Fall Hiking

Hiking through a magical landscape full of glowing autumnal trees is without doubt a bucket list experience. These are some of our favourite hikes for making the most of the small window each year when you can experience it all yourself:

• Larch Valley: this is one of the most popular hikes during the fall - we recommend an early start. 
• Sentinel Pass
• Lake Agnes Tea House
• Castle Lookout
• Taylor Lake

Here are some other locals' favourites too. Make sure you check Parks Canada for up to date reports on trail conditions before you venture out.

Early Season Skiing

If you’re visiting in late fall, take advantage of the colder temperatures and early season snowfall by getting in some turns on the slopes. Banff and Lake Louise are home to three world-class ski resorts: Mt Norquay, the Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Banff Sunshine. Their seasons normally kick off in early November.

Legendary Lodges

Make the most of fall in Banff and Lake Louise by getting out for a hike in the crisp mountain air before cozying up in front of a fire. Frontcountry and backcountry lodges are a wonderful way to enjoy both outdoor fun and indoor relaxation. Take a step back in time and away from reality, with the historic Skoki Lodge, located in the high alpine of Lake Louise. With no electricity, the nights are brightened with kerosene lamps and warmed by a wood-stove. Emerald Lake Lodge can be accessed by road but offers a mountain experience on the edge of a pristine alpine lake. Storm Mountain Lodge is known for its all-Canadian (and delicious) menu, and its Banff National Park makes it a great base for exploring the nearby trails. 

Stays on the Bow Valley Parkway

The Bow Valley Parkway is a stunningly scenic road winding between Banff and Lake Louise. There are a number of great places to stay along the route. At Castle Mountain Chalets, many of the chalets have a wood-burning stove. Baker Creek Mountain Resort has log cabins and lodge suites, as well as an authentic Canadian restaurant. Both have incredible mountain vistas and are ideal for groups and families.

Lake Louise Hotels

Lake Louise truly glows in the fall as the leaves change colour and snow starts to fall on the peaks. There are plenty of options for where to stay in Lake Louise: Lake Louise Inn, Baker Creek Mountain Resort, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Deer Lodge, Mountaineer Lodge, and Paradise Lodge and Bungalows (May 15 - October 4, 2020).
 

Events happening this fall:

• The Banff Whisky Experience celebrates whisky craftsmanship with over 300 delicious whiskies to taste from some of the finest distilleries in the world. 
• Join thousands of runners and spectators as they gather in the town of Banff to take part in Melissa's Road Race. A family-friendly running event, famous for being a colourful and fun race with entertainers throughout the course.
• Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival: the world-renowned Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity hosts an epic celebration of ground-breaking expeditions and adventures as told by adventurers, authors, photographers, and filmmakers from around the world.
• Experience Banff Craft Beer Festival - considered to be the world's most beautiful beer festival! Featuring exclusively Alberta craft brewers, sample delicious craft beer from over 40 vendors, share stories with local brewmasters, and discover Banff's amazing food and craft drink scene!
• Check the calendar of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity to see what inspiring music, film, arts, and drama programs they have on offer in the fall.
   

• Savour a nourishing meal which reflects our incredible natural setting. Many of the world class chefs in Banff and Lake Louise make use of ingredients local to our area, such as bison, elk, and game meats, complemented by a wide selection of regional craft beers, small batch distilled spirits and wines from across Alberta and British Columbia. Read more about our distinctive taste of place.
• Check our locals' recommendations for the 10 best places to après after your days' adventures.
• Park Distillery creates award winning spirits in one of the purest places in the world. Tour their distillery to learn how they create small batch spirits from Rocky Mountain glacial waters - and maybe taste one or two along the way as well.
• The dedicated brewmasters at Banff Ave Brewing Co use the very best ingredients to create premium beers in their in-house brewery in Banff. Enjoy a local brew paired with their menu of classic Canadian food.
• Read about the best ways to enjoy coffee or tea in Banff National Park.

We have gathered together all our tips for getting around Banff and Lake Louise. Here are some of the highlights:

• Take advantage of the extensive public transit and shuttle options to enjoy the scenery vehicle- and stress-free.
• If you’re driving to Banff and Lake Louise you’ll need to purchase a Park Pass for entry into Banff National Park. Purchase the Park Pass online before you arrive for express entry into the park.
• Rent a bike or lace up your walking shoes for a fun and healthy way to get around the town of Banff.
• Check out the Town of Banff’s parking page for a parking map, current capacity at Banff parking lots, and traffic cameras.

During fall in the Canadian Rockies you might experience a range of weather. We usually enjoy sunshine and mild temperatures during the day, while the temperature drops at night. By mid-September there is often frost on the ground in the morning and leaves start to fall. In early October snow will likely start to cover the peaks and sometimes dust the valley floor. 

We suggest bringing layers, so you can stay warm during the chilly evenings and mornings and take layers off as it warms up during the day. Warm gloves, a toque (that’s Canadian for a woolly hat), and sunglasses are a good idea as well. 

Closer to your visit, keep an eye on our webcams and the weather forecast for live updates of conditions around Banff National Park.