After 2 years of not being able to travel outside of Ontario, we were able to finally took off and visit the Canadian Rockies for my advanced birthday celebration and Alexus graduation plus the honors / academic achievement. I am going to share here all the tips and tricks for a smooth, relaxed and value for -money travel for a family of 5 -
This is what we've accomplished, our Canadian Rockies Trip details
Time: 10 days - June 30 to July 10, 2022Scope: Lake Louise, Lake Moraine (hiked Rock Pile), Takakkaw Falls (and other Yoho National Park viewpoints, Johnston Canyon, Golden, BC (Skybridge /Adventure Package), Kicking Horse Whitewater Rafting Exciter Level 2, Banff (Canoeing, Gondola / Sulphur Mountain and other viewpoints), Canmore, Drumheller, Royal Tyrrell Museum, Calgary Stampede Parade and Rodeo Show
Out of Scope: Columbia Icefields Parkway and Jasper National Park (as the parkway closed due to an accident on the highway) we missed getting on the Skywalk, riding the big Red Bus to go to the Glaciers, Athabasca Falls, Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake, Maligne Lake and other mountains to climb like Edith Cavell etc.
Cost: I will share high, average and low cost options so you can plan better.
Like our Disneyworld Trip in Orlando in 2018, we followed the Project Management Principles to focus on the 3 major constraints - Time, Scope and Cost and be successful in our trip.
Tip no 1. - Book flights early and buy your tickets for activities online. Cost of budget airlines are cheaper on sale months. Note that everything in a budget airline will cost - Carry-on bags (choose to check in and max the luggage space, bring backpacks for each passenger), do not use counter service that is +$25 (buy seats, pay for luggage and check-in online), bring food or eat before flights. The lines to buy activity tickets onsite are longer especially during peak season. We skipped many lines and enjoyed the attractions immediately than those who opted to line up. Our companions do not like waiting so that will also change the mood of the party if you hear complaints from impatient teenagers.
Tickets to attractions that you can buy online ahead of time:
1. Discovery Pass - each time you go and park to a national park like YOHO, JASPER, BANFF, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, Emerald, Peyto, you will have to pay $20 per car. Buy the annual pass of $145/family if you plan to go to all of these parks and other national parks in Canada, also valid for a year.
2. White Water Rafting Exciter Level 2 - Wild Water Adventures http://www.wildwater.com
3. Banff Gondola, Golden Skybridge / Adventure Package, Columbia Icefields Adventure Skywalk / Glacier - https://www.banffjaspercollection.com
4. Park and Ride tickets to visit Lake Louise and Lake Moraine - https://www.banfflakelouise.com/explorethepark/lake-louise-moraine-summer-shuttle
Note that in the crazy days at Pearson Airport nowadays, all airlines were either delayed or cancelled regardless if you are budget airline or not.
Tip no. 2 HOTEL Find a location that suits whatever activity your family plan to do or likes to do. We stayed in a variety of locations to be close to the attractions and maximize the travel time. Canmore is 20 minutes to Banff, Banff is 30 minutes to Lake Louise and Lake Louise is 3 hours to Jasper via Columbia Icefields Parkway, 30 minutes to Yoho National Park, 1 hour to Golden, BC. Do the math and find out the duration of your travel to and from the locations mentioned. We stayed at Lake Louise during the dates we planned for the visit to the 2 lakes, Yoho, Golden and Columbia, then moved on to Banff for the attractions near Banff, then Canmore to get closer to Calgary, then stayed in Calgary near the airport for the Stampede and Drumheller days.
High Cost but very nice locations : Fairmont Lake Louise (when I inquired the rate at the time we are going -> $1,800 / night phew! Lake Moraine Lodge is another - very serene location. Moose Hotel and Suites along Banff.
Average to Midrange - the hotels along Banff Avenue, walking distance to everything. Lake Louise Inn or the Post Hotel in Lake Louise. Holiday Inn Express in Canmore
Low / Budget - Hostel International at Lake Louise - this is where we stayed for the first 3 nights, first timers using a hostel, we liked it. very clean, 24 hours check in, with clean kitchen and utensils, with restaurant if you don't like cooking. Try the HI in Banff or try camping at the campgrounds near Lake Minnewanka, OTenTiks are inviting but too difficult to book. There is a shuttle bus from Banff going to the campsite. There is another campsite in Tunnel Mountain near Banff. There are Airbnbs and townhouses available but you have to book early and trust that the rental will proceed because we experience cancellation at the last minute. I do not trust Airbnbs now. Canmore Airbnbs are newer and bigger but consider the additional travel time.
Tip no. 3 FOOD Prepare meals and packed lunches especially if the activities call for energy like Hiking, walking, Rafting and there might not be any food places in your destination, better be prepared than starved. Stopover at Walmart near YYC then buy essentials - bread, cold cuts, eggs, bananas, apples for your packed lunches. Buy water, oil if you are cooking also dishwashing soap and laundry soap. I brought my French Press to brew my own and save on coffee :)
Foodies must try (High): Sky Bistro at top of Sulphur Mountain for a date nite, Chuck's Steak in Banff, Balkan (Greek), The Elk or Bison meat Burger at Eddie's Burger in Banff, the Ramen Arashi (ramenarashi.com) Place at Sundance Mall in Banff (the line up is still long at 2:00 pm, must be good). Fire and Rain, for Jasper I heard, Something Else is something to try. Golden - Reposados tacos in a unique setting and the Korean resto,. We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory, the menu is the same as other locations, same as BP and other resto / chains in Banff.
Low-cost: Food stalls in malls at Banff - Cascade Mall (Popeyes, Subway, there is also a Chinese and Bento place), you can order from Domino's Pizza to deliver at your Hotel, it was raining one night and we did this.
FOOD TO TRY near CALGARY -> BIG SKY BBQ PIT in OKOTOKS, AB
Tip no. 4 - SAVE TIME by planning on your activities per day - no spaghetti diagram - that means going back and forth, go one direction. Which activities are close to each other? We did Golden and Whitewater Rafting in one day, the 2 Lakes in one day, all Banff attractions at the same time. Estimate the travel time and TRY TO LEAVE EARLY, you can do so much when you start early, when the others are still sleeping LOL. We left for the Lake Louise very early and arrived there at 5:40 am and guess what? the area is packed, the boardwalk where you can take nice photos are full of people posing! After savoring the moment, move on to the next. We would have not been able to enter Lake Moraine in our rental car if we arrived there after 8:00 am. We were one of the few who arrived at the Lake Moraine parking lot at 7:00 am and made it. ARRIVE EARLY and accomplish more, less hassle finding a parking spot, less people, more time to enjoy the view. Summer is when all the people decide to visit the Canadian Rockies so be out when they are still in lol. Yes, our kids complained for waking up early but when we are back to our hotels by 3:00 pm to nap, relax or enjoy the WIFI to connect with friends, our vacation is really considered a vacation, no stress just lounging and enjoying the cool weather and each other's company.
Tip No. 5 - CLOTHES Pack light and do laundry there. Bring winter clothing - single digit in the morning and in the evening, some hotels don't have aircons and they open the windows so expect the cold lol. Check the weather.
Tip No. 6 - ACTIVITIES Whitewater Rafting is a must, Golden Skybridge and the Adventure package will make your heart flutter - Treetop trekking aka Canyon Edge, Ziplining, Axe-throwing. Hiking is expected, so be prepared and be fit - savor the mountain air and enjoy the view. You can see how great and creative our God is coming up with all those different lake colors. Different lake, different color - visit and take note of the color of Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, Peyto Lake just to name a few.
When you go in July be sure to watch the Calgary Stampede Parade. The downtown roads will be closed by 7:30 am so be sure to hit the road early and park close the Calgary Tower because that's where the parade starts. The early bird Parking fee is only $13, if its beyond 9:00 am it's $25. Watch the Rodeo Show and wear Cowboy outfits just to feel the vibes. Buy Western hats at a western store (high) or at Dollarama (low) along Stephen's Avenue. After leaving Banff and before Calgary, try the Skyline Luge or Downhill Karting at the Olympic Park. It's a must-try for kids and adults.
Tip No 7. - Download the Gypsy guide app - the tours are amazing, we learned a lot while driving and viewing the mountains. The guide also give tips on where to stop and what to look for. I thought we will be bored during the long drive to Drumheller but the guide was very entertaining, we learned a lot about dinosaurs even before arriving at Royal Tyrrell Museum to see the fossils and bones.
Car Rental - choose the one with gas-inclusive, bring your own GPS because that is a add-on. Book online early.
Tip No 8 - Shop in Calgary - the outlet Mall is Crossiron Mills and it's on the way back from Drumheller the Tax is only 5%. buy a new luggage or throw away old clothing lol.
All these tips are for saving Money, Time and Energy. We tried and experienced it so I hope this helps.
It's already my birthday now Ciao!
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