A Cheeky non-ski question....

Andy,
What a request,,,,,do you have 2 hours ????

What a trip!!! You will never forget it it!

First,,,do you have a GPS! If so get the North American software. You will understand why once you see options!

Second,,,yes Google map is a great option.

Third,,,,What you will not get on net is the "flavor" of the culture. the essence of the country. That you will get by "listening" to the people. knowing a little Canadian history and knowing the origins of that railroad you will be taking.

Here is the first point that few tourists know. That railroad you will be taking was built for one reason. To make sure that Canada ( from coast to coast ) would exists since the Americans in the 1800s were planning to expand North! Imagine the rockies under the eagle !

You will also notice "cultural" variations as you flow into the "melting pot of people" ! Very French in Quebec ( look up Plains of Abraham), very anglo-saxon Toronto, be ready for the long long slavic names in the western provinces. The result of wars revolutions and genocides!

May I suggest you go away from the "tourist paths" all prepared for you in various places. Take a walk in Jasper to a small park just several blocks away from the train station. You will be suprised !

Walk up the Columbia ice fields. Do not take bus with all the tourists! You will feel the earth melting. You will see the past, the present and the coming future. Touch that emeral green freezing water coming out of the glacier. The sensation will last a life time! Take one of the perfectly round stones,,polished for
centuries by the ice. Take it home for your mantel.

Must stop since Dave will say I am taking too much room on this site!

Oh,,,,one more.

At Banff,,,go to the natural giant hot springs just above the town, Dip into the sulfuric waters for 1-2 hours. It will do wonders for your stress, your back, your sore joints! If you can do it at night,,,the view from pool is "enchanting" !

You will be a new man after trip!

Bon Voyage!!!

Pavel
Tour Guide

sorry if Ive slightly neglected this thread - too excited by all that snow!!

Thanks for all of the suggestions - very much appreciated :thumbup:

Echo what all the others who HAVE been to these places say, as I have been to Banff, Lake Louise, etc and also Vancouver/Calgary, but would also mention how nice Granville Island in in Vancouver. Rather than take a book - you will need a good camera, pair of binoculars and enjoy the fabulous scenery and wildlife (and in Banff I actually saw an elk on Elk Street!) - lovely!

Thanks!

Its only nine months away now - by the time I've had skiing, various mountain bike trips and the Olympics it'll be upon me!

I second Dgou's recommendation of Granville Island in Vancouver. It has a great market. Also, check out Granville island brewing.