Summer in Banff: A Quick Getaway
Banff National Park has been a favorite place to visit since I was a child. Sadly, my last summer visit was when I was just two years old, so when Pursuit offered me a media trip that started in Banff, I jumped at the chance. Seeing my favorite little town in warmer weather was an absolute dream!
Summer in Banff can be pricey since it’s peak hiking season. The best way to avoid this is to visit at the very start of the “summer” season, in May. If you visit while families are still dealing with the school year, you can avoid the biggest crowds and highest prices.
Where to Stay: Mount Royal Hotel Review
Historic Charm Meets Modern Comfort on Banff Avenue
Pursuit owns two hotels in Banff—the Elk & Avenue and Mount Royal Hotel, where I was staying that night. I’ve seen the hotel on every visit—it’s a historic property right in Downtown Banff. The location is pretty perfect—it’s right across the street from some of the town’s best shops, coffee hotspots, and restaurants. It’s also within a short walk of the Banff Pedestrian Bridge, a beautiful place to enjoy the sunset and possibly spot wildlife grazing along the Bow River. Summer in Banff is an amazing time!
The Rooms and Rooftop Perks
The hallways at Mount Royal Hotel are a bit unique. Since part of the building is historic, a line in the hallways shows which parts of the hotel are part of the original building and which parts are new. The rooms are well-designed, with cozy amenities including Nespresso machines, mini fridges, workspaces, and free Wi-Fi. The rooms are modern, renovated, and perfectly comfortable for a short stay or a longer one.
Inside the hotel, you can find a small museum on the second floor detailing the property’s history. There’s also a hotel library! While these features are great, the best of all is the rooftop Cascade Lounge and Hot Tubs. They’re the perfect place to unwind and relax after a day of exploring the wilderness around town.
Getting There & Getting Around
Seamless Transit to the Mountains
Getting to Banff is definitely part of the adventure. The easiest way is to fly directly into Calgary International Airport (YYC). From there, you can either catch a shuttle (like Brewster Express, owned by Pursuit) or rent a vehicle and drive. The trip from Calgary is about 2.5 hours, and it goes by fast because of all of the stunning scenery along the way. In the colder months, the area around the freeway is covered in snow, but in the warmer months, you can see lush greenery lining the Trans-Canada Highway. Parking can be difficult to find around Banff, so take advantage of your hotel’s parking (Mount Royal Hotel’s parking is $10 a night).
Bear Safety and The Legendary “Boss” (Bear 122)
One important thing to note about enjoying the great outdoors during summer in Banff: wildlife is abundant, including bears. Banff National Park has strict rules for safely being around wildlife. Keep back around 100 meters (330 feet) for bears, wolves, and other predatory animals. Keep back about 30 meters (100 feet) from elk, deer, moose, and similar animals. Do not exit your vehicle to view animals, but if animals are crossing, stop to let them pass safely. You can safely pull over, but you must stay inside the vehicle and mind any of the “no stopping” zones. Carry bear spray with you during bear season.
Banff’s most famous resident is actually a grizzly bear—Bear 122, better known as The Boss. Weighing in at around 660lbs, The Boss has reportedly fathered most of the grizzlies in the park (whether this is true or not is up for debate), has fought against many of the other large grizzlies (and killed them), and apparently has been hit by a train. Twice. Though sightings of The Boss are treasured and rare, it’s safest to avoid any of the more grizzly residents!
Afternoon: Shopping Banff Ave & Soaring Up the Banff Gondola
Strolling and Shopping Down Banff Avenue
After checking in to Mount Royal Hotel, I had just enough time to get situated, change out of my airplane clothes, and run across the street to The Spirit of Christmas (I needed some Rogers Chocolates) before we embarked on our first adventure—Banff Gondola (also owned by Pursuit—I swear, the company owns all the coolest places). It helps that the hotel is literally right across from some of the best shopping arcades and one of the pharmacies (a great spot to grab some Canadian candies for souvenirs).
Taking Flight on the Banff Gondola
I’ve been on the Banff Gondola before, and I’m terrified of heights, but it’s one of the most stunning experiences in Banff. The view from the top is 100% worth it, so I made it up Sulfur Mountain. The last time I visited, it was early November, and there was a good amount of snow coming down—a completely different experience than summer in Banff.
Evening: Elevated Dining & Historic Recovery
Dinner with a View at the Summit
After we explored the summit a bit, we managed to enjoy sunset at Sky Bistro, one of the most scenic restaurants in all of Canada. The food at Sky Bistro is outstanding, with a variety for everyone, from pasta to meatless options to local Alberta game meats. The food is only half of the experience, with the perfect view of the boardwalk and the beginning of the sunset. The last gondola down is at 9 PM regardless of daylight, so we enjoyed more of the long summer sunset on the ride back to the parking lot.
Nightcap in Downtown Banff
Head back down to town for a relaxed evening stroll. The sun sets quite late in the summer months, so enjoy a walk and the stunning weather. Grab a drink at a local bar or stop for a quick sweet bite at Beavertails!
Morning After: Breakfast at Brazen
A Bold Breakfast Feast
Before checking out and starting the day, grab breakfast at the hotel’s Brazen. The food is outstanding, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal (like steak and potatoes, French toast, or Turkish eggs) before exploring Banff on foot, on the water, or on two wheels. Take the opportunity to stroll Banff Avenue to work off your meal—in the summer months, the famous street looks completely different, with flowers, greenery, and less snow on the mountains. It’s a beautiful look for the mountain town!
Coffee, Picnics, & Biking the Bow Valley Parkway
Fueling Up for Adventure
It’s not hard to get your caffeine fix in Banff—there are independent coffee shops all over town, so you don’t have to stick with simply Starbucks or Tim Hortons (even though I love my Timmy’s). If you head to Banff Avenue, you’ll find maybe a dozen different coffee shops lining the area. I really enjoyed Good Earth Coffeehouse over at Elk + Avenue and Whitebark Cafe at Banff Aspen Lodge. The coffee shops around town also carry several savory options and sandwiches, perfect for packing a picnic before heading out to explore.
Biking Toward Historic Bow Valley Parkway
Grab a rental from Black Tie Ski & Bike Rentals to explore the town on two wheels! The warmer months are a great time to go for a brisk bike ride on Vermilion Lakes Road. From Black Tie, turn left onto Lynx toward Gopher and head onto Mt. Norquay. You’ll pass the BANFF sign for a great photo opportunity before heading left onto Vermilion Lakes. You’ll ride past the beautiful lakes and enjoy stunning nature and fresh air before heading back to town. Want an extra special view? Search Google Maps for Surprise Corner and thank me later! There are plenty of great viewpoints along the way, so you can stop and enjoy that picnic lunch before returning your rentals and heading out of Banff while planning your next visit.
