Banff National Park Rides - General Info
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GETTING HERE
Banff is only 80 miles (130 km) west of the Calgary International Airport and is easily accessible by shuttle bus or rental car. Shuttles depart 7 days a week from the airport, three times daily. It is important to call and confirm all shuttle departure times and prices. Most major car rental agencies have offices at the airport.

Banff Airporter 1-888-449-2901
Brewster Transportation 1-800-661-1152
Rocky Mountain Sky Shuttle 1-888-762-8754

If you are planning on driving into Banff National Park, please be prepared to pay an entrance fee at the park gates (~$8). Please be sure to ask about an annual rate (you may save some money) if you are planning on being in the park for 7 days or longer. Note: Your Wilderness Pass fee is a backcountry user fee and does not cover your park entrance.

ACCOMMODATION
It is essential that you make your hotel reservations well in advance if you are planning to spend any nights in Banff. The summer season in Banff is extremely hectic, and you may have great difficulty finding accommodation if you arrive in Banff without having made any prior arrangements. Enclosed is a full list of local hotels and bed & breakfasts, all within 5-15 minutes of us. The Mount Royal Hotel is conveniently located just two doors down from our main office and check in point.

CAR AND EXTRA LUGGAGE
Your extra luggage and valuables may be left in our care at the office in Banff. You can leave your vehicle at our stables here in Banff (directions given upon check-in). We do not recommend leaving anything of value in your car while on your trip.

WHAT TO BRING
The following pages outline the items you NEED to bring with you. It is essential that our guests be prepared for all kinds of mountain weather. We have had many years of personal experience dealing with Mother Nature up here, so please take our list to heart.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU ON YOUR EXPEDITION TRIP

Mother Nature can be unpredictable up here in the mountains, so our guests need to come prepared for every type of weather. Clothing that is easily layered works the best. You can always remove what you don't need, but you still have it just in case. Also, bring your most comfortable gear -- this is not the time to break-in new boots or a new hat.

• These are average temperatures at an elevation of 4538 feet. Temperatures will drop at higher elevations.

When packing your gear, keep in mind it is being packed out on a mule and our animal's comfort is very important to us. By following these guidelines you can help us ensure that.

You must pack your gear in soft-sided, cloth or nylon bag. It can not have any hard edges, frames or wheels. Your gear is restricted to a Total maximum weight of 30 lbs (sleeping bag, thermorest pad, and your duffel). It's a good idea to line the inside of your bag with garbage bags for waterproofing. You may pack your sleeping bag and mattress separately from your other gear. Your coat, rain gear, hat and gloves are packed separately from your duffel and are either worn or tied with saddle strings to the back of your saddle. Saddlebags, rain gear and other essentials that you are taking on your horse with you are not included in the 30lb weight restriction.

If you would like to bring saddlebags please fill them with only those essential items that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, etc. We reserve the right to limit the amount of gear in the saddlebags for weight. Fanny packs (a small pack that ties around the waist) also work well. Daypacks, backpacks or other bags are NOT allowed -- they are hard on your back and hard on the horse's back, and do not tie properly to the saddle. We have a limited supply of saddlebags for rent for $2/day, however we suggest you book them early, as last year this was a popular service. These are available for pick up upon check in (sorry, no earlier), and are rented out on a cash only basis.

1. A warm sleeping bag -- We recommend a bag rated to -15 degrees Celsius or 5 degrees Fahrenheit. You may not need one quite that warm, but it sure comes in handy if you do. To further keep you snug and warm, we also recommend that you bring a flannel sheet or non-bulky blanket that fits inside your sleeping bag.

2. A treated canvas tarp -- used to wrap under and around your sleeping bag to help keep you warm and dry during the night. This can also be used during the day to waterproof your sleeping bag (see instructions below on how to make a bedroll). Tarps can often be found at army surplus stores. Heavy cotton found at a fabric store can be waterproofed and serve the same purpose. Although canvas tarps are what we use and recommend, you are welcome to bring the bedroll of your choice. We have a limited supply of 8'x10' treated canvas tarps for rent for $5/day. If you are interested in this service, please book early. These are available for pick up upon check in and are rented out on a cash only basis.

3. A mattress -- A self-inflatable mattress (e.g. Thermarest) works the best to ensure a comfortable night's sleep. You will be sleeping on a wooden floor in your tent.

4. A warm coat -- Essential to ward off chilly nights or a windy day. Also bring a heavy sweater (wool is a great insulator) or fleece jacket.

5. Rain gear -- A rain coat and rain pants, and if possible, coverings for your boots and hat. Please DO NOT bring rain ponchos, they flap in the wind and spook the horses. If you have an oilskin slicker, we definitely recommend that you bring it. We have a limited number of full length oilskin slickers for rent for $7/day. If you are interested in this service, please book early. Slickers are available for pick up upon check in and are rented out on a cash only basis.

6. Shirts -- 2 Sweatshirts, 1 long-sleeved shirt (turtleneck if you prefer) and 2 t-shirts. Adjust according to the length of your trip.

7. Jeans -- We suggest one pair for riding in during the day and another pair for wearing around camp. Two pairs of jeans are all you should need on any of our trips. Also important is a pair of long underwear for chilly nights.

8. Riding boots -- A boot with a heel that can easily slip in and out of stirrups. Alternatives would be a narrow style of hiking boot or solid sneaker. For safety reasons, clunky hiking boots are not recommended. Plastic bags inside your boots will help keep your feet dry on rainy days.

9. Sneakers -- or an extra pair of shoes for wearing around camp. An extra pair of DRY socks is also recommended.

10. Toiletries -- Towel, facecloth, biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razors, etc. Please note that we do not have any electricity at the camps. WE SUPPLY TOILET PAPER AND HAND SOAP AT ALL CAMPS.

11. Flashlight -- Remember to check your batteries!

12. Hat -- A cowboy hat offers the most protection from the elements. Baseball caps or canvas-type hats are also fine.

13. Gloves -- Lined leather or suede gloves provide protection from the elements and a sure grip on the reins (bring two pair just in case).

14. Scarf -- A silk or cotton scarf/bandana is recommended for extra warmth.

15. Sunscreen-- sunglasses and mosquito repellent are important as well.

16. Your camera -- Don't forget extra film.

17. Chaps -- If you have them, bring them.

18. Liquor -- Please make sure that all bottled liquor is well-wrapped in plastic and placed in the middle of your duffel to prevent it from breaking. Plastic bottles are preferred. Please remember that alcohol is included in your 30 lb weight limit on your duffel (all camps are supplied by mule or pack horse).

19. Cellular phones do not work in the areas you'll be riding in so leave them somewhere safe.

20. Water bottle - for refreshment while you are riding.

HOW TO MAKE A BEDROLL
Lay out your canvas tarp on the ground. Lay your thermarest in the middle of the tarp with the air valve pointing to the top of the bedroll (open the valve so that the air will escape as you roll). Line your sleeping bag with a flannel sheet or extra blanket. Place your closed sleeping bag in the middle of the tarp, on top of the thermarest. Put a pillowcase in the middle of your sleeping bag. (Once you are ready for bed, you can use your warm coat inside the pillowcase as a pillow). Fold one side flap of the tarp over the sleeping bag. Fold in the other side of the tarp over the sleeping bag. Fold the bottom flap over and start rolling towards the top of the sleeping bag. Once you are near the head of the sleeping bag, reach in and close the valve on your thermarest pad. Fold in the top flap of canvas tarp and finish rolling. Using a rope with a slipknot, tie the bedroll securely.

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Banff Accommodation Toll Free # Banff Accommodations 1-877-226-3348 Banff Avenue Inn 1-800-772-0155 Banff Caribou Lodge 1-800-563-8764 Banff Intl Hostel 1-800-444-6111 Banff Intl Hotel 1-800-665-5666 Banff Park Lodge 1-800-661-9266 Banff Ptarmigan Inn 1-800-661-8310 Banff Rocky Mtn Rsrt 1-800-661-9563 Banff Springs Hotel 1-800-441-1414 Banff Voyager Inn 1-800-879-1991 Best Western Siding 29 1-800-528-1234 Bow View Motor Lodge 1-800-661-1565 Brewster Mtn Lodge 1-800-691-5085 Buffalo Mtn Lodge 1-800-661-1367 Bumper's Inn 1-800-661-3518 Charlton's Cedar Court 1-800-661-1225 Charlton's Evergreen 1-800-661-1379 Douglas Fir Resort 1-800-661-9267 Dynasty Inn 1-800-667-1464 Hidden Ridge Chalet 1-800-661-1372 High Country Inn 1-800-661-1244 Homestead Inn 1-800-661-1021 Inns of Banff 1-800-661-1272 Irwin's Mountain Inn 1-800-661-1721 King Edward Hotel 1-800-344-4232 Mount Royal Hotel 1-800-267-3035 Red Carpet Inn 1-800-563-4609 Rimrock Resort Hotel 1-800-661-1587 Rundlestone Lodge 1-800-661-8630 Sunshine Village Inn 1-800-661-1363 Swiss Village Lodge 1-800-661-1272 Traveller's Inn 1-800-661-0227 Tunnel Mtn Chalets 1-800-661-1859

Banff Bed & Breakfast	Telephone #
A Good Night's Rest	403-762-2984
B & B Beside the Bow	403-762-2517
Banff B & B	403-762-8806
Blue Mountain Lodge	403-762-5134
Cascade Court B & B	403-762-2956
Eleanor's House	403-760-2457
Hillside Bungalows	403-762-3408
Holiday Lodge	403-762-3648
Misty Pines B & B	403-762-5496
Odenthal's B & B	403-762-2081
Park Ave B & B	403-762-2025
Rocky Mountain B & B	403-762-4811
Spray Valley B & B	403-762-2846
Woodside Cottage	403-762-2441