Looking to practice BJJ in Banff? This short guide will list out the different options in order to help you plan your trip and training.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is slightly unique when it comes to sports, it's one of the few that thrives on a culture of visiting and dropping in at gyms other than your own.
If you're visiting the Canadian town of Banff (AB), and want to get a some Jiu Jitsu training in, your options are quite limited. In this post, I've broken down the best ways to get a little mat time while you're enjoying the beauty of Banff.
(Of course, if you happen to live in Banff or a neighbouring town, this will apply to you too.)
Jiu Jitsu in Banff
Unfortunately, there are no official Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools in Banff, AB. A deep dive through Reddit's forum archives suggests that there is occasionally a garage pop-up, but no actual BJJ gyms to attend.
Don't worry though, there is an option nearby.
Jiu Jitsu in Canmore
Canmore is a small town about 20 minutes drive (approximately 25 kilometers/16 miles) away from Banff. If you're visiting Banff or the surrounding areas such as Lake Louise, Canmore is a great place to look at accommodation options.
The ROAM bus service operates between Banff and Canmore (as well as within Canmore), and is another economical option if you're looking for transport. It was mostly on schedule during my visits, but as with all bus/shuttle services, your mileage may vary.
Dark Horse Martial Arts
Dark Horse Martial Arts (formerly, Bow Valley Jiu Jitsu) is the only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club in Canmore. It's the closest option for BJJ training if you're staying in Banff.
There are class options most days of the week, and the gym practices both Gi and No-Gi jiu jitsu as well as Women's Only Self Defence and some Striking instruction.
The gym has active competitors, and is the organizer of the Dark Horse Grappling Series.
Dark Horse Martial Arts hosts a one-hour open mat for its members on Tuesdays, Thursday, and Saturdays at noon.
Head Instructor: Travis Erlam
Website: Dark Horse Martial Arts
Location: 208 Bow Meadows Crescent
Drop-ins allowed? Yes. $20 (100% of the drop-in fee goes to the Bow Valley SPCA and Heart Mountain Rescue charities). Call in advance to make sure they can accommodate you.
Calgary
Beyond BJJ in Canmore, the next best option is driving to Calgary. As a larger city, Calgary has several Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms. However, it will likely be an hour to drive there, which may not be doable if you're trying to holiday and enjoy the activities available in and around Banff.
Alternatives to BJJ in Banff
As a small resort town, there aren't many martial arts schools in Banff. In fact, there is only one other option in the form of Banff Kyokushin Karate. While Kyokushin Karate can be a lot of a fun and a great workout, it is very different to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
I've not been able to find any other martial arts clubs in Banff (not even boxing gyms), but if you happen to know of some, please do let me know in the comments below.
Canmore has a number of other martial arts schools, mainly different styles of Karate as well as a Krav Maga academy.
Final thoughts
If you're planning a trip to Banff, know that there are very few options to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while there. Assuming you have access to a car or are staying in the town of Canmore, Dark Horse Martial Arts is the automatic choice.
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