Jill2

Hi all -
I am planning a family trip for next summer and am torn between these two beautiful places (never been to either). We will go for about 10-12 days. There will be 2 adults and 3 older teens. We love hiking up mountains and seeing beautiful scenery and wildlife is a huge plus. My teens do mountain climbing, but not me! Zion National Park is our favorite vacation place to date.

We usually rent single-family places - cabins and cottages - when we can find them. We cook breakfast and dinner at "home", hike all day, and come back to sleep. On a 12 day visit, I'd imagine we'd stay two or three places for a few days each.

If anyone has any imput on which park might be better for us, it would be hugely appreciate. Thanks a million! - Jill

travel_buoy

At least cross over the border into Canada and go up into Waterton National Park for three or four of those days.

LindainOhio

I asked this question a few years ago and was advised that although both are beautiful, the Lake Louise/Jasper area was a bit more spectacular. We have not been to Glacier yet, but it's on our list.

We ended up visiting the Canadian Rockies and found it to be a hikers' paradise. It is our favorite hiking destination. We would be in heaven if we could spend 10-12 days there.

Check out Judy's website and pick up the hiking book recommended by Bob Brown. I have it but have loaned it out--the title is on this site.

The Canadian Rockies are one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited. We are hoping to return next Sept.

bob_brown

Hmm. Glacier is acutally part of the Canadian Rockies - same geological process caused it all.

My favorite spots in the Canadian Rockies are from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park north to Jasper, a long distance.

We usually base ourselves in the town of Field where we rent an apartment on a nightly basis. Field is in Yoho National Park which is small but contains many wonderful sights.

If your older teens like to trail-scramble, send them up to the Whaleback Trail and/or the Iceline Trail.

I think you would enjoy a drive up the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper. It is over 100 miles of incredible mountain scenery. I have driven the route both ways more than once and would not hesitate to do it again.

If you stay in Field, you have several destinations within easy reach, including the Canadian Glacier National Park which has some of the most jagged peaks in British Columbia, and some of the steepest trails around.

I don't think you can go wrong with either destination, but I personally recommend the Canadian mountains between Peter Lougheed and Jasper townsite.

If you are into lodges, we stayed at the Mount Engadine Lodge a few miles south of Canmore. There is a lot to see there as well, and the food at the lodge was first class. The dining room overlooks a meadow where moose graze often in the evenings.

The town of Banff, located in Banff National Park, is also in that vicinity and the park offers many opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing.

dwooddon

If I had to choose one or the other, I would also go with the Jasper area and the Icefields Parkway for the scenic grandeur and the large amount of wildlife (usually).

However, why choose? With 10-12 days, you could do both.

rm_mn

The major road in Glacier National Park in the U.S. is the Going to the Sun Highway. It climbs steeply up to Logan pass with switchbacks and steep dropoffs alongside the highway. The Icefield Parkway is much less demanding and will feel much safer if you are afraid of heights. Both places are beautiful, just different. Waterton Lakes National Park is the Canadian counterpart to Glacier National Park, but its roads are very easy to drive and it's focus is the lakes that lie in the valley between the steep slopes. Again, a very beautiful area. All areas have trails that will tax your leg muscles if that is what you want.

Molly2

My vote is also for the Canadian Rockies. I wouldn't try to do both. We liked Jasper for the wildlife, and the Lake Louise/Field area for spectacular scenery and hiking. The Icefield Parkway is amazing. Your teens would probably like the great whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse river. Judy and Bob Brown are extremely knowledgable about the area and offer great advice.

Jill2

Thanks so much to everyone for their input! It's decided then - we'll definitely go to the Canadian Rockies and I can't wait!
- Jill

bob_brown

I think Glacier is beautiful, and awesome. I just feel that the Canadian sights give a little more, but not much.

I have done both, with Glacier US coming first as far back as 1966 when the Grinnel Glacier was something other than a frog pond full of ice. We went back some 30 years later and found that global warming had laid bare the rock under the ice on which we had walked in 1966.

For those of you who can do both I have one bit of advice: Do it while you can! Do while your legs still work and you can hike the trails. Do it before you, like I have, become too old to take in the wonders of the whole area.

I have my photographs and my memories!
So go! Its only money the spending of which you will not regret.