Everything you need to know about moving to Banff and becoming a local
Banff National Park is probably one of the coolest places I have lived in. Not only is the community so generous and genuinely embraces newcomers, but you are literally living in a postcard. Getting to see Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain every day is one of the many benefits of moving to Banff.
This is not your typical moving abroad guide, as this resort town is unique. I will provide you with the necessary tools to make your budget work in Banff, including tips on how to access tourist attractions for free. Yes, you read that correctly, for free!
I moved to Banff in early July 2023 and discovered all the amazing perks this national park has to offer. When I noticed no one was talking about this online, I decided to put together the ultimate guide to help newcomers get excited about moving to this mountain town.
Your guide to Moving to Banff
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, if you decide to press on them and make a valid purchase I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you and for that, thank you!
Is it expensive moving to Banff?
Honestly, yes, Banff is expensive to live in but do not let that put you off!
There are several ways to keep costs down, without compromising on the fun stuff.
Banff is a tourist destination that attracts over 4 million tourists a year. And with such a large amount of foot traffic, they can create premium prices because they know people will pay.
However, that being said Banff is one of the best towns I have been to for Happy Hours. At certain times of the day you can get tacos for $3 and drink margaritas for $6. If you want to see the best happy hours in Banff click here.
As this is a relatively small mountain town, there are only 2 supermarkets which are quite pricey. I found eating Hello Fresh to be more affordable, which really surprised me.
Since accommodation is limited, the local council put a rule in place banning Airbnbs within Banff National Park.
How to find accommodation when moving to Banff?
The most effective way to find accommodation in Banff is by joining the local Facebook groups. These include: Banff Home Finder, Bow Valley Home Finder, Banff rental – bedroom, apartment and house.
Create a post on all 3 pages with a picture of yourself and a little description about you and how long you hope to stay. This allows people to contact you. Some landlords will not put a post up because they do not want to get inundated with messages, so they can be more selective. Try to stand out and let your personality come across.
This also allows you to see multiple offers and can be worked more around your budget.
You will also get to see what has been posted in the past and what housing options are available.
Other websites you can join to see house/room advertisements are: Roomies.ca and Kijiji.
Another option that I strongly recommend is getting a job that has staff accommodation included. This will take the stress out of finding housing and give you a social environment with other people within the company.
With accommodation, the key is to organise it earlier rather than later. And if you are giving a deposit in advance, get a lease or a legal document to keep your money safe if anything dodgy goes down.
How to find a job in Banff
I was very surprised at how easy it was to find a job in Banff.
As this town is heavily populated by tourists, there are plenty of job opportunities.
If you want to get a job before moving to Banff, look on websites like Indeed and sign up to the mailing lists for ski jobs if you are planning on coming for winter. Best Ski Jobs is a good email letter to sign up for.
If a ski job is what you are after, make sure to apply directly to the three ski resorts: Mount Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine Village.
All three resorts operate in summer too.
If you want to wait to get into Banff before deciding on a role, there are advertisements in all the windows.
Get a job with Perks
The whole point of getting a job in a ski resort town is to reap the rewards.
There are plenty of opportunities that offer staff accommodation and/or a season pass.
I personally would make sure you get a job with one of these benefits.
Even if the season pass is heavily subsidized, it is still a great opportunity to live and work in this mountain resort town.
Travel Insurance for Working Holidays and ski season
Finding an insurance company that offers coverage for longer than one year and includes protection for skiing and snowboarding can be challenging.
I spent hours researching and contacting different companies to find they covered one but not the other. And then I found SafetyWing.
SafetyWing’s Complete Plan covers all the essentials you’d expect from a travel insurance policy, things like medical emergencies, travel delays, and lost luggage.
But what really sets them apart is that they also include coverage for adventure activities like skiing/snowboarding (unless off-piste), plus everyday wellness needs like acupuncture and chiropractor appointments.
It’s designed to support not just your travels but your lifestyle too.
Park Pass on Vehicles when moving to Banff
If you are planning to take a vehicle with you when you are moving to Banff, make sure you have purchased a discovery pass. This is an annual pass that allows you to get into 80 national parks across the country.
The pass is $72.25 plus tax for 1 adult. And starts from the date of purchase. The physical pass will be sent in the mail, but if you do not receive it/you have sent it to your new address, then keep a copy of the receipt or email confirmation. You can give this documentation as evidence that you have a valid pass for up to one month after the date of purchase.
It is much easier to arrive via public transport as you do not need to worry about park passes.
I used the Vivo Green shuttle bus, which was in a separate lane, meaning we skipped the queues.
Happy Hours in Banff
Like I previously mentioned, Banff has the best happy hours.
Every day of the week there is something delicious to consume at an affordable price. As a massive foodie myself, I created a list of my favourite happy hours around town.
From tacos to sushi to cheese fondue, Banff’s list of restaurants will have you spoilt for choice!
To keep up to date with the new restaurant deals, check out Taxi Mike. This website will become your best friend when living in Banff. Mike is a local taxi driver who has compiled all the local happy hours, food specials, and weekly entertainment into one website.
The site is promoted all over town and is one of the best resources that Banff has to offer.
And an honourable mention goes to Banff Advisor, which has mirrored Taxi Mike’s concept and do maintains their website with more up-to-date information.
Free Food with Banff Food and Friends
Banff Food and Friends is probably one of Banff’s best kept secrets. Every Monday between 5pm and 7pm this community meets at St George’s in the Pines Community Centre for a free meal.
The food changes every week with a meat and a vegetarian option. The meal also comes with a salad, an apple, and a cookie.
Everyone is welcome! It is a really popular outing with families and friends coming together.
It is best to go early to get a table.
There is a donation box, which I highly encourage you to use. We always put $2 in each, but it is up to you how much you put in.
Banff Food and Rescue
Banff Food and Rescue is an amazing organisation that rescues food from local supermarkets around the Banff and Canmore area. The fruit and veg is just past its prime and the packaged food is on its use by date. The Banff Food Rescue will then resell the goods for a donation of $10.
Back in 2023, when I first moved here it was a donation of $5!!
Within that $10, you get a selection of different items. They usually put the food items into different groups and instruct you on the process. For example; you can have one of each item in the baskets. One milk from the selection, one bag of salad and one carton of eggs.
The greens that aren’t packaged along with potatoes, tomatoes and onions are usually unlimited.
You can then choose two bread options and one sandwich from the Starbucks pre-packaged goods.
There is a different selection every few days depending on what items are reaching use by date.
The Banff Food and Rescue is held on the bottom floor of the Sundance Mall. They run every Monday and Friday and open between 6pm – 7pm. However, since this is such an amazing deal, there is a queue right from the offset. It pays to go earlier, like 5pm/5.15pm, to get a good spot in the queue.
The whole event will take you an hour whether you are at the front or the back.
The question is, do you value your time or your money?
This food rescue will help you keep your grocery bills down and help to cut down on food wastage.
If you want to volunteer for this great cause, you can sign up on their website here.
Local Day on the first Tuesday of every month
Another way to keep costs low is to do your big shop on the first Tuesday of every month.
Every first Tuesday of the month IGA supermarket will put on a locals day where you get 15% off your groceries.
You need to be signed up for their Scene+ card to qualify. You can get the rewards card in store by asking the checkout clerk and then register it online before the first Tuesday.
The Scene card is a points card that will get you rewards on your future shops. However, unlike UK supermarkets, you aren’t rewarded points on all items. You will only get points added when you buy a product with a certain deal on it.
At the register on locals day, just say you are a local and give the scene card. Just have your roster ready in case they request it.
Roam Transit Bus Pass when moving to Banff
One of the many perks of moving to Banff, is getting the opportunity to apply for a free bus pass.
Roam Transit lets residents of Banff get free transport on the following bus routes:
- Route 1: Sulphur Mountain (Banff Avenue, Gondola, Hotsprings)
- Route 2: Tunnel Mountain (Campgrounds, Banff Spring Hotel, Hi Hostel)
- Route 4: Cave and Basin
- Route 6: Lake Minnewanka (Johnson Lake and Two Jacks Lake)
Permanent and temporary residents can apply for this bus pass.
To claim the Roam Transit bus pass, you will need to visit their desk in the Visitor Centre on Banff Ave and bring with you your ID and your lease.
If you do not have a lease, you can get a letter from your landlord stating you live in the house name provided. If you live in staff accommodation, the Roam transit staff will give you a form that your employer will need to fill out.
The card deposit is $5 and is returned to you when you hand in your pass.
Each bus journey for a tourist is usually $3 per single ticket, so by using the bus twice you have got your money’s worth.
The routes not included are:
- Route 3: Canmore/Banff Regional – $6 each way
- Route 8X & 8S: Lake Louise – $10 each way
- Route 9: Johnson Canyon – $10 each way
- Route 10: Moraine Lake – $10 each way
The Canmore (3) and Johnston Canyon (9) buses will allow you to pay cash on the bus. The Lake Louise buses (8X & 8S) will let you pay on the bus. However, as it is a popular route, it is better to book the ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.
Banff Ambassador Pass when moving o Banff
One of the best perks of moving to Banff is applying for an Ambassador Pass.
This is honestly one of the coolest community offerings I have ever seen!!
The programme was designed to provide new locals with an overview of what there is to see and do in Banff. It has been so popular and rewarding for residents that you can reapply when your pass expires.
The pass has over $1,400 worth of offers and experiences making it more budget friendly to explore Banff National Park.
Some of the perks on the pass include:
- Roam Transit complimentary day pass to and from Lake Louise
- Banff Gondola complimentary admission
- Stock Food and Drink 1 complimentary 16oz hot beverage
- Ultimate 1 day ski and snowboard rental for free
- Moraine Lake Bus Company Complimentary admission
- Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise free 1 hour canoe rental
- Lux Cinema complimentary medium popcorn
- Free Distillery Tour at Park
And so much more!!
This pass is given to you in exchange for 1 hour of your time. Which, in my opinion, is a pretty sweet deal!
The process in 7 easy steps –
1 – Go to the Banff Lake Louise website (click here).
2 – Look at the upcoming sessions and pick a time and date that works for you. The notes will tell you if you need to pre-register.
3 – Head to the location specified, there is usually a sign outside saying Ambassador course inside.
4 – Attend a 1 hour presentation where one of the members of the community will talk to you all about the history of Banff, the mountains surrounding Banff and some hiking safety tips whilst staying in Banff.
5 – At the end of the class, the presentation will have a QR Code for you to scan and fill out your details. This includes your name, your address and where you work.
6 – The next day you will be able to go into the visitor centre and collect your pass. I advise you to take an ID and a copy of your work roster or a contract, just in case they ask for it.
7 – GO, EXPLORE AND TICK OFF ALL THE COOL THINGS YOU NOW GET TO DO!
Local Discounts for moving to Banff
As you are now a local in a toursit town, the Banff community try and help reduce the cost of living by offering local discounts.
These discounts are in shops like Ski Big 3, Atmosphere, Wild Flour cafe and even the Spirit of Christmas shop.
It never hurts to ask around town as it will save you some pennies!
As tourist towns come with premium prices, these 10/15% discounts make all the difference.
Simply ask the counter when paying if they have local discounts and they will answer yes or no.
Most shops won’t ask to see proof, as if you know about the incentive you are usually a resident but have your work schedule ready incase they do ask.
Coffee shops offer local discounts or reward cards.
Coffee shops around Banff town also want to reward their loyal customers by offering local discounts or reward cards.
Make sure you ask at the till if they do either to not miss out on getting free coffee!
A few of my favourite cafes are:
Good Earth Coffeehouse – Free drink when you sign up for their rewards card and 9th drink free
White Bark – 10th drink free
Wild Flour Bakery – They offer a local discount of 15%
Sign up for deals on Hello Fresh, Chefs Plate and GoodFood.Ca
Another way to save money on your grocery bill when moving to Banff is to sign up for food deliveries.
Hello Fresh, Chefs Plate, and GoodFood all have numerous deals that make mealtime more affordable.
If you are a new customer of Hello Fresh, you can get a FREE box delivered if you click here.
The box choices are 2/4 people, and you can choose 3 or 5 recipes within that deal.
After your first free box they will start you off with a 55% discount, and then the weeks that follow will go down in percentage.
With the discount, your first box will cost around $30 to $40 for 3 to 5 recipes, depending on which delivery service you use first.
Even if you aren’t a new customer, HelloFresh constantly has deals on boxes.
All subscriptions can be cancelled anytime, making it easy to chop and change each week.
Chef’s Plate is the cheapest, with the average portion costing $2.99, but watch out for hidden costs. I got 5 meals (but for 2 people, so 10 for a single me!) for $34 but somehow went for 2 gourmet recipes, so ended up paying an additional $15. However, that is still more budget-friendly than going to the supermarkets.
Lux Cinema tickets Cheap Tuesdays
If you are a movie buff and always want to see the latest films, then Cheap Tuesday is for you. Every Tuesday, Lux Cinema cuts their prices in half and also has a rewards card for its regulars.
Facebook Groups you should join when moving to Banff
I highly recommend joining these Facebook groups; they’ve been incredibly helpful resources for me.
Getting used to the freight trains and their horns
One thing you are going to notice about Banff, is their train line. Every time the freight trains come into town, you will hear their obnoxiously loud horn.
Originally, I would curse this horn every time I heard it, until I found out the reason why they use it so often.
The freight trains carry grain through the Rocky Mountains and some of that produce can fall onto the tracks. This results in free food for the animals.
Because the animals are now used to having this food source, they often go on the train lines.
This can cause accidents and result in fatal injuries to the wildlife in the National Park.
That is why the drivers will use the horn frequently to warn the animals to get off the tracks.
The Boss, who is the local bear of Banff, however, isn’t scared of the trains and has had a couple of collisions with them. Miraculously, the bear walked away unscathed whereas the train had serious damage.
The trains are quite frequent and take some getting used to. The last train is at approximately 12.30am.
Charity Shops/Thrift Stores
As living in Banff can be expensive, it is good to take advantage of the Thrift/charity stores and Facebook marketplace.
Rundle United Thrift Store is located on Banff Avenue and is the main charity store in town. However, this store has the weirdest opening times.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday closed
Tuesday 2pm – 5pm
Wednesday 5pm – 8pm
Thursday 2pm – 5pm
Friday 5pm – 8pm
They have an amazing collection of everything you could need to move to Banff. They have everything from bedding, to cutlery, to sports equipment.
The set up is also quite unusual, but also quite fun. You walk around this building in a circle and come across different rooms for different items.
There is such a good selection there, that if you can make the timing work, it is well worth a visit.
Farmers Market Every Wednesday (May to October)
Every Wednesday, local vendors set up stalls in Banff Central Park for the weekly Farmers Market.
At this market you will find food trucks with some of the yummiest foods. Local produce that is farmed around the area. Local jewellery makers, handcrafted art, clothes, coffee, pottery and so much more.
A stall I really appreciated was the mental health stall. They asked you to spin the wheel and talk about what it landed on. They also had a badge maker where you could colour in one of their designs and make a pin.
This market is a great way to spend a couple of hours.
Wildlife in Banff
A great reason to move to Banff is that you will be living in a National Park. Getting to explore this incredible part of Canada is a bucket list item on many people’s lists. Being able to say that Banff National Park was your backyard for any amount of time is an incredible statement.
And living in a National Park also gives you the opportunity to see wildlife.
Some animals living around these parts include:
- Grizzly and Black Bears
- Elk
- Moose
- Deer
- Coyotes
- Cougars (hopefully we don’t encounter one of these!)
- Pine martens
- Pikas (Did you know Pickachu was based on a real animal!?)
- Ground squirrels
And so much more!
Purchase a bear spray
As you are now living in the Rocky Mountain bear country, it would be wise to purchase bear spray.
Bear spray is classed as a weapon in Canada, and a waiver needs to be signed on the date of purchase.
The can contains an orange chemical that is 8x stronger than pepper spray. This method should only be used as a last resort if a bear is grunting and about to charge towards you or even an angry elk.
THIS SPRAY IS NOT TO BE USED LIKE A MOSQUITO SPRAY!!!!!!
You might think this is a silly disclaimer, but you would be surprised how many people think it is.
Here are some basic bear safety rules to follow while hiking:
- Make lots of noise, chat to friends, and have music on (but not stupidly loud; you are in nature).
- Clap every time you are going round a corner to let the wildlife know you are present.
- Turn around every 5 minutes or so.
- And always have the bear spray in an accessible place, as the bear won’t wait for you to get it out of your backpack!
The rule of thumb is to hike in groups. However, if you are a solo hiker like me, just make sure you:
- Always stay on the trail.
- Stick to touristy routes that have people on them in case you need help.
- And always have a podcast or music on.
Click here to read my beginner’s guide to bear spray and bear safety.
As part of our bear safety training (we sell bear spray and therefore need to be knowledgeable), we had to go on a wildlife tour and learn all about the bears in Banff National Park.
Here are two facts I found interesting:
- If a bear is on its hind legs, it is not actually threatening. The bear is just curious about you. This is indicated by the bear showing you its belly, which is direct access to its internal organs and therefore an easy target.
- Alberta bears are a lot smaller than British Columbia bears. This is because they do not eat fish.
The -20 degree winters
This title is a slight exaggeration. There will be a period of a week or two with temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees roughly around December or January, but apart from that, the average temperatures range from 2 degrees to minus 14.
The great thing about Banff winters is that it is rarely ever windy. Which just makes the cold so much more bearable. For someone who cannot stand being cold, I have adapted really well.
The coldest I have snowboarded in is -17, and I would not recommend it. The ski resorts tend to shut their lifts when it drops below -18, as it can get dangerous out there, especially with the gondolas.
To survive the winter, make sure to invest in thermals with merino wool at a 200/250 count to stay nice and toasty. Two brands I find really reliable are Kathmandu and Mons Royale.
It would also be good to invest in a goose down jacket from somewhere like NorthFace or Patagonia; they also have synthetic vegan options as well.
You will also need to think about some good snow boots that can be found at Atmosphere and some snow cleats to stop you from slipping as you walk into town.
If you are planning your first ski season, then check out this blog post: HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR FIRST SKI SEASON
Post Boxes in Banff
If you are moving to Banff, it is good to note that receiving some packages and post can be tricky.
Some merchandisers won’t deliver them to Banff addresses; they will only send things to PO Boxes.
For example, my building does not have a postbox, so letters can not come directly to me. Amazon purchases are fine and so are food delivery boxes.
A lot of residents in Banff will go to the post office and open up a PO Box. Make sure you have your lease or a letter from your landlord confirming you live at that address.
If you live in staff accommodation, then speak to your employer about opening up a PO Box. I heard one employee of the post office refuse someone because they lived in staff acomm and a friend who had recently moved into staff housing had applied for one and was fine to do so.
Opening up a PO Box also isn’t free.
Vibe change between Summer and Winter
If you decide to stay for longer than a season, you will notice the clientele and vibe change.
The summer months are all about families and couples traveling. With tourists coming from all over the world.
Whereas the winter is more of a younger and more social crowd. With 80% of the population being Australian!
Pros and Cons of moving to Banff
There will always be pros and cons to living anywhere. But I think these pros really outweigh the negative elements.
Pros:
- Getting to live in a National Park and hike some of the most beautiful landscapes in Canada.
- Having access to the ambassador pass and local discounts allow you to still have fun and protect your budget.
- Getting the opportunity to get a FREE season pass and meet like minded people from all over the world.
- Having the privilege of seeing nature and wildlife on your doorstep.
Cons:
- Half your wages will go to rent.
- Finding accommodation can be tricky.
- The cost of living can be expensive.
Final thoughts
In summary, there are so many reasons why moving to Banff is a good idea. The community is so welcoming and friendly. You are surrounded by incredible mountains. The tourist perks are amazing and the social atmosphere is phenomenal. I highly recommend visiting and living in this busy resort town.
As always, Happy Exploring!
