I’ve just returned from the magnificent, majestic Rocky Mountains and thought that I would share my experiences of this fabulous JY tour with the community. The immense scale of the Canadian Rockies cannot be underestimated, and to visit at this time of year, to see them in their winter coat of white, only serves to accentuate their breathtaking beauty. The weather was glorious with sunny skies almost every day and temperatures ranging from -3deg in Jasper to -34deg in Banff and -14deg at Lake Louise.
I’ll now say a few words about each of the 3 locations in which we were based...and I’ll start where it all began in Banff.
Banff is a beautiful town with its main street, Banff Avenue, framed by Cascade Mountain at one end and Sulphur Mountain at the other. Our hotel, the Elk+ Avenue had very comfortable, spacious rooms, served a great breakfast and was in a good location on Banff Avenue, within walking distance of the many restaurants, bars and shops. Highlights here included visits to the Bow River Falls, Banff Hot Springs, and our horse-drawn sleigh ride. On days 2 and 3 you will have some free time here, so I thought that I would include my own ‘top tips’ for things to do.
Climb Tunnel Mountain (1690m) to say that you’ve scaled a Rockies Peak! It’s not nearly as difficult as it sounds, the trail is easy to follow and you get a great view on reaching the summit. It took me and another person from my group about 50minutes from the start of the trail which is located about 15minutes walk from the town centre.
Take a helicopter ride (£170 for 25minutes) for the ultimate Rockies experience.
Walk to the Banff Springs hotel, located just outside of the town centre and walk back to downtown along the Bow River Trail - simply beautiful.
On day 4 we moved on to the former railroad town of Jasper, and it’s beautiful national park. Our hotel, the Lobstick Lodge, was situated on the outskirts of town but was only a short 15 minute walk into the town centre and it’s shops, bars and restaurants. If you’d like to eat closer to the hotel, I can recommend the ‘Whisky Jack Grill’ - less than 5 minutes walk away. Highlights here included a visit to the frozen Pyramid Lake with spectacular views of Pyramid mountain and Mount Edith Cavel, the Athabasca River and a visit from an entire herd of elk outside our hotel entrance! The Maligne Canyon icewalk was also a great experience, led by expert guides throughout.
My ‘top tip’ in your free time here? Why not walk along to the local sports centre and watch an ice hockey game - it’s great fun!
Our final stay was at Lake Louise and it’s mighty Chateau. Nothing can prepare the first-time visitor for the majesty of this spectacular setting. Just when you think that the views can’t get any better...they do! Staying at the Chateau was a delight and a privilege, of course, but TM Patrick took us all for a walk across the frozen lake before eventually allowing us to turn and look back...to see the Chateau framed by the mountains in the background - a truly wonderful vista!
After 8 days, it’s fair to say no-one wanted to leave this magical land. My thanks go to TM Patrick Twomey, who led the group in his own inimitable style, to driver Mike, who drove us so safely and was a throughly nice guy as well, and also to my travelling companions who helped to make this tour so memorable. To Alison, Mike, the 2 Sharon’s, Alan, Olivia, Sandi, Barry and the rest...it was my greatest pleasure to travel with you.
Finally, I would like to quote the title of a book by Heather Reisman, written in 2017 to commerate the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Canadian state. ‘The World Needs More Canada’. Based on this experience, I could not agree more!
If you have any questions regarding this tour I’ll do my very best to answer them.
Mike
