Author Topic: 4 for 30: The Canadian Rockies (Ergel's TR) (Read 18635 times)

Ergel · « **Reply #40 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:04:07 PM »

Lake Minnewanka:

Ergel · « **Reply #41 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:06:38 PM »

We then went to Banff downtown. It is a cute little town with tons of stores selling souvenirs (as well as many restaurants). The town was packed as it was Canada, and there was a ton going on, from BBQ's to concerts to activities for kids. We walked around for a little bit, buying some tzchatkas for our kids. There is a little museum that we stopped in for like 5 minutes. Nothing terribly interesting (it was free for Canada Day, I wouldn't recommend paying money to see it).

Moshe123 · « **Reply #42 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:14:19 PM »

Wow! Amazing pics

Ergel · « **Reply #43 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:14:43 PM »

Next we went to the Banff Gondola. Tickets were included in the package we bought for the Columbia Ice Fields. Otherwise they are around $25 and well worth it. There is a short hike on a boardwalk to a neighboring peak, probably takes around 45 minutes round trip. Maybe a little less. We were treated to a whole herd of mountain goats running around up there. Really cool.

Ergel · « **Reply #44 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:22:52 PM »

Really cool pic:

Dan · « **Reply #45 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:24:18 PM »

Quote from: Ergel on July 13, 2015, 02:22:52 PM

Really cool pic:

Wow!

Ergel · « **Reply #46 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:25:23 PM »

Banff Gondola pics:

morgs · « **Reply #47 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:35:12 PM »

these pictures are magnificent!!!!! Each one is better than the next!

Ergel · « **Reply #48 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:36:00 PM »

We had only a short time until we needed to head to the airport so we headed to the Cave and Basin National Historic site, a museum built around the first hot springs discovered in the area (workers on the transCanadian railroad (the only significant event in Canadian history) would bathe here in the winter, they had no access to hot water and prior to it's discovery had no way to bathe in the winter). The hot springs stink like rotten eggs and this place is not very interesting. Again, we were happy it was free for Canada Day and would not recommend paying to see it.

We then headed to Calgary for a flight home. There was a lane closure on the road back to Calgary so we hit some traffic, but still made it with plenty of time.

All in all it was an amazing trip. The place is just incredibly beautiful. We missed a few things I would have liked to have done - including Johnston Canyon (the most popular hike in Banff) and Mount Edith Cavell. We'll have to catch them next time.

Thanks for reading.

BKYW · « **Reply #49 on:** July 13, 2015, 03:25:00 PM »

Quote from: morgs on July 13, 2015, 02:35:12 PM

these pictures are magnificent!!!!! Each one is better than the next!

Most people who have been there will tell you that pictures don't do it justice.

Nice TR

Moshe123 · « **Reply #50 on:** July 13, 2015, 03:41:21 PM »

Why am I in the office now and not there???

Matovu · « **Reply #51 on:** July 13, 2015, 04:29:56 PM »

also walked up to the Tea place @Lake Louise
thanks so much for this TR

tzifanya54 · « **Reply #52 on:** July 13, 2015, 06:53:17 PM »

Quote from: BKYW on July 13, 2015, 03:25:00 PM

Most people who have been there will tell you that pictures don't do it justice.

Nice TR

+1
Although his pics are very very good!

JT27MP · « **Reply #53 on:** July 13, 2015, 10:11:31 PM »

Thanks alot, Ergel!

BarryLincoln · « **Reply #54 on:** July 13, 2015, 11:42:17 PM »

מה רבו מעשך ה׳

AJK · « **Reply #55 on:** July 14, 2015, 12:02:14 AM »

Great TR, but even more fantastic pictures. What season is the best to visit? Looks like you got hit with a couple days of rain.

Top three things that you feel are not to miss?

Ergel · « **Reply #56 on:** July 14, 2015, 12:38:18 AM »

It was really only Monday that rained. Summer still seems like your best bet. Although winter seems like a completely different experience. You can ski, ice skate on lake Louise, go on an ice walk in maligne canyon.
Morraigne lake. Lake Louise. Ice fields

travellove · « **Reply #57 on:** July 14, 2015, 09:00:41 AM »

Great report with great pictures. Thanks.

mb1 · « **Reply #58 on:** January 02, 2017, 06:53:23 PM »

Quote from: Ergel on July 02, 2015, 04:40:23 PM

Hotels We would spend the Sunday night in Jasper and two nights in Lake Louise.
For Sunday we were originally booked in the Whistler's Inn for $228 CAD. The Thursday before the trip (the last day to cancel my reservation) I checked the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and it was selling for $208 CAD (down from $400+ a month prior). I canceled my reservation at the Whistler's Inn and booked the Fairmont.
I opened up a Chase Fairmont card and received two free nights, booking in the Fairmont Lake Louise.

What type of room did you use your free nights on?
Were you able to find standard availability or were you able to use it on another room type?

Ergel · « **Reply #59 on:** January 02, 2017, 06:59:49 PM »

Quote from: mb1 on January 02, 2017, 06:53:23 PM

What type of room did you use your free nights on?
Were you able to find standard availability or were you able to use it on another room type?

Found standard room availability. I think we then used an upgrade (which didn't amount to much)