doing the rockies

Husband and I are going to do the motor trip through the Rockies after our Alaska cruise . We planned to rent a car and drive from Vancouver on the trans canada hwy to Kamloops, Revelstoke , Canmore(would love Banff, but too expensive) and end up in Calgary. Is it a big mistake to skip Jasper? Would it be better to do Kelowna and drive to Jasper then Banff(Canmore)? Please advise. Thanks, Any good restuurants along the way???

If you are going to Kamloops, you could take Highway 5 from there to Jasper. It is a

lovely drive. From Jasper, you could then drive to Banff/Canmore through the

Columbia Icefields. This is also a lovely drive. This is a bit longer than your original

plan but I think you would enjoy it more. Haven't done this for a few years so can't

suggest restaurants. Hopefully, someone else can recommend some for you.

Thanks a friend of my husband's from Calgary said the very same thing. He said the best view of Rockies is on the way to Jasper, Did you stay anywhere special in Jasper?

We loved Jasper, especially the elk along the highway, and the incredible scenery from the tram. We did a white water rafting trip along the Athabasca...Highly recommend you add Jasper and then head to Banff/Canmore along Icefields Parkway. Scenery incredible and very unspoiled.

Husband and I are going to do the motor trip through the Rockies after our Alaska cruise . We planned to rent a car and drive from Vancouver on the trans canada hwy to Kamloops, Revelstoke , Canmore(would love Banff, but too expensive) and end up in Calgary. Is it a big mistake to skip Jasper? Would it be better to do Kelowna and drive to Jasper then Banff(Canmore)? Please advise. Thanks, Any good restuurants along the way???

Wow. You will have a great time. You can't go wrong in the Canadian rockies. You have pciked a couple of different routes both with a very different Mountains. Sounds stupid by Kelowna very warm and wine county Kamloops airid and dry. Jasper is beautiful but just as expensive as Banff is not more so. Banff has more tourists. Depending when you go you can get so great deals in Banff. After labour day and before ski season. I wouldn't recomend the Baff Springs hotel as you will be dissapointed unless spending big bucks. Jasper park Lodge or Chateau Lke Louise are nicer but pricey. If that is out then any of the hotels in Baff are all about the same price and quality. I have stayed in quite a few and they are all about the same. (Ski lodges). Don't stay in Canmore. 90% of the hotels are on the highway or train tracks. You might save $10.00 - $20.00 but not worth it. they built it up strange. There is a couple a little further off the highway but you will be paying Banff prices. As far as a restaurant. The Grizzly house in Banff is a blast. It is a fondu house. Expensive but worth every dime. Make reservations quite small. Don't wear anything you don't want to smell like oil but a great little place. Need at leat 2 to 3 hours to enjoy the meal. There is also a great little truck stop in Sicamous BC. It is called the Welcome Inn cafe or Welcome Inn cheap and home cooking. Nothing to look at but clean and full of truckers. (a good sign.) Jasper is great but it is about 5hrs from Calgary so leave time.

Hope this helps

I've stayed here: www.parkplaceinn.com while in Jasper. Nicest hotel I've ever been in as far as rooms, services. Highly recommend this property.

pete

IMHO it would be a mistake to skip Jasper... the Icefields Parkway is a lovely drive (and Becker'scabins along the way a beautiful riverside location).. Lots of pull offs for scenery, waterfalls etc. and very very clean compared to mountains at least here in NC.. no commercialism. Jasper itself has alot to offer IMHO only: the views from the Tramway down the Athabasca are stunning, there is great rafting on the river, nearby Maligne Lake and not even mentioning sharing the highways and sidewalks with the local elk.. a site to see is the bull on the hill by the Railway tracks next to a four-lane highway with his harem literally at his feet surrounding him.. And these elk do literally stop traffic.. the town itself is very charming but small.

If you have time Waterton Lakes south of Calgary is worth a day or two as is Glacier National Park..

just returned from trip to canadian rockies. spent 2 nights in banff, 1 in jasper and one in nearby hinton (it was cheaper). loved banff--stayed at royal canadian lodge, in jasper at sawridge. try to spend 1 night in jasper and do not miss mt edith clavell. we almost decided to skip it--i loved the glacier, yu can go right up to it, the surrounding rocks are amazing. see the columbia icefield, maligne cyn, johnston canyon, and go to a hot springs. We saw sheep, a bear, a baby coyote and caribou. it was better than alaska!

I am just beginning to research a western canadian rockies traintour.

Any input on Via Rial Canada vs. Rocky Mountaineer?

I have heard pros and cons to both Via and Rocky Mountaineer. The Rocky Mountaineer stops each night at a different town. I have not heard the same for Via. Defintely worth asking a TA or Via directly. What would the joy in traveling thru the Rockies while you Slept.

Also if you chose Via you will depart from Edmonton, whereas Rocky Mountaineer departs Calgary (my home Town).

My folks are doing The Mountaineer in June and then taking Norweigan Sun to Alaska. Then returning for the World Famous Calgary Stampede.(They still live in eastern Canada).

Canmore is a great town to spend some time. Check out http://www.falconcrestlodge.ca for luxurious accommodations at a resonable price.

If you want a Train Tour, use the Rocky Mountaineer. They leave from Vancouver or Calgary/Banff or Jasper. THe first night in either direction you spend in Kamloops B.C. Leaving from vancouver post crusie you go through the Fraser Valley, to the Fraser Canyon, to the Thompson Canyon into Kamloops. Lovely scenery the whole day. They take you from the door of your Train Car right to your hotel. The next morning they take you right back to the door of your train car. Day 2 you are on through the mountains, outstandingly gorgeous scenery. Pay the extra and go Gold Leaf Service, you are well looked after in Red Leaf but spoiled rotten in Gold Leaf! Via goes all day all night, so you miss areas of scenery. Having done both I vote for Rocky Mountaineer hands down!V