joyjoy

I AM PLANNING A 2 WEEK TRIP. i will be there sep/ 22-oct 9. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME OUT THIS WAY. I AM FROM THE STATES. I NEED ADVICE AS TO THE BEST WAY TO USE MY TIME. I AM STAYING AT THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESORT IN banff. I HAVE THE 2 WEEKS BOOKED THERE, BUT PLAN TO TAKE DAYS OFF IN BETWEEN AND GO ELSE WHERE.

tomfuller

Check your Caps lock. Where in the US are you coming from? I like the Jasper/ Maligne Valley area so much I doubt that I will ever go back to Banff.
Jasper is my favorite stop on the ViaRail Canadian.
You can rent a car in Jasper if you really want to go to Banff.
Too many people think the only way to get to Banff is to fly to Calgary.

sludick

For heavens sake, joyjoy. If you want some useful feedback, give us some information. I see that you have not solicited advice for awhile, that is likely due to lack of good responses. You do need to be more specific.

OK, some initial thoughts. You will be visiting Banff and Jasper in what I believe to be a very beautiful and weather-friendly time. You have more than 2 weeks. Can you please sketch in some of the reasons you planned this much time? What drew you here?

Moving on, I must assume you are interested in mountain hiking and sightseeing? Are you flying into Calgary? What do you already have on your list?

Let us know, and we will do our best to help you fill in the gaps.

jimmoi

If youve never been this way before, two weeks in Banff is too much. It is beautiful, but very touristy and crowded in peak season,although by the time you get there the worst of the tourist season should be over.
I dont know how you are travelling, but I would suggest spending a few days in Calgary (a great city, lots of fun), then head out to Banff. I would spend a few days there only (4 would be plenty), and then drive the Banff-Jasper Highway to Jasper (its also called the Icefields Parkway). This 2.5 hour drive has been rated as one of the most spectacular in the world, and it truly is- dont miss it.After a few days in Jasper, you could drive to Edmonton, the provincial capitol, and spend a couple of days there.
I like Jasper much better than Banff- its less crowded, and more like how one pictures a mountain town. The best place to stay there is the Jasper Park Lodge but it is very pricey-splurge if you can afford it.
Things to do in Banff-many excellent hiking trails, get a guide from the national park office and pick any one-they are all beautiful.Take the Gondola ride to the top of the mountain whose name I cant recall at the moment, but its the only one and well advertised.Take a drive out to Johnston Canyon, and hike the well maintained trail.Visit the Banff Springs Hotel and have a drink in the Rundle Lounge, one of the nicest places in Canada to have a (very overpriced) drink.If you golf, the Banff Springs Hotel course is gorgeous, but expensive. There are also several very decent restaurants, and some shopping. Just to give you and idea how touristy it is, prices are given in dollars and yen.
Jasper also has many gorgeous hiking trails- definiately go to Malign Canyon and hike the trail as far as you are able- it is incredibly spectacular. Athabasca falls is not to be missed. Its a 30 minute drive out of town. Malign lake is beautiful, there is great hiking, and in season there are very nice boat trips. Malign hot springs are a fair distance from town (around 30 miles) but are the hottest hot springs in the Rockies and are really worth visiting. And on the topic of golf again, the course at the Jasper Park Lodge has been rated the number one golf resort in Canada, and for good reason.
And I forgot to mnention, when you are in Banff, definately drive up to Lake Louise, and hike up to the tea house. Lake Louise is one of the most beautiiful places on Earth. Its also worth while to drive the other way to Canmore, a really cool mountain town that has exploded in recent years-worth taking an afternoon exploring.
Hope this helps,and enjoy your trip.

joyjoy

sorry everyone for the caps. I was hurrying.... sorry for lack of info. I was open for any and all sugestions. I am flying into calgery. I have a day set aside in the town proper. I have a car booked for the 2 weeks. we have a time share. that is why I am staying in banff. BUT~ I am willing to split the weeks up and go else where. I booke the 16 days because I do not think I will return as the air fare is so expensive. I went to Alaska last fall, and wanted to see more wild life. we love nature. The husbands health is bad so we will do most sight seeing by car or tours. I am just starting the planning and am happy to get any advice. Jimmoi, you have given me a wonderful start for the planning. thanks all.

tomfuller

I take it that you live far enough away in the US that you think it best to fly to Calgary and rent a car instead of driving your own car.
How much of the US Rockies have you seen? They are beautiful in their own right.
I have seen plenty of wildlife within 20 miles of Jasper without going to Banff.
There are many scenic places to hike in the Maligne Valley.
There is a hot spring resort east of Jasper to check out.

tomfuller

Link to Miette Hot Spring Resort: http://www.mhresort.com/

LindainOhio

Banff will actually not be crowded when you visit. It is a great time to visit but plan on the possibility of some snow.

There are beautiful places you can drive to and there are plenty of gorgeous views that can be seen right from the road. There are also easy trails that you can take around the lake.

I would drive the Icefields Parkway and spend at least 2 nights in Jasper. It is a beautiful drive, lots of scenic stops, waterfalls and will take you most of the day. Pick up some sandwiches for lunch and picnic along the way.

While in Banff, you can stay busy or just relax--lots to do and the town will be really enjoyable then. Walk aroudn the Banff Springs Hotel. We enjoyed a rainy afternoon sitting by the fireplace of the Irish Pub in town. Lots of restaurants and the shops should be having clearance sales then. Take the gondola. Go to Sunshine........

Drive to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

Spend a day driving out to Emerald Lake, have lunch at the lodge and stop at Takkakaw Falls on the way back.

I don't know if the bus still goes to Lake O'Hara that late in the season, but if it does be sure to take it up to that beautiful area. You make reservations 3 months in advance.

Take some easy hikes. I would love to spend 2 weeks there. Have a wonderful time.

joyjoy

so many wonderful ideas. thank you so much! we are coming from Detroit, so flying is our only option. We rode motorcycles thru the US rockies a couple of years ago and loved it! Any advice on the hot springs? thank you tomfuller. I thank you for Jimmoi for your advice. Any tours? what about a helicopter tour to the glaciers?
LindainOhio you have been a great help ALSO.

ShelliDawn

The term "resort" really doesn't apply to "Miette Hot Springs Resort"; it's some cabins and a small motel. But it is clean, comfortable accomodations beside the actual hot springs which are a 30 minute drive from the Jasper townsite. I stayed in a motel room a couple years back for a couple nights. The room was on the small side, but nothing to complain about.

ShelliDawn

Also, helicopter tours are not allowed in the national parks; it is protected air space and only emergency flights are allowed as the aircraft disturb the wildlife. There are helicopter tours allowed in Kananaskis Country which is not a national park.

krp329

The national parks are not protected airspace - private airplanes fly through the parks all the time, and there is even a landing strip in Jasper National Park. The parks service uses helicopters to patrol, to transport trail crews, do search and rescue etc. However, commercial aviation such as helicopter tours is not allowed in the parks - but there are companies right outside the parks that offer these services.