We are three senior couples planning a trip to Alberta in late May, 2005. We plan to see Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper spending 1 or 2 days in each area. Would late May be suitable weather and crowd wise or early June be better?

there may still be some snow on the grounds in some areas in may but unless you are doing a lot of hiking, shouldn't be a problem. check the hotel rates. some that i've looked at raise their rates around the 10th of june so going prior to that may save you some money. crowd wise - it won't make a difference except the may long weekend may have more people.

>>>it won't make a difference except the may long weekend may have more people<<<

RandallCLindaL, ltt is referring to the Victoria Day public holiday on May 23rd. However, while that does create a blip in the number of tourists in May, there still are nothing like as many visitors then as there are in July and August.

Ltt has given you good advice. However, you would have a better chance of seeing the mountain lakes at their best in June. Actually the 2nd week of June would increase your chances even more than the 1st week of June.

While tourism starts picking up throughout June, the parking lots at the main attractions are not yet full even by the end of June. The Canada Day long weekend (July 1st) really signals the start of the busy tourist season.

The average daily high in Banff in May is 58 deg F, and the average low is 35 deg F. The average daily high in June is 65 deg F, and the average low is 42 deg F. On any given day, however, the temperature can be 20 degrees on either side of the average. Furthermore, weather conditions can change from hour to hour. I recall many occasions on which we've experienced four seasons in one day. For example, in early June 2000, I took an out-of-town guest to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. We sat in brilliant sunshine while we had lunch at Moraine Lake. Then we drove the 9 miles to Lake Louise, and found ourselves in a snow flurry.

The secret to packing is layers, layers, layers. Bring light hiking boots, T-shirts, long sleeved cotton turtlenecks, a sweater or long sleeved fleece top, and a fall/spring jacket. The Lands' End Squall is perfect. It has a waterproof outer shell, a fleece lining, a built-in hood, and comes down to the thigh. LL Bean, Eddie Bauer and other companies manufacture similar jackets. I mention Lands' End only because you can go to their website and see exactly what I'm referring to.

All restaurants in the mountains are casual at lunchtime. Most restaurants are casual at dinnertime too. Fine dining establishments are smart casual at dinnertime.

I would say you'd need a minimum of 7 days to visit Banff and Jasper National Parks, including your arrival and departure days if you're coming from somewhere in North America. But if you could afford more time, some extra days would not go amiss.

Thanks for the info. Looks like we will plan for early June and dress appropriately. Would either of you have suggestions of places to stay in these three areas?

Randall, you may want to query this site for hotels. If cost is not a factor, I highly recommend the Post Hotel in Lake Louise. I also recommend the Banff Springs Hotel (Fairmont) and the Jasper Park Lodge.

RandallCLindaL, the properties that cmcfong has suggested are excellent places, in the top price range. The Banff Springs Hotel is older, is full of atmosphere, and has a view that is to die for. The newer Rimrock also has a great view and, being more modern, on the whole has bigger bedrooms and bathrooms.

If that is not the price range you're looking for, however, do search for info about Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff here at Fodors. If you don't find what you're looking for, do come back and specify what your price range is, and then folks can make suggestions.

Being a back trails hiker in the past, and hopefully again, you will find that in late May and early June the higher tails are snow covered and the lakes higher than about 4,500 feet are still frozen over.

I don't know what you plan on doing, but there is an old saying for the back trails of the Rockies: When its spring time in the Rockies, stay away.

Avalanche danger is high as the snow melts.

Even in late June, I have found some high trails to be dangerous without ice climbing equipment.

If you stick to the roads and don't venture off the pavement, then there will be no danger. But you will miss the big show.

Lake Louise is low enough to be mostly ice free by mid to late June. Moraine Lake will be the same way. Hopefully Emerald Lake will be thawed enough to have that gorgeous green color. And Peyto Lake may or may not be emerald green by mid June. It is down in a bowl with a high ridge to the south that shelters it from the sun until late.

Bow Lake should be mostly ice free by mid June, but that of course depends on the winter temperatures. At least the northern shore should be free of ice because it has prolonged sun exposure by early June. If there is some ice, I think it makes the lake more interesting to view.

Lake O'Hara, if you can get lucky and get there, may be still icy around the edges in late May. I am not sure when the bus starts running, but at 6,000 feet, that lake is usually icey until mid June. The Lodge does not open until June 18, which gives you a good indication.

The Icefields Parkway should be awesome at that time because the mountains will be still heavy with snow.

What you gain on one hand, you may lose a little on the other. It all depends on what you want to see and do.

2005 marks Alberta's Centennial as a province and there are several special events being planned to mark this event. The Queen and Prince Phillip will be visiting Alberta sometime between May 17 & 25. If you are a royal watcher, you may want to check the Queen's whereabouts during your visit.

if you were interested in all staying in one suite, check out the douglas fir resort in banff. they have a chalet with 3 bedrooms, full kitchen, etc. before june 10 it goes for $335/night.