Banff has been on our travel wish list for years, but this trip did not begin as a standalone Canadian Rockies vacation. It started as one stop on a much larger road trip dream, then changed when points, free night certificates, and early award availability created an opportunity worth grabbing.
Article Guide
- View the Banff & Yoho Planning Magazine
- Why Banff Wasn't Originally the Plan
- A Lifetime of Mountain Travel
- Booking Early Saved Hundreds
- Why We Chose Golden Before Banff
- Three Gondolas and Three Mountain-Top Meals
- Planning Around Mobility and Accessibility
- The Icefields Parkway
- Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
- Banff Area Walking Effort Guide
- Future Road Trips Still on Our Bucket List
- FAQ
Follow Along With Our Banff & Yoho Planning Magazine
We created a visual planning magazine for this trip that includes our day-by-day plans, scenic stops, maps, reservations, and trip-planning notes. It is the same type of planning approach we use to turn scattered ideas into a flexible, realistic itinerary.
Why Banff Wasn't Originally the Plan
Banff has been on our travel wish list for years, but it was never supposed to be the destination.
In fact, Banff originally appeared on our radar as a stop along a much larger bucket-list road trip that would have taken us from Chicago through northern Lake Superior, across western Canada, and eventually all the way to Vancouver before looping back home.
Like many travelers, we maintain a running list of dream trips. Some are international adventures. Others are scenic road trips closer to home. The original Canadian Rockies concept combined several of those dreams into one journey.
As I researched the route, I began identifying potential hotel options along the way. Banff immediately stood out. The scenery looked spectacular, there were multiple hotel options that could be booked using points, and the surrounding national parks offered the perfect combination of mountain scenery, scenic drives, waterfalls, wildlife, and memorable dining experiences.
At the time, Banff was simply going to be one stop on a much larger trip.
Then an unexpected opportunity appeared.
Marriott launched a promotion offering five Free Night Certificates through a new credit card opportunity. Suddenly, I realized that a huge portion of a Banff stay could be covered using points and free nights.
Rather than waiting years to complete the larger road trip, we made a decision that has shaped many of our favorite vacations:
We pivoted.
Instead of Banff being a stopover, Banff became the destination.
That flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of award points and miles travel. Sometimes the best trip is not the one you originally planned. It is the one that emerges when opportunity meets preparation.
Today our itinerary includes Golden, Yoho National Park, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway. What started as a future dream evolved into one of the trips we are most excited about in years.
A Lifetime of Mountain Travel
One reason Banff moved so quickly to the top of our travel list is our long-standing love of mountain destinations.
That appreciation goes back more than fifty years.
Our first major road trip together was our Lake Superior Circle Tour honeymoon. Long before GPS, smartphones, or online booking tools, we packed the car and set off to explore one of North America's most scenic regions. The experience created a lifelong appreciation for scenic drives, waterfalls, small towns, and discovering destinations one mile at a time.
Over the years, that love of scenery naturally expanded toward mountain destinations.
Family trips with our son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter introduced us to places like Vail, Aspen, and Jackson Hole. Each destination offered its own version of mountain culture, outdoor beauty, wildlife, and unforgettable views.
Some of our favorite memories involve simple moments rather than famous attractions: enjoying dinner with a mountain backdrop, spotting wildlife, strolling through a small mountain town, or simply sitting together and taking in the scenery.
More recently, mountain travel played a key role in our 50th wedding anniversary trip through Europe.
Switzerland became one of the highlights of that journey. Spending eight nights exploring destinations such as Lauterbrunnen, Lugano, and Zurich reminded us why mountain destinations continue to resonate with us after decades of travel. The dramatic scenery, mountain railways, waterfalls, and lakes created experiences that will stay with us forever.
Those experiences helped shape our approach to Banff.
We are not visiting the Canadian Rockies to conquer every trail or check every attraction off a list.
We are going to experience the mountains.
For us, that means scenic drives, iconic viewpoints, memorable dining experiences, photography, wildlife, and taking time to enjoy the destination rather than rushing through it.
Booking Early Saved Hundreds
Another reason this trip came together so well was simple:
We booked early.
When award seats first became available, we secured nonstop round-trip United flights between Chicago and Calgary for only 25,000 miles per person.
Just as importantly, those tickets are fully refundable award tickets.
If our plans change, the miles return to our account and the fees are minimal.
That flexibility is incredibly valuable.
As I drafted this article, refundable economy tickets on the same route had climbed to more than $900 per person round trip.
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is assuming they can wait and still find the same award availability later. Today's award travel environment is far more competitive than it was even a few years ago.
Airlines know travelers are chasing points and miles redemptions. Premium routes and popular destinations often disappear quickly.
This Banff trip became another reminder that booking award travel early creates options.
Waiting often creates limitations.
Why We Chose Golden Before Banff
Most visitors immediately head to Banff.
We decided to do something different.
Our first two nights will be spent in Golden, British Columbia.
The decision was partly driven by points. We were able to use Wyndham Rewards points for our hotel stay.
More importantly, Golden positions us perfectly for exploring Yoho National Park.
It also allows us to avoid the crowds that can accompany a Banff-first itinerary.
From Golden we can easily access:
- Emerald Lake
- Natural Bridge
- Takakkaw Falls
- Spiral Tunnels
- Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
- Golden Skybridge
Rather than rushing from attraction to attraction, we built flexibility into our schedule.
If weather changes, we can adjust.
If a location deserves extra time, we can stay longer.
The goal is not maximizing attractions.
The goal is maximizing experiences.
Three Gondolas and Three Mountain-Top Meals
One thing that makes this itinerary unique is that we will experience three separate mountain gondolas in three consecutive days.
Kicking Horse Gondola
Golden, British Columbia
Mountain views and Eagle's Eye Restaurant.
Lake Louise Gondola
Lake Louise, Alberta
Wildlife viewing and Whitehorn Bistro.
Banff Gondola
Sulphur Mountain
Summit views, boardwalk, and Sky Bistro.
Mountain gondolas have become one of our favorite ways to experience alpine destinations. They provide panoramic views, dining opportunities, wildlife viewing, and access to mountain landscapes without requiring difficult hikes.
Day One: Kicking Horse Gondola
While staying in Golden, we will ride the Kicking Horse Gondola and enjoy lunch at Eagle's Eye Restaurant.
Located at one of Canada's highest dining elevations, Eagle's Eye offers sweeping mountain views that stretch for miles.
Day Two: Lake Louise Gondola
The following day we will depart for Banff but stop at the Lake Louise Gondola before we arrive.
The gondola is known for both scenery and wildlife sightings.
At the top, we will enjoy lunch at Whitehorn Bistro while overlooking the surrounding peaks.
Day Three: Banff Gondola
Our third gondola experience takes place at Banff.
The Banff Gondola transports visitors to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, where we plan to walk the boardwalk and enjoy dinner at Sky Bistro.
Three days.
Three gondolas.
Three mountain-top meals.
Most Banff itineraries focus on long hikes.
Our version focuses on spectacular scenery with much less physical strain.
That approach is not new for us. Long before this Banff itinerary, gondolas were already part of how we enjoyed mountain destinations in places like Colorado. They gave us views, shared memories, and access to scenery without turning every mountain experience into a strenuous hike.
Planning Around Mobility and Accessibility
One reason I wanted to author this article before our trip is that I rarely see enough discussion about mobility considerations when planning mountain vacations.
I have spinal stenosis.
While I remain active and typically walk between 7,000 and 10,000 steps per day, I also know my limitations.
Long continuous hikes can create significant discomfort.
Instead of trying to force a trip around activities that do not fit our situation, we planned around experiences that work for us.
That meant:
- Scenic drives
- Waterfalls
- Viewpoints
- Lakes
- Gondolas
- Wildlife viewing
- Photography
- Short walks
- Flexible schedules
Originally, Johnston Canyon was on our list.
After additional research, we decided Marble Canyon would be a better fit.
This is an important lesson for travelers.
The best itinerary is not the one somebody else creates.
It is the one that matches your abilities, interests, and travel style.
Banff offers far more than hiking.
Many of the most iconic views in the Canadian Rockies are surprisingly accessible. Parks Canada provides accessibility information for Banff National Park facilities and Yoho National Park services, which makes it easier to plan realistically before arrival.
The Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway may become our favorite day of the trip.
Frequently ranked among the most scenic drives in the world, this route connects Banff and Jasper National Parks through a landscape filled with glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, mountains, and turquoise lakes.
Our tentative stops include:
- Bow Lake
- Mistaya Canyon
- Weeping Wall
- Columbia Icefield
- Tangle Falls
- Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint
- Sunwapta Falls
- Athabasca Falls
- Peyto Lake
One advantage of planning the trip ourselves is flexibility.
If weather is poor, we can adjust.
If one stop captures our attention, we can stay longer.
The drive itself is part of the attraction.
Sometimes the most memorable experiences happen between destinations rather than at them.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
For years, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake have remained near the top of our travel bucket list.
The photographs almost seem unreal.
Turquoise water.
Towering peaks.
Reflections that appear painted rather than photographed.
We intentionally scheduled these lakes toward the end of the trip.
By then, we will have already experienced Yoho, Golden, Banff, and the Icefields Parkway.
Rather than rushing through the most famous attractions first, we wanted to build anticipation.
Our current plan includes a sunset tour that visits both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Sunset often provides softer light, fewer crowds, and more dramatic photography opportunities.
Like many aspects of this trip, weather may determine the exact timing.
Flexibility remains one of our most important planning tools.
Planning ahead is especially important because Moraine Lake Road access is restricted, and visitors need to use Parks Canada shuttles, licensed commercial operators, or qualifying lodging access.
Banff Area Walking Effort Guide
Planning note: This chart is based on our pre-trip research and personal planning priorities. Conditions, closures, construction, weather, parking, and accessibility details can change, so always verify current information before traveling.
| Attraction | Effort | Wheelchair Friendly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spiral Tunnels | 1/10 | Yes | Scenic viewpoint from parking area |
| Natural Bridge | 1/10 | Mostly | Very short walk |
| Bow Falls | 1/10 | Yes | Easy access |
| Sunwapta Upper Falls | 1/10 | Yes | Near parking |
| Takakkaw Falls | 2/10 | Mostly | Easy paved walk |
| Lake Minnewanka | 2/10 | Yes | Flexible shoreline walking |
| Emerald Lake | 3/10 | Partial | Walk as much or as little as desired |
| Peyto Lake Viewpoint | 3/10 | Partial | Improved access |
| Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk | 3/10 | Partial | Moderate grades |
| Marble Canyon | 4/10 | Partial | Some uneven surfaces |
| Mistaya Canyon | 5/10 | No | Uneven trail sections |
| Athabasca Falls | 5/10 | Partial | Multiple viewpoints available |
One of our goals is helping travelers understand that enjoying Banff does not require completing strenuous hikes.
Many of the region's most memorable experiences are accessible to travelers with varying mobility levels.
Future Road Trips Still on Our Bucket List
Even with Banff finally becoming a reality, our bucket list continues to grow.
Future road trips we hope to experience include:
- Lake Michigan and Lake Superior waterfall tour
- Pacific Coast Highway
- Utah's Mighty Five National Parks
- Chicago to Acadia National Park
- The original Chicago-to-Vancouver Canadian Rockies route that inspired this Banff trip
Travel plans evolve.
That is one of the joys of travel.
The trip you eventually take is not always the trip you originally envisioned.
Sometimes it becomes something even better.
That is exactly what happened here.
A future road-trip stop became a destination.
A hotel promotion accelerated the timeline.
Points and miles reduced the cost.
Flexible planning created opportunities.
And now one of our biggest travel dreams is about to become reality.
Final Thoughts
Banff is not simply another destination on our travel list.
It represents decades of experiences that shaped how we travel today.
From our Lake Superior honeymoon more than fifty years ago, to family trips in Colorado and Wyoming, to our anniversary adventure in Switzerland, mountain destinations have consistently provided some of our favorite travel memories.
This trip combines many of the things we value most:
- Scenic drives
- Spectacular mountain views
- Flexible travel planning
- Award travel opportunities
- Memorable dining experiences
- Accessible sightseeing
- Time spent together
Most importantly, it reinforces a lesson we continue to learn.
Travel is not about checking attractions off a list.
It is about creating experiences worth remembering.
Banff may not have been the trip we originally planned.
But it may turn out to be exactly the trip we needed.
Need Help Turning a Travel Idea Into a Real Itinerary?
Our favorite trips usually start with a dream, then become possible through early planning, smart use of points and miles, realistic lodging choices, and flexible itinerary design.
If you want help thinking through flights, hotels, points, free night certificates, or a realistic day-by-day plan, start with our Trip Planning Assistance page.
You can also review our Flight Planning Assistance and Hotel Planning Assistance pages if your trip needs more focused support.
FAQ: Planning a Banff and Yoho Trip With Points, Free Nights, and Mobility in Mind
Is Banff worth visiting if you do not want to do long hikes?
Yes. Banff, Yoho, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway all offer scenic viewpoints, lakes, waterfalls, gondolas, wildlife areas, and short walks that can still create an incredible mountain trip without requiring long hikes.
Why stay in Golden before Banff?
Golden can be a smart first stop because it provides easier access to Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, and Golden Skybridge. It can also help reduce the pressure of starting every day from Banff.
Can points and free night certificates work for Banff?
They can, but booking early matters. Popular mountain destinations can have limited award availability, especially during peak travel periods. In our case, points, Wyndham Rewards, Marriott Free Night Certificates, and early United award flights made the trip much more affordable and flexible.
Why are gondolas such a major part of this itinerary?
Gondolas provide some of the best mountain views with much less physical strain than long hikes. For travelers who enjoy alpine scenery but need to manage mobility, distance, or stamina, gondolas can be one of the best ways to experience mountain destinations.
Is Moraine Lake easy to visit by car?
No. Personal vehicle access to Moraine Lake Road is restricted, so most visitors need to use Parks Canada shuttles, licensed commercial operators, or qualifying lodging access. This is one reason we built flexibility and advance planning into our Lake Louise and Moraine Lake day.
How many days do you need for Banff and Yoho?
A week gives you enough time to include Golden, Yoho National Park, Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway without rushing every day. Shorter trips can still work, but the more you compress the itinerary, the more important it becomes to prioritize your must-do experiences.
How did mobility considerations affect this itinerary?
We planned around scenic drives, short walks, waterfalls, viewpoints, lakes, gondolas, and flexible days. Because spinal stenosis makes long continuous hikes difficult, we chose experiences that offered high scenic value without requiring strenuous trails.
What is the biggest planning lesson from this trip?
The biggest lesson is that great trips often evolve. Banff started as one stop on a much larger road trip, but points, free night certificates, refundable award flights, and early planning turned it into a dedicated Canadian Rockies adventure.