A blanket, water, candle and matches, mitts, toque,scarf, shovel and parka..The roads are pretty well looked after but snow storms (like day before yesterday) can cause you to become stuck, delayed, or really in trouble in accidents. We who live out here as a rule do not venture out of town into the mountains without the above. In fact I personally have a fleece throw and a jacket in my car all year round. I don't know about the snow plow and having a ranger really sounds very cool...There are no "chains on" areas between Banff and Lake Louise that i know of so everything should be ok.except for snow storms with white outs(rare) blowing snow(not rare)and stupid drivers(common)

ok...thank you so much amer_can
i just got off the phone from talking with my husband who is heading home finally after skiing in aspen
he arrived in flagstaff (is that it? sp?) from aspen and he loved the mountain driving in the snow...
that wouldnt be something id relish at all...so luckily after seeking advice earlier ( thanks fodor peeps) i talked him into flying the majority of the route

it is reassuring that the road from banff to louise is ok
i will pack a warm fleece throw to leave in the car for us...thanks for that and ill make sure everything is well organised in case of an emergency
dont want to be hanging upside down and searching for the life-saving thermos of hot chocolate lol

Might need to add a shot of brandy to that hot chocolate

I never did any winter driving in Canada but I have lots of experience in the northern US.
The things not yet mentioned yet that I carry are an orange flag, a fishing pole with reel, a steel coffee can and several baggies of hot chocolate mix.
I keep the candle in the coffee can with the chocolate.
You can melt snow in the coffee can using the lit candle and then add chocolate.
The flag and fishing pole are handy if someone wants to find the car that is buried.
It is wise to use a long lighter instead of matches that can get wet and not light the candle.

See my list in your other post from last June:

http://www.fodors.com/community/canada/driving-canada-in-winter-banff-to-prince-rupert.cfm

okay thanks to all
tomf- i guess i can find a stick somewhere as we set out from calgary...i doubt i will take a fishing rod from oz...why the reel?
to snag a passing vehicle and turn them into good samaritans in case theyre a bit reluctant?

OH always has a lighter ...for candles anyway

Shelli- have re- read your post ...thanks for the link...i do remember you mentioning all those things now...

sludick- brandy is warming ay? is that what i tell the kind policeman as he accuses us of drink-driving lol?

The fishing line in the reel could come in handy to hang the flag if you slid off over a bank and are below the road.
You can also hang the coffee can over the lit candle.