Awesome video! As always I pick up on some new things. I've actually never eaten at Lakeview Lounge and will have to give it a try. I also never knew about that Jasper sign! I wonder why they put it out by the East side of town vs South so you'd see it coming from Banff. Question- What benefits are there to going to the parks in Summer and is it a different enough experience to bother going for someone who has been multiple times? Been twice in May (love the snow on the peaks) and September for the Larch. I want to try it but it's so much more expensive and I'm afraid the crowds will be overwhelming compared to the shoulder seasons.
You're way too nice, but thank you. I agree about the Jasper sign. I don't think it's the most common sense place to put it, but then again, I had it to myself which was nice. Good question about summer. I guess the benefit of summer is that everything is open. Moraine Lake access (by bus) is available, the summer gondola rides at Lake Louise is open, the Bow Valley Parkway is fully open, Lake Agnes, the boat rides around Lake Minnewanka are running. However, I prefer May and late September (like you) because i look the look of the snow on the mountain peaks, the larch trees and even, in some places (Icefields Parkway) on the trees. It's also less busy in May and late September.
We are going to Banff and Jasper in two weeks. I have two quick questions.... We purchased a Parks Canada Pass. Is there an express lane we can go through to enter Banff National Park so that we do not have to wait in line? We will be coming from our Hotel in Canmore...... My other questions is... We made reservations through the Parks Canada site for the bus to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Our reservation say that we need to get on the bus at the Lake Louise Sky Resort (1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise, AB, T0L 1E0). I heard parking is limited in that area? Do you have any suggestions on parking for the bus to Lake Louise or any other tips to make this bus ride go slowly? I heard it can be crazy during the summer.
Hi there. Your questions: Yes, there is an "express" (by-pass) lane you can travel through when you enter the park from the east (traveling from Calgary). As you enter the park (after you travel by Canmore) stay to the very far right lane (it is well signed). You'll then be able to freely enter the park and you won't need to stop, wait and check in with the park booths. 2nd Question: First recommendation - if you can - get to Lake Louise early. It has become pretty bad in the summer. I find that if I'm not there by 9am, it's too busy for me. Of course, if you're traveling and have other plans it is sometimes difficult to be there when you want. I did travel (in May) to see the Shuttle bus area because I am traveling back to Banff in September and will be going to Moraine Lake. Parking was fine at the shuttle area (Lake Louise ski resort) but, it was May! I do know someone in the tourism community in Banff and they tell me the parking area overflow is designed to accommodate most of the summer traffic (this is where the shuttle buses are), but I remain skeptical. A local told me that you should have no significant issues in the summer in the parking area before noon but it's a nightmare from late morning to late afternoon. I hope this helps a little. As an aside, I'm currently editing my much more detailed Lake Louise video (and this video has about a minute just dedicated to parking) - this won't help you though as you'll be visiting before the video is up. Enjoy Banff!
We are travelling the rockies late September/early October in an rv do you have travel itenary or must see suggestions we have roughly ten days and there is so much to do we don’t know where to start.
Hi there - you're picking a beautiful time of year to travel in the Park - and less crowded (a bonus!). Where you start, I guess), depends on if you're beginning in Banff or Jasper. I'll assume Banff. Naturally, much depends on your personal interests and if you like to remain in one place rather than move around. However, I would probably spend about 4 days in the Banff townsite area, 2 days in the Lake Louise area and then 4 days in the Jasper area - if you're spending less time in the park you can adjust the times (obviously). Banff: If you have an RV I would probably stay in the Tunnel Mt. Trailer Court. It's very nice (beautiful views in the area) - it's only open until October 6 so if you're later than that then Tunnel Mtn. Village II is open all year-round. You can catch the bus into town, walk (it's about 2.5 km), taxi or bike. I would spend a day (give or take) exploring on foot the Banff townsite. AND - visit the Info Center because they can give you updates on everything. I would spend another day exploring the Sulphur Mt area - which includes the Banff Springs Hotel, Gondola and the Sulphur Mt hot springs (if you want). You can also check out Bow Falls and Surprise Corner. On a third day I would explore the lakes - Vermillion Lakes, Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka (open to Oct. 14). If the weather is foul, you can do a day of museums - there are a few in the townsite and the Cave and Basin. If you have an extra day, nearby Canmore and Kananaskis is incredible! Lake Louise: Campsite: Lake Louise Hard Sided - open all year. If you have not seen Moraine Lake, do! I'm not a fan of the shuttle - probably because I'm used to just driving there - but you'll need to take a shuttle. The lake is open until October 14. I would also visit Lake Louise of course - the lake, Chateau and if you like hiking, Lake Agnes (up the mountain). It's open until October 14. Your second (or first) day in the Lake Louise area, I would visit Johnston Canyon and drive the Bow Valley Parkway. Jasper: Camping: Whistlers is the largest and open to October 14; Wapiti is open all year. Both nice and close to town. I would spend 4 days in Jasper but the first day, would be a long one. Drive north up the Icefields Parkway and stop at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and then keep driving to the Columbia Icefields. The tour is one of the must do highlights - it is open until October 13. After the Icefield tour keep driving north. I would then base myself in Jasper and then spend one day in the town (and Jasper Park Lodge and gondola), one day exploring Maligne Lake and Canyon and one day visiting the waterfalls (Athabasca and Sunwapta). I hope this covers most of it - drive safely, I was there in late May and it was snowing very hard in the Icefields Parkway - and it does snow there in September! Finally - I typed this rather fast so please excuse some typos and grammar errors.
Hi, your video is amazing info. I have only 5 days and 4 nights in middle of this August for a round trips from Vancouver to Banff national park . May you have any suggestions please 🙏. Thank you
Oh wow!! This video is amazing! So informative and stunning photography! The hot springs look so inviting!
Thank you. You have to go to Jasper!
The best video with torn of info .
Thank you!
That is so nice and I really appreciate it - it's far from perfect I know, but that comment made my day. Thank you.
Fantastic video. Thank you very much
Thank you very much. I really appreciate the comment. ❤️
Beautiful video, but sad to think how much of Jasper would be gone within a month. 😢
Thank you. I know! It is unreal and devastating - the power of mother nature is profound. Thank god it appears that there was no loss of (human) life.
Awesome video! As always I pick up on some new things. I've actually never eaten at Lakeview Lounge and will have to give it a try. I also never knew about that Jasper sign! I wonder why they put it out by the East side of town vs South so you'd see it coming from Banff.
Question- What benefits are there to going to the parks in Summer and is it a different enough experience to bother going for someone who has been multiple times? Been twice in May (love the snow on the peaks) and September for the Larch. I want to try it but it's so much more expensive and I'm afraid the crowds will be overwhelming compared to the shoulder seasons.
You're way too nice, but thank you. I agree about the Jasper sign. I don't think it's the most common sense place to put it, but then again, I had it to myself which was nice.
Good question about summer. I guess the benefit of summer is that everything is open. Moraine Lake access (by bus) is available, the summer gondola rides at Lake Louise is open, the Bow Valley Parkway is fully open, Lake Agnes, the boat rides around Lake Minnewanka are running. However, I prefer May and late September (like you) because i look the look of the snow on the mountain peaks, the larch trees and even, in some places (Icefields Parkway) on the trees. It's also less busy in May and late September.
@@traveleaz Thanks, yeah I think we might try for a late September when most of the things are still open and hope for a little snow.
Best time to visit I think.
We are going to Banff and Jasper in two weeks. I have two quick questions.... We purchased a Parks Canada Pass. Is there an express lane we can go through to enter Banff National Park so that we do not have to wait in line? We will be coming from our Hotel in Canmore...... My other questions is... We made reservations through the Parks Canada site for the bus to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Our reservation say that we need to get on the bus at the Lake Louise Sky Resort (1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise, AB, T0L 1E0). I heard parking is limited in that area? Do you have any suggestions on parking for the bus to Lake Louise or any other tips to make this bus ride go slowly? I heard it can be crazy during the summer.
Hi there. Your questions: Yes, there is an "express" (by-pass) lane you can travel through when you enter the park from the east (traveling from Calgary). As you enter the park (after you travel by Canmore) stay to the very far right lane (it is well signed). You'll then be able to freely enter the park and you won't need to stop, wait and check in with the park booths. 2nd Question: First recommendation - if you can - get to Lake Louise early. It has become pretty bad in the summer. I find that if I'm not there by 9am, it's too busy for me. Of course, if you're traveling and have other plans it is sometimes difficult to be there when you want. I did travel (in May) to see the Shuttle bus area because I am traveling back to Banff in September and will be going to Moraine Lake. Parking was fine at the shuttle area (Lake Louise ski resort) but, it was May! I do know someone in the tourism community in Banff and they tell me the parking area overflow is designed to accommodate most of the summer traffic (this is where the shuttle buses are), but I remain skeptical. A local told me that you should have no significant issues in the summer in the parking area before noon but it's a nightmare from late morning to late afternoon. I hope this helps a little. As an aside, I'm currently editing my much more detailed Lake Louise video (and this video has about a minute just dedicated to parking) - this won't help you though as you'll be visiting before the video is up. Enjoy Banff!
We are travelling the rockies late September/early October in an rv do you have travel itenary or must see suggestions we have roughly ten days and there is so much to do we don’t know where to start.
Hi there - you're picking a beautiful time of year to travel in the Park - and less crowded (a bonus!).
Where you start, I guess), depends on if you're beginning in Banff or Jasper. I'll assume Banff. Naturally, much depends on your personal interests and if you like to remain in one place rather than move around. However, I would probably spend about 4 days in the Banff townsite area, 2 days in the Lake Louise area and then 4 days in the Jasper area - if you're spending less time in the park you can adjust the times (obviously).
Banff:
If you have an RV I would probably stay in the Tunnel Mt. Trailer Court. It's very nice (beautiful views in the area) - it's only open until October 6 so if you're later than that then Tunnel Mtn. Village II is open all year-round. You can catch the bus into town, walk (it's about 2.5 km), taxi or bike. I would spend a day (give or take) exploring on foot the Banff townsite. AND - visit the Info Center because they can give you updates on everything. I would spend another day exploring the Sulphur Mt area - which includes the Banff Springs Hotel, Gondola and the Sulphur Mt hot springs (if you want). You can also check out Bow Falls and Surprise Corner. On a third day I would explore the lakes - Vermillion Lakes, Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka (open to Oct. 14). If the weather is foul, you can do a day of museums - there are a few in the townsite and the Cave and Basin.
If you have an extra day, nearby Canmore and Kananaskis is incredible!
Lake Louise:
Campsite: Lake Louise Hard Sided - open all year.
If you have not seen Moraine Lake, do! I'm not a fan of the shuttle - probably because I'm used to just driving there - but you'll need to take a shuttle. The lake is open until October 14.
I would also visit Lake Louise of course - the lake, Chateau and if you like hiking, Lake Agnes (up the mountain). It's open until October 14.
Your second (or first) day in the Lake Louise area, I would visit Johnston Canyon and drive the Bow Valley Parkway.
Jasper:
Camping: Whistlers is the largest and open to October 14; Wapiti is open all year. Both nice and close to town.
I would spend 4 days in Jasper but the first day, would be a long one. Drive north up the Icefields Parkway and stop at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and then keep driving to the Columbia Icefields. The tour is one of the must do highlights - it is open until October 13.
After the Icefield tour keep driving north. I would then base myself in Jasper and then spend one day in the town (and Jasper Park Lodge and gondola), one day exploring Maligne Lake and Canyon and one day visiting the waterfalls (Athabasca and Sunwapta).
I hope this covers most of it - drive safely, I was there in late May and it was snowing very hard in the Icefields Parkway - and it does snow there in September!
Finally - I typed this rather fast so please excuse some typos and grammar errors.
Hi, your video is amazing info. I have only 5 days and 4 nights in middle of this August for a round trips from Vancouver to Banff national park . May you have any suggestions please 🙏. Thank you