There are two places in Canada that I'd happily visit time and time again...Tofino and the Rocky Mountains. And since we already visited Tofino a few months ago when we got engaged, when our tropical diving trip got cancelled last minute in September, the first place that sprung to mind for a spontaneous adventure was the one and only Banff.

Within 48 hours, we had booked a hire car, mapped out a route and packed up our gear ready to go. We also partnered with the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel which we were absolutely stoked about, not least because as you might know already, I adore the Fairmont brand and we stay there a lot, but also because the hotel is incredible and it's somewhere I've wanted to stay for years so it was lovely to be able to work them.

Why visit Banff in Autumn?

I get a lot of questions about my favourite time to visit Banff, and my answer is always September/October, for a number of reasons.  The main reason is that it's much less busy than the summer time and since Banff is getting many more visitors each year, it's quite nice to dodge the crowds if you can. During this trip we visited at the very beginning of September, and to be honest it was still pretty busy, but the numbers do start to dwindle further into September and it doesn't feel as hectic. 

My second reason is the weather and the changing seasons. I just love autumn when the trees start to turn yellow and orange, and mornings become crisp and there's a fresh chill in the air. You can bundle up in cosy knits but also enjoy the sunshine and you still get 12-14 hours of daylight. Further into September it's not uncommon to get a dusting of snow which makes the landscapes look that bit more breathtaking, but keep in mind that temperatures are a lot more variable so even though it might be 20°C in the day, it can still drop down to 0°C degrees at night.

Much of Banff's wildlife is starting to gear up for hibernation in autumn, but it's still prime time for seeing black bears, grizzlies, elk, deer, moose (if you're lucky!) and other amazing wildlife. Autumn is also a much more affordable time to visit. Fairmont Banff Spring's Secret Season begins in September and they offer a range of great offers and deals and up to 30% off (more on this later in the post), and things like car hire and flights are generally cheaper.

I love visiting the Rockies in spring time too (March/April) as it's an absolute winter wonderland and it's not as cold as the midst of winter. The downside is that the lakes are all still frozen, and they generally don't thaw out until June time, but it really is beautiful with very few people and it's a totally different experience compared to visiting in summer/autumn.

Lake Minnewanka - It's only 15 minutes from Banff centre and the lake is really nice. Follow the trail around the shoreline and you'll get some stunning views of the lake. You can do a boat tour up until mid-October. The lake is accessible year-round.

Two Jacks Lake - I love Two Jacks Lake and it's even prettier when there's a dusting of snow. This is a lovely spot for sunrise and sunset, and a very accessible place for taking night sky shots too as it's only 15 minutes from Banff town and there's very little light pollution. You can reach the lake year-round.

Banff Gondola - We didn't get to do this but I've heard so many great things. If you have time spare, a trip up the Gondola will treat you to some lovely panoramic views of the valley.

Johnston Canyon - This is a very popular attraction that can get super busy in summer, so autumn is a nice time to visit as it's a bit less crowded. It can be accessed year-round and the river will freeze up in winter. It's really pretty when it's snowy, however if there's a lot of snow you might want to get crampons for your shoes for extra grip.

Peyto Lake (now closed) - Peyto is one of my favourite places to visit in Banff and the views of the lake are just incredible. However, keep in mind the lake is now closed for rehabilitation for the next couple of years, so if you want to see it in summer, you'll unfortunately have to wait until 2021. However, it will be open in winter 2019 and winter 2020.

Bow Lake - Bow Lake is always a favourite of ours and it's accessible year-round. It's located right off the Icefields Parkway that takes you to Jasper and it's a 1 hour drive from Banff. The lake is so vast and the glaciers are absolutely beautiful. Follow the trail around the shoreline, check out the waterfall and there are a couple of hikes too. The lake freezes over in winter.

Staying At The Fairmont Banff Springs

AKA the "Castle in the Rockies", the Fairmont Banff Springs is no doubt Banff's most iconic hotel and it is such a beautiful and magical place to stay. Surrounded by alpine, mountains and rivers, the location is stunning and it really does feel like you've stepped into a fairytale. Honestly, the property blew me away and it's only when you stay there that you realise just how special it is. The hotel looks and feels every bit like a castle and although it's been renovated, most of the original features still remain and you can feel its 100+ year history. The decor is modern and luxurious, providing such a nice contrast to the rugged mountains and wilderness that surrounds the property.

We were so happy to have partnered with the hotel during our stay, we had 3 lovely nights there and it was the perfect place to return to after a day road tripping around the mountains or an evening out taking night sky shots. Their beds are like clouds - which made those 5am sunrise get ups SO difficult because all we wanted to do was hit snooze!! We had a King View room, the room was actually quite compact compared to other Fairmonts we've stayed at but it was really cosy. The view from our room was unreal too, and being able to watch the sky light up in a morning as the sun rose from behind the mountains was so memorable.

We only went into Banff town once during our stay as the hotel has everything you need - there's casual and upmarket dining options, a cafe in the lobby, a bowling alley on the property, tennis courts, a world-class golf course, and of course the always-beautiful Willow Stream Spa. I didn't have time to visit the spa (which I was a bit sad about!), however I've experienced the Willow Stream Spa in Vancouver and Whistler and it's without a doubt my favourite spa and the treatments are very unique and luxurious. The spa also has an outdoor hot tub which is the perfect way to unwind after a day in the mountains.

At the bottom of the property you'll find the Spray River and waterfall (which is gorgeous in the morning as it's so quiet) and the Banff Golf Course Road Loop which takes you all around the golf course and it's worth it for the landscapes and views. We spent so much time looking out for wildlife on our trip and had little luck...then on the final day, we spotted a herd of elk on the property right outside the Waldhaus pub. It's also quite common to find bears on the golf course too...so evidently it's not just humans that love the hotel! Nightly prices range from $359 CAD (low season) - $699 CAD (high season). The hotel is also pet friendly.