Travel Answers

I'm thinking of going to Jasper for Easter. Does anyone know what the average weather is and will it impact on the views or me getting about. Thanks

My wife and I are spending a few days in Jasper in June - arriving and leaving by train. We are U.K. residents and usually have no problems in finding accommodations on the North American Continent with websites and facilities for making bookings using credit cards. Unfortunately we have not found too many places in the town that have their own websites, and generally they are pretty basic and do not have booking facilities or offer credit card transactions. All we need is somewhere clean and comfortable to rest our heads for four nights, preferably with en suite bathroom and breakfast provided. Do any such places exist in Jasper? If so, do they accept credit card bookings, and how can we contact them? PLEASE HELP. Woody Moore

I've got an updated itinerary - taking into consideration some suggestions that were offered earlier. Please let me know if this makes sense travel-wise and all. There are a few questions intermingled I still have in the planning, please help out if you can. THANKS! Day 1: Arrive Calgary Day 2: Drive to Banff - bow lake/gondola. Stay at 2 Jack Lake Day 3: Banff - L Minnewanka, Whyte Museum. Stay 2 Jack Lake Day 4: Day trip to Kootenay - either stay there at hot springs or back in Banff? Is it too far to drive there & back in one day? Day 5: Drive to LL along Bow Valley Parkway. Stay at LL tent site Day 6: L Louise - either Agnes Tea house hike or 6 glaciers hike (which is better???) canoe on the lake. Stay LL tent. Day 7: Yoho - tak falls, natural bridge, etc. stay @ tak falls tent Day 8: Lake Ohara (is that possible? Am I too late?) Or hoodoos hike. Stay Tak falls tent. Day 9: Ice fields parkway. Bow lake/Peyto Lake. Stay Num Ti Jah Lodge Day 10: Columbia Ice fields in AM, Wilcox pass in PM. Stay at wilcox creek tent camping. Day 11: to Jasper - athabasca falls/Mt Edith Cavall. Stay in a hotel in Jasper Day 12: Maligne canyon/lake/cruise. Stay in same hotel. Day 13: Day trip to Mt Robson park or stay in Mt Robson & camp? Is it worth a day trip if we don't hike all the way to Berg Lake? We could walk to Kinney Lake. Day 14: Drive back to Calgary (should we drive back through Banff or through Edmonton?) THANKS ALL CAN'T WAIT.

We are a group of 8 adults and 4 children, we are arriving calgary in May 2011 and would like to explore rockies in motorhome or tents for 5 nights only, and we want to drop our motorhomes at Jasper and than take a 2 cars from Jasper to vancouvar. However the problem is there is no drop off facility at Jasper, either we have to go back to calgary to drop the motorhome or drop it at vancouvar, we do not want to rent out the motorhomes for more than 5 nights, can you please advise a renting company who can help us in this. Further can you suggest some good camping grounds in banff and jasper national park. Can you also suggest which places to visit and no. of days to stay in each place in rockies Thanks Devang Kanakia

Several people who wrote about Tangle Falls mention there was a pull off spot to park for the path to Tangle Falls. Is this spot big enough for large RV's. Thank You

Hi all, We will be going to Sunwapta Falls Resort Sept 10th from Seattle Wa. Interested in what we should expect weatherwise. Tried looking for a long range forecast but couldn't find anything that extends that far. Also, is the weather pretty similar to Banff, e.g. Lake louise, Johnson canyon area? Thanks all in advance

We are 2 couples staying in the area for a couple of nights in Sept 2010. Will it be possible to just roll up on the day & find accomodation for that night at that time of year? Is last minute accom listed somewhere in town?

I'm really getting worried but it seems NONE of the car rental companies provide drop off for the above drive. But my air and train tickets have already been booked for this 19 - 25 Jun trip. I'll be most grateful for any guidance.

Hi everyone, I'm going to be on a business trip to Grande Grande Prairie and would like to take the weekend, Sat and Sun in Jasper and then fly back out of Grande Prairie's airport. I've been checking the maps and HWY 40 down from Grande Prairie to Grande Cache then down to Jasper in about 5 hours. My question is, how dangerous is that road and how likely is it to be closed? I'm big on photography and I'm primarily going to drive along there down to Jasper and take photos along the way so I don't really want to fly into Edmonton and take the drive to Jasper as it doesn't seem as interesting. I've also been looking at points of interests in Jasper to see where I can go for photographs when I'm there and are many of them closed in the winter? Also, are there roads that allow me to drive to those points of interests? I'm not sure if rentals in Alberta put snow tires on the cars they rent out so that might be a problem do because it looks like it's required by law and I wouldn't want to drive along dangerous roads without snows. I live in Toronto and I always have snow tires on my car. Any suggestions would be much appreciated it. I have the option of flying into Edmonton direct without flying to grande prairie and drive to Grande Prairie for a week then drive back out. Thanks.

Hello everyone, Hope you can help me with my where-to-go or not to go travel plans struggle! We are planning to go to Canada for 7 nights in mid June. We will fly into Vancouver, where we would like to spend a few days. Then we’re not sure what to do! Drive to the Rockies and fly out of Calgary, or stay in the Vancouver/Vancouver Island area. Basically, I would LOVE to see the Rockies but I’m worried we won’t have enough time there (essentially 4 nights). It’s not just about ticking boxes, we want to be able to enjoy where we are too rather than rush from place to place. So should we just stay longer in Vancouver, go to Vancouver Island etc and save Rockies for another, separate Rockies only holiday? Please help! Thank you.

Hi everyone Does anyone know what is the best way to get to Jasper in winter from Calgary International Airport? I checked around and apparently there is no shuttle bus unlike Banff What are my options? My plan was to spend 2 days in Jasper and 2 days in Banff coming from Seattle and then my next destination would be Toronto

Hi all, We are 2 adults and a 12 yr kid planing a round trip by car from Vancouver. Are 10 day enough? What is the recommended rout, considering main attractions? Nice places stay over night? Are there any local festivals during August that we should attend? Thank you in advance, Meir

Hello, my wife and I are from New Orleans. We are considering a car trip from Prince Rupert to Jasper National Park. We would be traveling the last two weeks of September 2009. We are seeking advice on doing this trip. What are the road conditions and availability of gas, etc. at that time? Can you recommend any literature that might be helpful? Can you recommend any one else we might contact for information? We would be traveling back to Seattle after visiting the park. Thanks for your time, Warren & Eva Kelley

Please, anyone aware of daytime bus travel from Jasper to Vancouver 17th Sept? Regards Shirley

We need transport from Jasper to Banff to link up with Airporter going to Calgary. What else is available besides Brewsters which leaves 12.30pm not getting into Calgary till late. We would like to have a wee look around Calgary city before we fly out early next morning. Thanks, Shirley

Hi I am visiting Calgary, Banff and Jasper over the July 4 weekend. First 2 nights in Banff , then 2 nights in jasper and then on the way back last nite stay again in Banff. Can you please let me know which are the MUST SEE places in these 2 areas. IWe plan to see all the famous places/lakes but dont know if will need to hike to get to these places or are they accessible by car. will be coming with a 1 year old and husband and another couple. Can we manage with a stroller or should we get a child carrier instead?Also hows the weather like in July 4th weekendand should we carry clothes for extreme heat- shorts /t shirts etc and a light jacket.Any other tips about visitng that place with a 1 yr old. Lastly if we have 1 afternoon available for Calgary whats the ebst thing to see in calgary or in the famous stampede. A quick response will be highly appreciated as I only have few days to plan? thnaks in advance?

After stepping off an Alaska cruise 7-8am on 13th September we are undecided as to how to do and see the most through Banff, Jasper etc before heading back to Vancouver to fly home to Oz on the 18th. Have read through lots of advice to others but still SO undecided! Considered car hire but wonder how we would cope with being on the oppposite side of the road?? - (we are around the 60 yo range) Doubt that we will get back to this area (So many places to visit) so the choicest if we can. Would consider all modes of transport! Many thanks, Shirley and Gary

I will be tent camping for a week. I am planning to book the weekend nights in Jasper - We are traveling July 25 through August 1. Friday night through Thursday night. I would like to find quiet, relaxing places to camp - showers are nice, but not necessary every night. Not really interested in being in Banff -the town. I am thinking of starting on the outer campgrounds - Pocahontas - two nights (but I have read that a lot of people recommend Snaring River (but I don't think they take reservations and it will be a Friday and Saturday night, then near Jasper at Wapiti two nights - would like to stay one night, Tuesday, between Jasper and Lake Louise - no reservations accepted along there however - if I arrive early would I be able to get camping? which one is good? also should I go to Lake Louise or Banff? A lot of people seem to thing Tunnel Mountain is nice. - what about Johnston Canyon? Thanks - Michelle

I will be visiting JAsper for 1 and a half days in July first week of 2008. Could anyone recommend an interesting day hike that has good views along the way too? I wanted to do parekrs ridge but found out that the hike itself is not very good, just the view at the end is. I would like to do a moderate hike that would take maybe 3-4 hours from start to finish. I know asking to pick one hike from hundreds of 'best' ones is daunting, but I would still appreciate what you guys think.

Hi everybody, I have a question and I hope someone can help me with it. Last year my girlfriend and I travelled through the Western side of Canada, including Jasper and Banff National Park. Now we want to visit Jasper again, we think about that place almost everyday. We're planning to return in late May or June 2009. I'm just wondering what to do. We're flying over from Holland to Vancouver I think. Last time we took the bus to go to Jasper, but I'm thinking of hiring a car and drive to Jasper myself. But, I'm not familiar with big traffic ( I'm from Holland you see d:), and I don't know the route. My questions are: Can I rent a car and drive up to Jasper ( and probably Banff too) myself or take the bus? Is June a better time to go then May? In terms of seeing wildlife like bears? Can someone recommend me when to book the hotels for that period in 2009? Any help is much appreciated, thanks for helping out! Kind regards, Ralph and Lenny

We are scheduled to arrive in Calgary on July 3rd afternooon and fly back on July 8th evening from Calgary and will drive to the Rockies and thats all that is planned so far. Can you advise me on the itenary for the 5 days I have...which places should I visit and in what order ...shd I go to Banff first and then Jasper and the must see places, activites..etc etc and which scenic routes do you recommend ...also which cities/towns shd I look for acco in . Its going to be a busy time of the year esp with the Calgary stampede...is that event worth spending time on ..which events are recommended.Also we have a 1 yr old ...so please sugegst activites etc I am looking at this forum to help me plan my trip and all responses would be highly appreciated

Going to the Canadian Rockies for my honeymoon in late July and deciding on the Itinarary. We have 6 nights, are staying at some Fairmont Properties, and will take the Rocky Mountaineer train in from Vancouver. Will rent a car in the mountains. Some Questions: 1. Is the train ride worthwhile? 2. Stay 2 nights in Jasper or 4 nights in Jasper? 3. Is it worth staying in Lake Louise? 4. How long travel time between Jasper - LLouise and Banff? Thanks alot!!

Hello All Thanks for much for your inputs. At leats 1 thing I have decided is that we will fly from Sea-Calgary rather than drive to jasper/banff as we would like to use the 5 days to actually see the gorgreous places you all have mentioned!! And yes I am very aware that 1 trip or just 5 days dont do justice to these parks and I have all intentions to go back again. I am still undecided about May memorial ( 23-27 May) or July independence day ( July 3-7). the calgary stampede also happens in July so I am guessing those make the parks also crowd up a lot and places to stay are expensive. So is the crowd a major deterring and delaying factor to get to places or is it ok...how different will be the experience in May end ...just marginally different or dramatically different....does May last week mean its still going to be too cold to wlak comfortable around with a 11 month baby or is it not that bad... I would love to hear more ...thanks in advance for taking the time to reply

Hello All I am planning a trip to Jasper and Banff from Seattle with my husband and my 11 month old baby. I have a few questions and would request inputs as I need to figure out my plan in the next day or so - Should we go in end of May 2008 or July first week. I know July is overall mroe recommended because of warm weather but is Memorial week in may end a definite no no. what kind of weather variation can I expect and will it prevent us from enjoying our trip/seeing places. Is July a compeltley different experience from May and worth delaying the trip - we only have 5.5 days max including travel time. Believe that vancouver to Banff drive is abt 10 hrs one way and driving so much in such a short vacation may not be the best idea. So we were thinking of flying to Calgary ( so we could get max time in the rockies) and use that as the starting point to go to Lake Louise, jasper and Banff and fly back from calgary to seattle. is that recommended Do we miss out on any picturesque places - recommended cities/hotels to stay ( nothing too cheap not too fancy ) - advise activites with a 11 mth old and must see places Would love to hear back from you avid travellers with any inputs

I will be in Jasper National Park for three nights (May 29-31st). Can anyone recommend any good campgrounds for tent camping? We don't care too much about amenities (even primitive campsites are fine), and we are looking for something scenic that will be a good base for us to explore Jasper. Is it crazy to not make reservations for this time of year?

Sounds like I'll need a wide angle and zoom lens. If so my digital won't make the grade. I LOVE seeing my pic immediately. What do you recommend? In July spending 3 nights in Banff with 5 leftover. Should I spend more nights in Lake Louise or Jasper? Looking for somewhat mild but exciting white water rafting. Suggestions?

My wife and I are planning our vacation for this May and I'm interested to head off to Calgary then drive to Banff. I've read here that Jasper is equally beautiful (and I'm sure it is) but I'd like to know if it's worth the extra time and cost of going there? If it will just be more of the same sceneries (lakes, glaciers, mountains, wildlife, etc.) that can be found in Banff then I might just skip it. Thanks for your opinions!

Where did "Jape"r get its name? did it come form the first nations? if so what dose the name mean?

Hi there I'm travelling by myself to Jasper in December from 6-9th. Is there anything anyone would recommend doing/seeing while i'm there? Also, would anyone know which bars to hit up? Thanks :)

Hello, My 2 friends and I are in need of long term housing in Jasper, AB. We have called numerous apartments and searched through tons of classifieds but everything is full. At this point in time, we don't really care how big the place is, whether its a basement, a house or and apartment...anything will go. Please contact me via email at zach.redeker@gmail.com or by phone at 780.464.0464