What to pack for Banff and Lake Louise in April

Lows around 18°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.

Highs below freezing. A puffy alone won't do it.

Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.

Lows of 18°F mean exposed skin loses heat fast at altitude.

Wind at 14 km/h across snow makes bare hands go numb quickly.

Insulated soles prevent heat loss through the sole to frozen ground.

UV index of 6.2 bounces off snow and burns skin faster.

Snow glare at 2126 m altitude strains eyes without polarization.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Altitude sickness and slips on ice happen to unprepared travelers.

Thirteen hours of daylight means your devices drain fast.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Overhead bins on regional flights fill up on popular routes.

Day hikes from camp need water, layers, and a map at hand.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

Wet snow soaks through regular gloves in minutes.

For the mornings and the nights.

Neck exposed to wind and cold air needs a layer that covers it.

Snow and wet conditions mean feet stay cold even in boots.

Tap water is safe but you'll hike all day away from refills.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

Mountain terrain and multiple lodges make tracking bags matter.

Checked luggage holds the bulk while you carry essentials daily.

Tight packing fits more into a carry-on without wrinkling.

Rolling suitcases handle pavement between lodges better than duffels.

Eleven rain days means wet clothes pile up fast.

Lows around 18°F. One blanket that packs small covers the car, the campsite and the beach at sunset.

Steep mountain slopes and loose snow need poles for balance.

Snow creeps into boots at the ankle unless you block it.

Thin air and sun exposure crack lips even in cold.

Mountain roads wind tight and long drives trigger nausea.

Guesthouses share common areas where germs spread fast.

One outlet per room charges three devices if you stack them right.

International border crossings require your passport within arm's reach.

Checked luggage goes through multiple hands on the way to the park.

Backpacks compress to fit overhead when you pack tight.

Hanging bags dry toiletries away from damp guesthouse floors.

Hands go numb in 18°F even with gloves on.