Banff Travel Podcast
Celine Brewer is a local Banff travel expert who helps visitors plan unforgettable trips to Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies. She specializes in creating stress-free itineraries and sharing insider tips for exploring Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore/Kananaskis and other nearby national parks like Jasper National Park, Yoho National Park, and Kootenay National Park.
This show will deliver practical travel advice about how to plan, experience, and make the most of your Canadian Rockies vacation. If you are looking for Banff travel tips from a local expert who lives in the Canadian Rockies, then you are in the right place.
This podcast will provide valuable insights for first-time visitors, families, adventure travellers, photographers, and anyone planning a trip to Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, and the Canadian Rockies.
If you want to learn how to create the perfect Banff itinerary and discover the best of the Canadian Rockies, you are in the right place!
This show will provide answers to questions like:
- Which one is better, Banff or Jasper?
- Is it worth visiting Kootenay National Park?
- What is special about Yoho National Park?
- Is it worth going to Kananaskis?
- What is the best month to go to Banff?
- Is it better to stay at Banff or Lake Louise?
- Where to stay in Banff if you don't have a car?
- How many days are needed to visit Banff?
- What are the best hikes in Banff for different skill levels?
- How do I avoid crowds at popular Banff spots?
Episodes
60 episodes
60: Visiting Banff & Jasper with a Dog
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 re...
59: Lake Agnes vs Plain of Six Glaciers - Which Lake Louise Tea House Hike Should You Choose?
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, ...
58: Real Banff Travel Questions Answered
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 t...
57: Kananaskis - Why You Should Visit This Area!
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 c...
56: Didn’t Get the Moraine Lake Shuttle You Wanted? Here’s What to Do
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 ...
55: A Real Banff Travel Consultation: 3-Day Banff Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
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...
54: Lake Minnewanka Cruise vs Maligne Lake Cruise: Which Boat Tour Should You Do?
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...
53: Banff for Non-Hikers
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 “...
52: Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park
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 des...
51: A Real Banff Travel Consultation: Building a Banff Itinerary on a Live Call
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 pl...
50: Is Banff Too Crowded? What to Expect, How to Avoid the Worst of It, and How to Still Have a Great Trip
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...
49: Multi-Generational Banff Trip Planning (Itineraries, Accessibility, Kids, and Grandparents)
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, an...
48: Banff Trip Planning Q&A (Part 2)
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 ...
47: Banff Trip Planning Q&A (Part 1)
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 Liv...
46: Is March a Good Time to Visit Banff? A Local’s Guide
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 e...
45: Visiting Yoho National Park - Everything You Need to Know
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 sm...
44: When Do Banff Lakes Thaw? Timeline for Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Minnewanka, and Peyto
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...
43: Driving in Banff for First Timers: Road Conditions, Mountain Highways, and Where Cell Service Drops
Worried about driving in Banff or the Canadian Rockies, especially if you are travelling solo? You are not alone. The good news is that most routes around Banff are on well-maintained paved highways, but there are a few key things to know about...
42: Banff Park Pass Explained - National Park Fees, Kananaskis Pass & Free Days
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...
41: Should You Add Jasper to Your Banff Trip? Jasper vs Banff and What to See
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...
40: Banff Camping Guide - Campgrounds, Reservations, and Tips
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’...
39: Visiting Banff in January & February - SnowDays, Ice Magic, and What to Expect
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, ...
38: Banff for Non-Skiers
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 throug...
37: The Best Easy Winter Hikes in Banff
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...
36: The 5 Big Decisions You Must Make Before Planning Your Banff Trip (+ Your 12-Month Timeline)
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.