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Conference kaosws::canada

Title:True North Strong & Free
Notice:Introduction in Note 535, For Sale/Wanted in 524
Moderator:POLAR::RICHARDSON
Created:Fri Jun 19 1987
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1040
Total number of notes:13668

671.0. "Vancouver - jasper - banff" by IOSG::EVANSG () Wed Mar 24 1993 07:14

    Hello from Reading UK!
    
    First of all, thanks for all the wonderful information we have been
    able to get out of this notesfile - a real goldmine! My husband,
    20-months old daughter and I will be coming over on a touring
    holiday in May and are looking forward to it VERY much!!
    
    I was wondering if you folks could supply the following information:
    
    How busy is the Vancouver - Jasper - Banff area likely to be in 
    mid- to late May? How far ahead should we book hotels/motels?
    
    When are daylight hours? My husband doesn't like driving in the
    dark, so we'd like to factor this into our calculations.....
    
    That's all for now. Thanks,
    
    Gilla
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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671.1take it slowly and enjoy the scenery...CGOOA::OWONGSKIWI in Canada (VAO)Thu Mar 25 1993 04:0114
    My opinion - just show up and book accomodation as you go.  It's
    basically shoulder season so you should have any difficulty finding
    places to stay.
    
    We move onto daily saving time at the end of April so there is plenty
    of time to drive.  Jasper to Banff can be driven easily in a day with
    time to look around the Columbia Icefields and stop off at Lake Louise.
    
    Vancouver to Jasper I would probably split into 2 segments,
    overnighting in Kamploops which is about 4.5 hours drive from
    Vancouver.  I don't know how long it takes to go from Kamloops to
    Jasper and don't remember if there are any large towns in between.
    
    	Owen
671.2TROOA::DZIALOWSKIThu Mar 25 1993 12:0210
    re. "just show uu and book accomodation as you go."
    
    This is a sure way to get the worst room in the house at the highest
    price (rack rate). Once you are there and need a bed for the night, you
    are not in a situation to demand the view on the lake and the hearty
    breakfast at no charge from room service...
    
    As it is slow season, give a call to the nicest places you'd like to
    stay at (check a guide), and ask them for their best deal... (a good
    travel agent may be able to help you).
671.3Book as you go strategyVAOU09::BOTMANPieter Botman - Western Canada DISThu Mar 25 1993 15:3720
    Booking a room as you go is not a risky strategy if you are into Bed &
    Breakfasts.  Basically all B&Bs are small, there are no "worst" rooms
    and highest rates.  There are central B&B booking agencies which in one
    phone call will locate a B&B in the area(s) you wish, tell you the
    price, and confirm your reservation.  So you need not travel all day
    and worry about the evening's acocmodation.  There are certainly many
    B&Bs to consider in the Okanagan, a number in Kamloops.  Also a number
    in the smaller towns along the southern interior (near the border).
    
    I would recommend the Okanagan for scenery and a wide variety of
    accomodations.  If you leave Vancouver early in the day, you can get
    to some portions of the Okanagan by noon or early PM, leaving you free
    to look around there, or enjoy the beaches/lake Okanagan. 
    
    From Kamloops to Jasper would take around 4 hours I think.  This is
    a good highway, through some nice mountains near Mt Robson.  There are
    not many towns on this route.
    
    Pieter
    
671.4TROOA::DZIALOWSKIFri Mar 26 1993 18:393
    You may be right, I never used B&B in Canada. I travel for business and
    sleep an average of 3 nights per week in Hotels... I would not do it
    without a reservation.
671.5Plan ahead !!!CGOOA::BCLARKESat Mar 27 1993 15:4023
    I would definitely plan ahead. There are a lot of sites to see:
    
    	1. Banff
    		Banff Springs Hotel
    		Sulpher Mountain
    		Hot Springs
    		Gondola Ride
    		Cave and Basin .....
    
    	2. Jasper
    		Columbia Ice Fields
    		Lake Louise (a must !!) ...
    
    Most of these places make thier money during ski season, so this is
    considered low season for them. But, do not be fooled, there are still
    a fair amount of people around. Go through a travel agent and check
    into some package deals for hotels. If a travel agent cant get you
    some, let me know and I will get you some !!! For a newcomer to Banff
    National Park, I would easily plan 3-5 days for that ... and I haven't
    even touched Vancouver yet !!!
    
    Have a good time
    Brian
671.6Where's Dr. Atlas when you need him?POLAR::RUSHTONMon Mar 29 1993 17:217
    	<<2. Jasper
    		<<Columbia Ice Fields
    		<<Lake Louise (a must !!) ...
    
    Lake Louise in Jasper?!?!?!
    
    It's just a short drive (45 minutes) outside of Banff!
671.7Thanks - any more?IOSG::EVANSGTue Mar 30 1993 07:045
    ....well, wherever it is, we'll be sure to visit it ;-)
    
    Thanks for all the replies so far. Any more forthcoming?
    
    Gilla