rjain

We are visiting Banff NP in the week of 11th August to 18t August. We have a teenager and a tween. I am looking for some expert advice as to what is a must do, must see and also I would like to skip the hyped ones.
We are not able to find any accommodation at Jasper, through stay-in -Jasper website and bbcanda, I emailed at least 10-15- so far everyone is saying they are booked out. Any ideas which b&B / hotel etc would be little farther but at least available? What could be our other best option?
We plan to do Jasper in the last two days. Can it be shortened? How should we split these full 7 days?
1 night in Calgary as we reach late night. Next three nights at Banff. Next two nights in Jasper.
We love to see beautiful sights, love to do activities, love to eat, not a lot into hiking but wouldn't mind a short beautiful hike.
Any ideas are welcome. We enjoy good food. 1 vegetarian but rest all eat chicken and seafood. Any recommendations?
This is our second time in Canada. We absolutely loved Montreal and Quebec for its beauty and culture/history. Hope to hear from all the experts.

kgsneds

Unfortunately, all the accommodation options in Jasper are in the townsite (or right nearby) - other than two hotels on the parkway. And those are almost certainly booked up now. All PHAs are in the townsite.

The next closest places are well outside the park in Hinton (1 hr away, not suggested) or Valemount (1.5 hrs). Since most of the things you'd be doing in Jasper are outside the townsite, it's a LOT of extra driving to stay outside the park. One option - just outside the park is the Overlander Lodge.

Otherwise, I'd keep e-mailing PHAs. There are over a 100 in Jasper and there are certainly some who still may have some space. Best advice is to create a set e-mail with dates and number of adults/kids, then send it to as many places as possible.

Also, be flexible. You can always spend a night or nights in Banff/Lake Louise first, then head to Jasper. That may work better - places are much more likely to have openings during the week and much less likely to allow a booking for only part of a weekend.

So consider doing Jasper first, not last. Bet you will have better luck that way. Do one night in Banff or Canmore, then to Jasper. Then back to Banff/Canmore.

Otherwise, I'd find a base in Banff or Canmore for the week and do day trips from there. Activities that might appeal include hikes (Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Yoho NP), Takkakaw Falls, via ferrata, IceWalk (at Columbia Glacier), canoeing or kayaking, whitewater rafting, Johnston Canyon, Wapta Falls, perhaps indoor climbing at the rec centre in Canmore if you hit a rainy day.

rjain

Thank you so much kgsneds for the great insight. I would check if going earlier helps. Do you think one night stay in Jasper would be enough, we can get the next whole day in Jasper and stay somewhere in lake Louis for the night.

kgsneds

You need at least two nights in Jasper.

For one, most PHAs have a two or even three night minimum, so finding a one booking could be really, really tricky.

Also, it will take you most of the day to get between Lake Louise and Jasper -- lots of things to do, see and experience. Which doesn't leave you any real time in Jasper. You'll want at least one full day for things like Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake. And likely longer if you want to visit Edith Cavell as you'll have to pick up a permit in the evening and I suspect permits will all be snapped up at least two days in advance. Plus they are time specific, so you may only be able to get an afternoon permit, say.

rjain

Thanks kgsneds!! After 35+ negative responses, finally got one room, something just enough to sleep Accommodation scene is really bad in Jasper.