First Time travel to Banff, and Lake Louise = HELP
 

Hello Fodorites:

My wife and I are in our late 50s and plan on traveling from Florida. We've never been to Banff nor Lake Louise and we are not big hikers, but would love to see the amazing scenery. Where do we start? What airport should we fly into/out of? How many days do we need to see the best sights? Any help andn assistance you can suggest, would be most helpful. Thanks in advance.

Ralph & Kim

Hi Ralph and Kim - we live in Florida as well (Central) and love the Canadian Rockies. You'll get some excellent specific advice from kgsneds and others.

We have flown into Calgary, it's only about an hour from Banff and quite convenient. However, we prefer to fly Southwest - so in that case, flying into Spokane is our preference. If you do that, however, you'll need to add a day at each end of your trip. The SWA flight into Spokane gets in late, so we stay at the airport Ramada (walk out the door and about 1/2 block down the sidewalk).

You could also fly into Seattle - but in that case, I'd advise you to add 2 days at each end. It is a long drive and most roads are not U.S. interstate highway style. Plus, the scenery is so glorious, why would you rush that drive through B.C.?

As to how long in Banff and Lake Louise - I'd like to say a week. That could also give you time to drive the Icefields Parkway up to Jasper and spend at least 2 nights. Calculate most of a day's drive each way. It is a spectacular drive, you'll want to make a number of stops. There are some very easy short hikes and walks that you would enjoy as well.

The area gets oh-so-booked up in the summer. If you are thinking about this summer, I would be surprised actually if you found availability. But you could also check into lodgings at Canmore - about 20 minutes from the park gate into Banff and quite a pleasant town. Banff and Lake Louise are not so far apart that you need more than 1 base for those 2, even Canmore is more than adequate.

Enjoy this beautiful part of the world.

hello from Alberta... I'm glad Sludick is recommending the Canadian Rockies. It is an amazing area of the world.
Would it be convenient for you to fly out of Orlando? Because West Jet flies directly to Calgary, which is less than an hour out from where the mountains start. Wondering too when you are thinking to visit? Suggestions could vary a bit depending on the season. I suspect coming from Florida, you would prefer to visit in the warmer months of June to September or so? No weather guarantees in the mountains of course! =)

Since the flight into Spokane is late, instead of staying overnight at the Ramada, head for the Amtrak station in Spokane and take the overnight Empire Builder to Whitefish MT. You'll wake up in Whitefish instead of Spokane. the train leaves sometime after 1AM every night. You can drive over the Going to the Sun Road through Glacier NP on your way to Calgary.

Tom, after flying in from Orlando, take my word for it that it will be tough enough to drag oneself just to the hotel. And at that, by the time you get your luggage, it is normally 12:30am or so anyway. No way in the world I'd do it.

Trip Plan
 

I second everything mentioned above!

Thanks!!
 

Get reservations asap. I love Calgary and would fly there. It is beautiful but be prepared for slow moving traffic.