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Old 01-25-2011, 08:10 PM
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goober goober is offline
 
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Default Banff?

The wife wanted to go to the mountains this winter so I booked a cabin at Castle Mountain for her as a birthday gift. We will be going at the beginning of March and I am looking for tips on things to do that can involve a little one (17 months). We are not skiers so I do not spend much time in the mountains in the winter. We will go to the Hot Springs for sure as the little one LOVES water!! Is the gondola trip worth it? I have also looked at doing the Johnston Canyon hike to the falls. Phoned about the tour and they refused us as they claim it is not doable with the little one. I call garbage on this as I do not remember that as being very tough at all!! Funny thing is that when you google things to do in Banff in winter #2 on the list is to actually leave Banff and go to Calgary for a Flames game!!! I fund that very comical!! Promote our beautiful parks by telling people to leave them!! Any tips would be great!!!
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:16 PM
FishingMOM FishingMOM is offline
 
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Candy factory
Ye Olde spagetti factory

Check out the falls.

Hot springs

Gondola is expensive for adults ($30 per) - it has been wonderful, but check the conditions while your there. If it is cloudy or grey it isnt worth it.

Check out some of the little shops.

Hot springs.

go for a hike along lake minnawonka (sp)
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:21 PM
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Johnston Canyon can be pretty slick depending on conditions, especially the last bit to the falls. At your discretion there, it really depends on how icey it is that day. It's not physically challenging, but some sections can be slick.
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:29 PM
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Ya won't make it past the ski hill at Castle this time of year. We may be talking bout two different places here. hehe
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by honda450 View Post
Ya won't make it past the ski hill at Castle this time of year. We may be talking bout two different places here. hehe

We stay at the cabins right at the base of Castle Mountain on Bow Valley Parkway. It is about 25 - 30 mins from Banff.
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:38 PM
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We stay at the cabins right at the base of Castle Mountain on Bow Valley Parkway. It is about 25 - 30 mins from Banff.
Yup we are definitly talking bout two different places. Sorry.
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:35 PM
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I would recommend The Cave and Basin but my wife thinks it's closed for renovations. Check if it's open before you go.
It's the original hot springs. Now a historical site, We love to go there.
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Old 01-25-2011, 10:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geo View Post
Johnston Canyon can be pretty slick depending on conditions, especially the last bit to the falls. At your discretion there, it really depends on how icey it is that day. It's not physically challenging, but some sections can be slick.
Holy crap, can they ever! We turned around one time after maybe a few hundred yards. The snow on the trail gets pounded into a sheet of ice by all the visitors. If you have some cleats it shouldn't be a problem though.
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingMOM View Post
Candy factory
Ye Olde spagetti factory

Check out the falls.

Hot springs

Gondola is expensive for adults ($30 per) - it has been wonderful, but check the conditions while your there. If it is cloudy or grey it isnt worth it.

Check out some of the little shops.

Hot springs.

go for a hike along lake minnawonka (sp)
Good tip on the weather for the gondola I never thought of that!!! What is this Candy Factory? Ye Old Spaghetti Factory? Is this the same restaurant that is in a few other places?
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:57 PM
FishingMOM FishingMOM is offline
 
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Originally Posted by goober View Post
Good tip on the weather for the gondola I never thought of that!!! What is this Candy Factory? Ye Old Spaghetti Factory? Is this the same restaurant that is in a few other places?
The reason I mentioned weather is, I would hate to see the disappointment if you got up there and it was miserable. Especially for the cost.

Right on the main drag in Banff there is a fudge making place. They also have some other great treats. The kids love the carmel corn, or the hand made chocolate bear claws and the candy apples.
If you go at the right time you can see them working the products right on the marble slab.
(chocolate bear claw - size of a a grown ups fist. Chocolate, carmel, cashews and more chocolate
See pictures - not the actual ones from Banff
https://paulasedibles.com/wp-content...s/P7010108.JPG )

Ye olde Spagetti Factory, They have a few locations around the country.
The prices are good and the food is pretty decent, Kid friendly.
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Old 01-25-2011, 09:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingMOM View Post
The reason I mentioned weather is, I would hate to see the disappointment if you got up there and it was miserable. Especially for the cost.

Right on the main drag in Banff there is a fudge making place. They also have some other great treats. The kids love the carmel corn, or the hand made chocolate bear claws and the candy apples.
If you go at the right time you can see them working the products right on the marble slab.
(chocolate bear claw - size of a a grown ups fist. Chocolate, carmel, cashews and more chocolate
See pictures - not the actual ones from Banff
https://paulasedibles.com/wp-content...s/P7010108.JPG )

Ye olde Spagetti Factory, They have a few locations around the country.
The prices are good and the food is pretty decent, Kid friendly.
We will hit the candy shop for sure the wife will love that!! She is a sugar hound hence the reason mudbugs cake is 90% gone today!!! Is there any good restaurants that are not chains? We normally do all the cooking at the cabin but I figured we could go in for 1 meal on a week night. Any type of food we are not picky, it is just pointless to us to go there and eat at the Keg or any other that we can eat at here.
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Old 01-25-2011, 09:18 PM
FishingMOM FishingMOM is offline
 
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Originally Posted by goober View Post
We will hit the candy shop for sure the wife will love that!! She is a sugar hound hence the reason mudbugs cake is 90% gone today!!! Is there any good restaurants that are not chains? We normally do all the cooking at the cabin but I figured we could go in for 1 meal on a week night. Any type of food we are not picky, it is just pointless to us to go there and eat at the Keg or any other that we can eat at here.
Okay Goober,

Seoul Korean BBQ
215 Banff Avenue
Banff, AB T1L Canada

This is a one off place you might just love.
Korean place, They have the bbq right in the tables. They serve flavourful soups, stews, rice and noodle dishes, hot pots and Korean BBQ.
( It is somewhat hard to find if you don’t know where to look because it is located within the Sundance Mall, along main street.)

This is a favourite with Us and our friends.
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:19 PM
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Ya going to Castle or Banff? Little bit apart.
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:26 PM
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Ya going to Castle or Banff? Little bit apart.
We always stay at Castle Mountain when down there as Banff is way to busy for me!!! I prefer to drive in do what we need to do and leave back to the cabin where it is quiet and not thousands of people all over the place.
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