banff & jasper parks in November

[kaiyen]

Hi all,
Now, if there were a regional forum for something other than the Toronto part of Canada, I'd post there. But since there isn't...

I'm going to be in Edmonton for a conference in early November (4-9). Since Edmonton is a lot closer to Banff and Jasper than California is, I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to go.

So far, I've gotten strong recommendations to drive to Banff, then do the icefield parkway, then to Jasper, then back to Edmonton (I have to fly back out of Edmonton).

Anyone have tips on where to stay around there affordably? Done a trip like this in 4 days? etc?

allan

 

[BJ Bignell]

Allan,

It's a 3.5 hour drive from Edmonton to Jasper, and a 4.5 hour drive from Edmonton to Banff. Also, despite how close they look, it takes a couple of hours to drive between Banff and Jasper. Assuming that the roads are dry and clear of snow/ice, and that there are no wildlife incidents, vehicle accidents, or falling rocks, it's possible to do it all in four days, but it's a lot of driving.

I think you should pick one or the other, but not both. If you have a full four days to visit the mountains, go to Banff. Visit the hot springs, do some hiking, and get a hotel in Canmore if you can. Canmore is just outside of Banff National Park - 30 minute drive from the town of Banff - so it's a little cheaper, and it's where are the lifties live. (Lifties are the Aussies, Kiwis, and other out-of-towners that come to Canada to run the ski lifts.) The parties there can be great.

If you only have a weekend, go to Jasper. It's more laid back, less of a tourist trap, and there are some still some great hikes and scenery in the area. If Maligne Canyon is frozen by then, it's worth seeing. There are some great places to eat and drink, and it will also be cheaper to stay than in Banff.

Jasper National Park: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/index_e.asp
Banff National Park: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_e.asp

Cheers,
BJ

 

[venchka]

Something I know a little about.

Many businesses in Jasper close after Canadian Thanksgiving, Oct. 9, 2006. There's enough open for it not to be a problem. It's off season so prices should be down. Actually, it's probably better without the crowds. If you really want cheap, there are Hostels in the neighborhood and they aren't bad. Take a good sleeping bag and all the clothes you own. I've been snowed on 3 times in July.😀

My guess is that you have no better than a 50-50 chance of the Icefields Parkway being open between Jasper & Banff. Call either park headquarters to find out for sure.

Mount Edith Cavell & Angel Glacier are good if the road is open. Icefields Parkway south of Jasper (as far as it is open) is a good drive. My all time favorite place in Canada is Mt. Robson Provincial Park about an hour west of Jasper. If the clouds part, Mount Robson is AWESOME!

A couple pictures from Emerald Lake about 10 miles west of the Banff-Yoho boundary in October. This is about as good as the weather got. Go anyway!

PS: Since this is the RFF, these were shot with a Canon VI-T and Nikkor 50/1.4 on Kodak ISO 200 film.

Bon voyage! Show us lots of pictures!

 

[back alley]

if you have time for a coffee during the conference we should get together.

joe

 

[John]

Take a picture of your party with Back Alley, self timer or friendly passerby. 😀 😀

 

[kaiyen]

Joe - are you actually in Edmonton? We should definitely have some coffee. Let's chat more as it approaches.

It's funny. I got like 10 replies on apug, all about trying to do what I even thought was an ambitious effort with both parks. BJ - your information is very, very useful, and I think I will only do one or the other. If the icefield parkway is open, maybe I'll drive half of it only just to check it out, then head back and then back to Edmonton. that'll give me more like 2 days in either park.

I'm thinking Jasper since you say it's cheaper. I'm sure both are beautiful places. I won't be bringing any RFs, though. Just my RZ67, I think. at least 2 backs, a wide, normal and tele. It'll be fun.

allan

allan

 

[venchka]

Jasper on the busiest summer day is more relaxing and peaceful than a slow day in Banff. The Jasper Park Lodge is WAY overpriced to stay there. However, you can walk the grounds and enjoy the fire and a drink or a meal in the main Lodge.

Check in at Park headquarters and find out which roads are open. The side roads are great but may be closed. Maligne Lake, Athabaska Falls, Weeping Wall (if you can get there & it's cold enough), ... I could go on all day. If you can get over the summit on the Parkway continue south at least as far as Weeping Wall.

One more time, if the weather is right do not miss Mt. Robson. It's on the main east-west highway between Edmonton and B.C. and they keep it open.

Photo taken from highway between Mt. Robson and Terry Fox Provincial Park, September 11, 2005. Photo by Renee Galligher. All rights reserved.

Gosh I wish I had MF equipment for the Rockies. Hmmm...it would be worth another GAS attack!😀

 

[back alley]

allan,
i am in edmonton.

the biggest gamble in your plan is the weather and the road conditions.
november can be beautiful or we might be in a blizzard with the roads closed.
there is also the train from edm. to jasper - costs 96 bucks each way and takes about 5 hours each way.
i prefer jasper to banff, seems prettier and less touristy to me.

do you know where you're staying in edmonton?
joe

 

[kaiyen]

I'll be at the Fantasyland hotel for the conference. Got me a luxury room with a jacuzzi 🙂.

The train sounds tempting. I am not looking forward to the drive. So maybe train to Jasper, then just do that park? Can I get local transportation somewhere in Jasper?

I know I can look this up on the web, but I have to cull through 15 pages to get this information and just asking folks here is easier 🙂.

allan

 

[back alley]

taxi in jasper or rent a car.

fantasyland? in west edmonton mall. the most unnatural place on the planet, methinks. they have their own beach! indoors!

i hate winter driving. even in good weather you have to worry about 'black ice' depending on the temperature and conditions.
like driving on an ice rink, it can be.

i mostly stay home...

 

[kaiyen]

I'm not a big fan of winter driving, either, when I lived in the northeastern US. I like the idea of going to Jasper only. Hopefully I'll be able to access the park itself pretty well without having to drive too much on icy roads.

allan

 

[BJ Bignell]

One more time, if the weather is right do not miss Mt. Robson. It's on the main east-west highway between Edmonton and B.C. and they keep it open.

What Venchka fails to mention is that Mount Robson is something like 1.5 hours west of Jasper, making it nearly 5h from Edmonton. 😱

But it's true that when the weather is clear, and you can see to the top, it's a great place to visit!

 

[venchka]

If you take the train & the roads are passable, rent a car. It's a long way to the good sights from Jasper. You won't need a taxi in Jasper. You can walk the whole village of Jasper in a few minutes.

What to See and Do
Explore By Points-of-Interest

Jasper Points of Interest

Bon Voyage

 

[venchka]

... My all time favorite place in Canada is Mt. Robson Provincial Park about an hour west of Jasper. If the clouds part, Mount Robson is AWESOME!

Venchka didn't fail to mention the drive to Mt. Robson. It's a morning or afternoon trip from Jasper.

 

[Trius]

i hate winter driving. even in good weather you have to worry about 'black ice' depending on the temperature and conditions.
like driving on an ice rink, it can be.

i mostly stay home...

Yeah, but it's the best ice in the NHL! ooops, wrong type of ice.

Allan, if you rent in Jasper, check out if you can rent a 4WD; not that 4WD will save your but on ice, but in snow/slush it doesn't hurt to have some extra traction. And ask if they have real winter tires on it.

I am totally agreed on Jasper over Banff.

 

[kaiyen]

Hi all,
So now I'm trying to figure out the train options. I am on the VIA Rail Canada site, and it seems like things are all booked already. perhaps I am trying to book too early? Is there a different rail system in Canada that I am missing out on?

Also, it's saying it's over 5 hours to Jasper. Is that right?

thanks,
allan

 

[back alley]

5 hours and 20 minutes.
yes, it's called via rail.

i'm not too familiar with the reservation system as i've only used that trian once many many years ago.
i was planning on going up in early december this year though.

i can call from here if the website proves too frustrating.

joe

 

[kaiyen]

Joe,
Appreciate it. It turns out that there aren't that many trains goign the days I need, so I might have to make the long drive over there. Hm.

allan

 

[back alley]

there's always the bus.

 

[kaiyen]

Hm. Bus. Is there a national bus line?

allan