snowfall, since you are not used to winter driving, you could wait 12 - 24 hours or so for the snow plows to clear the roads and sand them. You would not want to get caught behind a snow plow. Total whiteout and until you have experienced it, you cannot appreciate how difficult it can be to drive. But rest assured, that the roads are cleared and sanded very quickly. After all, we must get to work! As Brian stated, the main thing is to drive carefully and not too fast. Allow extra room between yourself and the person ahead of you. You will have no problems. In Calgary, try visiting the Glenbow Museum. Kensington and Chelsea. If you wanted to drive out of Calgary, go to Drumheller and visit the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleaontology. There is just so much to see and do within a very short driving distance (by our standards at least). Enjoy and welcome to Alberta.

Traveller doesn't mention that they've already had snow in southern Alberta (Calgary to be specific)! It may be warm today, but that can change easily. That's Calgary - it can be cold and snowy and then a chinook wind blows in and it melts. I went to high school and university in Calgary - it can get real cold! And when they tell you it's a dry cold - don't believe that it's going to be any better! Cold is cold. Re restaurants. I was in Calgary in May and my sister took me to a Lebanese restaurant called Aida's. Food was excellent and prices were reasonable.

I have to disagree with the above poster about not staying at the Banff Springs Hotel. If you are coming from the states the canadian dollar will make your stay there less expensive. In my opinion this hotel is by far the best place to stay in if you are a tourist and staying in Banff. Very unique hotel. The view from the Rundle lounge down the Bow River valley is breathetaking.