INFO REQUEST: Banff/Jasper/Yoho/Waterton Lakes/Glacier NPs

[Night Owl]

The wife and I are in the very early stages of planning our next big vacation, which we've agreed will be to the Canadian Rockies. Specifically, we're interested in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Parks (yes, yes...I know GNP isn't technically in Canada). Garibaldi Provincial Park is also a possiblity, depending on how it compares to the others.

We're not big hikers or campers. Pitching a tent is out of the question, as the wife is an "Ew! Bugs!" kind of person. Some hiking is expected. We're not incapable of a five- or six-mile trek, but we're not seasoned outdoorspersons, either (she works in an office and I go out of my way to drive whenever possible).

We're chiefly concerned with lodging. The Fairmonts look great (albeit, pricey), but we don't need the lap of luxury. OTOH, we're not looking for Bob's Discount TeePee Motel, where we'll have to go over the sheets with a blacklight before crawling in.

Please provide personal experiences and recommendations. TPFers' input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Hanky]

Well I was there in 70 and i'll never forget. This little philly on flickr is transplant but has some cool shots from up yonder.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2248122...7602256202981/

[Night Owl]

I was up there in the early 80s, but I was a little young to really appreciate or remember enough to help.

[preames]

I would reccomend either Lake Louise or the Kananaskis Valley, both located right in the middle of breath taking sceenery and neither which require long hikes to get great pictures. The lodge at Lake Louise is a Fairmont and can be pricey, but the emerald lake and glaciers make for one of the most beautiful spots in the world. The Delta at Kananaskis is not as pricey if I remember right, but it doesn't have the lake and glaciers.

[venchka]

The Executive Synopsis:

Places to stay:

Banff Springs Hotel. A valley view room. Our room was on a corner, 9th floor with two windows. One looked east up the valley and the other looked out at Mt. Rundle. Too many good dining rooms. Perfect.

Emerald Lake Lodge. We stayed there twice. Both times we had upstairs rooms with pefect views of the lake and mountains from our balcony. The dining room is fabulous.

Deer Lodge. Walking distance from the Chateau Lake Louise for about 1/4 the cost. Operated to the same high standards by the same company as the Emerald Lake Lodge. Dining room is great.

Becker's Chalets: We stayed in one of the newer 4-plex units, upstairs overlooking the playground. Perfect. One of the riverside cabins would be good too. Avoid the old, tiny, roadside units. Dining room was great.

Jasper Park Lodge: Expensive but worth it.

Lake O'Hara Lodge: We haven't stayed here, but we will the next time we go. A one of a kind gem.

Places to drive to:

Moraine Lake off the road to Lake Louise & Lake Louise. They look just like the postcards.

Icefields Glacier Tour. A bus trip out on a real glacier.

Maligne Lake boat trip to Spirit Island. Must do. Maligne Canyon walk. Both close together.

Angel Glacier & Mt. Edith Cavell.

Athabaska Falls. Weeping Wall.

Mt. Robson Provincial Park. See Mt. Robson up close. The most stunning single mountain on the Continental Divide.

Highway 93 from Highway 1 to Radium Hot Springs is really nice. A one day round trip excursion.

Actually, Glacier-Waterton Lake International Peace Park straddles the US-Canada border. The boat ride fron the villiage of Waterton south into Glacier N.P. is lovely.

Glacier: Trail of the Cedars. Logan Pass. Any of the big railroad lodges. Boat trips on any of the lakes.

Your proposed itinerary has one major flaw: You'll need a summer to do justice to all of those parks. Also, the best stuff is away from the roads.

PM me for more information. EDIT: On second thought, we're practically neighbors. We could meet & I could bore you with more information than you wanted to know.

Enjoy! I'm envious.

Cheers!

[Night Owl]

GREAT stuff! [scribbling]