Going to Banff

[pmc847]

We are leaving on our trip to Banff on 7/10. Do any of you have any advice, like where to go and what to avoid? We are going to Buffalo, WY to pick up a buddy and then north and probably go through Glacier National on the way to Banff. If we have time we might even try to get to Jasper. I hope this trip is as successful as our trip last Sept to Colorado and Utah. I'm sure glad my wife loves to go on these trips. She's a great passenger and buddy.

Philip

03 R1100S BCR #44
Staintune
InDuct
SJ PowerFilter
FIM Chip
Ohlins
Throttle bodies matched to rubber mounts matched to heads
Exhaust pipe welds ground down
1.35 gal Aux Fuel Tank

[850dunstall]

what to avoid... all the tourist traps...

banff is actually really nice, but crowded with tourists.
where are you coming from, you know that the guys over at

www.bmwsporttouring.com are having a rally in cody wyoming from jul 11 to 14, and the big BMW moa rally is in spokane at the end of the same week,

the upper hotsprings in banff is worth a visit, bring your swiming gear, also you cannot miss the drive up hwy 93 to jasper, takes you right past the toe of the Athabasca glacier.


take it from there

c.l.

[blakebird]

I'm green with envy.....Banff and surrounding Canadian Rockies is just scenery overload - a fantastic bike trip.
The Columbia Icefields Parkway up to Jasper is a great day trip too, if you have the time stay up north and see the sights near Jasper.
Take the gondola up Sulphur Mtn, hike around.... the views are stupendous.

Going to the Sun Road thru Glacier is one of my favorite scenic rides....and take pics out the back window of the lodge at Waterton Lakes.

[hooligan620]

North from Cody WY ride Chief Joseph Highway and Beartooth Pass into Montana. Some of the best motorcycle roads anywhere.

The Going to the Sun Road through Glacier is spectacular. The ride along the east side of the park into Waterton is great too!

Go to Lake Louise canoe on the lake and have tea in the Grand Hotel. Walk on the Glacier between Baniff and Jasper. Banff is a tourist town if you like that kind of stuff.

If you're into dinosaurs there is a huge fossil preserve just east of Calgary.

I made this trip many years ago with my then new bride on a R90s.

Have a great time and enjoy your 200 plus miles between fill-ups. I'm planning on installing my auxillary tank after the 4th of July.

[motoman]

We're doing the same ride--leaving 7/23.

[shiho]

I dont know what your cup of tea is, but my picks,

Definitely find time for the Icefields parkway to jasper. Just get an early start to avoid some of the camper congestion. halfway up the parkway is a tourist centre, with some exhibits, expensive lodging (its all expensive in the summer), and tours onto the ice. I stayed north of jasper in pocohontas (the town not the woman)as rooms were just not availble.

The old highway (bow valley parkway, 1A) from Banff west is a great ride, the new one is more of an expressway.

get to lake louise, just a few minutes off the path, stay at the chateau if you have money to burn.

In Banff, go up the sulpher mountain gondola. Nights at Wild Bills used to be interesting - bands and beer.

For accomadation, Canmore just east of Banff may be more economical. For camping the Lake Minnewanka and Two jack campgrounds are just outside of banff. Go for the walkin sites, they have bear proof food lockers, and covered eating areas (ask details first, there may be many walk in sites with different amentities)

If you want to hike, buy a guidebook.

They say that if you dont like the weather, wait 10 minutes

[pmc847]

I haven't traveled to Canada in many years but as I recall I didn't need anything special, passport etc, to cross the boarder, just a drivers license. What do I need now? I just did a search and it indicates I need a passport or certified birth certificate. I have neither and we leave tomorrow afternoon. Anyone cross the boarder lately and what was needed?

Philip

[Bob in Tucson]

I cross the Mx border often and yes, a passport or birth certificate are what you need to be sure they'll let you in. If you don't have that, a voter's ID card will work too, and any other photo ID will help some.

In the morning, call the nearest consulate and ask them. They should be able to drum up something that would work.

I've often been allowed entry to Canada on my driver's license alone (or on just a hand wave), so you'll probably be fine; but just in case...

[hooligan620]

Yes carry your driver's license, which shows place of residence and a passport or birth certificate to show place of origin. By having both you should slide through the border.