I really preferred Moraine Lake to Lake Louise. Lake Louise gets quite crowded in summer and I didn't find it to be nearly as beautiful as Moraine, which is stunning in summer.

The icefields are interesting to drive up to. It is a long drive though from Banff.

We had a fun day canoeing to Vermillion Lakes. You rent the canoes in Banff, where you put in. There were very few people out and we spotted mule deer and several eagles while we were out. Bring a picnic and eat in the canoe.

Animals - elk, longhorn sheep - are prolific on the Bow Valley Parkway, which leads to Johnston Canyon. We stayed at the small cabins there for about a week and liked them quite a lot. Even if you don't stay, park there and do the hike past several waterfalls and ultimately to the Ink Pots, mineral springs in brilliant colors.

We were there for more than two weeks last summer and did a lot of hiking - Peyto Lake, Bow Falls/Hoodoo trail, etc. There's another hike I liked a lot, but can't remember the name. If you're interested in hikes, email me and I'll ask my husband. He's much better at remembering those things.

In Calgary we stayed at the Sheraton Suite Eau Claire and found the service to be outstanding. It's near a park with outdoor plays in summer and the Eau Claire Market.

Oh ... as for Grizzly House ... I agree it's expensive. You should check it out though. It's complete throwback to the 70s. Be sure to go in the bathrooms. Have someone at your table call you there ...