A Cheeky non-ski question....

Hi All

My wife and I are off to Canada next year but not for skiing (sadly the budget had to bend somewhere and having 3 months off work would have been the last straw)

BUT

We are going to Jasper, Lake Louise and Bannf on our travels (Candian train toJjasper from Toronto, few days in National Park and then Rocky Mountaineer from Bannf to Vancouver)

So my question to the good and ever knowledgeable J2Ski crowd is: what shoud we planning on seeing / doing in these resorts in September (any thoughts on Toronto, Vancouver or Victoria gratefully acccepted too)

All suggestions (well, most of them - knowing you lot) welcomed 8)

Take a good book as mountains without snow are a waste of time

Tony_H wrote:Take a good book as mountains without snow are a waste of time

hardly - we'll be seeing bears, moose, caribou as well as breathtaking scenery such as the view over the lake from the Fairmont at Lake Louise.

We'll ski that area at some point I'm sure but simply wanted hints from anyone that's actually been to these places....

I was being facetious. Soz

One of the things to do in Banff would be to go up Sulphur Mountain and take in all the spectacular views. Then on the way down, stop off at the hot springs and take a dip.

Depending on how long you are in Banff, you could try to get a guided kayak tour on the river Bow, that would be stunning.

Calgary is only a two hour drive from Banff, and you may still get a Rodeo happening in September, plus you could check out the winter park they built for the Calgary Winter Olympics.

If you are golfers, then there is the golf course attached to the Fairmont hotel in Banff. Plenty of famous people have been round there.

Sadly, I have only been to Banff in the proper season, so spent most of my time skiing :). Not been elsewhere in Canada yet either, but it is high on my list.

Cheers FQ

Golf was something that crossed my mind but on a 3 week train journey I think carrying golf shoes etc may be excess weight thats not worth the trouble (pity as we're keen golfers both - played a stunning course in Las Vegas on hols last month)

Sulphur Moauntain is a great tip - I assumed they used the gondolas in Summer too but good to hear thats the one to go for

Tony_H wrote:I was being facetious. Soz

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Drive the Icefields parkway
- see bow summit lookout
- stop off at the athabasca glacier
- see Num-Ti-Jah lodge (stay the night if possible)
- there are many other sight seeing opportunities on this drive

Banff :
-have a drink in the Banff springs Hotel
-take a look at the Bow falls
-drive to Lake Minnewanka and Johnson Lake
-Sulphur Mountain Gondola as previously mentioned
-loads of nice walks and hikes (e.g. the trail around tunnel mountain is easy and nice)
-lake Louise is a 45 min drive from banff
-have a drink in the Chateau Lake Louise
-walk around Lake Louise
-moraine lake is supposed to be amazing and it is not accessible by car in winter - there are some good walks around here
-http://www.whitemountainadventures.com/ run tours up to Sunshine Village for spectacular alpine walks


Jasper:
- Whistler mountain gondola
- Loads of nice walks and hikes

Calgary etc...:
- Between Banff and Calgary, the 1A highway is much more interesting than the Hwy 1 and passes ghost lake reservoir and recreation area
- Has a great aircraft museum


Other:
- The drive from Banff to Revelstoke is spectacular
- Emerald lake is definitely worth the detour (and is very near Burgess shale if you are interested in that sort of thing)
- lunch at the Eagle's Eye Restaurant at Kickinghorse Mountain resort (check for opening times during September)
- Kickinghorse has some of the best lift serviced downhill mountain biking available but be sure to get adequate insurance

Vancouver:
- loads of nice walks around Stanley park
- Great shopping
- Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
www.vancouverchinesegarden.com/
-Grouse mountain
-Lynn Canyon park