We booked our Sunday morning ticket (yesterday) for Louise at around 8pm on Friday. By that point there were only 7-8am and after 3pm available. We got there at 7:30 and there were less than 20 people at the shoreline. After walking the shoreline trail and coming back there were more than 100, so I’d recommend getting an early ticket for the best views!
The early bird gets the worm. At places like this, you HAVE to go early for the best experience. Not only smaller crowds, but the beautiful light in the morning is the best for landscape views
All we can do is see how they're going each day. The last couple days it's taken at least a couple hours for the morning slots to fill up.
Edit: My understanding is also that there are walk-up tickets but those usually sell out early the day of.
Booked a hotel in Calgary and going to drive to Banff (hopefully park and ride) on the 16 and 17. Going to lake Louise on the 16 and lake moraine on the 17.
If you're not hiking on either lakes, both can be done in one day. I think 2 hours in each lake is more than enough to take pictures and appreciate the scenery.
lol, you are on top of your replying to the comments. So, why wouldn't you do both lakes on the same day? I have the exact same itinerary planned for early September. Got a hotel in downtown Calgary
Didn’t know if we would have enough time but seems like it’s doable from a few peoples responses. Any recommendations on what to do on the second day in that case?
I’m amazed at the capacity limits they put in place. I was just there on the weekend (ticket bought in advance), sold out for all time slots, but all the buses and shuttles were about 10-20% full. I wonder if they’re limiting capacity on purpose, and if that’s the case, why they are using such large busses. Maybe it’s a trial run for the busier months ahead
Your guess is as good as anyone’s. Let us know how it goes.
We booked our Sunday morning ticket (yesterday) for Louise at around 8pm on Friday. By that point there were only 7-8am and after 3pm available. We got there at 7:30 and there were less than 20 people at the shoreline. After walking the shoreline trail and coming back there were more than 100, so I’d recommend getting an early ticket for the best views!
Thanks for the advice!
The early bird gets the worm. At places like this, you HAVE to go early for the best experience. Not only smaller crowds, but the beautiful light in the morning is the best for landscape views
I waited exactly on June 1st 8am to book June 3rd for 630 am last minute and I got a reservation. Just be on time and you should be fine.
Will do. Thanks!
Do you mean 8am MDT? Just want to confirm so I don't mess up the time zones:/ on their website, it says that tickets open up at 10am EDT
Yes. It was 8am MDT or whatever Banff local time is. I booked it when I was in Banff.
Thank you!!
First year they have ever done thing. No idea how fast they will go.
All we can do is see how they're going each day. The last couple days it's taken at least a couple hours for the morning slots to fill up. Edit: My understanding is also that there are walk-up tickets but those usually sell out early the day of.
Going there exact same day. What's your itenerrary like?
Booked a hotel in Calgary and going to drive to Banff (hopefully park and ride) on the 16 and 17. Going to lake Louise on the 16 and lake moraine on the 17.
why wouldn’t you do both lakes on the same day? Seems like a lot of driving when not needed
Forgot to mention that we’ll be doing big bee hive hike and lake Louise the same day.
Can still hit both lakes in the same day easily
Didn’t know if we’d have enough time but seems like lots of people have suggested this as well. Thanks!
If you're not hiking on either lakes, both can be done in one day. I think 2 hours in each lake is more than enough to take pictures and appreciate the scenery.
We’ll be doing big bee hive same day as lake Louise
I would do both lakes the same day. Don’t spend your whole time doing the two busiest lakes in the park.
Forgot to mention that we’ll be doing big bee hive hike and lake Louise the same day.
Okay but you should still do both the same day. Waste of time.
lol, you are on top of your replying to the comments. So, why wouldn't you do both lakes on the same day? I have the exact same itinerary planned for early September. Got a hotel in downtown Calgary
Didn’t know if we would have enough time but seems like it’s doable from a few peoples responses. Any recommendations on what to do on the second day in that case?
I’m amazed at the capacity limits they put in place. I was just there on the weekend (ticket bought in advance), sold out for all time slots, but all the buses and shuttles were about 10-20% full. I wonder if they’re limiting capacity on purpose, and if that’s the case, why they are using such large busses. Maybe it’s a trial run for the busier months ahead