Kids travel to Lake Luoise
Jul 26th, 2006, 08:27 AM
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Kids travel to Lake Luoise
We will be traveling to the Lake Louise area the third week of September. We will be bringing our 2 and 4 year old children with us. I am looking for advice on things to do with kids and where to stay. I was very disappointed to learn that the Lake Moraine Lodge does not allow guests under 8 years of age. Advice on restaurants would be helpful as well.
Our current travel plans are to fly into Edmonton (couldn't get a flight into Calgary) and stay our first night in Rocky Mountain House. We then have 3 days, 2 nights in the Lake Louise area before we need to return to Edmonton for our trip home.
Our current travel plans are to fly into Edmonton (couldn't get a flight into Calgary) and stay our first night in Rocky Mountain House. We then have 3 days, 2 nights in the Lake Louise area before we need to return to Edmonton for our trip home.
Jul 26th, 2006, 08:48 AM
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The little kid barely cares.
The b ig kid, though... it's not the rocky mountains, but the child wil find lots to delight in at the West Edmonton Mall.
I used to take a six year old and a oneyear old to Lake Louise two or three wekends a month. The bigger child loved the prairie dogs and looking for other animals, and throwing rocks into the rivers nearby, and climbing on the big rocks.
The town of Lake Louise is tiny, but Banff has a real townsite.
There's a museum at one end of the main street, near the bridge, and the bigger child will probably find lots of interest there.
Restaurants come and go, and its been a while since I was there. We used to get takeout snacks and drinks at Chateau Lake Louise and then go down by the lake to eat and drink.
In Banff, we liked Bumpers, a casual steak and roast beef house on the edge of town, and I think it is still there.
It might be cool, so be prepared. I have photos or snow covered flowers taken one Labour Day.
If you go through Calgary on the way back to Edmonton, the bigger shild would enjoy the zoo, and probably Heritage Park, a restored old town.
For adults... rememb er that driving north on the hioghway from Banff to Jasper gives you a very different view than driving south, and the Columbia Icefields are worth visiting.
A four year old might love a small town rodeo, too. AGain, my six year old did.
BAK
The b ig kid, though... it's not the rocky mountains, but the child wil find lots to delight in at the West Edmonton Mall.
I used to take a six year old and a oneyear old to Lake Louise two or three wekends a month. The bigger child loved the prairie dogs and looking for other animals, and throwing rocks into the rivers nearby, and climbing on the big rocks.
The town of Lake Louise is tiny, but Banff has a real townsite.
There's a museum at one end of the main street, near the bridge, and the bigger child will probably find lots of interest there.
Restaurants come and go, and its been a while since I was there. We used to get takeout snacks and drinks at Chateau Lake Louise and then go down by the lake to eat and drink.
In Banff, we liked Bumpers, a casual steak and roast beef house on the edge of town, and I think it is still there.
It might be cool, so be prepared. I have photos or snow covered flowers taken one Labour Day.
If you go through Calgary on the way back to Edmonton, the bigger shild would enjoy the zoo, and probably Heritage Park, a restored old town.
For adults... rememb er that driving north on the hioghway from Banff to Jasper gives you a very different view than driving south, and the Columbia Icefields are worth visiting.
A four year old might love a small town rodeo, too. AGain, my six year old did.
BAK
Jul 26th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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Hello with_kids,
I don’t know how to express this tactfully, so I’ll just jump in at the deep end. No one could pay me to do your trip as it stands now.
I cannot imagine flying and driving X number of hours to take a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old to see scenery they won’t care about. I guess it depends from where you’ll be coming. The longer the journey, the less worthwhile it will be.
BAK’s suggestions would be good ones if you had a longer time frame than 3 nights.
Also, even if you did have more time to spend in the area, some of BAK’s recommendations would be better suited to summer than to fall. For example, from Labour Day to Canadian Thanksgiving (same date as USA’s Columbus Day), Heritage Park pioneer village is open on weekends only.
The number of rodeos drops off dramatically after the Labour Day long weekend. The only rodeo I could find that was even close to the time of your visit was the Hanna rodeo on September 24, 2006. Hanna is near Drumheller. That’s about 4 hours southeast of Edmonton and obviously in the opposite direction from the Rockies. If you were to go to the Drumheller area, which only would be feasible if you had more time, the Tyrrell Museum, with its amazing dinosaur skeletons, would be a “must see.” Your 4-year-old would love them.
But, having said that, BAK gave your good information about the mountains and the towns located in them.
More in next post ..........
I don’t know how to express this tactfully, so I’ll just jump in at the deep end. No one could pay me to do your trip as it stands now.
I cannot imagine flying and driving X number of hours to take a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old to see scenery they won’t care about. I guess it depends from where you’ll be coming. The longer the journey, the less worthwhile it will be.
BAK’s suggestions would be good ones if you had a longer time frame than 3 nights.
Also, even if you did have more time to spend in the area, some of BAK’s recommendations would be better suited to summer than to fall. For example, from Labour Day to Canadian Thanksgiving (same date as USA’s Columbus Day), Heritage Park pioneer village is open on weekends only.
The number of rodeos drops off dramatically after the Labour Day long weekend. The only rodeo I could find that was even close to the time of your visit was the Hanna rodeo on September 24, 2006. Hanna is near Drumheller. That’s about 4 hours southeast of Edmonton and obviously in the opposite direction from the Rockies. If you were to go to the Drumheller area, which only would be feasible if you had more time, the Tyrrell Museum, with its amazing dinosaur skeletons, would be a “must see.” Your 4-year-old would love them.
But, having said that, BAK gave your good information about the mountains and the towns located in them.
More in next post ..........
Jul 26th, 2006, 10:13 AM
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I cannot think of a single reason to spend a night in Rocky Mountain House. It is not in the mountains, and there is nothing to recommend it in September, that I know about. West Edmonton Mall doesn’t do anything for me, but I admit it’s a place that kids enjoy. I think it might be a good idea to spend your first night in or near WEM.
I suggest you pick one mountain resort town in which to spend the 2 remaining nights of your trip. When my kids were the ages your kids are now, we used to find it convenient to stay in self-catering accommodation. If you are amenable to that suggestion, you could consider Patricia Lake Bungalows or Pyramid Lake Resort just outside of Jasper, Baker Creek Chalets or Paradise Lodge and Bungalows just outside of Lake Louise, or Tunnel Mountain Chalets, Hidden Ridge Resort or Douglas Fir Resort on the outskirts of Banff townsite.
I’m amazed that you could not get flights to Calgary in the third week of September. If you are committed to your flights to Edmonton, we could work with you to make the most of your trip. If you could tell us at what time you’ll be landing, that would help us to know what you reasonably could achieve during the remainder of that day. It also would be useful to know your departure time and EXACTLY how many nights you have between arrival and departure. As your post stands now, I am not actually sure how many nights you have altogether.
More ...........
I suggest you pick one mountain resort town in which to spend the 2 remaining nights of your trip. When my kids were the ages your kids are now, we used to find it convenient to stay in self-catering accommodation. If you are amenable to that suggestion, you could consider Patricia Lake Bungalows or Pyramid Lake Resort just outside of Jasper, Baker Creek Chalets or Paradise Lodge and Bungalows just outside of Lake Louise, or Tunnel Mountain Chalets, Hidden Ridge Resort or Douglas Fir Resort on the outskirts of Banff townsite.
I’m amazed that you could not get flights to Calgary in the third week of September. If you are committed to your flights to Edmonton, we could work with you to make the most of your trip. If you could tell us at what time you’ll be landing, that would help us to know what you reasonably could achieve during the remainder of that day. It also would be useful to know your departure time and EXACTLY how many nights you have between arrival and departure. As your post stands now, I am not actually sure how many nights you have altogether.
More ...........
Jul 26th, 2006, 10:17 AM
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If there is any way you could wriggle out of those flights to Edmonton, and if you have only 3 nights to spend, I think Vancouver is a more interesting place in which to spend a short stay with young kids.
Grown ups can appreciate the beauty of a coastal city with a backdrop of mountains and a beautiful, 1000-acre park (Stanley Park) adjacent to the downtown core.
In Stanley Park the kiddies can enjoy the aquarium, the miniature train and the children’s farmyard.
Everyone in the family would enjoy visiting Granville Island Market.
When our kids were little, they loved visiting Science World.
You could catch the sky ride up Grouse Mountain, get great views of Burrard Inlet and the city below, as well as seeing some animals that are native to Canada and a lumberjack show.
You also could do a day trip to the mountain resort town of Whistler, visiting beautiful waterfalls along the way (although, as in the case of the Rockies, the scenery would be lost on the children).
I’ve actually listed too many Vancouver activities for a 3-night stay, but this gives you an idea of what the place has to offer.
More ..........
Grown ups can appreciate the beauty of a coastal city with a backdrop of mountains and a beautiful, 1000-acre park (Stanley Park) adjacent to the downtown core.
In Stanley Park the kiddies can enjoy the aquarium, the miniature train and the children’s farmyard.
Everyone in the family would enjoy visiting Granville Island Market.
When our kids were little, they loved visiting Science World.
You could catch the sky ride up Grouse Mountain, get great views of Burrard Inlet and the city below, as well as seeing some animals that are native to Canada and a lumberjack show.
You also could do a day trip to the mountain resort town of Whistler, visiting beautiful waterfalls along the way (although, as in the case of the Rockies, the scenery would be lost on the children).
I’ve actually listed too many Vancouver activities for a 3-night stay, but this gives you an idea of what the place has to offer.
More ..........
Jul 26th, 2006, 10:22 AM
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CHECK IN TIMES
Be aware that, if you are catching a USA-bound flight, you will clear American immigration and customs at Edmonton Airport. In Calgary we always check in 2 hours before a US-bound flight. Sometimes we get through all the airport nonsense in as little as 30 minutes, and other times it takes 90 minutes. We have not yet discovered a pattern, that is, one time of the day that is more efficient than another time of the day, etc. So we play it safe and give ourselves the 2-hour check-in time that the airlines usually recommend.
I am guessing, but do not know for sure, that departing from Edmonton Airport is somewhat similar to departing from Calgary Airport.
Based on my experiences of Vancouver Airport, I would allow 3 hours for check in if I was catching a US-bound flight from there. Again, you might get through much more quickly, but on the other hand you might end up needing that more generous amount of time.
STROLLER VERSUS KIDDIE BACKPACK
I imagine that, while your 2-year-old is perfectly capable of walking, there are times when a stroller comes in handy. You can use a stroller in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Banff townsite and Jasper townsite. A stroller is worse than useless, though, on mountain trails. The trails are just too uneven for anything with wheels. If you have a child who needs to be carried at times, it’s better to have one of those backpack-style child carriers.
You may find the information on my website helpful:
http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...kiesTravelTips
Hope that helps.
Be aware that, if you are catching a USA-bound flight, you will clear American immigration and customs at Edmonton Airport. In Calgary we always check in 2 hours before a US-bound flight. Sometimes we get through all the airport nonsense in as little as 30 minutes, and other times it takes 90 minutes. We have not yet discovered a pattern, that is, one time of the day that is more efficient than another time of the day, etc. So we play it safe and give ourselves the 2-hour check-in time that the airlines usually recommend.
I am guessing, but do not know for sure, that departing from Edmonton Airport is somewhat similar to departing from Calgary Airport.
Based on my experiences of Vancouver Airport, I would allow 3 hours for check in if I was catching a US-bound flight from there. Again, you might get through much more quickly, but on the other hand you might end up needing that more generous amount of time.
STROLLER VERSUS KIDDIE BACKPACK
I imagine that, while your 2-year-old is perfectly capable of walking, there are times when a stroller comes in handy. You can use a stroller in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Banff townsite and Jasper townsite. A stroller is worse than useless, though, on mountain trails. The trails are just too uneven for anything with wheels. If you have a child who needs to be carried at times, it’s better to have one of those backpack-style child carriers.
You may find the information on my website helpful:
http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...kiesTravelTips
Hope that helps.
Jul 26th, 2006, 11:18 AM
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Further to Judy's third, I think message.
If I was four, I'd rather be in Vancouver. There are big boats and little boats and diggers and a beach to play on and big logs to climb on, and so on. And the weather will probably be warmer.
And, as Judy pointed out, it's a lot of driving in a few days.
Anyway, keep givingus info and we'll help as best we can.
BAK
If I was four, I'd rather be in Vancouver. There are big boats and little boats and diggers and a beach to play on and big logs to climb on, and so on. And the weather will probably be warmer.
And, as Judy pointed out, it's a lot of driving in a few days.
Anyway, keep givingus info and we'll help as best we can.
BAK
Jul 27th, 2006, 08:51 AM
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We will be arriving in Edmonton(non-negotiable) on a Tuesday at 1:00pm. We figured by the time we clear customs, get a rental car, put in carseats and get on the road, we couldn't get farther than Rocky Mountain House. The drive between Edm. and Calgary was uninteresting the last time we were there(sans children)and we want to go to the Ice Fields. We will be departing Edmonton on our flight home Saturday at 2:00pm. Your webiste was helpful Judy - please offer more advice as you and BAK see fit.
Jul 27th, 2006, 10:45 AM
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Hi with_kids,
The additional information is helpful. With that in mind, here are suggested itineraries.
ITINERARY #1
TUESDAY - Land at Edmonton Airport. Drive to West Edmonton Mall. Take kids swimming, etc. Overnight in or close to WEM.
WEDNESDAY - Drive to Jasper in the morning.
Have lunch in Jasper.
In the afternoon, visit Maligne Canyon.
If there still is time after that, take the kids to Pyramid Lake a short distance outside of Jasper townsite, and let them loose on the beach.
THURSDAY - Drive to Banff.
The drive from Jasper to Banff nominally takes 4 hours.
You said you wanted to stop at the Columbia Icefields, and I think that's a good idea. If you did the Snocoach ride, that might add somewhere between 1 hour and 1.5 hour to your drive.
When you reach Lake Louise village, visit Moraine Lake (9 miles from LL) and the lake of Lake Louise (3 miles from the village of LL). Moraine Lake and Lake Louise each could add an hour to your day.
So, by my estimate, it might take you 8 hours from Jasper townsite to Banff townsite, if you allow an hour for lunch over and above the other activities.
FRIDAY - Drive to Aurum Lodge. I have never stayed there, but Borealis has given it a good review, and several Fodorites are trying it out this summer. It's located just off the David Thompson Highway (Hwy #11), as is Rocky Mountain House. However, Aurum Lodge is further west, in the Nordegg / Cline River area. So, unlike Rocky Mountain House, Aurum Lodge is in the mountains.
However, since the drive from Banff townsite to Aurum Lodge would only be 2 hours or so, you would have time to do one or two things in the Banff / Lake Louise area before you set out for Aurum Lodge.
For example, you might want to ride the Sulphur Mountain gondola outside of Banff townsite.
Alternatively, if you had run out of time to see Moraine Lake and/or the lake of Lake Louise on the previous day, you could see them on this day.
To get to Aurum Lodge you would drive from Bann townsite back to Lake Louise. To vary the journey, you could drive the Bow Valley Parkway instead of the TransCanada Highway between Banff tonwsite and Lake Louise.
Then turn north on the Icefields Parkway.
Half an hour out of Lake Louise you would reach Peyto Lake. If you did not see it on the way down the Icefields Parkway, you should see it on this day.
At Saskatchewan River Crossing, turn east onto Hwy #11, and drive to Aurum Lodge.
SATURDAY - Drive to from Aurum Lodge to Edmonton Airport. I estimate it would be a drive of between 3.5 hours and 4 hours.
It should be feasible to do that and still check in 2 hours before your flight.
More ............
The additional information is helpful. With that in mind, here are suggested itineraries.
ITINERARY #1
TUESDAY - Land at Edmonton Airport. Drive to West Edmonton Mall. Take kids swimming, etc. Overnight in or close to WEM.
WEDNESDAY - Drive to Jasper in the morning.
Have lunch in Jasper.
In the afternoon, visit Maligne Canyon.
If there still is time after that, take the kids to Pyramid Lake a short distance outside of Jasper townsite, and let them loose on the beach.
THURSDAY - Drive to Banff.
The drive from Jasper to Banff nominally takes 4 hours.
You said you wanted to stop at the Columbia Icefields, and I think that's a good idea. If you did the Snocoach ride, that might add somewhere between 1 hour and 1.5 hour to your drive.
When you reach Lake Louise village, visit Moraine Lake (9 miles from LL) and the lake of Lake Louise (3 miles from the village of LL). Moraine Lake and Lake Louise each could add an hour to your day.
So, by my estimate, it might take you 8 hours from Jasper townsite to Banff townsite, if you allow an hour for lunch over and above the other activities.
FRIDAY - Drive to Aurum Lodge. I have never stayed there, but Borealis has given it a good review, and several Fodorites are trying it out this summer. It's located just off the David Thompson Highway (Hwy #11), as is Rocky Mountain House. However, Aurum Lodge is further west, in the Nordegg / Cline River area. So, unlike Rocky Mountain House, Aurum Lodge is in the mountains.
However, since the drive from Banff townsite to Aurum Lodge would only be 2 hours or so, you would have time to do one or two things in the Banff / Lake Louise area before you set out for Aurum Lodge.
For example, you might want to ride the Sulphur Mountain gondola outside of Banff townsite.
Alternatively, if you had run out of time to see Moraine Lake and/or the lake of Lake Louise on the previous day, you could see them on this day.
To get to Aurum Lodge you would drive from Bann townsite back to Lake Louise. To vary the journey, you could drive the Bow Valley Parkway instead of the TransCanada Highway between Banff tonwsite and Lake Louise.
Then turn north on the Icefields Parkway.
Half an hour out of Lake Louise you would reach Peyto Lake. If you did not see it on the way down the Icefields Parkway, you should see it on this day.
At Saskatchewan River Crossing, turn east onto Hwy #11, and drive to Aurum Lodge.
SATURDAY - Drive to from Aurum Lodge to Edmonton Airport. I estimate it would be a drive of between 3.5 hours and 4 hours.
It should be feasible to do that and still check in 2 hours before your flight.
More ............
Jul 27th, 2006, 10:47 AM
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ITINERARY #2
TUESDAY – Land in Edmonton. Drive to Rocky Mountain House. I agree with you that you would not be able to get much further on this day.
WEDNESDAY – Drive to Banff townsite or Lake Louise, seeing Moraine Lake and the lake of Lake Louise on the way. (Banff might be a better choice for young kids, in the sense that there are more playground facilities, more kid-friendly restaurants, etc., than there are in the Lake Louise area.)
THURSDAY – From your Banff townsite or Lake Louise base, explore Banff’s environs -- Sulphur Mountain gondola, Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka, Johnson Lake, etc.
FRIDAY – Drive to Jasper. To do this, drive to Lake Louise and then turn north on the Icefields Parkway. Stop at the Columbia Icefields on the way.
SATURDAY – Drive to Edmonton Airport, which usually takes no more than 4 hours. Again, it should be feasible to do this and check in for your flight 2 hours ahead of take off.
Hope that helps.
TUESDAY – Land in Edmonton. Drive to Rocky Mountain House. I agree with you that you would not be able to get much further on this day.
WEDNESDAY – Drive to Banff townsite or Lake Louise, seeing Moraine Lake and the lake of Lake Louise on the way. (Banff might be a better choice for young kids, in the sense that there are more playground facilities, more kid-friendly restaurants, etc., than there are in the Lake Louise area.)
THURSDAY – From your Banff townsite or Lake Louise base, explore Banff’s environs -- Sulphur Mountain gondola, Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka, Johnson Lake, etc.
FRIDAY – Drive to Jasper. To do this, drive to Lake Louise and then turn north on the Icefields Parkway. Stop at the Columbia Icefields on the way.
SATURDAY – Drive to Edmonton Airport, which usually takes no more than 4 hours. Again, it should be feasible to do this and check in for your flight 2 hours ahead of take off.
Hope that helps.
Jul 27th, 2006, 12:46 PM
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Isn't Judy a life saver!!! Take heed with her recommendations...I did!!!
One comment, however, for Maligne Canyon...They have remove the enclosed fencing. So if you go much farther than I believe the 1st Bridge, it's just 2 bars...that would terrify me with a 4 and 2 year old.
I think they would love any of the trams...We love the Jasper Tram the most! At Lake Louise, the Paradise Bungalows (judy mentioned) looked absolutely charming. In Jasper, the Becker Chalets also looked very nice...right on the river. In Jasper, however, there are a multitude of activites at the Jasper Park Lodge (Fairmount Property)...they will WOW you there! My 11 yr. old loved the Snocoach at the Columbia Icefields Center...a great place to spend 1 1/2 hrs. In Lake Louise, I think your kids would enjoy The Station restaurant. They can eat in an old pullman car...right on the railroad, with trains coming by.
Even though Moraine Lake Lodge does not accept wee little ones, don't miss the opportunity to spend time at that wonderland area. If you opt for the Paradise Bungalows, you're only 5 minutes away
...and of course, in Lake Louise, there's the Post Inn too. I'm sure there are many "posts" on it...
One comment, however, for Maligne Canyon...They have remove the enclosed fencing. So if you go much farther than I believe the 1st Bridge, it's just 2 bars...that would terrify me with a 4 and 2 year old.
I think they would love any of the trams...We love the Jasper Tram the most! At Lake Louise, the Paradise Bungalows (judy mentioned) looked absolutely charming. In Jasper, the Becker Chalets also looked very nice...right on the river. In Jasper, however, there are a multitude of activites at the Jasper Park Lodge (Fairmount Property)...they will WOW you there! My 11 yr. old loved the Snocoach at the Columbia Icefields Center...a great place to spend 1 1/2 hrs. In Lake Louise, I think your kids would enjoy The Station restaurant. They can eat in an old pullman car...right on the railroad, with trains coming by.
Even though Moraine Lake Lodge does not accept wee little ones, don't miss the opportunity to spend time at that wonderland area. If you opt for the Paradise Bungalows, you're only 5 minutes away
...and of course, in Lake Louise, there's the Post Inn too. I'm sure there are many "posts" on it...
