Just back from BC

[henryk67]

Wife and I had a great holiday, 3 weeks in stunning scenery. Was may sisters 50th and our first time over there, she has lived there for 23 years so it was about time. Done a few hikes around Rossland where she lives, went to the Okanagon to Osoyoos where my brother in law was brought up but it poured of rain nearly the hole day. We borrowed their SUV and went away for 3 days, first to Fort Steele which we loved and it was a very hot day, up to Radium Hot Springs where we had a B&B booked. The next day we planed to drive to Banff, stop for an hour or two and head on to the Columbia Ice Fields as I wanted to do the Glacier Tour. Thought that we would see a lot of wildlife on the way but no bears, no elk, no moose, so a bit disappointed. Would liked to have spent more time in Banff but time was marching on and decided to book the Glacier Tour in Banff to safe time. The drive up the Icefields Parkway was very spectacular, weather was rainy then sunny, rainy then sunny all the way up. Got to the Glacier about 3.30pm. What an amazing sight, the trip was fabulous, lucky for us the sun was out and clear blue sky. The 6 wheeled vehicle took us up to the Athabasca Glacier and were allowed to step on to it and look around for 15 mins or so. After the tour we had a picnic out the back of the SUV and watched the clouds coming back and hiding the Glacier.
Our B&B for tonight was in Golden, so on the way we headed to Lake Louise for some pictures, it was a bit cloudy but the sun did come out over the mountains for a lovely sight. Our B&B was very nice and after a good sleep, some toast, bacon, eggs and coffee we planed to go to Revolstoke on our return to Rossland but it rained non stop all the way, so we ended up driving all the way back to Rossland with the rain only halting for the ferry ride.
They say that this summer has been the worst weather they have had in years, just our luck, but it didn't dampen our holiday. Hope to come back soon and spend more time in Banff, visit Jasper and maybe into Alaska.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

You've been to some of my favorite places. The Glacier is absolutely breathtaking!

Fort Steele is just moments from where I spent my teen years (Cranbrook) and we summered in Radium/Fairmont many summers with aunts and uncles at their Cabin.

We love spending time in Banff and Lake Louise. you've definately seen some of the best BC and Southern Alberta Have to offer!

Glad you enjoyed yourself!

Your homeland is one I'd love to visit one day!

 

[Sue M]

Sounds like a great trip, even with our awful summer! Yes, it has been the worst summer I can remember, a real bust this year Today the sun eventually came out this afternoon!

Glad you enjoyed our part of the world. When the sun comes out it really is spectacular

 

[henryk67]

You've been to some of my favorite places. The Glacier is absolutely breathtaking!

Fort Steele is just moments from where I spent my teen years (Cranbrook) and we summered in Radium/Fairmont many summers with aunts and uncles at their Cabin.

We love spending time in Banff and Lake Louise. you've definately seen some of the best BC and Southern Alberta Have to offer!

Glad you enjoyed yourself!

Your homeland is one I'd love to visit one day!

Our country is quite similar especially up in the Highlands, but to a smaller scale and no glaciers or bears.

Sounds like a great trip, even with our awful summer! Yes, it has been the worst summer I can remember, a real bust this year Today the sun eventually came out this afternoon!

Glad you enjoyed our part of the world. When the sun comes out it really is spectacular

Think the next visit will be in winter, I would love to go skiing there.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Think the next visit will be in winter, I would love to go skiing there.

If you do, prepare to be amazed. The landscape changes dramatically with several feet of snow. With my wife's family in mosly in BC and mine mostly in Alberta, we make frequent trips across the mountains, and the scenery and villages (especially Golden and Rossland) transform during the winter.

For best snow skiing, I would suggest coming out in late-February or early March. (Mid-January and early February has the best snow, but you're more likely to have low cloud and fog which makes skiing unfamiliar terrain a bit more challenging. Closer to spring, you will get more sunshine and longer days.)

Most BC ski resorts shut down in early or mid-April, more due to lack of skiers than lack of snow. Banff (Sunshine Villiage and Lake Louise Resort) is the place to go if you want to ski in late April and early May. My family had an amazing day skiing at Sunshine Villiage on May 15 of this year.

 

[henryk67]

Yes thats good advice, both my sister and brother in law are members of the Rossland Search & Rescue Team and past ski instructors and tell how different the place is in the winter, Red Mountain is their nearest but tend to prefer to ski off-piste I think.