Alberta

Exploring a Different Perspective: Unveiling the OTHER SIDE of Banff, Alberta

August 11, 2023 /

When it comes to travel destinations, Banff, Alberta, often finds itself in the spotlight, captivating travelers with its postcard-perfect landscapes, charming downtown, and iconic attractions. However, not every journey is a match made in heaven. In this unconventional travel blog post, I’ll explore a unique perspective on Banff, shedding light on the aspects that some travelers may find less appealing. While Banff’s beauty outside the downtown core is undeniable, it’s important to acknowledge that not every experience resonates with every traveler.

Crowded and Bustling: Banff’s undeniable allure has earned it a well-deserved reputation as a popular tourist destination. However, this popularity can translate into huge crowds during peak seasons. The town’s narrow streets and sidewalks can become congested, making it challenging to fully immerse oneself in a serene escape. The downtown core is pedestrian only with limited street parking. If you’re towing a trailing or driving a rental RV and make a wrong turn and end up going through the downtown core, you’re in for your worst nightmare.

Commercialization: Banff’s success has led to a proliferation of commercial establishments that cater to tourists. While this can offer convenience, some visitors may find themselves longing for a more authentic, unfiltered experience that Jasper provides and allows them to connect with nature and culture on a deeper level. If you’re like me and packed all your photography gear and headed to Banff with thoughts of natural wildlife photos – think again. For the thousands of animals I saw in Jasper, I saw one Wapiti in Banff and the park ranger was shooting it with a paintball gun to scare it away from the city!

A casual conversation with our waitress about the lack of wildlife and her response was “that’s too bad – there hasn’t been any wildlife in Banff for about a decade due to all the development and commercialization”.

High Prices: The beauty of Banff comes at a cost – quite literally. Accommodations, dining, and activities in the area often come with premium price tags. Travelers on a budget might find it challenging to strike a balance between enjoying the destination and managing their expenses.

Overtourism Impact: The high influx of tourists has raised concerns about the environmental impact on the fragile ecosystems in and around Banff. Efforts to manage overtourism are in place, but for eco-conscious travelers, the potential impact on the pristine wilderness might be a source of concern. This is ever apparent at Lake Louise, where tens of thousands of tourists bus into the highly-crowded location for their “Instagram shot”. Honestly, good luck trying to take the perfect picture when there’s 20,000 people crowded and pushing at the waters edge. I hit Lake Louise 3 times when I was in Banff and can honestly tell you, if you want a semi-decent photo, you better show up at 5-6am and even at that time, there’s around 1,000 tourists there.

Weather Variability: Banff’s location in the Canadian Rockies means that weather conditions can be unpredictable, even during the warmer months. Sudden changes in weather, including rain, snow, or drastic temperature shifts, can impact outdoor activities and alter travel plans. I went in July and the oddity for me, was the every-day thunder and lightning storms (yes – EVERY day). These storms roll in out of nowhere in the evening, so make sure you’re not caught walking about in a lightning storm!

Limited Authentic Interactions: Due to the transient nature of tourism, some visitors might find it challenging to forge meaningful connections with local residents. The town’s revolving door of travelers can make it difficult to establish authentic interactions that provide insight into the local way of life.

Whirling Disease: If you’re planning a fishing adventure to Banff, think again. The beautiful blue-green tributaries are infected Myxobolus cerebralis, a microscopic parasite that affects salmonid fish. There are signs everywhere that anything that touches the water needs to be disinfected – including you!

fish infected with whirling disease

Lakes: With the exception of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, the majority of lakes in Banff are what I call duck ponds. Sure, I’m spoiled living in beautiful British Columbia, so if you’re from somewhere that doesn’t have much outdoor attractions, then maybe a duck pond is really something to see! I was surprised that the information centre circled a lake for me and said if I did anything in Banff I needed to go here and when I showed up, it was disappointing to say the least.

I spent 4 days in Banff and it turns out that’s 3 days too many! I’m sure if you’re in your early-mid 20’s and interested only in drinking and partying, or taking photos of eating over-priced food at a normal chain restaurant to say “Look and me”, then Banff is for you! Anyone else, I’d recommend avoiding it, or maybe use Banff as a 1-day stopover to somewhere else (Calgary, Jasper, British Columbia, etc.) and keep your expectations extremely low so you don’t get disappointed.

I shouldn’t be too hard on Banff, as I did enjoy the mountain bike trail system and community (hat’s off to the local bike stores in Banff) of cyclists and avid mountain bikers.

My best days in Banff were actually getting out of Banff – I took a day trip to Canmore and Calgary, as well as another day trip to Yoho National Park.

While this post offers a different perspective on Banff, it’s important to note that opinions and experiences vary widely among travelers. What might be a drawback for one me could be a charming element for another. It’s all part of the diverse tapestry that makes the world of travel so fascinating.

Ultimately, whether Banff is a dream destination or falls short of expectations, exploring and forming your own impressions is what travel is all about. By acknowledging both the highlights and the less celebrated aspects, you’re better equipped to make an informed decision about whether Banff, Alberta, is the right fit for your next adventure.

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