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Cerinthus2 t1_j3m096y wrote

Banff is the prettiest place on earth. Less crowds in Jasper or Waterton though, which are both pretty close. But there's a reason Banff has the most visitors.

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savageotter t1_j3mf82l wrote

No it's awful and ugly. Nobody go

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Lexi_Banner t1_j3ms9cp wrote

It's actually the worst, despite being so beautiful.

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stikky t1_j3mxo8c wrote

It costs money to get in. Don't bother

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Lexi_Banner t1_j3mz98v wrote

Oh, I know. I'd far rather go to Yoho, even though it's less convenient. Much prettier, and far less crowds.

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SaltLakeCitySlicker t1_j3n23fh wrote

I find these convos so funny. So, Zion gets posted here often (usually the lazy pic on the bridge) and people always talk about the crowd. I want to chip in on a better place but loose lips sink ships

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Lexi_Banner t1_j3n2szz wrote

Zion is stunning! I had the privilege of going through in the early, early season the first time. Next to no other traffic on the roads. Easy to park. Awesome!

It was not the same when we went there this past June. LOL

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SaltLakeCitySlicker t1_j3n66e8 wrote

Nobody local goes there in peak summer bc crowds. Or at least nobody I know.

I think they actually started a quota like arches? Or maybe it's just for angels landing? I forget. Haven't been there in several years bc there are the aforementioned better places

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vandrea_2009 t1_j3oryc7 wrote

Yes everyone go to Zion, it's beautiful šŸ˜. Banff is trash don't come here.

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savageotter t1_j3n1afm wrote

It's the tour busses that are such a nightmare

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Lexi_Banner t1_j3n2gon wrote

Yup. Lake Louise, too. I got up extra early when I was camping at Kananaskis. Left my campsite at about 3:30am. Got there around 5ish. Moraine lots were already full, and I managed to snag one of the last parking spots at Lake Louise. The front dock was beyond crowded already. At 5am.

Just insane. I'm glad that people love the natural beauty of our country, for sure! And it has pushed me to lesser known areas, which was enjoyable. But it'd be nice to go to Moraine Lake without a zillion other people running around with selfie sticks!

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HoneyBunchesOfGoats_ t1_j3n7cwv wrote

It depends on time of year. I went in February at sunrise and ice skated on Louise with just a couple other people. After we finished more people started arriving.

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DETpatsfan t1_j3nacmq wrote

This was my experience as well. Stayed at the fairmont in December 2018 and it was pretty empty. Only thing that sucked was the road to Moraine was closed so you had to snowshoe if you wanted to see it.

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cre8ivjay t1_j3p9k3c wrote

Fall is even more quiet. Early October is ridiculously beautiful and pretty quiet. Actually, in September and October you can travel the Rockies in Canada from Waterton to Jasper and have much of it to yourself.

Granted not everything is open during this time but...

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Cerinthus2 t1_j3nlbtp wrote

Moraine was fucking insane this year.

Was nice during covid. Even the Johnston canyon trail was empty.

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Lexi_Banner t1_j3nlpnc wrote

I didn't get to the area during covid (out of province restrictions). So jealous that you got to see it all nice and quiet!

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ArthurMorgans_TB t1_j3ol7r0 wrote

I go to barrier lake. It gets busy on long weekends and stuff but I've been a bunch of times when it was pretty dead.

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Mdizzle29 t1_j3ng5tb wrote

It's beautiful, BUT in the summer around dusk the mosquitoes are really, really terrible. That caught us by surprise. Other than that, though, great place.

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Yimpish t1_j3mkflu wrote

Jasper is easily just as beautiful imo, Banff is just busier because itā€™s closer to big cities people fly into

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Cairo9o9 t1_j3oaizt wrote

I've lived in both. They're different. The Bow Valley (Banff) is certainly more stunning as the valley is tighter with more craggy summits. The Athabasca valley is quite wide near Jasper and doesn't have quite the same hemmed in feeling. Some people prefer one or the other. I prefer the steep, tight valley of the Bow. The town of Jasper is much nicer though and feels like less of an outdoor shopping mall than Banff's town

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DaftFunky t1_j3mns9j wrote

This. Literally an hour drive from YYC airport.

Also the surrounding area of Banff is just as beautiful.

Kananaskis Country is more accessible, closer to Calgary, and absolutely gorgeous.

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vandrea_2009 t1_j3ositf wrote

Kananaskis isn't good. Don't go there, maybe try Quebec or Ontario!!

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Cerinthus2 t1_j3mo4bh wrote

If you can get from Calgary to Banff during its busy season in much less time than it takes to get from Edmonton to Jasper I'd love to know how. The 1 is a fucking parking lot into Banff.

Jasper is definitely beautiful too though

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seanondemand t1_j3mu67v wrote

I mean, if youā€™re driving out on Canada Day long weekend, sure. But Iā€™ll drive out a couple of times a week during the summer and itā€™s usually not a big deal.

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Cerinthus2 t1_j3mujif wrote

I'm guessing you didn't make it out this summer, lol.

Banff post-covid is fucking insane. Like you can't walk down the main drag

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D0xxing t1_j3nnxaa wrote

Iā€™m there usually every couple of weeksā€¦pro tip is to take the 1A to Canmore before hopping on the 1. Beautiful drive and usually not busy.

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k5pol t1_j3mpfj9 wrote

Well one way is to leave at 4amā€¦

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enjoytheshow t1_j3ou1ei wrote

Lol I did this on 70 a couple times when I lived in Denver. As long as the weather is fine a 4 departure on a winter Saturday gets you to the mountain parking lot at like 530-6. Grab a coffee and chill in the heat til first chair

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leftysarepeople2 t1_j3nsbck wrote

The Icefield Parkway is worth the drive. My favorite drive I've ever done

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riskoooo t1_j3n6onp wrote

I went to Lake Louise when I was 13 for a ski trip (from the UK). I have no photos and very fragmented memories, which makes me a bit bitter when I see stunning pictures like this (even though I know I'm lucky to have visited at all).

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vandrea_2009 t1_j3osq8l wrote

Dude, come back for a week. Few brits working the lifts on the hill and restaurants in town. You wont regret it.

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ieGod t1_j3nqehr wrote

Pretty nice but the swiss alps trump the Rockies.

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Cerinthus2 t1_j3nr2nl wrote

I actually think most of the alps could be mistaken for somewhere in the cascades pretty easily.

Of course being from Calgary I'm probably a little biased toward the rockies.

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Bradwarden0047 t1_j3ona5k wrote

I think if you're a skiing person, most enthusiasts will choose the Swiss Alps over the Canadian Rockies. Temperatures are a big factor and the Canadian treeline goes much, much higher, so the skiing slopes aren't quite what you get in the Alps.

We can't argue over what looks beautiful to your eye versus mine, but if we're comparing sheer scale, then the crown has to go to the Canadian Rockies. That feeling of vast wilderness, loneliness and serenity in huge, stunning landscape is unreal there. I was camping at a spot that was 600km from any major city in any direction. Imagine that. It's a surreal feeling. And you don't get that night sky either.

If you're looking for more of a touristy experience, then the Alps will give you that. But the town of Banff (my least favourite part of the Rockies) will be comparable.

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