Banff travel advice needed!

[Bill McBlueState]

Hey all,

In July I'm going to Banff for a meeting on star formation. Well, that's the official reason. But the Mrs. and I are going to spend a few days exploring the area first. :bounce:

So tell me, where should we go? I hear there's lots of hiking and scenery, but what should we do and what should we avoid?

Yeah, Canadian Rockies!

[Scout]

1. loved it there

Drive the Bow Valley Parkway, we saw lots of wildlife--moose, big horn sheep.

camp at Lake Louise, or at least visit the lake ... you can horseback ride there, and go all the way up above the lake to the Tea House. You can rent a canoe and go out on the lake, or hike along the side from the hotel end to the other end and visit the glacier.

There is also Moraine Lake, very beautiful.

We didn't spend much time in the town of Banff, just drove around some. We preferred to be out of town in the beaty around it.

There's also the Columbia Glacier, I think, and other parks besides Banff.

Get on the web site for Banff, there is good information there to help you plan.

[Warren Stuart]

2. Take the Icefield Parkway

Up to Jasper, check out the Glacier on the way.

Emerald Lake is another georgeous sopt.

The Grizzlies are active in the early summer, they need to put on weight for the winter, last summer we had to hike in groups of 4 or more.

[welshTerrier2]

4. I second this !!

the ride up to jasper was some of the best scenery i've ever seen ... the river running along side the road was turquoise ... every turn of the road had us stopping to take another picture ...

in the banff area, we really loved Morraine Lake ... i think it's just a little bit west of Banff not too far from where the icefields parkway starts ... i think they may have filmed one of those Molson commericals there ... btw, if you're camping, learn what to do and not to do about bears ... if you're looking for a hotel, book early ... it's a very popular place ... btw, a "must do" in the Banff area is to go to Lake Louise ... you could stay at the hotel there or just visit ... we rented a canoe and paddled the mile or so across the lake ...

it's been almost 20 years since i was in jasper which is well north of Banff ... not much was going on up there but the scenery is incredible ... we camped at a federal campground right along a river ... one activity that might be worth checking out is the boat ride you can take on Maligne Lake ...

one really cool thing about going that far north in the early summer is that it stays light until around 11pm ...

[The Lone Liberal]

3. I think you will be close to the Burgess Shale

something not to be missed.

[fudge stripe cookays]

5. Got lodgings yet?

We stayed at an adorable B & B off the main drag called Treetops that was really nice. And reasonable.

For dinner, something really fu-fu-- if you have one night to really splurge, try Le Beaujolais. I sampled my first caribou there! (but you may have to take out a 2nd mortgage)

Take an afternoon to drive to Lake Louise. You can't be that close and not see it. The color is absolutely gorgeous, and Chateau Lake Louise is marvelous.

[Bill McBlueState]

7. I have lodging for the conference

but not for the rest of the trip. Places are filling up fast, though!

We're at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge in the town of Banff. We'll probably spend the first and last nights in Calgary, which leaves two more nights to find a place.

[fudge stripe cookays]

8. If you'll be in Calgary for a day or two....

Go to the River Cafe!

It is by far the most amazing restaurant I've ever been. We always save a little bit to go, but the Canadian cuisine is to die for! Absolutely amazing: BC orchards produce, seafood from the BC and Maritime Coasts, locally made bread, chocolate, etc.

http://www.river-cafe.com/

It's all decorated inside like a very rustic hunting/fishing lodge. From the windows, you can watch Canadian geese and black squirrels. The menu changes seasonally. We have never had a bad meal there.

Since it's on Prince's Island, you have to walk to it over one of the bridges. I'd suggest parking near Eau Claire Market somewhere.

Sorry no recommendations on lodging in Calgary. I always stayed with reprehensor or with friends. Although I did attend a conference at the Delta Bow Valley which was pretty nice and near everything downtown.

http://www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.do?hotelId=16

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. I use this site for a lot.

Here's the Banff link:

http://www.banff.worldweb.com/