BANFF IS BLOOMING
As COVID-19 restrictions lift and visitors start to return, the Banff townsite is regaining its vibrancy. But those visiting the mountain parks this summer are being warned to plan ahead, as limits remain on bus and shuttle services.
Visitors to Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks are being encouraged to plan their trips well in advance this summer as transit and shuttle service changes take effect.
Parks Canada announced Thursday its reservable shuttle buses to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, and Lake O’hara in Yoho National Park, have been suspended for the summer months.
The COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of international visitors were the main factors in the decision, said Jed Cochrane with Parks Canada.
“Last year in the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake area, we had over 500,000 people use the shuttle in the summer,” he said. “The highest percentage of users were international … and so when we looked at who is coming and what the status of our borders are, that was part of the reason.”
Cochrane noted the Moraine Lake day-use area, which didn’t open for visitors when the rest of the national park did due to a heavy snowpack, will reopen June 24.
“It’s a very popular day-use area and there’s not a large parking area, so we’ll be managing the parking lot to make sure that vehicles can get in and out safely,” he said, adding that despite a significant decrease in projected visitor numbers, parking remains a concern.
Before COVID-19, Parks Canada was trying a new random draw system for the Lake O’hara shuttle to deal with the large number of visitors wanting to cross the Alberta border into B.C. Anyone who paid the $10 entry fee for the draw will be refunded and those with reservations will be contacted via email, Cochrane said, adding the system was “quite successful” and will likely be brought back in the future.
The Parks Canada news release also noted the Lake O’hara campground, which also had a significant snowpack this year, will reopen June 29. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed on Lake O’hara Road leading up to the campground, so visitors will have to make the 11-kilometre hike to the site on foot.
Existing campground reservations made at national parks will be honoured and Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said new reservation requests will become available shortly.
The On-it Regional Transit bus will resume service from Calgary to Canmore and Banff on June 26.
Face masks will be mandatory for all riders and single-use masks will be available for purchase for those who don’t have their own.
Physical distancing, thorough sanitization of buses and hand-sanitizing stations for passengers and staff will be enforced.
GETTING AROUND WITHIN BANFF
After a series of route reductions due to COVID-19, Roam Transit within the towns of Banff and Canmore fully resumed operations and reinstated fares as of June 1.
All buses on all routes are running at 60 per cent capacity and passengers are “strongly encouraged” to wear face masks.