Banff and Jasper Master Thread

[RabbiGoldenberg]

My tentative itinerary - not sure which direction I'll start. I put some places in parenthesis - they are not must, but only if there's time.

Arrive in Calgary

(Drumheller: Dinosaur Trail)

(Grassi Lakes, Canmore)

(Banff Gondola)

Bow Lake

Lake Minnewanka

(Johnston Canyon hike)

Lake Louise
 
(ski area Gondola)

Moraine Lake

(Yoho National Park: Wapta Fall and Takakkaw Falls)

Icefields Parkway

Crowfoot Glacier

Peyto lake

(Mistaya Canyon)

Saskatchewan River Crossing
Weeping Wall

Athabasca Glacier,
Columbia Icefield Centre

Sunwapta falls

Athabasca Falls

Mount Edith Cavell with Angel Glacier

 the Jasper Tramway

(maligne canyon)

(Mount Robson)

(West edmonton Mall)

Depart Edmonton airport


How long should this take without optional stops in parenthesis? How long with?
Not doing any long hikes.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

We did all that minus Yoho and a few stops in two days, including a stay overnight in Jasper and driving back. But we could have taken much longer. I recommend four.

[Galitzyaner]

We did all that minus Yoho and a few stops in two days, including a stay overnight in Jasper and driving back. But we could have taken much longer. I recommend four.

Thanks for your help!
I'm trying to pack in, without compromising on enjoying the scenery. I'm not one of those to stare at a waterfall for hours on end.
And like I wrote before, no big hikes (going with baby).

A) Do you think I can do all that with Yoho - on a Wed, Thurs, and part of Friday?

B) Are there any budget options to lodge overnight in or near Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper?
I'm referring to places similar to Holiday Inn Express or Staybridge Suites in the USA.
Simple, efficient (i.e. basic amenities like A/C, and clean rooms and beds), and inexpensive.
Does that exist?
(I know there's a HIE near Jasper, but they are over $200/night+, and no reward nights available (they were on the PointBreakers list)  .

[cherylnlajolla]

We stayed in Canmore twice and loved it -- not as crowded as Banff & Lake Louise, nice grocery stores.  Stayed at Falcon Crest Lodge (full kitchen) and Best Western Pocaterra.  I got great deals for both on Orbiz (look for 15% off coupon).

[BKYW]

There is a best western in Banff, other decent budget hotels ok banff & jasper
AC is not a given, check before.  Even the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge does not have AC in the rooms

[RabbiGoldenberg]

Thanks for your help!
I'm trying to pack in, without compromising on enjoying the scenery. I'm not one of those to stare at a waterfall for hours on end.
And like I wrote before, no big hikes (going with baby).

A) Do you think I can do all that with Yoho - on a Wed, Thurs, and part of Friday?

B) Are there any budget options to lodge overnight in or near Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper?
I'm referring to places similar to Holiday Inn Express or Staybridge Suites in the USA.
Simple, efficient (i.e. basic amenities like A/C, and clean rooms and beds), and inexpensive.
Does that exist?
(I know there's a HIE near Jasper, but they are over $200/night+, and no reward nights available (they were on the PointBreakers list)  .

Idk the summer setup as far as lodging, Jasper is cheaper than Banff, but there is often no availability in peak season. You may have to stay a bit north of Jasper. Three days is tight, but not if you don't plan on hiking. Expect baby to slow you down a bit and bring a backpack carrier.

[Mutty]

I'm going air Canada from Newark to  toronto and then to calgary. On the way back ending in lga. My wife and I have a total of 4 free passes from united for the united club from the credit card. Is there a united club near the air Canada terminals that we'll be near?

[Mutty]

Important question: I'm getting my frozen meals from pomegranate. Here's what they're asking me. Is there an issue bringing the food from here to Canada packed this way or is it preferable to pack it that way?
Would you like us to pack your meals in an ice box with ice packs and wrap the box for airline?

[BKYW]

Important question: I'm getting my frozen meals from pomegranate. Here's what they're asking me. Is there an issue bringing the food from here to Canada packed this way or is it preferable to pack it that way?
Would you like us to pack your meals in an ice box with ice packs and wrap the box for airline?

They get annoyed when they see cardboard boxes. Bring the meat in a gym bag and you won't have a problem.

Either way mark it as product of USA

[Traveler718]

I'll be visiting the Canadian Rockies for the first time in a couple of weeks. I'll be travelling alone and don't mind long days and long hikes, so I hope to cover a lot of ground. I'll be there for about 4.5-5 days, starting out Sunday morning after Shabbos in Calgary, and flying back Thursday night from YYC. Does the following rough itinerary make sense:

Sunday - Drive Icefields Parkway with sights and hikes along the way, stay Jasper
Monday - Sightsee and hike around Jasper, drive back to Lake Louise
Tuesday - Lake Louise and Moraine Lake hikes, stay Lake Louise
Wednesday - Yoho hikes, stay Canmore (points)
Thursday - Explore Banff and Canmore, fly back from YYC at night

[tzifanya54]

I'll be visiting the Canadian Rockies for the first time in a couple of weeks. I'll be travelling alone and don't mind long days and long hikes, so I hope to cover a lot of ground. I'll be there for about 4.5-5 days, starting out Sunday morning after Shabbos in Calgary, and flying back Thursday night from YYC. Does the following rough itinerary make sense:

Sunday - Drive Icefields Parkway with sights and hikes along the way, stay Jasper
Monday - Sightsee and hike around Jasper, drive back to Lake Louise
Tuesday - Lake Louise and Moraine Lake hikes, stay Lake Louise
Wednesday - Yoho hikes, stay Canmore (points)
Thursday - Explore Banff and Canmore, fly back from YYC at night

Why not fly out of YEG, this way you don't double over, where you have already been. Also If you are flying back to NYC area there are no direct evening flights from YYC.

[Mutty]

We are going iyh Sunday. 6am Newark to Toronto and then to Calgary arriving 12:30 so we don't lose the whole day. Pomogranate food.

[RabbiGoldenberg]

Why not fly out of YEG, this way you don't double over, where you have already been. Also If you are flying back to NYC area there are no direct evening flights from YYC.

I have heard the argument made that you can fly into Calgary and out of Edmonton. But it doesn't gain so much as far as sightseeing. The road from Jasper to Edmonton is about as far as the way to Lake Louise, and there is not much to see on the way to Edmonton, because you are leaving the mountains. This is probably why many prefer to skip a few attractions on the way to Jasper and hit them on the way back. And the view is different from the two directions of the icefields parkway.

[RabbiGoldenberg]

Yoho trip notes.

We went to Yoho yesterday with four children six and under. I have to say it was a great experience. The visitor's center has a playground and a small lake that children like to swim in, and there is a nice picnic area right there next to the famous Kicking Horse River. The park itself is relatively small, and many of the trails accomodate strollers. At this time of year, Lake Louise is mobbed, so we went with the less populated park. They have two red chair locations in the park, and both are pretty accessible. Yoho is all cliffs and waterfalls, and none of the other parks are quite like it. It made mewish I had a helicopter tour, to see those ice fields around the perimeter.

[Mutty]

So we finally arrived in Banff on Sunday and they lost our luggage. Just got it now and we are leaving tomorrow! Question. We have a late flight out of Calgary tomorrow night. Any place in Calgary to get a meal? By the way the fairmont in Banff and here in lake Louise are really great. Anyway,if anyone knows about dinner in Calgary. Thanks

[RabbiGoldenberg]

So we finally arrived in Banff on Sunday and they lost our luggage. Just got it now and we are leaving tomorrow! Question. We have a late flight out of Calgary tomorrow night. Any place in Calgary to get a meal? By the way the fairmont in Banff and here in lake Louise are really great. Anyway,if anyone knows about dinner in Calgary. Thanks

I'm sorry I didn't get your message in time. There is a kosher Milchig non Cholov Yisrael cafe called Karen's Cafe hosted in the JCC on 90th ave across from Glenmore Landing. They are not open late, but you can make it there for supper. If you were stuck, we probably could have had you over :-).

[Mutty]

I'm sorry I didn't get your message in time. There is a kosher Milchig non Cholov Yisrael cafe called Karen's Cafe hosted in the JCC on 90th ave across from Glenmore Landing. They are not open late, but you can make it there for supper. If you were stuck, we probably could have had you over :-).

Home already. I tried calling Karens numerous times with no answer. But thanks anyway.

[Mutty]

So besides the lost luggage and a lot of wasted (costly) time, we are finally back from our trip. Hard to describe the beauty. One thing for anyone going. I got this recommendation right before we left. There's an APP called the gypsy guide to the Canadian rockies. They have a number of modules. I went with the recommendation and paid 14.99 for all of it. Basically, while driving from one place to another it knows where you are and gives you history, ideas, what's at each turnoff, how long are the hikes, what to see, etc. It really a great thing to have. I had something similar many years ago when we went to San Fransisco on a three whelled car. The radio did it. Anyway, highly recommended.

[Something Fishy]

All Canadian national parks will be free for 2017.

Get the pass here.

[blue eyes]

If i take  a flight from NYC - YEG with a stop in YYC,
will they make me collect my bags in YYC or will it go direct?
Id like to do a hidden city....

[tageed-lee]

All Canadian national parks will be free for 2017.

Get the pass here.

Thanks!