Vacation in Banff and Jasper
Banff National Park, Alberta
Mountain Man enjoys his fair share of fan mail and by fair share I mean one a month from my mum. Whether it be Rockies bound visitors looking for a recommendation on Banff Accommodation or what activities are best at certain times of year, I am only too happy to help. Lee Ann emailed me with the following question:
Hi Mountain Man,
I am planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies this June. We have been to Glacier National and Waterton year before last. Loved it. We want to see things from the car and short hikes. Planning to fly in to Calgary then drive to Banff, then to Jasper and back to fly out of Calgary. My question is how many days to stay and where. We don’t mind moving every night if need be to see the most or staying 2 – 3 days at a time.
Well if you liked Glacier and Waterton, you are going to adore Banff and Jasper. Banff is gorgeous year-round but prepare yourself for crowds. It does get busy at peak season which just so happens to be June. Make sure to book your accommodations ASAP. Check out our hiking section. There are literally hundreds of climbs to choose from. One example of a great hike with superb views of Banff is Tunnel Mountain. Personally I would recommend staying three days in Banff, enjoying the atmosphere and nightlife before leaving to Jasper. The drive through the Icefields Parkway is one of the nicest you are ever likely to do. Though it takes about 3 and a half hours, make sure to leave early in the morning so you can stop frequently to look at wildlife, sights and the Athabasca Glacier.
Jasper is a lovely quaint little town with an abundance of activities to choose from. This is a great place to spend 2 nights relaxing. Stop off for tea in the Fairmont Lake Louise Chateau on your way back to Banff to enjoy one last night before the 90 minute drive back to Calgary. The trick to a summer vacation in Banff and Jasper is finding the right balance between adventures and relaxing. Either way you will have the time of your life.