Looking for information on where to fly into and what airline from Boston. We'll only have 6 to 7 days so I'm thinking Calgary might be best so we'll have all 6 days to explore the area, unless the scenery from Vancouver is worth the extra driving time.

Thank you.

Does anyone have an opinion on any of the following lodges? Or other suggestions? Would like to stay somewhere nice but a lot of these rates are $400USD or higher.

Abott Pass Hut, Banff National Park

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff National Park

Chateau Lake Louise, Banff National Park

Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper National Park

Lake O'Hara Lodge, Yoho National Park

Mount Assiniboine Lodge, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House

Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lakes National Park

Twin Falls Chalet, Yoho National Park

Moraine Lake Lodge

We were there last March and stayed at the Rimrock Resort, which is just up the hill from the Fairmont and across from the Sulpur Mtn Gondola which you MUST do! Fly into, but don't stay in Calgary, it's just a big city and a boring drive till you get to Banff. I suggest a few days in the Banff area then a few days in Jasper, which is a pretty good drive. One day, we stopped at this lodge for lunch and it was awesome. I would stay here next time if I had more time, it's so gorgeous:
http://www.num-ti-jah.com/

I will add, that it's not luxury by any means, but very basic. However, it's a great stop for lunch!

Thanks LLinda - I looked at the web site for num ti jah and it looks nice and the rates are lot better. And I'll defintely add the Sulpur Mtn Gondola to our list of things to do, as I am just starting my research and list - I have no clue about the area so thanks again!

Sorry LLinda for another post - You metioned you stayed at Rimrock Resort - I've just looked at its web site and it too has less expensive rates but looks nice - did you stay enjoy your stay there and was it a central base for your entire trip? Thanks again.

Unfortunately, I had to base the trip from there, and didn't get time to make it up to Jasper. My neighbor spent time in both areas and she LOVED Jasper. She and her husband honeymooned at the Fairmount Lake Louise, which you HAVE to see as well! Our group went there for champagne one day, it's gorgeous. Yes, we loved the Rimrock. It's expensive...drinks, dinner, etc. but they were really nice there and were quite helpful in advising us what to do and where to eat. They have a shuttle bus that runs into town every 20 minutes- very easy. I have a review of the hotel on tripadvisor.com under LLindaC. My mom stayed at the Fairmount Banff and didn't care for it. She said it was too crowded with tourists and her room was cramped.

I think I can respond to your post because I have flown into Calgary several times.

First, Calgary is an easy airport to use.
Clearing immigration control is much easier of you have a passport, both ways.
Although a passport is not yet a legal requirement, it soon will be to return to the states.

The rental car counters are convenient, but last summer I used Enterprise from an off airport location. A shuttle bus picked me up to get the car and, after returning the car, the shuttle almost immediately took me to the airport front door.

Of the mountain sights and sites, I love the Canadian Rockies. The most scenic drive is the Icefields Parkway which stretches from just north of Lake Louise to Jasper.

Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Takkakaw Falls should be high on your list of places to visit.

Nor for specifics.

Abbot Pass Hut

This is a remote Canadian Alpine Club hut located on top of the pass between Lake Louise and Lake O'Hara. It can be reached from the Lake Louise side by climbing the Victoria Glacier. You need an ice ax, crampons, and rope for this ascent.

From the Lake O'Hara side, it is a long steep climb up a scree slope that is best described as an abomination. You don't start up the scree slope until you have climbed from O'Hara to Oesa over a trail that is so steep it requires steps to ascend.

I really don't think you wan to go there.

Chateau Lake Louise. Beautiful hotel with beautiful prices. How does $700 a night grab you? If that is within your budget, more power to you.

Lake O'Hara Lodge. Forget about it; it is already sold out for the summer.

Mt. Assiniboine Lodge. Nice 20 mile hike, or a relatively costly helicopter ride. It, too, may be sold out for the summer.

Plain of Six Glacier Tea House.
It is at the end of a 3 mile uphill hike along the north side of the Victoria glacier about 1,500 feet higher than Lake Louise. Nothing special about it.
A place for sandwiches and excellent cakes and pies.

Twin Falls Chalet.
Rustic backcountry lodge without electricity or running water. Sure you want to go there? I like the place and have been there several times. It is a stiff 5 mile walk from the Takkakaw Falls Parking lot. A good jumping off place for the Whaleback Trail which is my pick as the most scenic trail in the Canadian Rockies.

Prince of Wales Hotel. An old, creaky hotel perched on a moraine overlooking Waterton Lake. World class view, world class prices, and excellent food.

Not sure it is worth what you pay, but at least you can say you did it.

Moraine Lake Lodge. Good place, beautiful setting, expensive, and tends to sell out at two speeds: fast and faster. It is near Lake Louise and right on Moraine Lake, which is a beautiful sight on a clear day.

You can run yourself silly if you go at it right out there. That is why I keep going back. Nothing beats the views except Switzerland and the Himalayas/Kara Koram Range.

I am from Canada although I live in the USA. A few years ago my best friend and I did a beautiful 5 day backpacking trip along the Skyline Trail in the Rockies. The Canadian rockies are spectacular!

Calgary is where you will want to fly into. It is actually a nice city nestled near the mountains.

On your way out to Banff you will pass a good amusment park with some fun roller coasters.

Banff is pretty but soooo touristy! Jasper is much more laid back and absolutely gorgeous!

If you like to hike there are some great hikes along the Icefields parkway. I agree with the previous poster about Moraine Lake. It is stunning with turquoise water that will take your breath away! Also loved Takakkaw Falls!

Enjoy your trip!

DJ, you didn't say when you were planning to go. As Euro said, it can be really touristy at times. I was lucky to go in March when they were actually having a heat wave and "Pray for Snow" signs were posted everywhere. The place was so quiet and the stores were selling everything for 50-75 % off!

The only three places where "touristy" really bothered me were at Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and Peyto Lake.

At Lake Louise, I think every tour bus in western Alberta stops there between 10:00 am and 2 pm. At Johnston Canyon, vehicles were circling the parking lot scavenging for parking spaces like vultures. Peyto Lake is another tour bus magnet with hoards of people tromping up the paved walkway for a 5 minute look at a beautiful green lake.

At most places, if you get half a mile along a trail from the the prime viewpoint, 70% of the car-bound tourists will be left behind. Even so, the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail can be crowded on a pretty weekend day.

If you want really affordable, this is where we stayed in 2001:

http://www.homesteadinnbanff.com/

Nothing fancy but it was clean and very comfortable. It's located right downtown.

Try Becker chalets in Jasper.Wonderful.Paul

The Canadian Rockies is one of our most favorite places to visit. We loved hiking there.

We stayed at Baker Creek Chalets in Lake Louise, Beckers in Jasper and Emerald Lake Lodge in Yoho---our absolute favorite.

Lots of information on the Canada board.

We have also enjoyed Emerald Lake Lodge and Baker Creek Chalets.

Johnston Canyon is great if you go first thing in the morning before the hoards of people. If you are looking to hike, you can continue past both the upper and lower falls and head to the inkpots.

The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is nice, and again, if you want to do more add the Big Beehive and Lake Agnes Tea House to it for a full day, but beautiful hike.

Oh my, what wonderful responses with great suggestions! And these postings are really getting me going on all the research I will do over the next few weeks.

We're going late August to mid-September - leaning toward September to miss the crowds (knock on wood). Or is last September too late? I know you can't rule out snow, but I would think would be rare - but being from Maine, I know it can occur. As far as the spectacular water color and clear days, is late September still a good time to go? In Maine, we do most of our traveling in June or after the first week of September, then it's heaven without the crowds. We'll mostly be hiking around, not much into the towns or shopping.

I have to say thank you again for all the very helpful postings! It's months away but we are so excited. It sounds just beautiful.