r/Banff • u/MacklePenguin_Lol • 1d ago
Do you need a shuttle ticket to hike sentinel pass?
Travelling later this September and really keen to hike the sentinel pass though from what I can see this is only possible if you are lucky to grab shuttle tickets - I’ve done a few practise runs with no luck, so I wanted a plan B if possible if I am unsuccessful getting the tickets.
Apologies if asked before, I have tried to search this forum with no luck.
Appreciate any advice as first time to Canada.
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u/jokewellcrafted 1d ago
Three options
Parks shuttle as you stated.
Private shuttle. These shuttles basically always have tickets available but they are much more expensive than the parks shuttles. Fairview and Moraine Lake Bus Company are popular.
Bike. Can’t say I recommend because the road is narrow with no shoulder, but people do it.
Late September is larch season and there will be an influx of locals also trying to get shuttles.
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u/MacklePenguin_Lol 22h ago
Thank you - does the Roam Super Pass work?
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u/Accomplished_Try_179 18h ago
Yes. For the hike, it is ideal to arrive early at Lake Louise. E.g. 6am shuttle from Banff.
As you are booking last minute, you are probably only able to choose the noon departures like 1pm.
If you cannot get a Roam reservations for departures earlier than 11am, use a private shuttle.
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u/MacklePenguin_Lol 16h ago
Cheers fella!
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u/tf-is-wrong-with-you 11h ago
just go and get in walk-in line, i have never really seen anyone turned away…
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u/vinsdelamaison 1d ago
If you want to start from Moraine, yes you need either a public or private shuttle to get you there.
Google Paradise Valley to Moraine Lake if you want to try early morning parking (before 7AM) or a shuttle or Roam to Lake Louise.
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u/VoiceEqual1493 23h ago
yeah - the normal larch valley route starts at moraine lake, and moraine lake road is closed to private vehicles, so it's a parks shuttle, a private one, or biking the road. the april advance booking isn't your only shot at parks seats though - they hold back a big batch and drop it on a rolling release 48 hours before each date, at 8am mountain time. set an alarm for exactly two days out and that's when larch-season seats actually open up. if it still doesn't land, moraine lake bus company almost always has space, just pricier.
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u/Alberta_Hiker 8h ago
Like everything in the park its a user pay for access system
The more you pay, the more access you get
If you dont get the afforda le peasant shuttles, just pay for the private ones....if you can
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u/vpdots 1d ago
There’s an FAQ on getting to moraine lake - if you don’t get a parks shuttle seat there’s a lot of private operators that will take you, though they’re more expensive.
Wilson’s in Lake Louise also rents bicycles and you can bike up the road as well.