Edmonton/Banff questions
 

We are thinking about going to Edmonton <BR>over the holidays. What is the name of the hotel in the West Edmonton Mall? <BR> <BR>Also how far is Banff from Edmonton? How long of a drive? <BR> <BR>Thanks

It's about three hours by car in decent weather from Edmonton to Calgary, and another hour and a half to Banff. <BR> <BR>It is much, much longer to drive from Edmonton to Jasper, and then south to Banff.Sorry, but can't help with the hotel name. <BR> <BR>BAK

The hotel that your refering to is affiliated with the mall, so to get information on it go to the West Edmonton mall and follow the link, remrber to check out their specials(http://www.westedmontonmall.com/index.html),Youll save more than half on the theme rooms if you can get in on the deal. As for your second question, Banff is aout 400-450 km from edmonton, about a 4-6 hour drive depending on how many pits stops you want to make(Calgary is a good city to stop in, its on the way and a much nicer city than Edmonton). I

The official distance on the Alberta Provincial Map between Calgary and Edmonton is listed at 294K. Because the two cities are so spread out, going from <BR>north Edmonton to south Calgary could easily extend that distance 60 K or more. <BR>Calgary to Banff is listed at 128K. <BR>Edmonton to Banff is listed at 401K. <BR>I do not know which route the 401K measures. In terms of driving ease, <BR>Calgary to Banff is relatively easy under moderate traffic conditions. <BR> <BR>The hotel you are asking about is known as the Fantasyland Hotel. It is located on the southwest side of the mall and consists of about 350 rooms. <BR>The phone number is 780 444 3000. <BR> <BR>To interject a personal preference into the discussion, I like the Greenwood Inn in both Calgary and Edmonton. <BR> <BR>I also don't think it takes 4 hours to drive from Edmonton to Calgary unless you are quite slow. Or there is a driving snow storm.

We only have 4 days and we decided driving over to Banff will not be feasible because the hotels over New Years are sold out and we do not want to make the 3 hour drive back and forth in one day. <BR> <BR>So other than the mall, what is there to do in Edmonton or within an hour of Edmonton. <BR> <BR>I was able to get the Fantasyland Hotel with a theme room for 225CAD a night. I'll have to try that web site David to see if I can get a better rate. <BR> <BR>How far is the mall from the downtown area? Also is there much to do downtown? <BR> <BR>

The West Edmonton Mall is just about due west of the U of Alberta campus. The distance must be about 8 miles because of the need to find a bridge over the river. The route is a little round a bout. <BR>Edmonton has a live theater center at the Citadel Theater complex and the Kaasa Theater in the Jubilee Auditorium. <BR>But, when are you going? Indoor theater is seasonal. <BR>It suddenly dawned on me that right now is not the most ideal time to visit Edmonton. You do know what the climate is like don't you?? <BR>Of course, my Finnish friend thinks nothing of it. This time of year I would be frozen. <BR>

Yup! I realize its going to be cold, I'm from Michigan though, so I am kind of used to it. At this last minute, all of the warm destinations are sold out. <BR>We just wanted to get out of the house. <BR> <BR>We will be in Edmonton from Dec 24 - 31. <BR> <BR>So other than the mall any other places to visit during this time period? <BR> <BR>Thanks!

The theaters I listed above are in business in the winter. <BR>Edmonton will have events going on. <BR>My problem is that I have been there in the summer. Before we went last time, I stocked up on information, so what I have I am sharing with you. (I am not part of the Chamber of Commerce!!) <BR>There is a telephone history center that is agreeable enough, if that sort of thing interests you. <BR> <BR>I dislike hockey, but the Edmonton Oilers are still in the NHL. But I think the Oilers (15 - 12 - 4)are a far cry from the team that played during the glory days of Messier and Gretsky. (That one might draw a spirited correction.) <BR> <BR>The Edmonton Space and Science Center is fine too. You get a good computer tour of space. <BR> <BR>You might call the Travel Alberta office at 800 661 8888 and get a few ideas. Also there is a web site. I think a search engine can find it with the key term Travel Alberta. Sorry, I don't have it bookmarked.

Depends also on when you are going. Right now, we are in mid winter and a lot of the roads are closed. Lots of snow this year and if you are not an experienced winter driver, it could be tough. Driving to Banff or Jasper from Edmonton is a long drive - Alberta is a big province. Calgary is closer than Edmonton and there is a lot to see there too - Drumheller for example, has a wonderful paleologic (sp?) museum.

I second the motion about the museum at Drumheller. The museum mentioned is the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. <BR>It is staffed by some of the foremost geologists and paleontologists in the world, including Dr. Phil Currie who has an international reputation as a paleontologist. Others have said that he can look at a single tooth from a carnivorous dinosaur and tell you which species it came from. <BR>The displays at the museum are extremely well done and very educational.