Restaurants have had dress codes forever – as well as entitled people who fight said dress codes, like this couple.
However, sometimes it’s a tourist attraction that includes a dress code. For example, to stop guests from thinking other guests are employees, Disney theme parks have rules about adults dressing in costume. And one NYC-based tourist attraction had its own unusual dress code, in the form of “no skirts allowed,” for a very good reason.
Which brings us to Banff National Park, which recently took the unusual step of issuing its own dress code. It has nothing to do with mistaken identity or putting on an unintentional show in a room full of mirrors. Instead, it’s all to do with safety.
It turns out the park had a lot of snow this year, including a record-breaking snowpack, as well as an unusually small amount of snowmelt. CTV News is reporting that Parks Canada, the entity that manages the country’s national park sites, says that many trails are currently icy and unstable. This means, after multiple rescues in April, that hikers need to be fully prepared for these cold and icy conditions before they hit the trails.
In March, Banff National Park visitors were already being warned of extreme avalanche conditions. At the time, Parks Canada issued a warning to visitors that extreme avalanches are predicted to be the “largest avalanche cycle of the season,” and are expected to “run to valley bottoms.” Even today, two months later, and well into spring, some roads and hiking trails remain closed.
Brian Morgan, who is Parks Canada’s Visitor Safety Specialist, told CTV News that there’s still a lot of snow in Banff National Park, and the snowmelt that typically occurs in late April still hasn’t happened. So to ensure visitors’ safety, Parks Canada recommends that hikers have avalanche training before hiking the trails with avalanche hazards, including several trails on Lake Louise and Sulphur Mountain.
Parks Canada also strongly recommends wearing ice cleats.
This dress code warning comes after Parks Canada issued advisories about the unusual conditions in Banff, as well as after several hikers were rescued in April, after they slipped on icy trails or got themselves stuck in other precarious situations.
Other recommended safety measures include:
- Start with the basics: book your accommodations and park access ahead of time, especially during busy travel periods when popular areas fill up quickly.
- Pack for the conditions. Layered clothing, sturdy footwear with ice cleats, plenty of water and snacks, and a basic emergency kit can make a big difference.
- Keep wildlife safety in mind. Parks Canada offers important guidance for visiting places with active wildlife populations, including Banff National Park.
- Follow all posted rules and regulations. They’re there to help protect both visitors and some of the world’s most beautiful natural landscapes.
Park officials remind visitors that they’re expected to follow the rules to help ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the park.
Banff may look beautiful this time of year, but park officials say appearances can be deceiving.
With icy trails, lingering snowpack, and avalanche concerns still affecting parts of the park, visitors are being reminded that proper gear isn’t just a recommendation right now—it’s part of staying safe.
And yes, that apparently now includes a national park “dress code.” 😏
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
