Alberta

Alberta Canada has this dynamic setup of different enviroments, that take you from prairiers, hills, forest, and then the magnificant mountains. The praiers will teach you something, the mountains will provide a different space of showing unique raw beauty and both will show one about inner peace. Below are some of the must see places in the Rocky Mountains.

Banff Town

Looking for a home-away-from-home, with mountains on all sides, cute little souvenir shops, a horse drawn carriage trotting down the street, fancy and rustic hotels, that laid back hostel, fresh air, a nice park to relax? This is your town! Yup, like everyone will tell you Banff is a charming little place.

Season Suggest: Late April

(Still get the mountain tips covered in snow, while on a warm day wear shorts in the town, enjoy seeing people but still being able to get your pictures without the crowds)

Lake Louise

Simple and small town, the main attraction here is indeed the Lake Louise Lake (Lake of the Little Fishies). Just take a moment. Breathe in where you are. Listen to that still silence. This prestine natural habitat is breath taking. Take a short mountain road up. Then a short 4 minute walk to the lake. Discover its history, take in snow dipped mountains or its rich teal water.

Seasonal Suggest: Late April (able to still stand on the frozen lake, though slushy, but still safe - check local weather first) Mid-late May, just 4 weeks later, (canoe on its crystal teal water)

Icefield Parkway

A natural beauty, that combines grand vastness with humble quiantness. Open, well maintained road, that has no crazy inclines/declines (except for one, known as The Big Bend, lasts for two minutes) with exceptional views of the mountain-valleyscape. From glistening lakes, small waterfalls, snow covered mountains, tall evergreens - you are traveling through a fairytale.

Season Suggest: Late April

(More magical with larger amounts of snow on the mountains still, looking to camp? Many camping spaces availble along the highway to wake up surrounded by nature;s beauty)

Bow Valley Falls

Looking for nature's humble side? Watch as the falls toubles down, with a soothing hum and the river twists passed the bend. Surround by forest, and just outside of Banff, it's calm and rejuvenating.

Check out Bow Valley Parkway too. Short one way drive through Banff's beautiful forest, you might even see some mountain goats.

Season Suggest: Late April, week day, late afternoon

(Almost no crowds, perfect time for a nice photo and the falls almost too yourself)

*Top Trip of Alberta!

Icefield Parkway - Banff-Jaspar

Start by looking on your right. As you are taken back by their vastness, the grand mountains begin taking you on their journey of showing true raw, unique, beauty. From the glacier lakes of little blue shimmers, snow touched mountains, vast valleys. Every ounce of this drive from Banff-Jaspar is an awe-filled dream like reality. Check out the lookouts over the teal and aqua blue lakes. Stop right before The Big Bend, look around and feel the magic, the real life fantacy you are living in at that very moment. It's truly breathtaking. Stop at the Athabsaca Glacier (you can't walk on it, but you can look and feel the wind, the energy and the humbleness the glacier offers.

Driving in The Rocky Mountains (Late April, Early May):

The roads are very well maintained, paved, quite open, with plently of areas to pull off to the side or lookout points to park for longer. There is no mountain driving except for The Big Bend (which is one large wind up one mountain, the speed limit I believe is 40km/h. The inclines are so gradual you don't notice till you push your gas harder and you still remain at your 70km/h. Nothing crazy. My 2005 Toyota Matrix had no problems. You will see:

Snow covered mountains, dry roads (if you go on a sunny day), you will see avalanche signs regarding no stopping zones and avalanche hazard area over zones. You will see many speed limit signs as the road changes. You may encouter road delays - I had to wait about half hour for a small rock slide to be cleared/avalnche debris which appears to look just like a mound of dirt would have slide across the road. The road services are very promote at closing the roads and taking care of the issue quickly. Definetly bring food, water, and go to the washroom in Lake Louise before you begin your journey. There are washroom structures on the Icefield parkway in somespots but not as many as there are on your way to Banff.

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