BY Clay Larroy
When
you choose to travel, whether it is for business or
pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well before hand. Here are some
tips to help you. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers
let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of
your traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates,
so be sure to use them before they expire. Travelling is a great way to use
your airline miles. When you need to
plan a vacation contact me!
Attractions in Canadian
Rocky Mountains Tourism in southwestern Alberta revolves primarily around the
national parks which showcase the glorious Rockies. Calgary is the gateway to
the Rockies in Alberta, and generally the starting point for holidaymakers heading
into the mountainous national parks. In fact, for many visitors, the first view
of the mountains is earned by climbing to the Observation Deck of the Calgary
Tower.
The most frequented
wilderness areas are enclosed within Banff National Park, Waterton Lakes
National Park and Jasper National Park. Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, deep in the Rockies, where the main attraction is the Columbia
Icefields, consisting of eight giant glaciers. Lake Louise, a surreally
turquoise lake trickling out of an ancient glacier in Banff National Park, is
one of the must-see sights in the Rockies. There are even some natural hot
springs in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, near Banff, which make a great
excursion on a freezing winter's day. Waterton Lakes National Park combines
with Montana's Glacier National Park to form UNESCO-listed Waterton-Glacier
International Peace Park, offering spectacular landscapes.
Popular activities in the
Canadian Rockies include hiking, skiing, cross-country skiing, ice and rock
climbing, dog-sledding, horse riding, paddling and more. Visitors should note
that the national parks have stringent rules about sports which damage the
environment, and some activities are only allowed outside park boundaries.
Columbia
Icefields
This massive field of
ancient ice, made up of eight major glaciers, is situated near the town of
Jasper in the middle of Jasper National Park. The icefield covers 125 square
miles (325 sq km) and in places is estimated to be 1,270ft (385m) deep. The
icefield feeds four of North America's major river systems - the Columbia,
Fraser, Mackenzie and Saskatchewan Rivers - and its meltwaters flow into three
different oceans - the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic. Tours of the glacier are
offered on snow coaches between April and October each year. Ice-walk tours are
also offered by the Jasper Adventure Centre. The icefields are one of Alberta's
natural marvels and a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts in the region.
Of
course, the Jasper National Park also has many other attractions and activities
on offer.
Address: Jasper National
Park
Website:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/jasper/index.aspx
Jasper
Affectionately known as the
'little town in the big park', Jasper lies in the middle of Canada's largest
mountain park, the Jasper National Park, and makes a delightful base from which
to explore the lakes and mountains. The town of just over 4,000 people is 233
miles (373km) from Edmonton and lies among pristine wilderness, surrounded by a
necklace of green lakes and majestic waterfalls.
There are one or two
attractions in the town itself, including the Jasper-Yellowhead Historical
Society Museum, which features displays of early Canadian explorers; the 165 foot (55m) deep Maligne River Canyon; the longest and highest reversible tramway in Canada that transports passengers up Whistlers Mountain; and the Den Wildlife Museum that houses more than 100 animal specimens displayed in their natural habitat. Driving to Jasper is relatively simple; however, harsh winter weather can sometimes make the roads impassable so check the weather reports before you go. In the surrounding areas there are many natural wonders to explore, and using Jasper as a base gives you the opportunity to try dog sledding, snowmobiling, cat-skiing, cross-country skiing, and ice climbing in the winter. Summer activities include whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, and wildlife spotting.
Banff
The small resort town of
Banff is a holiday destination situated inside the spectacular and unspoilt
Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and most popular tourist
attraction, about an hour and a half's drive west of Calgary. The surrounding
national park offers 2,564 square miles (6,641 sq km) of unparalleled mountain
scenery in the heart of the Canadian Rockies including glaciers, ice fields,
jagged peaks, crystal clear lakes and raging rivers.
Holiday attractions in the
town itself include the Banff Park Museum, on Buffalo Street, which is the
oldest natural history museum in western Canada and features a fantastic
assortment of wildlife specimens, minerals and other artefacts. Not far away is
the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, dedicated to the rich cultural
history of the area with four art galleries, a heritage gallery and a research
library.
The Cave and Basin National
Historic Site, in Cave Avenue, tells the story of the discovery of the hot
springs that led to the establishment of Canada's first national reserve in
1885. Visitors on holiday here can also take a gondola ride to the top of
Sulphur Mountain to enjoy the spectacular views from the observation deck at
the top, or soak in hot mineral waters at the Upper Hot Springs in Mountain
Avenue.
Winter is low season in
Banff National Park, but skiers and snowboarders who brave the low temperatures
are delighted with what they find. The slopes have something for everyone, from
steep couloirs to gentle cruising and the snow is some of the coldest, driest
and most reliable anywhere in the world, and there's a lot of it, particularly
in the Sunshine Village ski area.
The staggering scenery and
mountain wildlife, as well as the welcoming Banff locals and excellent value
also impress visitors. Lake Louise is the most extensive and popular ski resort
in the Banff region.
REFERENCE SITES:
“I like the mountains because they make me feel small,’ Jeff says. ‘They help me sort out what’s important in life.”
― Mark Obmascik
No comments:
Post a Comment