Confused about which park pass you need for Banff? In this episode, Celine breaks down the different passes for Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks, plus the Kananaskis Conservation Pass for Canmore and K-Country. You’ll learn when you need a daily Parks Canada pass vs a Discovery Pass, how the Kananaskis pass works, what’s covered (and what isn’t), and how upcoming free admission days fit into your Banff trip planning.

Banff Park Pass Guide

Buy Park Pass online here or here

Buy Kananaskis Conservation Pass

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Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

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Wondering whether you should add Jasper National Park to your Banff itinerary? In this episode, Celine explains how Banff and Jasper are different, how many days to spend in Jasper, and what you can realistically see with 1, 2, or 3 days, including the Icefields Parkway, Maligne Lake, the Jasper SkyTram, and easy viewpoints. You’ll learn how to plan the Banff to Jasper drive, where Jasper fits in a 7–10 day Rockies itinerary, and when it’s worth the extra driving.

Icefields Parkway guide (top stops and viewpoints)

GuideAlong app for the Icefields Parkway drive

Banff & Jasper itinerary

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Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

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Thinking about camping in Banff National Park? In this episode, your Banff travel planning expert Celine walks you through how Banff camping reservations work and how to plan ahead for getting camping reservations this summer. You’ll learn which Banff and Lake Louise campgrounds to consider, when to book for peak summer, and how to camp safely in bear country.

Sign up for my email here

2026 Camping Reservation Dates

Banff Campgrounds

Jasper Campgrounds

Yoho Campgrounds

Kootenay Campgrounds

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Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

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Banff in January and February are peak winter months and home to one of the best festivals of the season: SnowDays. In this episode, Celine shares what makes this time of year unique, including snow sculptures, Ice Magic at Lake Louise, skating, winter hikes, and what conditions are really like.

If you're planning a winter trip to Banff National Park, this guide will help you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare.

Mentioned in this episode:

Banff in January

Banff SnowDays Festival

Ice Magic Festival at Lake Louise

Banff Winter Packing List

Winter traction devices

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Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

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Not a skier? You are absolutely not alone and Banff is one of the best winter destinations in the world even if you never touch a chairlift.
In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer walks you through the most memorable winter activities for non-skiers: ice walks, winter hikes, wildlife viewing, scenic drives, hot springs, snowshoe tours, the Banff Gondola, and so much more.

You’ll learn what’s realistic in winter conditions, how to choose between activities, what to book ahead of time, and why Banff is just as magical off the slopes as it is on them.

Links mentioned in this episode

✔ Banff for Non-Skiers Guide
Everything you can do in Banff in winter without skiing

✔ Banff Winter Travel Guide
A complete overview of winter conditions, packing, activities, tips, and planning essentials. You can bundle this with my 7-Day Banff Winter Itinerary!

✔ Sunshine Meadows Snowshoe Tour
One of the most beautiful beginner-friendly snowshoe tours in Banff National Park (affiliate link)

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Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

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Winter transforms Banff National Park into a completely different place. The waterfalls freeze, the crowds disappear, and even familiar trails feel brand new under fresh snow.

In this episode, local Banff travel expert Celine Brewer walks you through the best easy winter hikes in Banff. These hikes are scenic and perfect for first-time winter hikers or anyone looking for shorter adventures.

✔ Easy Winter Hikes in Banff

✔ Banff Winter Travel Guide

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Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

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Planning a trip to Banff National Park isn’t like planning a regular vacation. Dates, hotels, shuttles, and even what’s open can vary dramatically depending on the month and the choices you make early on will shape your entire trip.

In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer walks you through the five essential decisions every traveller needs to make before they build an itinerary, followed by a 12-month Banff planning timeline for 2026 so you know exactly what to book and when.

Helpful Resources Mentioned

🗺️ Banff Itineraries & Guides
Done-for-you Banff itineraries with daily schedules, hotel recommendations, hiking options, and seasonal tips.

📩 Banff & Jasper Cheat Sheets
Download my free starter planning guides (and get on my email list for 2026 updates).

🌄 Join the Travel Banff Facebook Group
For real-time questions, itinerary help, and seasonal updates.

💬 Travel Consultations
Get a one-hour custom planning session with Celine.

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

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December is when winter really begins in Banff National Park. If you’re wondering what conditions are actually like, what’s open, what you can realistically do, and how cold it truly feels, local Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer walks you through everything you need to know.

Whether you’re visiting for skiing, skating on Lake Louise, winter hikes, or the holiday events around town, this episode will help you arrive informed and prepared.

Links mentioned in this episode

Winter & Christmas Guides

• Banff in December: https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/visiting-banff-in-december/
• Banff at Christmas: https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/banff-at-christmas/
• Visiting Banff in Winter: https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/banff-in-winter/
• Banff Winter Packing List: https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/banff-winter-packing-list/
• Banff Winter Hikes: https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/easy-winter-hikes-banff/
  
  

Safety & Resources

• Trail Conditions (Parks Canada): https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonnee-hiking/etat-sentiers-trail-conditions
• Parks Canada Ice Safety (Skating): https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/patinage-skating
• Canadian Red Cross Ice Safety: https://www.redcross.ca/blog/2019/12/ice-safety-know-when-it-s-safe-to-play
  
  

Weather & Driving

• Weather in Banff: https://weather.gc.ca/en/location/index.html?coords=51.179,-115.569
• Alberta 511 Road Conditions: https://511.alberta.ca/
• Parks Canada Icefields Parkway Winter Driving Guide: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/experience/hiver-winter/pcghiver-ipwinter

Get my Banff Travel Consultations for only $99. Only 25 spots available and sale ends November 30, 2025.

Get all the details here.

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Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

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Banff Itineraries

Banff Travel Guide

Instagram: @travelbanffcanada

Send in your questions here!