Myer

Grand Tetons & Yellowstone vs Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper

I'd be very interested in finding out the difference in terms of scenery & activities between the above two combinations.

Thanks.

BostonGal

What time of year? What are you looking for?

Scenery? Wildlife? Hiking? Just driving around?

Myer

Probably July.

You hit them all.

Scenery, wildlfe, a bit of easy hiking and just driving and stopping.

A combination of all.

maj

Short answer -- definitely do both (probably not same trip because both areas deserve an adequate amount of time).

I think that Canadian Rockies wins in overall scenery and nothing IMO compares with Yellowstone/Tetons in terms of wildlife. But you will get a combination of all in both places. Probably doesn't help, but I love them both.

Barney18

we've been to both and think YNP and the Tetons have it over Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper both in terms of scenery, hiking and wildlife. YNP has 4 distinct areas that are both diverse and engaging.
(the lake, little grand canyon, the thermal areas and wildlife sanctuaries). The Tetons are breathtaking with great hikes. And don't miss Jackson Hole and white water rafting.

We've been to all the major National Parks in the West except Glacier and Yellowstone is by far our favorite (and the most to do and see.)Olympic in Washington is second.

Supercilious

In a previous thread you said that you are planning an August trip next summer. Maybe this is the only time you can go but August is the most crowded time for either location.

Banff and Lake Louise in particular are overflowing with tourists (in the worst sense of the word) at that time. Many are from Japan and many are from Europe.

It's best to go when the Japanese and Europeans are not all vacationing. For Canada, early July or early September are my favorite times. For Yellowstone and GT, I like June or early July. This is when the mountains are still snowcapped but the roads are open. It is much more scenic than later in the year.

If you have never been to Yellowstone, I would go there first. It's the crown jewel of our National Parks. Nothing else compares in my opinion. But, of course, you have to get off the road and hit the trails and stop and linger at the thermal features and spend time watching the wildlife and scenic attractions. If you just drive through, you will be disappointed.

The same is true with the Grand Tetons. I have been in love with this range since the first time I saw Shane in the '50s. The lakes and mountains and Snake River are so magnificent. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The Canadian parks are wonderful too. But, they are just a short drive from two of Canada's biggest cities. Banff is a nice town but it's so crowded in August that it's more like a city than a Park. I avoid it in mid summer.

More to my liking are the parks just across the divide from Banff in British Columbia. In fact, the scenery is just as spectacular there but without the crowds. If you drive from Vancouver, you can see this area which includes Mt. Revelstoke, Kootenay, Glacier, and Yoho National Parks. The Kootenay area in particular is fabulous with huge lakes, the mighty Columbia, and towering mountains. I've been through this area on several trips in June, July, August and September and I preferred it in June and early July when the days are longest and the mountains are still white with snow.

RedRock

I'm with Barney by far. We have been to the Canadian Rockies/Banff/LL/Jasper several times and the YS/Teton area over a dozen times. In fact we just got back from that part of the country last week.

Myer

Some of you have obviously seen my other trip research threads.

In general, my wife doesn't go on the hiking/nature type trips. So I've done those either alone or with a friend the past couple of years (2 trips - Bryce Canyon, Zion, GC, Sedona, Arches, Canyonlands, Escalante, etc).

I've been looking into a similar trip to Yellowstone & Grand Tetons.

I've also been looking into a trip for Vancouver, Victoria & Seattle (with my wife). I'm thinking I might be able to tack Banff/Lake Louise onto the front of that (air miles permits an extra stop).

I'm just trying to figure out if my wife would enjoy that part and whether it's too much of a duplication of GT & YNP.

Thanks.

Supercilious

Only you know what your wife would like. It's too bad she's not a fan of nature trips but she might like the Fairmont Chateau Hotel at Lake Louise.

http://www.fairmont.com/lakelouise/

I think it's an outrageous blight on a wilderness landscape but many people think it's the cat's meow. The one thing no one can argue with is the incredible beauty of Lake Louise.

While your wife indulges in some spa treatments, you could be hiking some of the fantastic trails leading from the lake into the Rockies.

Banff and Lake Louise are a short drive from Calgary. So, after flying into YYC, in less time than driving out to the Hamptons from New York, you could be enjoying the view from one of the most famous resort hotels in the world.

Banff also has a world class hotel, The Fairmont Banff Springs.

http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings/

If you spent a couple of nights at each, you would probably make her very happy.

schmerl

Your wife would love the shopping in Banff!

Myer

Supercilious, Schmerl,

I think you got it all wrong.

Luxury hotels with spas aren't our type of thing.

We just returned from a couple of days in NYC & Boston. We stayed in ordinary hotels, rode the subway and walked all day.

We had dinners at Ellen's Stardust Diner & in Chinatown.

While my wife enjoys shopping, I don't think she spent more than an hour or so in stores on this last little trip.

It's really funny. She had no interest in going to Bryce, Zion, Arches, Yellowstone (she feels she'd be a drag on me), etc but saw someone's photos of Banff & Lake Louise and got somewhat interested.

I'm thinking either Banff or Yellowstome may work out fine if tacked onto a trip to Vancouver, Victoria & Seattle.

Supercilious

Well, you don't really let on what her interests are. I'm sure that she would enjoy either Banff or Yellowstone. Both are quite beautiful and both have a large variety of attractions. And both are very crowded in July and August.

LindainOhio

I also love both of these areas. I fell in love with the beauty and hiking in the Tetons, love seeing the wildlife and unique, diverse landscape in Yellowstone.

We just got back from Lake Louise/Jasper this week and had a great vacation. I wrote a trip report today. I would return every year. It is a hiker's paradise but you see lots of senior and Japanese bus trips--there is a lot of scenery to see right from your vehicle.

If you don't have to travel in the summer though, I would encourage you to go during the first 2 weeks in September or even the last week in August. These are both busy places. There were absolutely no crowds last week in Banff/Lake Louise--sure adds to the enjoyment of the trip.

Myer

Essentially, we can vacation any time.

However, I normally try to plan for a combination of the least rain, relatively warm weather (New York was too hot last weekend) and long days.

The least chance of rain is probably the number one priority. Since I started this trip with Vancouver, Victoria & Seattle, I selected the last half of July.

We've travelled in June & July before and never found the crowds too large to ruin the trip.

It could be different this time though.