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Johnston Canyon, Banff, Alberta
Johnston Canyon, Banff, Alberta
Original photo by An Nisaa Renanda Prananto
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Waterloo chapter.

I shared a fantastic experience with some of my friends earlier this November. We’re all exchange students from Indonesia and decided to take a trip to Banff to see the snow, which was a first for most of us. It was an incredible adventure with amazing sights and memories we’ll cherish forever. I’m excited to tell you all about the places we visited.

  1. Two Jack Lake
Two Jack Lake, Banff, Canada
Original photo by An Nisaa Renanda Prananto

This was the first destination of that day, and it started snowing! The lake is big — but not as big as the lakes I’ll mention later — and the mountains’ view in the background makes it even better. We took several pictures and proceeded to our next destination.

  1. Downtown Banff
Beaver Tails in Banff, Alberta
Original photo by An Nisaa Renanda Prananto

There were a lot of shops and restaurants. We went here to have lunch, and it was pretty busy. After lunch, we continued our exploration and stumbled upon some souvenir shops. We were amazed by the many options available, from traditional trinkets to quirky novelties. We spent a considerable amount of time browsing through the shops and selecting souvenirs to take back home. Overall, it was a delightful experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the area.

  1. Lake Louise
Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta
Original photo by An Nisaa Renanda Prananto

This lake was enormous! The snow was very thick when we went there, and it was also freezing. Despite the crowds, we snapped some pictures of the breathtaking scenery surrounding us. The beauty of the lake and its surroundings made the freezing weather worth enduring.

  1. Emerald Lake

This was a big lake, and it was the prettiest. The water was so clear that it perfectly reflected the scenic views, making it feel like I was looking at a beautiful desktop wallpaper. There was a cozy café and lodge nearby, which added to the overall charm of the place. Although it took me a while to get there, the experience was worth it.

Emerald Lake, Banff, Alberta
Original photo by An Nisaa Renanda Prananto
  1. Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon, Banff, Alberta
Original photo by An Nisaa Renanda Prananto

We went for a hike here; although I usually dislike hiking, I found it quite enjoyable. The beautiful scenery helped me take my mind off of the physical exertion. We opted for the Lower Falls trail, knowing we would need more energy to tackle the higher path. The course was relatively easy, but I’d suggest wearing snow cleats as some parts were steep and slippery.

Johnston Canyon, Banff, Alberta
Original photo by An Nisaa Renanda Prananto

We could only visit a few places since we only had a few days for the trip. It was a fun trip, and I got to see a lot of fantastic natural scenery. If given the chance, I’d go again!

University of Waterloo Exchange Student for Fall 2023. Interested in online games, anime, and sports.