We are hoping to go to Calgary late May. We want to see the Rockies but do not wish to drive. Is it possible to do this? I know you can book tours but they are kind of pricey. We are active seniors.We would like to go to Banff and also to Lake Louise, as well as the Icefields. This is to fulfill a life long dream for my sister who is coming from U.K, <BR>Any suggestions????

If you don't drive, you will not see the best features of the Rockies. <BR>I'm 70 and don't hesitate to rent a car at the Calgary airport, or elsewhere, and drive there. Perhaps that will encourage you to consider a car.<BR><BR>Brewster is a company that runs tours.<BR>Perhaps you will be able to investigate its offerings. I know little about them because I never considered taking them. <BR><BR>Of my 8 or so visits to the Canadian Rockies I have never considered a tour. I do it always on my own, with my wife. Traffic is not really that bad, at least not for someone who drives frequently to Atlanta, like I do.<BR><BR>Traffic along the Icefields Parkway is not all that heavy, and the road is easy to drive in my opinion. The only steep hill that comes to mind is Sunwapta Pass, and the road is well engineered. People ride bicycles up it and down it.<BR><BR>I think if you really want to fulfill the dream, you will consider a car so you can stop and savor the many wonderful sights along the way.<BR><BR>The first time I did the parkway, we took two days from Golden Bc on the way to Jasper. We stopped over night at the Crossing motel and rode the ice buggy onto the glacier at the Icefields Center. <BR><BR>The second time, a few days later, we drove it in reverse from Jasper back to Banff. We of course knew the spots we had missed the first time around and stopped there on the return trip.<BR><BR>Since then I have driven it in both directions, and I will be traversing parts of it again in July. <BR>

I agree with Bob, that driving would be the best options, but if you really don't want to drive, there are ways of seeing the Rockies, without spending a fortune on tours.<BR>I have been through the Rockies twice on the Greyhound bus, and was very pleased. The first time I took the bus from Pincher Creek ( I'm sure you could get there from Calgary) and took the bus through the mountains to Osoyoos. It was a beatiful ride. I sat in the front seat and the bus driver was very helpful. <BR>On another trip I took the bus from Kamloops through to Calgary, stopping overnight in Banff. While in Banff, I took a local day tour.<BR>At that time, I was able to stop overnight where ever I wanted, and could just carry on the next day on the next bus. <BR>If may not be the best choice, but certainly would let you and your sister enjoy the mountains. I was very impressed with the bus ride....and at the time was on a real budget.<BR>Good luck.

Thank you for your kind replies, you have given me something to think about. I look forward to our trip. Any suggestions for hotels? Cathy

There is a cluster of hotels and motels on the north side of Calgary toward the airport. I have stayed at the Holiday Inn and the Greenwood. I liked the Greenwood ok. Not the greatest, not the worst. The restaurant in the Greenwood is fair to good. The rooms were clean and comfortable.<BR>Parking is free, and the desk personnel were helpful. Shopping is down the street a short distance. <BR><BR>Motels and hotels around Lake Louise Village are expensive. I stay elsewhere. Where you stay of course depends on how you travel.<BR>

We have the same problem (?) as you - we are visiting the Rockies in October and are also non-drivers (One who can't and one who won't). We are doing a mix of things so here is our itinerary (so far)<BR>Fly UK to Calgary <BR>Private transfer from airport to Jasper (we would have gone Greyhound but the times don't fit well with our flight)<BR>3 nights Jasper - one day do a scenic flight, one day the Grayline Maligne Lake Cruise<BR>Grayline from Jasper to Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway doing the snocoach thing<BR>3 nights Lake Louise - doing some hiking<BR>Brewster coach from Lake Louise to Banff<BR>3 nights Banff - visit the hot springs and do another sightseeing tour don't know which one yet but definately having Sunday brunch at the Banff Springs Hotel.<BR>Rocky Mountineer to Vancouver (2 days one night)<BR>7 nights Vancouver (with a side trip to Victoria possibly - depends if the Canucks are playing at home if they are we'll be staying in Vancouver to catch all the games)<BR>Fly Vancouver to UK<BR><BR>I'm sure you can see more with a car - but it's not much of a holiday if you're worried all the time about the driving!

I think that is possible to be transported from the Calgary Airport to Jasper, but do you have the transfer fully worked out? It is more than 240 miles from the Calgary airport to Jasper. I think it would take a private hire vehicle of some type.<BR><BR>October is a little late. The temperautes will be dropping, and there can be hints, even threats, of snow in the mountains by that time. <BR><BR>I of course never looked into that type of transfer between the two locations.<BR><BR>If you are not driving because you think there are a lot of winding mountain roads, the answer is that there are NOT. The Icefields Parkway is tamer than most!! For example, I don't drive that road in a state of rigor mortis like I do I85 going into Atlanta!! And it is fairly straight and level.<BR><BR><BR>

Yes we do have the tranfer booked (got a good price)and the reason we are not driving is I hate driving over here, only do it because I have to and so spending my holiday driving on the wrong side of the road doesn't appeal - also my partner who would be acting as navigator is pretty cr*p at navigating over here and so I wouldn't want to rely on him abroad - I think he is missing the &quot;men are good at map reading and spatial awareness&quot; gene.<BR>