cheryl3

Hello all,
Has anyone been to both or either the Canadian Rockies or Glacier Waterton? We are trying to decide. What are the major differences? Which would you choose to visit first? We are looking forward to glaciers, that incredible shade of blue glacier lake water,wildflower meadows, snow capped mountains and ofcourse wild life. We would like to do a lot of hiking not back country but on established trails. Your insight is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

ellen_griswold

We have been to both and i would definitely say the Canadian Rockies and glaciers are more massive and stunningly beautiful.

The Columbia Icefields in Jasper Nat'l Park, north of Banff Nat'l Park, is where you'll see breathtaking glaciers! They are spectacular! You can take specially equipped sno-mobiles for an even closer look, altho we saw plenty from the drive.

We were there in mid-july 2002, and it was 30 degrees max. in the mountains, altho the town of Banff reached a balmy 60ish!

In Banff Nat'l Park, we took the Gondola up Sulphur Mountain and that also provided magnificent views.

Glacier / Waterton is also lovely but less dramatic, IMO. However, Waterton is the only place we've seen bears, and we've been to all the nat'l parks of the west and northwest. Before we even reached the visitor center in waterton, we'd seen several, one crossing the road right in front of us.

Fodorite018

We have been to the Canadian Rockies a couple of times...gorgeous area! Lots of great hiking too!

A couple to consider are 1) At Lake Louise head up to the Lake Agnes Tea House, then from there up to the Big Beehive, then across to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House then down and back along the lake to the chateau and parking lot. That hike is an all day affair but so pretty. Most people do just to one of the teahouses and then back down instead of the whole circuit...but its all good, just depends on how much you want to see. 2)Johnston Canyon near Banff. Its a very short walk to both the lower and upper falls and very pretty...but LOTS of people. BUT...after that you get onto a real trail with very few people and can head up towards the ink pots and that is really pretty!

There are a couple really good hiking books on the area, but i cant think of the titles right now and we just moved earlier this month and they are not where i thought they are...so I will look for them and get back to you on that.

You didn't mention about what type of loding you like, but we really enjoyed some cabins we found that are near Lake Louise but on a road with lots of great wildlife. They are Baker Creek Chalets, and although not plush, they are our favorite. Hope this helps in your decision

utahtea

I've also been to all of them. The Canadian Rockies are by far the best area to get up close and personal with glaciers!

We saw more wildlife in Jasper and Banff than we did on trip to Alaska. We seen black bears just outside the town of Jasper on both our visits!

I also recommend the Sno Coach trip out on Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefields. We had been having dreary weather. Infact it snowed for a couple of days in July and then the day we took the Sno Coach tour it was sunny and warm. It was SO beautiful!

Utahtea

Fodorite018

Ok...found the books..."Hiking Lake Louise" by Mike Potter, "Don't Waste Your Time In The Canadian Rockies" by Kathy and Craig Copeland (it is about how to make the most of your time), and "The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide" by Brian Patton and
Bart Robinson.

Have to agree about the Jasper area and the Columbia Icefields Snocoach tour. We also lucked out and had great weather while out on the glacier...but it still is chilly so if you go make sure you have a jacket and gloves.

karens

How long do you have? We actually combined the 2. We flew into Calgary, stayed in Banff and hiked around there, and drove up to Jasper. We loved the boat ride on the lake up there whose name escapes me, so I suspect this info isn't all that helpful. (It begins with an M. I keep thinking Meinier, but that's a disease). On the way to Jasper, we did the Snocoach glacier tour. Then we drove down to Glacier through Kootenai NP (Canada) - amazing scenery. One of the most fascinating stops along this route was Ft. Steele - a totally preserved pioneer town. The doctor's office had the original doctor's supplies, etc.
We loved Glaicer and are thinking of going back to fill in the gaps of what we missed. We hiked to Hidden Lake and Avalanche Lake trails. Going to the Sun Road is gorgeous.
I don't really think you could go wrong with either choice you have!

atilla

karens:
I believe the lake you are thinking of is Maligne Lake.

jenny

Canadian Rockies - if you have to choose one !

bob_brown

Provide me with a rating scale and I will tick them off for you and give my frequent visitor opinion.

Let's see, the most awesome glacial valley with no large lakes and that has a northeast exposure is ...

Actually, I prefer Fuji apples to Florida grapefruit. And cinnamon raisin bagels to sour dough. And well prepared salmon to cutthroat trout. How about you? In other words, it is a question of opinion.

Most of the people commenting on the Candian Rockies versus Glacier don't know where the most beautiful sights are anyhow. I don't mean to sound smug, but the basis for comparison should be comprehensive before one says one is so much better than the other.

After frequent visits to both, I am not about to get into a tit for tat argument over which one is best, or the most scenic. I will say that Banff and Jasper combined are huge, and probably overwhelm just from sheer geographical size.

I will be glad to tell you my preference, but that proves nothing because it might change next summer!

We can open the detailed discussion with Lake Ellen Wilson versus Lake McArthur. Which one is the more scenic?
But first, you have to accept my judgment that Lake McArthur is the most scenic one I can think of. At least it was last Tuesday.

Or the Highline Trail in Glacier versus the Whaleback in Yoho. Or any of a dozen more I could name.

I think Takkakaw wins the waterfall contest hand down, however. At least it wins in the category of falls higher than 220 meters. Of course if we could see fully the full drop of Panther Falls we might get into a more prolonged discussion!!

I think The Falls of Beauty Creek are fair to compare with Athabasca Falls, and both of them are pretty.

As for which Glacier wins, unfortunately, the remaining ice pockets south of the border are no longer awesome. Three years ago at the Sperry "Icefields" in Glacier, I walked on bedrock where in 1990 I walked on ice several feet thick. But they are all retreating!

What this boils down to is that it is a judgment call and who is to say? Not I.

I will say this, if you want 100 miles of eye popping beauty, drive the Icefields Parkway. That one is no contest because nowhere else do I know of a paved road that traverses seemingly endless beauty. Ho hum, another world class view coming up. Anybody got any unexposed film left?

armand

Ho hum another bunch of NOTHING from bob brown

karens

atilla - yes, I did mean Maligne Lake. Cheryl - if you go to the Candadian Rockies definitely take this boat tour. The lake is a beautiful blue color.

John

Hello from Northwest Montana
Though I live just a few miles from Glacier park, I prefer the Canadian rockies. Absolutely awesome.
Having said that, if you can afford the time be sure

to travel the sun highway in Glacier park. Lots of hiking trails in Glacier also. See,
www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm

Be aware that the sun highway will probably not open till mid June. They will begin plowing the road next Monday. Have a good trip.

utahtea

To bob_brown,

Where in Glacier National Park can you get as close to a glacier as you can in the Canadian Rockies? Can you drive to one on paved roads and if not, then how far do you have to hike to get to one?

Utahtea

Sabrina

We did both last September and my vote, if you can only see one ,is for The Canadian Rockies. They are breathtaking. The parkway is not to be missed. The drive is unbelievable. The roads were very good. It is so beautiful that it is hard to describe.
Have a wonderful trip.

atilla

Living only 3 hours away from the Canadian Rockies, I am fortunate enough to go there every year. On one of my trips, I met a gentleman from Chicago who told me he drove all the way to Jasper every year all by himself to experience it over and over again if only for just a few days a year. He said he had travelled extensively and that there is no place in the world quite like it. This should give some indication as to it's breath taking beauty.

Photodog

No matter what park(s) you decide to visit be sure to purchase a Canadian National Parks Pass. The pass must be displayed whenever you stop. Ran into a warden a few years back who did nothing but stop at viewpoints and parking areas to ticket anyone who was traveling and stopped without the pass. Also if you decided to visit Waterton and have a Canadian pass you will need to pay a Glacier entrance fee if you don't have a US Parks Pass. Check out http://usparks.about.com/library/weekly/aa072700.htm for description of both types of passes.

Dick

I didn't expect to find this post on the US board....what a pleasant surprise.

We have reservations for Banff and Jasper in July. Now I'm really looking forward to the Canadian Rockies.

cheryl3

Thank you all so much for your help! Any insight on accomodations? I guess July is the time to go.

atilla

We have stayed in a few places in and around Jasper. Our favorite by far is Becker's Chalets. Very clean accommodations and a beautiful picturesque view of the Athabasca River surrounded by mountains.

If you go to the Canadian forum on Fodors, you will find a ton of information about accommodations, restaurants and tourist sites in the Canadian Rockies. Do a search for Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields etc.

cheryl3

Thank you all! You have all been so helpful! I really appreciate all your time.