sample itinerary for multi-generational family to Canadian Rockies in July
 

Hello,
For my mother's 80th birthday, my sister and I and our families (husbands plus three boys 7, 9 and 12), are going to go to the Canadian Rockies for a week in July 2015. We went as children and she wants to go back. We are from the Washington, DC area so will be flying to Alberta. I need some advice on sample itineraries as well as accommodations and transportation. We need budget accommodations for most of the trip (renting space in homes etc...) but would like to have a nice/quaint cabin for a night or two also. I welcome any suggestions!


Tentatively this is our thought:
Fly in and out of Calgary
Day 1: Calgary
Day 2-5-drive to Banff and base ourselves there (stay 3 days)--from here see Lake Louise, YoHo, Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake.
Day 5-6: Drive to Jasper (stay here two days)
Day 7: get back to Calgary

Thanks for any help!

the other forum you posted on will give you some good info. itinerary looks fine. if you all want to stay in one "place" in banff...look at the douglas fir resort, mount rundle suite. decent amount of room for 8 people, kitchen to save costs on food, bus outside to take people to town or it's a short 5 minute drive and decent pool/waterpark area. there is nothing "budget" about visiting the rockies, especially in summer. 8 people and luggage, you'll need to rent two vehicles. buy a cooler and pack picnics so you can eat outside at the many beautiful spots instead of wasting time in restaurants.

And be aware that there are no rentals, per se, in Jasper, Banff or Lake Louise. Lake Louise has no residential areas and rentals are prohibited in the national parks in order to ensure that housing is available for those who actually need to live there for work.

The suggestion for Banff is good, otherwise you might find more options and legal rentals in Canmore. In Jasper, there are some hotels with cabins, though you'd probably need a cabin for each family. Otherwise, you'd probably be looking at a hotel or private home accommodation. For the latter, they are often small, so your best bet is to find two very close together (easy) and have one family in each.

But as ltt said, nothing will be budget in July in the mountains. Ltt's suggestion or a condo(s) in Canmore are likely to be the cheapest options around Banff, and private home accommodation the cheapest way to go in Jasper. Or in Jasper, maybe the bungalows at Patrica Lake?

I should point out, there is one other option if you are on a budget...

Hostels. And yes, the hostels can be quite nice and family friendly.

If you book well ahead, in Canmore, the ACC Hostel has the Boswell Cabin. Each side of the cabin has a small downstairs with kitchen, table, futon, toilet and shower, and two upstairs rooms, each with a single and double bed. You rent by the room, which is $80-90 per night. If you rent both rooms on one side, you have the downstairs on that side to yourself. If you rent all four rooms, you can open an adjoining downstairs door to make one big apartment. The cabin has a pretty deck, BBQ and lots of outdoor space for kids to run around.

In Banff and Lake Louise, the HI hostels have family rooms. I've never stayed in the Banff hostel, but the Lake Louise hostel is quite family friendly. The rooms tend to be in the second building which has it's own large kitchen, a kids play area and lots of outdoor and indoor space. There is a cafe in the main building which offers inexpensive meals and the place is co-run by the Alpine Club, so attracts a wide range of ages. I think the family rooms would have their own sink/toilet, but the showers would be along the hall. You'd need to call to inquire about family rooms.

I stayed at Becker's Cabins about 4-5 minutes south of the town of Jasper. Right on the road that goes into the park.

It's relatively inexpensive. I was talking to a ranger on the phone in advance and she told it's a nice place and less expensive because it's not directly in the town. You'll have to call and ask what they have for larger groups, etc.

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About itinerary suggestions. First I'd have to know how well you mother handles driving distances in a car and also how mobile she is.

We too stayed at Beckers last month after Patricia Lake Bungalows in the past (they were booked). We were very happy with their simple, but very clean/comfortable cabins. Have several options for a large group like yours. In Banff we've stayed at High Country Inn the last two times. They have several options with separate bedroom then murphy bed in living room and some family rooms that are reasonable. Not fancy, but again clean/comfortable and decent breakfast included. May or may not work with your mix.

As for itineraries I agree with Myer, depends on how mobile your mother is. Definitely Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls, and maybe Angel Glacier while in Jasper. Banff: Johnson Canyon easy walk/hike, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, maybe Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, and stop at Spiral Tunnels in Yoho. Leave plenty of time for drive between Banff/Jasper for stops.

>>> Definitely Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls, and maybe Angel Glacier while in Jasper. Banff: Johnson Canyon easy walk/hike, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, maybe Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, and stop at Spiral Tunnels in Yoho. Leave plenty of time for drive between Banff/Jasper for stops. >>>

I'm just back from the area and I agree with all of the above, except I'd say, definitely Takakkaw Falls. I liked Sunwapta Falls also.

I stayed in Alpine Village, just 2 km outside of Jasper, and right on the river. They have a wide variety of cabins, from individual to family size, so they might have something to suit you. It was very, very nice.

I stayed in Canmore, rather than Banff, at the Falcon Crest Lodge right at the east edge of town, and had a suite, with full kitchen, LR w/ gas fireplace, BR and even a washer/dryer in the large bathroom, for about $160 US. It was great. They even supplied a box ov Tide for the laundry!

In Lake Louise I stayed at Paradise lodge and bungalows, which also had a variety of lodging, just about 2-3 km from Lake Louise. It was beautiful.

I'd recommend all three places.

Many thanks to all the posters! Very helpful to me.

re: itinerary. My mother is very mobile. Just spent two weeks hiking along the Amalfi coast with friends.

Then she should have no trouble walking up the stairs to the top of the Rock Pile at spectacular Moraine Lake.

Johnston Canyon isn't difficult but may be too far.

Also, the walk to Angel Glacier at the end of Edith Cavell Road may or may not be too long. If I remember correctly there are some benches along the way. Otherwise you can take with a folding chair for rest stops.

Takkakaw Falls is really good. One of those waterfalls where a man made viewing point doesn't actually block the view from farther back. She doesn't have to go all the way to the Falls. There are several very good viewpoints a lot closer to the parking lot.

Mistaya Canyon is worth the short walk. Something very different and there's a viewing bridge.

Also, I don't think the hike to Bow Summit with the view of Peyto Lake would be too far. Only slightly uphill but not much.