Terry Sprott

I just found this site, so please forgive any redundancy. I am planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies in mid to late June 2002. Basic plan is to Fly to Kalispell MT. rent a car, drive thru the Glacier National park, on up to Calagary, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper area. Then come back down and return the car in Spokane or maybe Coeur d'Alene. Could someone familiar with the area recommend where I should spend time? My wife and I are interested in primarily sight seeing. In case you are curious, the reason I am arriving in and departing from the USA is that I can use frequent flyer mileage to get two free tickets. Time is flexible, so we are looking for 10 to 14 days worth of travel.

gary

I don't know what airline's frequent mile program you're on but almost all of them include Canada at the same points as US destinations, (if not with them than on a partner airline), and just on exchange alone renting a car in Calgary and returning it there or in vancouver will give you more time in the Rockies and less time traveling. Glacier/Waterton Parks are very nice but the real class act is Banff/Jasper/Yoho.<BR><BR> Mid June is still shoulder season so the Parks won't be nearly as crowded as a month later and Hotel/Motel rates will be about 20% less. <BR><BR>You should concentrate your time on enjoying the scenic wonders of the area but unless you plan on camping or having limited dining facilities you should spend your evenings in Banff and Jasper Towns. the former especially has a great variety of dining and shopping opportunities. If peaceful resorts are more your thing Chateau Lake Louise, the Emerald Lake Lodge, (in Yoho), & Sunwapta Falls Resort south of Jasper are good. If you really want to save money Canmore just outside of Banff Park is about half the price of Banff town Accomodation.<BR><BR>Don't miss the Columbia Icefields and try to hike along the many trails. There are really so many glorious sights in the area the only thing that could put a damper on it would be lousy weather which is always a possibility but if you have 10-14 days you should have your fair share of good weather.

Terry Sprott

Thanks for the info. Looks like going in June will be beneficial. Some of the other stuff I read on this site indicates that The town of Banff is too touristy and way over priced. Do you have any thoughts? By the way the mileage program I am using is a Mileage One program which is part of a Capital One credit card rewards program. I called to verify that they insist on 30,000 miles for flights into Canada whereas US flights are 25,000. My 50,000 will only get me two tickets to US destinations even if the price to say Calgary was less than Kalisbell etc. Do you know if there are any good B&B's in the areas that you mention?

traveller

check out www.discoveralberta.com. It is a great web site with maps, accomodations, places to eat, historic sites and so on. It should help you a great deal. There is also www.discoverbc.com. Both of these sites are excellent sources of information.<BR><BR>I wouldn't try driving from Kalispell through Glacier (I assume on Going to the Sun Highway) all the way to Calgary in one day. It is a long drive and Going to the Sun is a narrow road and given the amount of late spring snow we have had here in the prairies, might not even be open. There are other routes to Canada but still, it is a long drive. Why not think about staying in Waterton for a night?<BR>Welcome to Alberta.

Terry Sprott

Thanks for the input - the web sites are great. Yes, I will probably stay overnite somewhere near Waterto as it looks like we may want to see some of that area. Do you know of a site that features Waterton Park area?

ja

Terry,<BR> Try the government of Canada's National Parks link - Waterton is one.<BR>http://www.canada.gc.ca<BR>ja

ja

Sorry, Terry, I forgot -<BR> If you belong to an auto club, see if they'll give you/loan you a copy of the Alberta Accommodations Guide. The Alberta Motor Association gives me one when I request it, as I am a member.

traveller

I tried typing in Waterton and came up with quite a few places. I am familiar with both the Bayshore and the Lodge at Waterton as I worked for the owners a couple of years ago. The Lodge is new and quite expensive but very, very nice. The Bayshore is older but well maintained. The rooms are basic hotel rooms.<BR><BR>Be sure to make a reservation as Waterton fills up. I wouldn't recommend staying at the Prince of Wales. It's a beautiful older Lodge but the rooms are small and pricey.

50 years young

I would do some research on the G8 summit that I have read about on some other boards that is going to be held the last 2 weeks of June somewhere in Alberta. I've heard that Banff and Lake Louise will be overrun with media (2000 of them). Don't know how true all of this is, so please research it before you make plans. I hate to be pessimistic but please check this out. I would hate your vacation to be ruined by this.

traveller

The G8 summit is being held in Kanaskis at the Delta. Alberta today declared a no fly zone over this area.<BR><BR>But I don't think that OP was planning of visiting there. Do you have reservations for all accomodation, OP? If not, please be sure that you do.<BR><BR>Waterton is a long way from the Delta in Kanaskis. So don't worry about that. But Banff/Jasper/Canmore are close and they may be inundated with media and protestors. Hope not, but it will probably be the case. A good warning though.

Tery Sprott

Thanks to all for the input. I am in the process of trying to button up reservations and see now why so many accomodations are filled up. Currently my thinking is to spend a day or two at Waterton, a nite in Calgary, a couple of nites in Banff, maybe a nite in Jasper, then go to Yoho National Park, then head back south to USA. I will search the National Park site for lodge recommendations and check with AAA for recommendations as I now have a much better handle on drive times. Really appreciate the effort you folks are putting into helping!

traveller

Good luck terry. In Waterton, depending on your budget, check out either the Bayshore Inn which is a basic hotel/motel but right on the lake or the Lodge at Waterton Lakes which is quite luxurious (jet tubs, fireplaces). Another is the Killmorey Inn. <BR><BR>All are non smoking as is most of Alberta now. You can smoke on the patio but not inside.<BR><BR>Stay away from the Prince of Wales. Very pricey and old and tiny rooms.<BR><BR>Waterton is windy at times. Being on the leeward side of the Rockies. The wind is the downside of living here in Southern Alberta.

Terry Sprott

Thanks for you input on my first trip to the Canadian Rockies. I liked your response suggesting spending a nite in Waterton. I am looking at driving through Glacier on Going to the Sun Highway on day 1 and spending the nite at Watertown (probably at the lodge). It looks as if I should get there via route 5? Is the Waterton Shoreline cruise worthwhile in your opinion? Is there something else we should consider doing while in the area? <BR><BR>

traveller

I have never taken the cruise. You know how people are with things right in their backyard! But I have never heard anything but praise about it. The townsite is very small with a lovely waterfall on the edge. You can walk there. Often there is wildlife in the town to observe.

Bob Brown

I will be making my 9th trip out there in July. I have taken about all of the options for flying in and getting back.<BR>Let me offer a few comments on your plans, because I see some omissions I think you should consider before casting your plans in stone. <BR><BR>1. If you fly into Kalispell, be prepared to pay fairly high car rental rates. Also, if you want to return the car elsewhere, check the drop fee for that service. <BR><BR>I looked at Hertz's prices out of curiosity. A 10 day rental of a compact car even with a discount will run you over $450, BUT you are limited to 1000 free miles over the 10 day period; then you pay 25 cents a mile. So 500 extra miles = $125.00 extra. If you return elsewhere other than Kalispell, you will pay as much as $300 for the service. Avis has similar prices. <BR>You can rent a car in and out of Spokane for about $460, with unlimited miles. Farther to drive, yes, but potentially $100 or more cheaper. <BR><BR>2. I see no problem with driving from Kalispell to Calgary in 1 day, but you will miss a lot of scenery if you don't stop to see anything. You also may be forced to drive north from Kalispell into British Columbia, and take route 3 east via Crows Nest Pass and Pincher Creek to where you turn north to Calgary. <BR><BR>The problem is the Sun Road and Logan Pass. The Pass may not be open by early June. The snow pack, I am told, has been heavy this year, which usually means a later road opening. Of course, no one can tell for sure right now because the early June temperatures could be warmer than normal.<BR><BR>3. I suggest that if you want to be in the center of the action, but avoid $120 US motel rooms, visit the accommodations guide on the web for Field, a little town in Yoho Park. Parks approved accommodations rent for less than you will pay elsewhere in the area. You can get a small apartment on a nightly basis for less than $75 US a night. (Field is 15 miles away down the Trans Canada; less if the back road has reopened.)<BR><BR>You can also find private home accommodations in Jasper by visiting the Jasper Park website. <BR><BR>Of the various places on your agenda, I think that Waterton is nice for the boat ride. I have stayed as the Aspen Windflower Motel, as has my son and his family. The Kilmorey is also a good place to stay. But you pay park prices.<BR><BR>4. I think you should come up with a plan for which sites and sights you want to visit. My suggestions are these:<BR>Logan Pass, if open.<BR>Many Glacier area<BR>Waterton Lake boat ride<BR>Johnson Canyon and Falls<BR>Lake Louise<BR>Moraine Lake<BR>Takkakaw Falls in Yoho<BR>Emerald Lake in Yoho<BR>The Icefields Parkway, particularly the glacier at the Icefields Center<BR>The various waterfalls such as Panther Falls and Athabasca Falls.<BR>Mount Edith Cavell and the Angel Glacier<BR>The Whistler (tram - cable car to the top)<BR><BR>Driving the Icefields Parkway both ways is worth it. You will not see a more scenic drive in North America of comparable length. If anything, you will become bored with world class views, one after the other in an endless succession. <BR><BR>Before committing to Calgary, I think you need to ask yourself what you expect to see there. I would rank it low on the list relative to the scenic splendor that awaits you.<BR><BR>(I have flown in and out of Calgary 2 times and driven through it more than that. I will be flying in and out this summer, but I plan no time in Calgary other than to eat and sleep.)<BR><BR>One final comment. If the Sun Road is not open when you arrive, I suggest heading straight for Field from Kalispell. You can drive there via Kootney NP in Canada, and take the Trans Canada from a few miles south of Lake Louise to Field. Then return via Logan Pass. The pass hopefully be open by June 25th. A typical opening date is June 5, but this is not a typical year so far.

Igor

Hello everyone,<BR>I have plans to visit Canadian Rockies in September (9th) for 5-7 days, 6 people. I have small children and would like to stay in one place and drive around on a rented car. I'll fly to Calagary.<BR><BR>Is there hotel/place you would recommend to stay and places to visit? Is there something I should know before I purchase tickets? Thank you!

gary

Igor your questions are too general and don't indicate budget needs. I reccomend you start a new post and give an idea of what you want to pay and what your requirements are, (i.e pools, restaurants, etc.) so we can more easily answer them. also check out the questions and answers already on this post.<BR><BR>Renting a car is definately a good idea and the best way to travel through the Rockies.