Going to Canada - booking excursions, here or in Canada?

[heisthegaffer]

Hi all

Myself and my significant other (luscious new wife) are going to Canada in June, specifically the following:-

Vancouver - 2 days
Rocky mountaineer to jasper for 2 days
Lake Louise 2 days
Banff 3 days
Calgary 2 days

Vancouver is sorted for activities as is the Rocky Mountaineer train but when looking for activities in the other places we are unsure whther it is best to book now via the 'net or chance our luck when we get there? Can anyone offer any advice at all?

We wish to do the following:-

White water rafting
Bear watching
Ice field glacier
Canoes/gondolas
Hikes
Zip lining

Is there anything else people can recommend?

Thanks all

[Haliatus]

heisthegaffer said:

Hi all

Myself and my significant other (luscious new wife) are going to Canada in June, specifically the following:-

Vancouver - 2 days
Rocky mountaineer to jasper for 2 days
Lake Louise 2 days
Banff 3 days
Calgary 2 days

Vancouver is sorted for activities as is the Rocky Mountaineer train but when looking for activities in the other places we are unsure whther it is best to book now via the 'net or chance our luck when we get there? Can anyone offer any advice at all?

We wish to do the following:-

White water rafting
Bear watching
Ice field glacier
Canoes/gondolas
Hikes
Zip lining

Is there anything else people can recommend?

Thanks all

White water rafting I did in Jasper and think we emailed before hand.

Columbia ice field we just turned up and paid.

Canoes turned up in banff hired a canoe and paddled around Vermillion lakes.

Ziplining - go to Whistler if you can for ziplining.

Hikes in Jasper drive over to Mount Edith Cavell and hike around there.

Bear watching don't pay anyone. You'll see bears in June as it will be berry season. I didn't see any Grizzlies around Jasper or Banff but did see tonnes of black bears.
Loads about around Banff at the moment as I have a few photography mates who are based there before they head off to Alaska for the summer. Jasper just take a drive out of town early evening either way (maligne canyon is good) and look around. You might even get wolves.

Another thing for finding wildlife go into the local tourist centres. They usually have a book with everyones recent sightings of wildlife. Take a look in these and chances are they'll be stuff nearby to go check out.

HTH

Luke

[heisthegaffer]

Ah, thanks for the detailed reply mate, great stuff!
Thanks again