Canadian Rockies Itineraries

Suggested trips for your Canadian Rockies holiday

See the best of the Canadian Rockies in Jasper National Park.

By Michele Kadison

Staff Writer

Rockies.com

CANADIAN ROCKIES (Rockies.com) – Here at Rockies.com we’ve come up with a series of itineraries for interesting routes that can make your vacation fulfilling and efficient. Our suggestions are to give you an overview of possible trips that can be achieved within specific time frames so you can determine what you’d like to see within the framework of the time you have to spend.

Seasonal travel

If you are traveling to Banff National Park in the early summer, the best route is from Vancouver towards the Canadian Rockies as the coast will be warming up much faster than the area around the mountains. If you are traveling in the fall, it is best to travel from the Rockies towards Vancouver as the mountains will cool down sooner than the areas around the coast. In July and August it makes no difference which way you travel weather-wise, however airfares and rental car fees may be higher.

Distance

The distance between towns in western Canada can be much greater than in more densely populated areas. Gasoline stations are often an hour or an hour and a half apart, so make sure you fill your tank when the gauge level is at the halfway point. Take a look at MapQuest to determine distance and driving times between towns.

Time Zones

Most of British Columbia is in the Pacific Time Zone, however Alberta and the Kootenay-Rockies area at the eastern end of British Columbia are in the Mountain Time Zone. If you cross time zones in a westerly direction you will gain an hour. If you cross time zones in an easterly direction you will lose an hour. If you are driving Highway #16 (the Yellowhead Highway), you cross time zones at the Alberta/British Columbia border (also the border of Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park.) If you are driving Highway #1 (the Trans-Canada Highway), you cross time zones between Golden and Revelstoke. If you are driving Highway #3 (the Crowsnest Highway), you change time zones between Cranbrook and Creston.

One Day Itinerary from Calgary

• 

  Dip your toes in the glacial waters of Lake Louise on a warm summer day.

  Drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1) to the village of Lake Louise. Visit Moraine Lake, walking to the top of the rocks at the north end of the lake.

• Drive to the lake at Lake Louise (three miles from the village of Lake Louise) and walk the lakeshore path or take the hike to Fairview Lookout. The path begins to the left of the boathouse where canoes are rented. You will walk uphill for a mile.
• Drive to Banff, going to the end of the main street, which is Banff Avenue. Cross the Bow River, turn left, and drive to the back of the National Parks Administration Building. Then walk to the gardens in front of the building where you can take a photo looking across the town towards Mount Norquay and Cascade Mountain. If the weather is bad, go inside the building to look at Canada Place.
• Stroll through the town and stop for lunch.

Five Day Itinerary from Calgary

• From Calgary, drive to your desired mountain base: Banff, Canmore or Lake Louise
• Visit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Take a half-day hike from either lake or visit Yoho National Park to see the Spiral Tunnel viewing area, Takakkaw Falls, the natural bridge over the Kicking Horse River and Emerald Lake.
• Drive to the Columbia Icefields located on the Icefields Parkway (Hwy #93). This scenic route connects Lake Louise and Jasper. Stop off at Peyto Lake, just off the Icefields Parkway approximately a half hour outside of Lake Louise. Once you arrive at the Columbia Icefields, take a Snowcoach ride on the Athabasca Glacier. If you are fit, take a three to five hour guided walk on the glacier (advanced reservations required). Drive north along the Icefields Parkway until you are ready to turn back. Try to get as far as Sunwapta Falls.
• From your base, visit Johnston Canyon, where you can walk to the Lower Falls. Drive the Lake Minnewanka Loop and take the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. If you are fit, take a hike up the mountain. Stroll through the town of Banff. If you have a morning flight on Day 5, drive to Calgary the night before and stay overnight. If your plane takes off mid-day, spend your last night in the mountains and fly to Calgary in the morning.