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I saw something on NatGeo channel last night and am now DYING to get to Banff!!!!
Wish Canada's summers weren't so short or else I'd fly up in September to see it.. Is september a decent time to see it? Ideally, I'd like it to be sunny.... and at least mild. ?
Yes, Septembers in Banff are just fine. It's a good time of year to see it, as generally, the weather remains summery (that is, mild and sunny), but there are a lot fewer tourists. The good weather tends to last through the first part of October. Regardless, Banff is accessible year-round; and having been there in all seasons, I can say that it is enjoyable in all seasons.
Note that you cannot fly into Banff--there is no scheduled service on any airline. You'll have to fly into Calgary and rent a car. Banff is about a 90 minute drive westbound on Highway 1 from Calgary Airport. But it is worth the drive.
Early-mid September is more than mild in Banff. Usually quite warm from what I remember. Better time to visit than July/August which is a bit too crowded for my liking.
From what I could tell, most visitors flew into Calgary International Airport (YYC), rented a car, then drove to Banff. You can also avoid downtown Calgary by driving Highway 201 (Stoney Trail) bypassing the City Centre aroun the northern and western edges of the city limits and then to the Trans-Canada Highway west to the Banff Townsite. Throughout the national park about three quarters of the cars had a Alberta license plate with the fleet vehicle license tab stuck in the bottom right corner, meaning they were rental cars.
The great thing about go in in late August or September, is that it's still hot in Florida, very pleasant in the Canadian Rockies, and not nearly as crowded, once the kids are back in school and summer vacation season is over. Right now, at the heart of travel season, the super popular sights such as: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake,and Johnston Canyon run out of parking spaces unless you go early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
This was my first trip to Banff National Park, however previously I visited Waterton Lakes National Park and the adjoining Glacier National Park over on the Montana side the week before Labor Day and they were far less crowded than if we went a month earlier in July.
You just have to watch your speed in the city. The Calgary Revenue Service...I mean Police Service looove them some red light cameras and photo radar. The rental company is more than happy to pass the charge along to you automatically.
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