Summer in the Canadian Rockies is considered high season (although this year might be anyone's guess). You need to start booking now if you plan on coming in July/August and even then the choice places may already be booked.

Given a choice, come in September. The crowds are gone, the prices are more sane and the weather is typically alot more reasonable - July can be wet and cold, August and September are generally the most reliable.

If you go halfway to the mountains (40 miles west of Calgary) you come to Kananaskis which is a provincial park in the edge of the Rockies - you get the views without the steepest hikes. There are a couple of very good lodges there, more hiking trails you will ever walk, and one of the best golf courses in the world (and it's a public course) and the park is a lot less crowded than the Banff area (except for long weekends when all of Calgary heads out there).

Although the word Rodeo has some very specific connotations, you can't compare the Calgary Stampede to any other rodeo - it's so much more than that that it's hard to describe. Imagine the Mardi Gras with cowboy boots, not nearly as many college kids going wild but all the fun and good times - it truely is a party to enjoy. It's as much family oriented as it is a major event that Calgary goes all out for.

Two of the best lodges you can possibly stay at are the Deer Lodge in Lake Louse and Emerald Lake Lodge in Field (about 30 miles west of Lake Louise). Deer Lodge is right next to the lake and has far better food but is more rustic than the Chateau Lake Louise but is also cheaper. Emerald Lake Lodge is much more isolated, equally good food and more oriented to the luxury hiking crowds. Either will be a highlight of your trip for sure.

There are some very good river rafting trips out of Golden and Field down the Kicking Horse river if that's to your fancy also, as well as guided ATV trips, backcountry horse trips, and even helicopter hiking trips where you only walk down after a sumptious meal!

Enjoy.