Need your help! Planning trip to Canadian Rockies

[Robinette]

Hi everyone!

I am planning an anniversary trip for my husband and I to the Canadian Rockies. I have been searching the internet and gathering as much info as possible. I remembered about this Canada Board here on the DIS and thought I would drop by and ask you all for your opinions and suggestions. I am a bit lost with planning this whole thing since we have been doing only Disney World for so many years!

We will be go in early September and have one week. The kids are not joining us this vacation. The plan is to fly into Calgary (looking into using Frontier Airlines out of Detroit or WestJet out of London, ON) and visit Banff, Jasper, Lake Lousie and Moraine Lake.

Someone suggested getting Handbook of the Canadian Rockies by Ben Gadd, have not done that yet though.

We are hoping for some adventure, lots of sight seeing and a little relaxation.

Some questions I have are…
1) Do we need a hotel reservation every night ahead of time? We are arriving September 4th or 5th. Can we just get a room for a night at the Banff Springs Hotel when we get there or is this a busy time of year?

2) How many days should I need for each stop. I am thinking a few days for Banff and Jasper. One day for Lake Lousie and Moraine Lake. (a week won’t be long enough, will it?!)

3) Should we rent a car upon arriving in Calgary and just drive ourselves around for the week (would love to get a Jeep Wrangler) or should we use trains or tour groups?

Anything you guys think we shouldn’t miss, please let me know. And throw in some of your favorite hotels or cabins. Looking forward to your replies!!!

Thanks,
Robin

[ChisJo]

Although I can't answer everything for you, the one thing I have to say is:

RENT A CAR! There is so much to see and so much space in between the points that if you didn't have a car, you would probably get frustrated! I couldn't imagine having to depend on the train or bus in Banff.

Secondly, make sure you have your hotels booked before hand. You never know when there is a tournament down there, or large weddings - plus the weekend you are going is our Sepember long weekend - the weekend before schools and universities start - so make sure you have something booked or you may be disappointed.

It is so beautiful down there, and it will be gorgeous at that time of year. Take the time to take it all in....And remember - don't get out of your car if you see a bear and especially, don't feed it.

Jo

[bonnyl]

This is a good website to do some research and planning (Discoverbanff(dot)com). The Banff Springs Hotel is rather pricey (around $400 CDN per night) but is an absolutely beautiful hotel. You should spend some time just walking around the hotel itself. There is golfing, horseback riding and even a spa at the hotel.

I would suggest spending at least a day in and around the Banff area. Just walking down the main street and visiting all the shops can take almost a day itself. Make sure you stop at the Indian Traders Post (at the end of the bridge and to the right).

Travelling from Banff to Jasper is approximately 300 km (186 miles). Banff to Lake Louise is approximately 57 km (35 miles).

There is so much to see between Banff and Jasper I would definitely rent a car in Calgary and drive. The scenery is breathtaking and you may miss some of the sights if you rely on bus transportation or tours.

These are some websites that might be useful to you ... (sorry cannot post links yet)
3w1(dot)travelalberta(dot)com/Rockies
3w(dot)banfflakelouise(dot)com/generalinfo/banff(dot)html
3w(dot)visit-jasper(dot)com/home1(dot)html
3w(dot)canadianrockies(dot)net

Enjoy your trip!! :thumbsup2

[DareToDisney1]

You have to rent a car. I moved out west in June and have already gone on 2 Rockies vacations. Both times we have stayed in Canmore which is 10 minutes outside of Banff. You will hit Canmore before you hit Banff coming from Calgary. It is a really nice town with nice shops and dining. There is also a tourist centre that can give you tips on trails to drive down (where to see the most wildlife). We took an hour drive and saw mountain goats, a fox, elk, deer, a black bear and a moose. I highly recommend the Falcon Crest Lodge in Canmore, it is only one year old and comes will a full kitchen and BBQ on the deck, you can go down to the Sobeys and make your own dinnver a few nights. I am going there for my 3rd time in May. Make sure to ask for a mountain view room.

[BitsnBearsMom]

We too are heaiding to Calgary/Banff for the long weekend in May - Reading all the links with interest!! Can't wait to go!! Dh and I (and the kids) are going to book the falcon crest lodge too for 1 or 2 of the nights... looks like a beautiful hotel!

[disney funseeker]

I too say rent a car.

Summer rates are still on until after the holiday weekend so Banff Springs Hotel is very,very, expensive.
But you have to walk through that hotel inside and out. Maybe dine at the Bow Valley Grill there. We always dine there when we are in Banff. Good food, good service.

The reason you need a car is because of the many sites along the way. The icefields parkway drive is the most beautiful route from Banff to Jasper.
Columbia Icefields is along the way and Athabasca Falls is closer to Jasper. Stop at Athabasca Falls. So much to see.

I'll try to post some pictures for you later.

[princess pooh]

Definitely rent a car! We stayed in Banff for 5 days and Lake Louise for 2, and we drove around to the sights we wanted to see. The bus tours can get expensive and we like the freedom of having our own car. You'll need to get a parking pass but it's worth it.

I also really recomend booking a hotel in advance. DH has been there for huge conventions in September and November so the hotels can really fill up.

DH used to work in Banff and he recomends visiting:
Johnston's Canyon
Icefields Parkway
Sulpher Mountain
Lake Louise (hike to the teahouse)
Morraine Lake
Bow Falls
Banff Springs Hotel
Emerald Lake
Spiral Tunnel
Marble Canyon
Bow Valley Parkway
Lake Minewanka
Vermilion lakes

I hope you have an amazing trip! I love that area and it's my favourite place to travel to :)

[Robinette]

Okay, I will definitely rent a car. You guys have convinced me of that. And I didn’t realize it was a big convention month, so I will start lining up hotels too. The Falcon Crest Lodge looks very nice. I will show my husband the website.

We are going to go to Banff Gondola (http://www.banffgondola.com/default.asp) I am terrified and excited to do this.

I think the days we spend in Lake Louise, we are going to stay at Emerald Lake Lodge. It is a 25 minute drive from Lake Louise according to it’s website. But then also the Chateau Lake Louise looks beautiful too. It is so hard deciding!!

Princess pooh ~ you recommened the ice fields parkway, I found this Columbia Icefield (http://www.columbiaicefield.com/default.asp) is that what you’re talking about?

Disney fun seeker ~ I would love to see your pictures!!

Oh, another question! Are the colors in full change at the beginning of September or will we be too late for that?

Thank you for the help everyone, I will be checking into all that you mention. Bonnyl ~ I am off to look at all the links you posted, THANKS!!

[Pokemom]

The leaves probably won't be turning color yet in September - usually they don't turn until October. You have gotten many good suggestions here - if you want some more detailed info, I would suggest going to the Canadian forum at fodors.com or at tripadvisor.com. They both have some Banff experts who will give you very detailed information about the Rockies. When you go to Jasper, you should go on the Jasper Tramway. If you are able, walk to the top of the mountain, the view is gorgeous.

[princess pooh]

Robinette, we just drove along the icefield parkway and stopped to see the sights. It's a really beautiful drive! We didn't make it to the Columbia Ice Fields but DH has been there with his family and they really enjoyed it.

We also stayed at Chateau Lake Louise and it's a beautiful hotel. The service there was just amazing!

[disney funseeker]

here are some pictures. Hope it works.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/gondolabanff.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/banffgondola.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/downtownBanffApril2005.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/banffspringshotelpatio.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/lakelouise.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/icefield.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/columbiaicefield.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/athabascafalls.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/potholes.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/potholespic.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/timetunnel.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/timetunnelpic.jpg

not sure if the descriptions will come up but they are of:
banff gondola, downtown banff, banff springs hotel patio, lake louise, columbia icefield, athabasca falls

[Toulouse]

We are going to go to Banff Gondola (http://www.banffgondola.com/default.asp) I am terrified and excited to do this.

If you have your heart set on the gondola, just be aware that subject to the weather, you may not see a thing. If there's an overcast sky with low cloud cover (and it doesn't take much for low cloud cover in the Rockies) you won't be able to see anything from the summit. If you can, don't limit yourself to doing the gondola on one particular day - if you get there and the weather is good that day - go then. Otherwise you could have an overcast sky the next day and miss the chance. ;)

[sunny_stace]

hey, I just recently moved back to Ontario after living and working in Jasper for six months. I think the most important thing I can tell you is to remember how far apart places in Alberta really are! Though things look close it will take you about 6 hours to get from Jasper to Banff and Lake Louise! It will take you 8 hours at least to get from Calgary to Jasper! However, the drives are worth the wait as it is the most beautiful landscaping God has created!

Also, if you rent a car, please please please be careful with wildlife since it's the last time of the year when they're especially active before hibernation and migration and such!

What else, if it's warm enough still, try white-water rafting! Definately my favourite pasttime there! Definately go out to Maligne (pronounced Ma-leen) lake and see the "Hull Of the Gods" (I cried it's so beautiful!)...and be sure to stay at the Jasper Inn (where I worked! Best housekeeping award winners!), and also go buy stuff from CounterClockwise at the Jasper Marketplace and tell them Stacy Sent you! (they saved my summer by offering me the most wonderful job!)

Also fun to know, Stephen King based "The Shining" on the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - I've heard stories from people who work there about the ghosties!

Also, be sure to make your reservations far in advance if you can...the Americans come up from the states to see the folliage and all....

Let me know if you want more Jasper info! :thumbsup2

[disney funseeker]

Hey, Sunny Stace, we're headed to Jasper on Saturday.

Will have to check out Counterclockwise.
I'm looking for a place to stay when my parents come to visit this summer. Going to do the Jasper, to Calgary loop via Icefield parkway with them. will look in Jasper place as well for them.

[Robinette]

Thanks for sharing the pictures disney funseeker!!

[Robinette]

Thanks Stacy for all the info. White-water rafting... great idea!! We will be up for that.

[Tabetha]

Emerald Lake Lodge is beautiful. You'll love it. A friend and I were driving cross country doing the fringe festival circuit (theatre) and wound up driving through the mountains at 2am. We were pretty tired, and decided to pull over and pitch a tent.

Then we saw the mountain lion.

So we decided not to.

We saw a sign for Emerald Lake Lodge and pulled into the parking lot (there's a lot down below, you wait in a little shelter and they drive down from the lodge and pick you up.)
We called up to the lodge, but they were booked up. We begged them to let us stay in the shelter (a little house, almost), and they kindly agreed that it was safer and let security know we'd be down there. We thanked them profusely, and promised to come up to the lodge for breakfast (spend some money there as a thank you).

Well, we went up in the morning, and had a wonderful gourmet breakfast in the overwhelmingly lovely lodge. We felt very silly when we saw how nice the place was - we'd slept down in their shed like squatters!

It was a wonderful memory, though.

[Robinette]

We called up to the lodge, but they were booked up. We begged them to let us stay in the shelter (a little house, almost), and they kindly agreed that it was safer

Very nice of them to let you guys stay there. I have only seen pictures of the lodge on their website and feel in love with it from that.

Checking airfare today and I found roundtrip from Detroit for around $350 total. When I first started checking it was over $500 so I am thinking it is time to book it!

[Tabetha]

$350 is pretty good! I hope you have the best time - it is truly beautiful out there. It just gets more and more beautiful around each bend.

[Betty X]

I recommend the Banff Springs Hotel. I did a project on it for University and gave tours of the hotel to my classmates. Go to Cave and Basin. It is the original hot springs and the coolest thing there is tropical fish in the hot springs. You have to go down stairs to get there but it's very cool and it's free. If you are coming from the Banff Springs you keep going straight instead of turning right at the bridge to get back to the townsite.

Coyote's Grill is a really good restaurant that is a favourite of the locals. There is really good shopping there and really good candy and treats along the main drag. Make time to go up and down both sides to shop!

I made a website on Banff for my class. Here is a link......

www.members.shaw.ca/tlsapach/index.html

[Robinette]

Betty X ~ You did a very nice report on the Banff Springs. We will visit there but not stay. The best price I could find was $449/night (CAN).

What about the Buffalo Mountain Lodge? Anyone have experience with this place? I'm thinking about staying there for the first 3 nights. They are $234/night (USD) for a premier room.

I booked our airfare this morning!! We are going to fly Frontier Airlines. They were $396 round trip and they had the flight times we wanted.

I am having a great time planning this trip. Thanks for all your help. At first it was hard because it wasn't Disney World that we were going to (I'm just in love with that place! But researching and looking at all the beautiful pictures of Canada has made me look forward to this vacation. I think it's going to be a very romantic place to celebrate our anniversary...15 years!

[MazdaUK]

We're going to Vancouver in August and I found (DIS-ers excepted, of course! :teeth: ) Tripadvisor very helpful, particularly with choosing hotels and answering questions. I was originally planning on spending a couple of nights at the Kicking Horse cabins (or something) which included a white water safari - til I found out the it was over 600 miles from Vancouver! (Not good with kids who get travel sick).

[disney funseeker]

Robinette, we have stayed at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge. You will love it.

The rooms are very nice, service very good. Main Lodge has excellent dining.
We've only stayed there once but have had drinks and/or dinner there several times. The dining is known for the variety of game you could try. I'll check and see what info I still have about the menu and about the lodge itself.

Oh, I think I have a pic of the girls and I having a drink on the patio. will post again once I find everything

I found some info and here's a pic. can't really see much, but don't we look happy to be there?
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/disneyfunseeker/buffalomtnlodge.jpg

The menu:
main courses from $22 to $35

example: Rocky Mountain game platter serves 2
smoked dried buffalo, venison ham, pepper duck breast, game pate,
elk salami, mustard melons and cranberry relish.

or maybe some fish
roasted wild salmon, rhubarb maple compote, citrus couscous.

or something more "normal"
beef tenderloin, seared king scallop, herb garlic mignonette, roasted
fingerling potatoes.

Anyway, I think a good choice, nice surroundings, away from downtown, yet close. Did I mention, watching elk one time just outside our window while dining?

[ACDNGUY]

Please let me offer my insight. I lived in Banff for 6 years and continued to work in Banff fro another year after leaving, I now live in Calgary.

First of all September is still an incredibly high traffic month (usually) and therefore prices are still going to be high. Be prepared for all weather, it can snow any month of the year in Banff, but the likelyhood gets even better in September, with that said it can also be 80 F. If you are going to go up the Ice Fields Parkway towards the Columbia Icefields and Jasper be very ready for etreme changes in weather. This is probably one of the best drives you could ever take, a few places along the way to visit would definietly be Bow Lake and Num-Ti-Jah lodge (Stop and have some Lunch) Peyto Lake (you look down on the lake that is so amazing in Color, it looks like a bear skin rug by shape thrown out on the forest floor) and definately the columbia Icefields it is here will where you will truly witness the effects of global warming, but also take part in an absolutley amazing experience. I will leave the recommendations for Jasper up to the person that lived and worked their.

In Banff, I would say that there are 3 very high end hotels, those being the Banff Springs, the Rimrock Resort Hotel and Buffalo Mountain Lodge, With the Banff Springs and Rimrock tied for the top followed by Buffalo Mountain Lodge. Although the Banff Springs is known around the world keep in mind that this is a historical Hotel built before the turn of the Century. The average guest room size is extremely small usually quoted in reviews as closets tha can start as high as $700 CDN per night in High season ( you can get deals to bring the price down) The rest of the hotel is incredible, with a lot of tourists. I have been there when other tourists not staying at the hotel will basically follow you to your room to try and have a look inside. Amazing Restaurants espescially the Banffshire Club 1 of only 5 five diamond Restaurants in Canada.
On the Other hand there is the Rimrock Resort Hotel, a newre hotel approximately 13 years old. It is built into the side fo the mountain directly across the street from the Upper Hot Springs and the Gondola. From the Road the Hotel appears to be only 2 stories high, but when you enter the lobby you are actuall on the 7th floor of the hotel as the hotel is literally bolted into the side of the mountain. The rooms inside the Rimrock are much more spacious and the prices are far fairer as you are not paying for the name, however if the hotel is close to sold out you can expect prices starting at around $400 CDN per night. The Rimrock does not have the amount of restaurant options as the Banff Springs but they are also home to Eden Dining Room another 5 diamond Restaurant. (It is amazing that there are only 5 five diamond restaurants in Canada and 2 of them are in such a small town).
The Buffalo Mountain Lodge is on the Extreme other end of town from the other 2 hoteld, but nowhere near downtown (in banff Distances, so still only a 2 minute drive) It is a very nice property where by most of the rooms you enter from the outside. It is more of what one would imagine a mountain lodge to be. It is also a sister property to Emerald lake Lodge in Field and Deer Lodge in Lake Louise. As for Lake Lousie I would stay in the Chateau if you can get a lake view room as it is amazing, and you don't face the other tourists following you to your room problem as its sister property the Banff Springs does as they do not allow non registered guests beyond certain points (A very funny Story about why this is and if you decide to stay here let me know and I will tell you the story) If you don't Stay at the Chateau there are a couple of option. Please do not stay at previously mentioned Deer Lodge as it is nowhere near the quality of Buffalo or Emerald Lake Lodge. Emerald lake Lodge is very nice, very remote. The units do not have TV's so it does allow for some great relaxation and the food is very good. Service levels are very unpredictable due to the isolated nature of the lodge and thus getting good employees. In Lkae Louise there is also the Post Hotel wich is amazing and I would check that out if I was you.
As for activities I could go on and on and on, however without knowing your interests I will leave that one alone right now. But if you have any questions or want any suggestions let me know. I know that someone recommended Canmore and yes you will be able to get a hotel there for a huge discount comared to Banff, but as a first visit I would not recommend it, there is something very unique to Banff, so please experience it and enjoy it and there is no way you will be able to find accomodations that can compete with even the mid level properties of Banff in Canmore.

[Robinette]

ACDNGUY ~ thanks so much for all the information. I have decided that we will stay at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge for a few days while in Banff. Would I need to change hotels to tour Lake Louise? I know that Jasper is pretty far from Banff so I thought we would switch hotels when we go there.

Moraine Lake Lodge looks great also.


As for activities we want to try white water rafting, hiking, plan on spending lots of time taking pictures, exploring different towns and eating a great food. My husband and I run often so we're hopping to get some early morning runs in but I am worry about the wildlife.

[disney funseeker]

Robinette, the distance from Banff to Lake Louise is 55km (35 miles), not far.
The distance from Lake Louise to Jasper is 226km (143 miles).

But as mentioned before, it will take you several hours because of the many beautiful sights and stops you will make along the way.

Just a suggestion, but if you want to continue traveling north towards Jasper after Lake Louise, why don't you stay one less day at Buffalo Mtn. Lodge and stay at the Chateau Lake Louise. Chateau lake louise is having a deal called "only 1-way summer" It might still be available in early Sept. It will probably still be more expensive than Buff. Mtn. Lodge but not by much, as I know that the summer rate at BML is quite high.

[Robinette]

Hi all :wave2:

Hopefully everyone is having a great summer. Our trip to Canadian Rockies is getting close, 8 weeks away! I have the last 3 nights left to book. The reservations right now are this...

Buffalo Mountain Lodge (http://www.crmr.com/buffalo_mountain_lodge.php) for the first 2 nights. We will explore Banff and fill up the 2 days there hiking, shopping, the Gondola and whatever else we can find to do.

Then we are going to Yoho National Park and staying at Cathedral Mountain Lodge (http://www.cathedralmountain.com/) for 2 nights. I am very excited about staying here. Looks beautiful and peaceful. Here we plan on whitewater rafting, more hiking and sightseeing.

After Yoho, we are going to take the Icefields Parkway up to Jasper. This is where I need help, I don't know where to stay here. We will have 3 days left. Would it be too risky to just find a place when we arrive? Again our dates are 9/7 through 9/14.

So far I have these places in mind... Beckers Chalets (http://www.beckerschalets.com/), Alpine Village (http://alpinevillagejasper.com/website/index.html), Pocahontas Cabins Resort (http://www.mpljasper.com/pocahontas/home.html). Also, we are thinking we might spend our last full day in Calgary since our flight leaves very early in the morning. What do you all think?

TIA!

[bev r.]

Just one comment about the Pocahontas resort. It is located just inside the east park entrance, which is about a 25 minute drive to the town of Jasper. Depending upon how much time you want to spend in and around the town, you might want to factor in the extra driving time between the two spots. That said, the resort is closer to the hot springs, and there are a few hiking spots in the area.

[disney funseeker]

Try becker chalets. I wanted to stay there this summer but they were already booked up for the summer in April.

trip advisor has good reviews.

I would book ahead. I am staying at the Sawridge in Jasper at the end of the month. could give you a review when I return.

[chasbos]

MazdaUK - we just returned from a wonderful week out west. We started in Vancouver and ended up in Calgary for the stampede.

Your post caught my eye as we did stay at the Kicking Horse Chalets (very nice) and went White Water Rafting! We stayed 1 night in Kamloops and then stayed at the Chalets for 2 nights - we are a family of 6 and there was plenty of room!

The white water rafting was sure a highlight.

We sure took a lot in in 1 week (it is actually not long enough!)

For the OP - have a wonderful trip, we sure did.