One week trip from Calgary
Jun 8, 2010 | 5:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Programs: KL Gold, SQ KF Gold, CX Green
Posts: 9,524
One week trip from Calgary
My partner and I will be in Calgary (where we have relatives) for 9 days in early September. We will have 6-7 days to do a road-trip from Calgary and I have some questions:
1) what would be a good itinerary which includes lots of natural beauty and not-too-crazy driving distances?
2) this trip would be roughly between 5 and 11 September. Would we need to book hotels in advance or is this low season and will it be easy to find something?
3) what is a good and cheap car rental in Calgary?
I (but not my partner) have been to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper before. I wouldn't mind going again.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
1) what would be a good itinerary which includes lots of natural beauty and not-too-crazy driving distances?
2) this trip would be roughly between 5 and 11 September. Would we need to book hotels in advance or is this low season and will it be easy to find something?
3) what is a good and cheap car rental in Calgary?
I (but not my partner) have been to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper before. I wouldn't mind going again.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Jun 8, 2010 | 9:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Posts: 239
It's an obvious answer, but the drive from Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway truly is among the most scenic drives in the world. Another option would be a loop from Banff south/west on Highway 93 to Radium Hot Springs, then north through Golden and back east on Highway 1 to Lake Louise. You'd go through three national parks in this case (Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho).
Most of my trips to the area are during ski season though so I'll leave it someone else to detail the best things to do in late summer. Keep in mind that September 4-6 is a holiday weekend in Canada so you will likely want advanced reservations for the start of your trip at least.
Most of my trips to the area are during ski season though so I'll leave it someone else to detail the best things to do in late summer. Keep in mind that September 4-6 is a holiday weekend in Canada so you will likely want advanced reservations for the start of your trip at least.
Jun 9, 2010 | 9:14 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,810
Have you been to Vancouver? You'd have more than enough time to do the drive to Vancouver (very scenic drive) in a one-way rental, then fly back to YYC.
Jun 9, 2010 | 9:23 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 132
hotwire . com has the cheapest car rental prices from YYC airport.
Even if you are not... choose USA as country of residence for the lowest prices on car rentals.
If you are into hiking, I suggest the free Peter Lougheed provincial park (Mt. Indefatigable) as a day trip. Take the Kanankasis Exit before Canmore and head south about 1/2 hour.
Even if you are not... choose USA as country of residence for the lowest prices on car rentals.
If you are into hiking, I suggest the free Peter Lougheed provincial park (Mt. Indefatigable) as a day trip. Take the Kanankasis Exit before Canmore and head south about 1/2 hour.
Jun 9, 2010 | 11:15 am
#5
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,873
I agree driving the Icefield Parkway from Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper is your best bet. (Ive taken that route a dozen times and its always been a fascinating trip)
Prepare for any sort of weather, it should be pretty nice/warm in the afternoon, but theres also a chance for temperatures to drop below 0 at night, personally September is my favourite time of the year in the Rockies.
Id definitely recommend booking a hotel in advance as the Rockies are still pretty busy in September (though not as bad as July/August).
Prepare for any sort of weather, it should be pretty nice/warm in the afternoon, but theres also a chance for temperatures to drop below 0 at night, personally September is my favourite time of the year in the Rockies.
Id definitely recommend booking a hotel in advance as the Rockies are still pretty busy in September (though not as bad as July/August).
Jun 9, 2010 | 4:48 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: DL PM, UA *S, SPG/MR Gold, IHG Spire, Hertz PC, pleb in all the rest
Posts: 387
You get to see all of the best parts of the Canadian Rockies, with some varying scenery (eg. desert-like in Radium, heavy mountain forest/glacier in Jasper), and go through 4 national parks. There is a ton to see and do, especially if you like outdoorsy stuff.
Jun 22, 2010 | 10:57 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 197
Do you wish to have this a strictly driving holiday?
How many days would you like to hike/swim or any other outdoorsy activities?
Also, in addition to some of the suggestions above, I would strongly consider the Waterton lakes area, and perhaps the badlands.
How many days would you like to hike/swim or any other outdoorsy activities?
Also, in addition to some of the suggestions above, I would strongly consider the Waterton lakes area, and perhaps the badlands.
Jun 23, 2010 | 9:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: pvr
Programs: US C.P.
Posts: 546
Heres a link that you may want to have a look at. This is an experience, if you can work it out!!
http://www.vacationsbyrail.com/canad...nff/#route_map
http://www.vacationsbyrail.com/canad...nff/#route_map