Banff

November 2024

Banff was one of those trips that feels big the moment you commit to it. Long drive, colder weather, and landscapes that don’t really register as real until you’re standing in them.

We stayed just outside town with trails directly behind the place, which immediately set the tone. Mornings were for the dogs — long runs, fresh snow, and quiet time before anything else on the agenda. Having that space made everything else feel easier.

Days were split between Lake Louise skiing, frozen waterfalls at Johnston Canyon, and wandering in town when we wanted something slower. The cold was no joke, but Kuma was in his element. Snow, distance, and low temperatures seemed to wake something up in him — he never wanted to stop moving.

Even with busy days and events happening around town, the dogs dictated the rhythm. Walks weren’t something we squeezed in — they were the anchor. Everything else happened around them.

Banff reminded us how much better trips feel when nature is doing most of the talking. Fewer distractions. More presence. Just movement, cold air, and time outside together.