Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:56 am Post subject: Anyone been to Banff / Jasper?
Hi, we have booked our holiday of a lifetime to Canada for my 40th next year. We start off with 5 days on Vancouver Island; then three days in Vancouver; 5 days on a Bear Ranch in the middle of nowhere and then we have 6 nights before flying home from Calgary. The route from the bear ranch over to Banff National Park takes us to Lake Louise, we then want to do the drive to Jasper but then drive back down to Banff as that is the nearest town before our flight out of Calgary.
I have read so many reviews of Banff; Lake Louise and Jasper but they conflict so much. I need to make a decision as to how many nights to stay in each or stay in one place for the 6 nights and travel around (we have hired a 4x4). Has anybody done similar and if so how did you do it and would you recommend? It is definitely a once in a lifetime sort of trip so want to get it right. We will be in this area from 18 May and are aware that the lakes may still be frozen. We won't be doing hiking, just more sightseeing and chilling.
Any views / advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I don`t know anything about it Jo but what a wonderful holiday that will be, I hope you have a great time when your there
On a more serious note, have you bought insurance to cover for just in case?, I`m thinking of poor Jane and Taff, you just never know what may happen to possibly spoil plans.
OOh you lucky thing, I would love to go back.
We visited Canada in 2009 and loved every minute of it. Our favourite place by far was Banff, cannot recommend it enough. We went October time, and the snow was still around, but pleasant sunny days.
In Banff, its 1 main "high street", with quirky little shops and cafes and a few restaurants. Everyone is so so so friendly, its easy to park anywhere and then just stroll around the main street (watching out for elk as they just wander round the shops too!)
We also did some horseback riding, very gentle walks through the woods, through the rivers. Amazing way to see the scenery. There is also Sulphur mountain, which is great cable car ride up to the top and AMAZING views from the top.
We stayed 2 nights there and had plenty of time to do what we needed, but we could have probably explored the surrounding areas too on another day or 2.
We stayed at the Karibou lodge - highly recommend.
We stayed 2 night at lake louise, and we treated ourselves to teh Fairmont
the actual lake itself has some activities like kayaking (but it is quite pricey) but there are loads of walks around and up the mountains.
If you have a car, its a great idea to explore round this area as there are loads of little stops along the highway with boards telling you about the area. Like the Paint pots - geological phenomenom etc etc.
the lake louise itself you can do in a day, but if your happy to sit and watch the people and the birds, you could chill out for a day or so on top of that.
The only hotel at teh lake itself is the Fairmont, the closest other hotel is a good 30-40min walk from the lake
Jasper was at the end of our trip and we had 2 nights here too. Unfortunately the weather wasnt great for our time here and we arrived as the season was ending, so it was pretty dead. Few shops around and some pretty walks. but we didnt have much else to do in Jasper. It may be different in season.
Hope this helps, ooh im so jealous.
edited to say: we drove to and from all these places and then drove Jasper right back down to Calgary (with the Rodeo at the Saddle centre and we went to an ice hockey game which was awesome)
also with the time of year you are going you should defo go to the columbian ice fields, i think its between Banff and lake louise.
Last edited by Gsygal on Fri Sep 30, 2011 12:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
We holidayed with some friends there about 5 years ago. You will love it Banff is gorgeous and Lake Louise breathtaking.
You will see plenty of wildlife too - just be a bit on your guard though. I think coming from Britain we take for granted just being able to wander through woodlands etc without a care in the world.
Whilst we were in BC we paid a visit to a native Indian family who bred wolves. For some reason this sticks in my mind more than anything else we did. They were friendly (ish) wolves, but I wouldn't have liked to get on the wrong side of them
We also flew back to Britain from Calgary and we stayed there for 2 nights. I really enjoyed it as we went to a club called "Cowboys" which was great and did a pub crawl called "The Red Mile". Try a drink that they do over there called a "Caesar" - it's delicious.
Hiya,ooh i got goosebumps when i saw Banff.I went with my family in 2000 and it was THE best place ive ever been to.We went for 6 weeks and out of all the places we visited,Banff stands out in my mind the most.Truly stunning place.I'll remember it forever and would love to go back x have a wonderful time xx
ps,we did it by hiring a HUGE trailer(cant think of the proper name) that was sooo long and extended sideways.We went on the ferry across to lake Louise and everyone was staring.we must have looked like something out of national lampoons vacation!!!!
I worked near Banff for a year when I was a youngster. In fact the drive between Lake Louise and Banff will take you past a place called Castle Mountain Village, a regular pit stop for travellers. It was there that I cleaned chalets and served in the shop. It was fab! I saw loads of bears and moose during my time there. You are going to love it!
At the time I preferred the Banff area to Jasper BUT it's such a long time ago now so any knowledge I have is pretty useless. One thing that won't have changed is the scenary and it is AWESOME! You'll be blown away by the beauty of Lake Louise etc.
Anyway, I really hope you have an amazing time. I am insanely jealous
Thanks everyone, I thought this might be one of these posts that get zero replies so was really pleased to see all your posts
Mary - we have worldwide travel insurance through our bank account and have checked the policy so we are ok thanks.
Gysgal - I definitely want to do a horseback ride and someone else has recommended the Karibou Lodge and I have been quoted a really good price so will probably book there. I have seen on maps that the Fairmont is the only hotel anywhere Lake Louise but for the cheapest lake view room it is over £300 a night. We have splurged on the hotel on Vancouver Island so wil probably have to stay somewhere cheaper near Lake Louise.
Karen - you don't need to warn me about the wildlife in the forests, I won't be doing any forest walks! I have read lots of bear attack stories and won't be going anywhere without a guide. That's the reason for doing the bear ranch trip really. I want to see bears in their natural habitat but know I am with experienced guides who always carry bear spray just in case.
Anyway, thanks to all of you. You have sort of backed up my thinking that an overnight stay in Jasper will be enough. I have read that you should spend the whole day doing the road trip from Lake Louise to Jasper as there are so many places to stop off on the way. We can stay overnight then drive right down to Banff where it seems like there are quite a few things to do.
Aint been to Canade yet, but heard Banff is amazing. Have a fab time, hope you see lots of the wildlife... from a safe distance and have the time of your life. Which by the sounds of it you will.
The caribou lodge is a winner. It has a pool and steam room and a bar and restaurant too. Nice rooms, with that real rustic feel (mahoosive open fire in the reception area as you walk in) and it has underground car park for your car too.
Yeah the fairmont is very pricey, but if you don't stay there u can always go in for afternoon tea or summit.
There is another hotel just down the road, like I said, bout 30 min walk, I think it was called the deer lodge or something like that. My hubby walked there for a drink in the pub next door one night and said it looked nice.
Give yourselves plenty of time driving, cos as you say there is always something to stop and see along the way.
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