Four days of gondola views, a canoe on Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon and campfire s’mores, paced for two kids. This is a sample trip planned with TrippedU.
We asked for an easy mountain trip for two parents and two kids. TrippedU came back with a day-by-day plan, a map and a cover.
The itinerary
Day 1
Calgary arrival and Banff Avenue
01
11:00 am
Arrive at Calgary International Airport
Arrival time supplied by you. Allow time for immigration, bags and rental-car pickup. · Suggested; check availability
2000 Airport Road NE, Calgary, Alberta
12:15 pm
Drive to Banff
Allow roughly two hours including a short comfort stop; this is a planning estimate. Keep snacks handy for the children. · Suggested; check availability
2:15 pm
Lunch at Wild Flour Bakery
Sandwiches and a relaxed first meal in Banff. · Suggested; check availability
101-211 Bear Street, Banff, Alberta
3:00 pm
Banff Avenue walk
Take a short stroll from Caribou Street toward the Bow River bridge. Turn back whenever the children have had enough. · Suggested; check availability
Banff Avenue at Caribou Street, Banff, Alberta
4:00 pm
Check in
Accommodation to choose. Leave time to unpack and rest before dinner. · Suggested; check availability
5:30 pm
Dinner at Bear Street Tavern
Early dinner, then return to your accommodation for a quiet evening. · Suggested; check availability
113-211 Bear Street, Banff, Alberta
Day 2
Pancakes, Sulphur Mountain and hot springs
02
8:00 am
Pancake breakfast at Tooloulou’s
Allow about an hour for breakfast before driving to the gondola. · Suggested; check availability
204 Caribou Street, Banff, Alberta
10:00 am
Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain
Ride both ways and explore the summit building and nearby viewing decks. Skip the longer stepped boardwalk to keep the outing easy. · Suggested; check availability
End of Mountain Avenue, Banff, Alberta; Banff Gondola lower terminal
11:30 am
Lunch at Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen
Lunch at the gondola summit before riding down. · Suggested; check availability
Banff Gondola upper terminal, Sulphur Mountain, accessed from the end of Mountain Avenue, Banff, Alberta
1:15 pm
Banff Upper Hot Springs soak
Set aside about an hour including changing, with a brief soak and cooling breaks for the children. · Suggested; check availability
1 Mountain Avenue, Banff, Alberta
2:45 pm
Rest at your accommodation
Keep the afternoon free for downtime before dinner. · Suggested; check availability
5:00 pm
Dinner at Tooloulou’s
Early dinner before a short wildlife drive. · Suggested; check availability
204 Caribou Street, Banff, Alberta
6:15 pm
Lake Minnewanka Loop wildlife drive
Allow about an hour to look for elk from the car, using designated pullouts only. Keep at least 30 metres from elk and 100 metres from bears. · Suggested; check availability
Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, approximately 10 km northeast of Banff, Alberta
Day 3
Lake Louise canoeing and campfire s’mores
03
7:00 am
Breakfast and picnic pickup at Wild Flour Bakery
Eat breakfast and buy takeaway sandwiches for lunch. Bring a small cooler for the drive. · Suggested; check availability
101-211 Bear Street, Banff, Alberta
9:00 am
Lake Louise Park and Ride shuttle
Drive from Banff, then check in for the suggested 9:00–10:00 am departure window. The Parks Canada shuttle requires a reservation. · Suggested; check availability
Lake Louise Ski Resort, 1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise, Alberta
10:30 am
Canoe on Lake Louise
Aim for a gentle 30-minute paddle in two canoes, one parent and one child per boat. Wear the supplied lifejackets and remain close to the boathouse. · Suggested; check availability
Lake Louise lakeshore beside Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, Alberta
12:00 pm
Wild Flour picnic at Lake Louise
Eat the sandwiches collected at breakfast at a designated lakeshore picnic spot. Pack out all food scraps. · Suggested; check availability
Lake Louise lakeshore beside Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, Alberta
12:45 pm
Short Lake Louise shoreline walk
Walk out along the shoreline for about 15 minutes, then retrace your steps. Avoid the uphill trails. · Suggested; check availability
Lake Louise lakeshore beside Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, Alberta
1:30 pm
Return shuttle to Lake Louise Park and Ride
Return to the car, then drive back to Banff for an afternoon rest. Allow extra time for the shuttle queue. · Suggested; check availability
Lake Louise Ski Resort, 1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise, Alberta
5:00 pm
Dinner at Bear Street Tavern
Early dinner before heading to Cascade Ponds. · Suggested; check availability
113-211 Bear Street, Banff, Alberta
6:15 pm
Campfire s’mores at Cascade Ponds
Use a designated metal fire ring only if fires are permitted, with locally purchased firewood. Extinguish the fire completely and leave by about 7:15 pm. · Suggested; check availability
Cascade Ponds access road off Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, Banff National Park, Alberta
Day 4
Johnston Canyon Lower Falls and flight home
04
7:00 am
Breakfast at Wild Flour Bakery
Have breakfast, then check out with luggage packed in the car before leaving Banff. · Suggested; check availability
101-211 Bear Street, Banff, Alberta
8:45 am
Johnston Canyon catwalk hike to Lower Falls
Walk the roughly 2.2 km return route, allowing 75–90 minutes with breaks. Turn around at Lower Falls rather than continuing uphill to Upper Falls. · Suggested; check availability
Johnston Canyon Day-use Area P1, Bow Valley Parkway, approximately 25 km northwest of Banff, Alberta
11:00 am
Lunch at Wild Flour Bakery
Return to Banff for an early lunch before the airport drive. · Suggested; check availability
101-211 Bear Street, Banff, Alberta
12:00 pm
Drive to Calgary International Airport
Allow approximately two hours including fuel and rental-car return. Target being at the terminal by 2:00 pm for the international departure. · Suggested; check availability
2000 Airport Road NE, Calgary, Alberta
Relive it
Then keep it.
Add your photos and clips as you go. When you’re home, TrippedU turns them into a movie with a song written about your trip.
This is a sample trip. The travelers and photos were created for illustration. Restaurants and venues are suggestions; check availability before you book.
