Banff and Jasper
Discussion
Has anyone been to Banff and Jasper. We are going to the two resorts for a skiing/boarding honeymoon in December. I can't wait.
Any tips? What should we look out for, any special places to go, things to see? We are driving ourselves so have the luxury of a car to go off the beaten track if we wanted.
Any tips? What should we look out for, any special places to go, things to see? We are driving ourselves so have the luxury of a car to go off the beaten track if we wanted.
Me and the wife have been a few times to both places.
Lake louise is worth a look stunning indeed, on the way to jasper you have the columbian ice fields again stunning.
Also on the way to Jasper is athabasca falls very very stunning and you can go rafting there.
take a look here - http://picasaweb.google.com/allanv/Canada2006#
and here - http://picasaweb.google.com/allanv/Canada2008#
My only concern is the time of year, you may find that the snow has closed the road to Jasper. You will need snow chains as well.
Lake louise is worth a look stunning indeed, on the way to jasper you have the columbian ice fields again stunning.
Also on the way to Jasper is athabasca falls very very stunning and you can go rafting there.
take a look here - http://picasaweb.google.com/allanv/Canada2006#
and here - http://picasaweb.google.com/allanv/Canada2008#
My only concern is the time of year, you may find that the snow has closed the road to Jasper. You will need snow chains as well.
We went to Banff a few years ago now, so little point in suggesting particular restaurants, bars etc. However, we found it to be a lovely place, with varied skiing. Lake Lousie is well worth the trip, which is around 50 minutes by car, from Banff. Whilst this is a bit of a trek, it's a good road and despite the snowfall, was always passable. the snow is pretty universally dry and powdery. Sunshine(?) was considerably closer, but always seemd A LOT colder. I seem to recall lots of T bar lifts there too. This may have changed.
The base area at Louise was pretty big. Ski hire, creche, bars etc. It can get busy here at the weekend. Base at sunshine a lot smaller.
Take some good base layer clothing and pack a mask when you go out on the snow. The wind can be fiece at the top.
Banff itself had a great selection of bars and restaurants back then - I bet it's even better now. Gets very cold at night in the town, so wrap up well when going out.
Have fun!
The base area at Louise was pretty big. Ski hire, creche, bars etc. It can get busy here at the weekend. Base at sunshine a lot smaller.
Take some good base layer clothing and pack a mask when you go out on the snow. The wind can be fiece at the top.
Banff itself had a great selection of bars and restaurants back then - I bet it's even better now. Gets very cold at night in the town, so wrap up well when going out.
Have fun!
uh oh, slightly worried now, will the road really be likely to be blocked? Last thing i want is to be stuck out there! I will double check with the hire firm that snow chains are in the car.
Pics look great. Thanks for the tips guys. No doubt will have a billion photgraphs to bore you all with when we get back!
Pics look great. Thanks for the tips guys. No doubt will have a billion photgraphs to bore you all with when we get back!
I bought an annual pass. They are valid for 12 months and not vehicle specific. Sold it on e-bay when I returned. There's actually quite a trade in these so it might pay you to purchase one with just a few weeks' left on it - unless you propose visiting other Parks over the coming year.
Toffer said:
I have visited Banff in the winter...it was extraordinarily cold. The Fairmont Hotel at Banff Springs was very nice. They organised dog sledding for us on the frozen lakes...great fun and very cold! The town is very picturesque and also very cold...especially at night! 
Doesn't it get cold there?Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff