Banff

Hi Guys

I am going Banff on 11th feb- 21st feb and cant wait, but i was wondering what the average cost of lunch up the mountain is and what prices for beer and food are in the town.

I have skiied in switzerland and prices were ridiculous but the snow was amazing.

Also if anyone has got any got tips on where to eat out, good bars and must do things then please let me know.

Look forward to a reply

Cheers
Laurence

Visit Wild Bills on the main road in Banff. A Good night out.

We skied in Banff in 1999 so things may have changed somewhat and we stayed at Inns of Banff on the Main St, it used to have a Japanese restaurant. Other places we ate at if they are still there - The Caboose, right by the railway, and when the long trains go past at night the whole place rattles - great! Brill steaks and stuff. You will not fall short of anywhere good to eat - we also went to a 1950's diner called Jo Btifsplks (yes it was spelt like that) and that was fun. As I said it was 1999 but I don't remember a bad meal. We also ate in the lodges at Norquay and Sunshine, and Lake Louise and I do remember one particularly cold day - minu 32 up the top of Sunshine, that they gave us (in the lift queue) hot apple cider and some cakes called Beavertails - very civilised in Canada! If you get a chance go on the Ice Canyon walk - amazing!!
Oh and the husky dog sledding too!

Sooo envy you!! Hope to be out there at Easter as we have been fr the last 4 years. Awesome place! No worries re eating in Banff - loads of places in different price ranges. Best fixed price value at the Old Spaghetti House above the mall, good breakfast at Melissa's, big ribs at Bumpers Beef at the top of town, snacks and the game at Chilli's, and coffee and donuts for the hill at Tim Horton's at the bus station. I can't wait!!

And i forgot - great breakfast, with Trivial Pursuits while you wait, at Bruno's!!

Jojo5000 has made some good suggestions. Best value meals in town in my opinion are at Bumpers and Melisa's. The Thai place is decent but most of the others are just chain restaurant food with much higher prices. There used to be lots of decent places but the quality has gone down in recent years. There are still great places to eat and drink it is just that they are harder to find and off the beaten track. The Japanese place on the corner near the Paddock and the Greek place is good for a cheap eat. For great Pizza I think that Athena pizza is the best (upstairs in the clock tower mall). If you want to really treat yourself,
go to the Banff Centre and try their fine dining restaurant, which although expensive, is one of the best meals I have ever eaten in Banff. They also do a buffet (all courses) at around 24 CAD per head which is excellent value. Aparently they have an agreement with the town not to market the restaurant for some reason to do with it's status as a government funded arts centre, which is lunacy given that there is one of the best restaurants and views in the Rockies up there.

Specials on beer are decent at Melisa's.

Lunch with a soft drink on mountain will set you back between 10 and 15 dollars. Look at paying between 5 and 8 dollars for a beer.

To get you in the mood for your trip - Take a look at this graph of the snow pillow at sunshine village to see what an amazing season it is shaping up to be...

http://www.environment.alberta.ca/apps/basins/DisplayData.aspx?Type=Figure&BasinID=14&DataType=4&StationID=SUNS

Have fun.

I'm off the Bannf this year but in April. I'm sure it will warm up for us both. Yesterday Sunshine Village was closed due to the cold temperatures, -32 degrees is not much fun for anybody.
Don't forget to write a review when you get back.
Enjoy yourself. Everyone who writes on this site seems to have very good words for the resorts.

Here are a few other suggestions for food/drink:
Wildflower Bakery
Evelyn's for Coffee (they do food also)
Muk a Muk bistro at teh Juniper hotel (A short drive away, but good when we tried it a couple of years ago)

Also, pick up a copy of Taxi Mike's (you usually have to ask at hotel reception) which is quite a good guide as to the price of restaurants and will tell you where the regular specials are to be found on each night of the week.