Columbia Ice Fields (Alberta)

[Flames9_RN 358]

Howdy. Flying back to Canada June 13- July 02. Starting off in Calgary for a wedding, and then spending the first week in Alberta ( wife flies back to DC and I fly to Saskatoon) So we really have Tuesday June 17- Friday 20th to tour Alberta (Monday will be spent with sister in Calgary touring) So were thinking of driving from Calgary to the Columbia Ice Fields, and in the same day make it up to Edmonton. Plan to be on the road like 0500,lol Any tips on what to see in the Columbia ice fields or Jasper area?

[Carlawarla 1]

Gene flew into Edmonton June 06 and we drove to Jasper, then down the Iceland Parkway ventured over to Golden and then down to Banff and Calgary. What a trip! One jaunt we did was go to Maligne Lake...took a boat out to Spirit Island. Was wonderful. Well worth going. We stopped off at various spots along the parkway...walked up to the icefield...gosh, high elevation, cold up there, long treacherous walk! We drove from Jasper to Golden BC, and that took HOURS. The next day from Golden to Banff. I didn't think we stopped a lot, but it does take a long time to appreciate all the sites. The drive is incredible. We also stopped in Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls. We took a gondola ride up the mountain in Banff. I prefer Jasper, and the parkway rather than Banff, so we didn't spend as much time in Banff. Here's some pictures we took.

Enjoy your trip!

[MissStacey 1]

Try to have lunch or at least a drink at the Jasper Park Lodge. It is a beautiful view and a nice area to walk around when your done. There is a long driveway that leads up to the Lodge and there is usually lots of Elk right on the side of the driveway.

The town of Jasper itself is pretty small, so it is quite easy and doesn't take very long to check out all the shops.

Edited May 1, 2008 by MissStacey

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Oooh!! Enjoy your trip! The Rockies in Alberta are stunning! (Why is he moving to the midwest instead of me moving there, again?)

I've only been there twice, so I'm not exactly a font of wisdom and advice, but I will say I enjoyed Banff a lot more the first time I was there--off season in May--than I did when my fiance and I were there in August, mainly because it was sooooo crowded the second time. Preferred Jasper quite a bit for that reason.

Some stuff I enjoyed there that I can remember: 6 bridges hiking trail (I don't think that's the actual name, but it's close--I'll look at our pictures tonight and see what it was called), the Jasper tramway (but it was COLD at the top!!!), the Columbia Ice Fields glacier snow coach tour, and there is an abandoned mining town with a self-guided trail in Banff that isn't likely to be very crowded (can't remember the name but maybe someone here knows what I'm talking about).

When I went to Banff in 2004, we stayed in Canmore, which was very nice. I have never stayed right in Banff so I can't really compare, but I would recommend it. There were actually some rather nice restaurants both in Jasper Townsite and in Canmore.

[Brian_bellingham 0]

Be prepared to take lots of pictures. Also be prepared for cool weather, even in the summer. It can and occasionally does snow during the summer months at the icefields. We had very heavy snow there in late September last year when we went. You also will want to take some good boots to wear, as it can be slick. It is more like walking on snow then walking on an ice rink, but if you get those shoe grips that are like tire chains for your shoes, that will help. It is a long drive, (Banff to Jasper), and the experts say to do it in one day if you want to see everything.

You will have a great chance to see Elk in the Jasper area. If you see a bunch of cars parked along side of the road, chances are they are taking pictures of Elk, or even bears.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Will be staying away from banff, I have been there enough. I even did a Mountain Operations course there back in my Army days. We might go up to Canmore on Monday.

Wil see, maybe stay over night in Jasper, just sucks there is no Hilton or affiliate there as we have oodles of hilton points, oh well. thanks all

[MrsCat 6]

I took Chris to the Stampede and Rockies last year. He LOVED Jasper National Park.

Not sure if you're both into hiking, but on the way to Jasper from Banff is Johnston's Canyon. Its kind of busy at times, but is an amazing hike in the middle of a rushing canyon. Its a fairly easy hike, however lots of tourists. I really hate crowds, but I never miss a chance to go there. I'm sure there are oodles of pics on the internet.

Finish the hike with a nice cold ice cream cone from the store. Head up to Jasper National Park. Stop at the Columbia Ice Fields. Even without the ice truck thingies, you can walk fairly high up the glacier. Bring good shoes for walking.

Stop in Jasper, if it is a Sunday morning, they have the most amazing breakfast buffet at the Jasper Park Lodge. If you don't want to spend the $$$$$$ on a room in Jasper, there is a really nice B&B in Hinton. http://www.suitedream.com/

On the way to Edmonton from Jasper is Crescent Falls Provincial Park. It's quite nice, however last time I was there the road was really only accessible by 4X4.

If your heading to Banff from Calgary - stop at Chief Chiniki's. They have (maybe had now) amazing buffalo burgers, and the lamest "Indian" artifacts ever. If nothing it worth the laugh. If you want a scenic drive, on the way from Calgary to Banff take the old HWY 1. It runs through to the Stoney Indian Reservation, and has the most amazing views. There are horses everywhere on the side of the road, so you have to drive a little slower - but there are never any cops, campers or tourists.

Other than that - can't think of much else.

Edited May 2, 2008 by cattattude

[Flames9_RN 358]

I think we have our plan for Tuesday to Friday worked out!! Depart early Tuesday morning and make our way up to the Columbia ice fields, check that out, take one of those snocoach tours, stay overnight tin Jasper. On Wed, rent a canoe on http://www.malignelake.com/canoe.html maybe as well do the JasperTram http://www.jaspertramway.com/ (maybe do that Tuesday) then head off to Edmonton. Check out the mall Thursday morning, no desire to see the whole mall,lol do the rollercoaster, etc and then back to Calgary. There is some big science exhibit http://www.telusworldofscience.com/ that my wife wants to see. not sure why, we visited the one in Vancouver last year, I bet they are very similar!! As well have to go to Pete's Drive in for a burger and a shake!! Best deal for a car rental was through Thrift. Mon to Saturday for $125 (plus taxes). Just have to find a reasonable priced place for jasper. Appears a B&B is the best bet

[Carlawarla 1]

That sounds like a lovely trip flames! I just remembered when you mentioned B&B, that that's where we stayed in Jasper, at a B&B. They were a bit more expensive in the summer, but there are lots to choose from. An excellent site is http://www.bbcanada.com/ You can plug in the place and lots have pictures. Excellent source of B&B's in Canada. The place we chose in Jasper wasn't that great because it was very very hot when we were there and there was no AC. It was okay though since it was only one night. They had a little efficiency unit right in the "room". The place we stayed at in Golden for two days was a better deal, and we had our own little log cabin overlooking the mountains. Whatever you chose to do, or stay, have a fabulous time!