My wife and I (from Australia) would like to spend 2 weeks next year either in the Canadian Rockies or Alaska. We will use a car rental. Which would be more interesting?

The Canadian Rockies are probably one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Alaska is certainly beautiful, but it is much more remote. You wouldn't have as many town and city visiting options in Alaska.

But here, I'll let you decide. I give it about 3 minutes - max.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThFCg0tBDck

two weeks is Alaska is hardly enough. you'll do lots of driving on crowded highways. one things the Canada Rockies has going for it is that it is a smaller place. if you chose Alaska, find some things to do off the road system.

I love the Canadian Rockies but I think Alaska is really special--and even though I haven't been there, and probably shouldn't be giving you advice, I would probably choose Alaska. I am dying to get to Alaska. My husband has an issue with the large amount of rain that Alaska gets. If you travel there you have to go prepared for rain.

Alaska is a lot more expensive--especially if you want to do a bear viewing excursion/glacier helicopter trip etc.

A more affordable way to see Alaska is to take a one week/one way cruise from Vancouver to Alaska, making sure it does Glacier Bay and then have one week driving--perhaps the Kenai Peninsula and Denali--2 weeks would be better. Personally, when we visit, I would want to spend both weeks driving but the cruise is an option that a lot of travellers love.

Suggestions I have received include: signing up to receive Groupons for Alaska and if driving being sure to get the Milepost. Deciding where to go is the biggest decision. Alaska is very large and you can do a lot of driving.

You can't go wrong with either choice. Both would be interesting. The Canadian Rockies are a hikers' paradise and the scenery is spectacular. We have only been able to visit for a week but could easily have spent 2 weeks there.

Thank you for the 3 very informative replies. Still undecided. Our daughter is moving to LA this week, so we will probably do both West Canada and Alaska in 2013,2014 as we visit her. Is July the best time to visit? For Canada we will take a timeshare week at Banff, and perhaps a week in Vancouver/Victoria area... unless we have any better ideas. Vancouver/Victoria seems too similar to Sydney. Whistler, Calgary? Alaska, as you say, requires more than 2 weeks, and we could do that. Expensive! There must be ways to experience authentic Alaska without spending a fortune! How?

Many years ago I drove to Alaska and then around the state a bit. On the way back I detoured and went to Edmonton and Calgary.

On my path home through the Canadian Rockies I found myself realizing how awesome the sights there might be had I not just come from an area/state that dwarfs them in terms of mountainous scenery.

The following might get the point across:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/static2.post...de700e044c.jpg

For Canada, I'd suggest September-early October over July. My preference, but the crowds are gone, the weather is generally not rainy, and you might enjoy some lovely fall weather.

Season in Alaska is awfully short and very accelerated, and we have only been in May. It was really too early when we arrived in mid-May (bare trees, etc.). We spend a couple of days in Denali, and by the time we got back to Anchorage all the leaves were out. In July, I would think the highways (there are few) would be very congested too - thinking of the road to Denali. Might be great weather-wise, though.

Ermm... that photo of Alaska isn't real, NorthwestMale. The snow and the mountains don't stick to the manmade borders of Alaska.

Good one Robyn. I don't even think it is a genuine satellite image as much as some artistic digitization. Certainly not convincing in "getting the point across".

For something to be interesting as a tourist, it must be somewhat accessible. This is also something that the Canadian Rockies have in spades over Alaskan destinations.

Mid-July to mid-August would be the best time to visit. Although July is technically the hottest month in northern North America, the difference is slight and the additional few weeks allows for more warming of the mountainous regions. Glacial waterfalls, for example are at their peak in late August as the accumulated heating from May -August reaches it's greatest effect. The end of August and early September are risky as the shoulder season weather can surprise with some early cool/cold days.

I can see how you might view Vancouver as similar to Sydney, except for the mountains, but Victoria, or more broadly Vancouver Island, on which Victoria is situated is quite unique

Do some research on Vancouver Island, Pacific Rim (I know, you have the Pacific in Oz ) National Park, and the Gulf Islands. For starters;

http://www.vancouverisland.travel/


Whistler is 2 hours from Vancouver and gives a similar mountain experience to the Rockies. Apart from a tremendous ski resort and the Olympic connection, there is nothing uniquely fascinating about the region if you plan to do other mountain ranges.

Calgary is only 1:10 hrs from Banff. It is a modern city (more similarities) with a decided Western bent. If you go in early July, The Calgary Stampede is worth the detour - heck it's always worth a detour;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bupnp...feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UoCy...feature=relmfu

Erm, Robyn, wake up!

You're the only one who stated it was a "photo".


The <I>postcard</i> to which I linked most certainly <b>emphasizes Alaska's vast and indisputable superiority over the Canadian Rockies</b> where it concerns mountainous regions.

As to Aramis, just exactly how many mountains have you seen that were <b>accessible</b>?

That will be our next law: "no more natural wonders that aren't <I>(wheel-chair)</i> 'accessible' ".

Very few people anywhere use as criteria for mountain scenery the ease with which they could <I>climb</i> those mountains.

<b>Alaska simply dwarfs the Canadian Rockies</b> in terms of what the average tourist <I>can see from afar</i> in both places.

Yes, that "postcard" certainly does demonstrate the vast superiority of Alaska over Canada. SO you really consider it a compelling piece of comparative information which provides the OP with usable information?

Comparing my use of the word "accessible" to a declaration that the Rockies are more wheelchair friendly seems reflective only of an attempt to turn this into a "mines bigger than yours" contest.

And, finally, a great many people do use the criterium of ease of climbing or hiking as a factor in choosing natural places to visit. This forum isn't a postcard contest (you should be happy about that considering your entry), it's about providing useful advice on travel.

But then again, maybe you have convinced the OP that Alaska is just way way way better than Canada.

getting back to Jim43 - i would highly NOT recommend a cruise. i live in one of the
towns where the cruise ships stop. if you think coming into some town for a mere
matters of hours along with a thousand other people, go for it. a cheaper alternative
is the Alaska Marine Highway (the state's ferry system) which covers the same route.
but be advised this is far from the remainder of the state, with road connections only
at the northern terminus of the ferry route. should you decide on Alaska, consider
getting out of your car for any number of backcountry trips. there is Kachemak Bay
(next to Homer), Healy (near Denali N.P.) and various fly in options. to taste Alaska, don't rush here to there - plan to take your time someplace. and if you go, i'd suggest any number of options aside from Denali N.P., which is packed with all these package
tour folks.