Banff Travel Podcast

One of the most common questions I hear from travellers planning a trip to Banff National Park is: "How much time do I actually need at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake?" This is a fully updated version of one of the most popular episodes of The Banff Travel Podcast. Celine Brewer helps listeners with how much time to spend at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake with the latest transportation infor...

Did you know one of the most unique adventure experiences in the Canadian Rockies happens entirely underground? In this episode, Celine Brewer chats with Adam Walker, owner of Canmore Cave Tours, about exploring Rat's Nest Cave, one of Canada's longest caves. They talk about what it's really like to go caving, who it's best suited for, common misconceptions, and why so many vis...

In this real Banff travel consultation, Celine Brewer helps first-time visitors sort through their Banff itinerary and make their trip feel more realistic. They discuss how to balance Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Yoho National Park, the Icefields Parkway, Lake Minnewanka, and some easier hiking options without trying to cram too much into each day.  You’ll hear how small itinerary changes can...

Banff is known for its incredible mountain scenery, but it also has a thriving food scene that many visitors overlook. In this episode, I sit down with Joanna from Nibble Tours to talk about Banff's restaurants, food tours, and how visitors can experience the town through its local food and drink offerings. Find out how food tours can help visitors discover Banff beyond the main tourist attra...

Banff may be best known for turquoise lakes and mountain views, but there are still some excellent waterfalls worth adding to your itinerary. In this episode, Celine Brewer shares waterfalls near Banff that are either easy to add to a trip or worth the extra effort if you really love waterfalls. We’ll talk about easy stops like Bow Falls and Tangle Falls, classic walks like Johnston Canyon, big Yo...

In this episode, Celine Brewer shares another real Banff itinerary review from a 30-minute travel consultation. This traveller already had a thoughtful plan for a relaxed Banff trip with easy walks, scenic viewpoints, good meals, drinks, and time to enjoy each day without rushing. We talk through Moraine Lake timing, whether Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise is worth adding, when to book the Banff Gondo...

Trying to decide whether to add Big Beehive or Little Beehive to your Lake Agnes Tea House hike? In this episode, Celine Brewer compares both options so you can choose the best fit for your Lake Louise hiking day. Little Beehive is the shorter, easier add-on from Lake Agnes, with big mountain views and less extra climbing. Big Beehive is more effort, but it gives you a stunning view from Lake Agne...

Planning a family trip to Banff or Jasper and trying to figure out what is actually worth doing with kids? In this episode, Celine Brewer shares how to plan the right Canadian Rockies trip for your family, whether you’re travelling with babies, toddlers, school-aged kids, adventurous teens, or a mix of ages and abilities. We’ll talk about easy wins like playgrounds, gondolas, boat cruises, strolle...

In this episode, I’m sharing what you need to know before bringing your dog to Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Canmore and the surrounding area. Banff is a very dog-friendly place in many ways, but there are important rules, trail restrictions, shuttle limitations and hotel policies to understand before you arrive. I’ll cover the most important dog rules in Banff, including leash requir...

Trying to choose between the Lake Agnes Tea House hike and the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House hike at Lake Louise? In this episode, Celine Brewer compares these two classic Lake Louise hikes from a local perspective, including distance, elevation gain, hiking time, scenery, difficulty, crowds, Beehive add-ons, shuttle logistics, and whether you can still add Moraine Lake on the same day. Links me...

Planning a trip to Banff can get overwhelming fast. You start with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, then suddenly you’re trying to figure out shuttles, Jasper, the Icefields Parkway, hikes, restaurants, weather, crowds, and whether you’re trying to fit in too much.  In this episode, Celine Brewer answers listener questions from the recent podcast giveaway and groups them into the big themes that come...

In this episode, I’m sharing what Kananaskis actually is, why it’s worth a full day of your trip, the best hikes for different ability levels, biking options, and an easy one-day itinerary to help you make the most of your time there. We also cover important practical tips like the Kananaskis Conservation Pass, seasonal road closures, wildlife safety, and why having a backup plan always matters in...

Didn’t get the Moraine Lake shuttle you wanted? In this episode of The Banff Travel Podcast, Celine Brewer walks you through exactly what to do next. She covers the best backup options if you missed out on Parks Canada, what to do if you missed Alpine Start, and answers a few of the most common Lake Louise and Moraine Lake questions.  If your original plan didn’t work out, don’t panic. You still h...

What does a Banff itinerary look like when you only have 2.5 to 3 days and you want to see the highlights without overplanning? In this episode, Celine Brewer shares a real Banff travel consultation with an American couple in their 60s planning their first trip to Banff.  You’ll hear how Celine builds a realistic plan around Lake Louise and Moraine Lake logistics, scenic viewpoints, easy walks, an...

Two iconic boat cruises, one in Banff and one in Jasper. In this episode, Celine Brewer compares the Lake Minnewanka Cruise and the Maligne Lake Cruise so you can choose the best fit for your Banff itinerary or Jasper itinerary.  You’ll learn what each cruise feels like, how the scenery differs, the driving tradeoffs, which one is easier to add to a Banff trip, and why Maligne often wins for pure...

Not a hiker? Banff is still an incredible trip. In this episode, Celine Brewer shares the best ways to experience Banff National Park without big hikes, including easy walks with great views, gondolas and chairlifts, scenic drives, and simple “pick one and go” activities that still feel like a full Banff day.  Links mentioned in this episode Banff for Non-Hikers guide Easy walks and hikes in the B...

Lake O’Hara is one of the most spectacular places in the Canadian Rockies, and it stays that way because it is intentionally hard to access. In this episode, Celine Brewer breaks down what makes Lake O’Hara so specia and how to decide if it deserves a spot in a Banff itinerary. She also explains every realistic way to get there, including the shuttle lottery, and what it actually means to hike the...

What if, instead of a list of travel tips for Banff, you could listen in on a real Banff travel planning conversation? In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer shares an actual Banff travel consultation with a client planning a September trip to Banff National Park.  You’ll hear how Celine refines a rough Banff itinerary into something more realistic, including where it makes se...

Banff is busy. That’s not exactly news. But does that mean it’s too crowded to enjoy? In this episode of The Banff Travel Podcast , Celine shares her honest local take on what crowds in Banff are really like, where they tend to feel the most intense, and how to avoid the worst of them so you can still have an incredible trip. In this episode: whether Banff is actually too crowded where and when cr...

Planning Banff for a big family group is a totally different kind of trip. In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer shares a simple framework for building a multi-generational itinerary that works for kids, teens, parents, and grandparents. You’ll learn how to choose the right home base, avoid the common group-travel mistakes, and plan days that include “together time” without f...

You’ve booked your Banff trip, and now the real questions start. In Part 2 of this Q&A series, local Banff trip planner Celine Brewer tackles the nitty-gritty logistics that come up once you’re finalizing your itinerary. Think gondolas and chairlifts, biking vs driving the Bow Valley Parkway, how Lake Louise and Moraine Lake transit works, what to pack for hiking, and the practical details peo...

Planning a Banff trip can feel like a spiral of browser tabs and conflicting advice. In this episode, local Banff trip planner Celine Brewer kicks off a two-part Q&A series answering the big-picture questions she hears most often in her Live Banff Trip Planning Workshops. You’ll learn what actually needs to be booked ahead, what does not, and how to make the key decisions that shape your itine...

March in Banff is still winter, and that’s what makes it such a fun time to visit. In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer explains what Banff in March really looks like, how to plan your days with longer daylight, what to expect from crowds during spring break, and the best winter activities if you ski or if you don’t.  Book a Banff Travel Consultation Here Links mentioned Ban...

Yoho National Park is one of the best day trips from Banff, and it often ends up being the surprise favourite of an entire Rockies itinerary. In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer walks you through exactly how to plan a smooth Yoho day, including the must-see stops at Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Wapta Falls, plus a few extra stops that are worth it if yo...

Wondering when the lakes thaw in Banff National Park and whether Lake Louise and Moraine Lake will actually be blue when you visit? In this episode, Banff travel planning expert Celine Brewer breaks down the typical spring thaw timeline for the most popular lakes and what you can realistically expect in late April, May, and June. You’ll also hear real examples from spring conditions around Banff,...