Niekerk

Hi there,

I'm curious how people rate the sights, esp in BC / Alberta.

could you give a rating (1-10) (overall) for the parks and sights in BC and Alberta?

Mine are:
Jasper NP - 9.5
Vancouver (city) - 9
Banff NP - 8.5
Waterton Lakes NP - 8.5
Lake Louise - 8
Vancouver Island - 8
Victoria - 7
Calgary - 7

Haven't seen the rest (yet).

Thanks and cheers

laurafromtexas

I would rate Victoria higher than Vancouver -- for its quaint, English atmosphere; slower, more relaxing pace; and its gorgeous Butchart Gardens. I wholeheartedly concur with you about Jasper. What a wonderful area!

Carmanah

It would be interesting, if people do respond to this, to include the reasons for their ratings, and how they rated it.

bob_brown

the first list is missing Yoho.
But it is an apples and beans type of comparison. Cities and national parks are so dissimilar that there is no way to rationally compare them.

GaryA

I don't think this is so much a comparison evaluation as a subjective feeling about each of these places based, I would guess, on their individual scenic attractions.

In that case I agree with most of Niekerk's ratings except for Calgary which, other than it's far off views of the Rockies is not a terribly scenic city and I certainly wouldn't consider it just one rating below Lake Louise or Vancouver Island. In fact I would give it a 4 or 5 at most. That isn't to say that Calgary doesn't have it's attractions - it's zoo is the best in Western Canada and Pioneer Park is a great educational place for kids but its scenery is not terrific.

The Fraser Canyon in SW BC is also a worthy sight and deserves an 8 or 9 while the Kootneys in SE BC should rate a 7. The Badlands of Alberta from Drumheller to Brooks should get a 6 or 7 as well.