please help select between 2 destinations
 

Message: Hi,<BR>Please help me decide between Alaska (Homer/Seward) or Canadian Rockies(Jasper/Lake Louise) in June. <BR>I like beatiful scenery, quiet environment, animals, hiking, canooing. Would go for more expensive if worth it.<BR><BR>

Oleg, Canadian Rockies and don't look back!! Trust me!

I think it's hard to compare these places objectively. Banff and Jasper are the crown jewels in the Canadian National Park system, and they are very highly developed - luxury hotels, paved or improved hiking trails, mountain gondolas, big parking lots near the attractions, tons of restaurants, shops, and cars in Banff and Jasper towns. Also zillions of tourists - the area around Chateau Lake Louise (which is drop-dead gorgeous, BTW) feels like Disneyland on some days. Remember Banff and Jasper are accessible by train, and Calgary is just a short hop in the car from Lake Louise, so lots of weekenders have ready access. The flip side of this development is that there's plenty of variety in accommodations and activities, and the $CDN is fairly week at the moment.<BR><BR>The Kenai Peninsula is another matter. The level of development in Seward or Homer is very scant compared to Banff/Jasper. The distances are great, and because the main part of the peninsula is not in protected status, the level of development and visual &quot;neatness&quot; is nowhere near that of the more manicured Canadian parks. However, the wilderness is pretty close in Alaska, and with minimal effort you can get yourself well and truly away from humans (but remain close to several billion mosquitoes in June.)<BR><BR>The big difference is that the Kenai is a marine environment and Banff/Jasper is continental. You will see elk in Banff, but you will absolutely not see orcas. Both areas have grand mountains (the Rockies more dramatic) and glaciers (better in Alaska). You can take a boat or a plane across Kachemak Bay, or a day trip into the Kenai Fjords National Park and see serious wildlife and wilderness. In Jasper you can take a gondola to it, or sit in a thermal bath with mountain sheep grazing in the parking lot.<BR><BR>Does this help or merely add confusion?

It helps! Thanks!

I think a lot depends on personal preference and I agree with Gardyloo's comparisons. Having been to both areas, my preference would be Alaska but I really enjoyed the Canadian Rockies as well. The factor that tips the scales for me is the huge numbers of people who you'll encounter in the Canadian resorts vs. far fewer on the Kenai. Whichever you choose, they are both great. If you do decide to go to Canada, I'd recommend a trip up the Ice Fields Highway between Banff and Jasper. It almost equals the awesome landscapes of the Kenai.

Even though I love both, in high season I would recommend Alaska over the Canadian Rockies, which will be extremely crowded. <BR><BR>Unfortunately, going more expensive in the rockies won't get you any solitude in June. Try going off-season -- they are spectacular.