A Weekend Away In Banff
My husband Bobby and I were able to get away -just us - to Banff this past weekend THANK YOU Grandma for taking the girls & thank you to Bobby for planning a lot of fun things for us to do! Here are some ideas if you are looking to get away just the two of you : )
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed at the Canalta Lodge. We stayed in one of their Loft Suites and it was beautiful. To be honest - a bit pricey for what it was ($400 /nt with tax) but it was peak Summer season ( August ) so understandable. Lots of room and very clean. They also have deals through Instagram in their stories! If you plan ahead you can get a pretty great deal.
I absolutely loved the different pools at this hotel. There are three of them ( one cold at 9 degrees Celsius, one warm at about 38 degrees Celsius and one hot at 40 degrees Celsius). You’re supposed to so a cycle but I just pretty much stayed in the hot one. They are also open until 11pm too which is nice.
There is also one of those barrel saunas which was pretty cool.
Breakfast was included in our rate. It was decent - eggs, hash browns, sausages, toast, cereal, juices, coffee, muffins and bagels.
This hotel is pretty far down from the start of the action on Banff Avenue. I would say a good 10 minute walk. It’s still on the street but it’s one of the first hotels as you come in.
Loved the “cabin” ski lodge decor.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Bobby booked a horseback riding tour for us. He booked through Banff Trail Riders. They are right by the Banff Springs Hotel. This was SO fun. It was the perfect length - one hour and the horses were really well trained. We went all through the forest and even got to cross the Spray River on horseback twice. Our guide was super knowledgeable and told us all sorts of history behind the hotel, the different mountains and the area. She even told us about “The Boss”….a crazy Grizzly in the area that they have tried re locate several times and he keeps coming back. He’s been hit by trains and even eats other bears. Nothing can stop him. Luckily - we did not see him.
The exact trail ride we did is HERE.
THE HIKE ( WHERE WE ALMOST GOT DIVORCED)
Ok so perhaps that’s a tad dramatic but there were some trying times on this hike haha. We decided to hike up Sulphur Mountain. That’s the same mountain that the Banff Gondola goes up. I hiked up this mountain about 15 years ago and I remember it being really hard so I wanted to prove to myself that 15 years later- I can still do it and it would be easier. Ha! It was challenging but that feeling of reaching the top is GLORIOUS. Even if it was snowing. Yep we climbed while it was raining and the rain turned to snow at the top. What a “gift”??. My husband Bobby, ever the fit star, kept us at a pretty good pace and there were a few “Jack Tantrums” where I told him to just leave me and I would go at my own pace haha. But he kept pushing me, stopped when he knew I needed to, and eventually almost 2 hours later we made it to the top.
Just a note- they used to let you ride the Gondola down for FREE….now they DO NOT. It costs $33 / person to ride the gondola down.
You know me - we walked down haha.
Bring some cash or a credit card with you - there is a great coffee shop at the top and even a restaurant and a gift shop.
If you’re up for a challenge - do this hike! I would truthfully do it again. But if you want just a leisurely view from a mountain top - 5000% take the Gondola.
THE KNORDIC SPA
We were lucky enough to catch a cancellation booking for a couples massage at the famed Kananaskis Knordic Spa about 45 mins outside of Banff. They are usually booked up for months but keep checking their website - you can book online and if the stars align - you can catch those cancellations!
If you book a massage - hydrotherapy is included. The hydrotherapy is where its at. They have different pools and saunas that are awesome! My absolute fav was the Eucalyptus Steam Room. It was like walking into a giant Halls.
You can book just the hydrotherapy too if massage is not your thing.
If you have benefits; the massage therapists are registered so often your benefits will cover some ( if not all ) of your massage. NICE!
WHERE WE ATE
I should have more of an appreciation for food but sadly I do not. So this is prob the lamest part of this blog haha. Bobby booked a beautiful dinner at Saltlik and no doubt the steaks were perfect. I highly recommend getting the blue cheese gnocchi and the brussels sprouts as sides.
One local eatery we did check out that I loved was 3 Bears Banff. They had super yummy pizza ( we had the Elk and Kale & the Pepperoni and Chilli) .
WEATHER
The one thing we could not control. It rained pretty much the entire time but we still had a great time. If you can get the time away - I highly recommend it. I thought I would sleep in like crazy but of course - Murphy’s law I was up at like 6am every morning. But it was still really nice to take the time for ourselves and not have to inhale our dinners so fast cause the kids were being crazy or worrying about naps times or if we have enough diapers and all that fun stuff that comes with kids. Kids are great LOL it’s just def a different trip with them !
Hope that gives you some ideas if you’re headed to the mountains with the one you love. Not a lick of this was sponsored BTW. You know I will always give my truthful opinion sponsored, gifted, a partner or somewhere in between but hope this gives you a little added faith in these opinions : )
xoxox Jacks
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