greenange

Hello,

This is my first post so please be kind….

I am looking to go to Banff/Jasper either September 22-29, 2012 or October 6-13. Will this be a good time to visit? What will the weather be like? Will there be fall foliage?

The plan was to fly in from Calgary and rent a car to drive to Jasper. Since this will be for my honeymoon I would like to stay at a romantic hotel. Any recommendations? I was going to stay in Jasper Saturday –Monday and then on Monday drive to Banff. Is that enough time?

For accommodations in Banff I was thinking either the Fairmont Springs or Fairmont Lake Louise. Any thoughts on these two or any other recommendations? We were going to stay Monday-Friday and then Friday drive up to Calgary to stay a night close the airport in order to leave on Saturday. Any hotel recommendations that would be budget friendly but nice?

I am really worried about the time of year that we would be going and the weather. Does anyone have any recommendations on what we “must” do in either Banff or Jasper. Will the weather be nice enough to go hiking or do some outside sightseeing?

Any recommendations on accommodations and sightseeing would be great appreciated.

I can’t wait to visit this beautiful country.

Thanks,

ShelliDawn

Most of your questions have been answered by others with lots of suggestions and options if you do a search on Banff in this forum (search box is at the top of the page).

Hope you have a great honeymoon!

sludick

Since you are going to Jasper, my tendency would be to your September 22-29 date. Last year we went just a few days later and think we missed the very best of the fall foliage. Of course, it varies. However, that's probably a safer bet for both foliage and elk bugling. I would add a third night to Jasper if you can, so that you can leave early in the morning and make it a leisurely drive.

But that may be my "wish I could've spent one more day" itch talking here...

As for timing - count on it being a full day's drive down from Jasper to Banff. Yes, you can do it in less, if you just blast on through - but why? You are taking the time to drive through some of the most breath-taking scenery I know of. Allow yourself to enjoy it.

Stop for pictures, visit the Icefields, stop at various places. If you choose the Lake Louise area you'll get in about an hour earlier. For Banff, you'll just have more things to do in the way of shops and restaurants. Your preference.

OK, either way, you are now in Banff. Both of your choices are nice. There are lots of wonderful places there to stay there, of course, and knowing a bit more about what you like to do, budget, etc., would help. I am sure you would get some more recommendations if you'd like to give us some 411.

What time is your flight out in the morning? I'm like you, and prefer to spend the last night out near the airport. That is assuming I am catching an early morning flight, of course. Haven't stayed near Calgary airport so cannot comment on this piece though.

tomfuller

I would compare the price to fly into and out of Edmonton. It is about 370 km from Edmonton to Jasper (4 hours). It will take about 6 hours to drive from the Calgary airport to Jasper (410 km).
Renting the car in Edmonton may even be cheaper.
My favorite way to arrive in Jasper is on the ViaRail Canadian.

BC_Robyn

Just an aside about the fall foliage, but do realize that the Rockies have evergreen forests, peppered by the occasional grove of aspens, mostly along rivers and wetlands. The aspens turn yellow and that's it.

I'm saying this because I don't know where you're from, so you might not realize that the fall foliage in the Rockies doesn't have the same allure as the red/orange fall foliage of the maples in eastern Canada (i.e.: around Quebec's Laurentian Mountains).

Of course, the sprinkling of yellow to the green forests of the Rockies will definitely have their magic, but don't let the foliage be the only reason why you're choosing the Rockies!

qwovadis

Hi G,

Congrats & welcome to Fodor's we are happy to help and most of us try to be kind. There are a few egocentric attack troll/thread hijackers who bloviate more than they travel try to ignore them or use your trusty yellow triangle to report them to moderators if they bother you or try to hijack your thread.

Personally I have flown into Calgary rented a car from one of the majors carrentals.com and taken the beautiful drive up the emerald green Bow River to the Fairmont.com
Banff Springs would be PERFECT for you. Driving the Icefields parkway and staying in Chateau Lake Louise is also nice.
Rimrock in Banff is nice if more budget have also stayed there.

I went in August around the stampede last it was great fall will be a little chillier still very nice. My wife and I had
a wonderful romantic time there. We got chased by a young black bear who thought we might have food the only negative. We we in a convertible so that was exciting for a few moments otherwise we had a great time. PM if I may help further many do.

Have fun!

laverendrye

Calgary to Jasper is a long drive after a flight. Here's what I would do. Drive from Calgary to Banff and stay a couple of nights or more at the Banff Springs Hotel. Then drive to Jasper and stay two or three nights at the Jasper Park Lodge. On the way back from Jasper stay at the Chateau Lake Louise. From there it's about a 2 hour drive to Calgary airport. As it's your honeymoon you should splurge on these old railway hotels, now all part of the Fairmont chain.

I would opt for the earlier dates. As BC Robyn mentions, the fall colours in the Rockies are gold and green--quite beautiful but nothing like the fall colours in the eastern forests.

Eschew

September are better dates. It is the shoulder season and the price is better. October, depending on weather, may snowed already and get really cool.

Fairmont Banff Spring is a great looking hotel form the outside. Unless you book for a deluxe room, the regular rooms are small with small window.

If you want a romanic setting, book a cabin, if not, consider the Buffalo Mountain Lodges. Fireplace in every room. Some rooms has walk out potio doors. It is high atop the tunnel mountain and minutes walk to great view point, no crowd.

If you plan the drive up, again, for romantic setting, and maximize the scenaries, stop at Lake Louise. Check out the Chaetau Lake Louise, Post Hotel and the Deer Lodge. I like Deer Lodge as it is close to the lake (walking distance) and not crowded like the Cheateau with toursit walking in and out of the hotel.

However, Deer Lodge is an older hotel but their roof top hot tub has an awesome view on the surrounding mountains. It is my favorite hotel in the Lake Louise area, and I prefer it over the Chateau Lake Louise although if you have the right room at Chateau Lake Louise (lake facing), it is a gorgeous view.

Once you are in Jasper, Jasper Park Lodge is the one.

Baxterpoo

Most romantic place in Jasper is Becker's bungalows, right on the river, 9 km outside of Jasper. There are older (but quaint)cabins and newer ones if you prefer.

The Post Hotel in Lake Louise is very nice as is the Chateau Lake Louise and as for Banff the Rimrock is very nice and should be considered. Banff Springs is nice too but the rooms are smaller, still it's very romantic.