Canada has been high up on our ‘to visit’ list for a while – but it’s definitely the sort of place we’d want to spend more than a week travelling around so that we can make the most of it! Sam wants to go for the amazing snowboarding and I want to go for the lakes and hiking in the mountains! We’d want to wait a few years before we book a Canada holiday online as I think the kids would need to be a little older to really make the most of it. Here’s our ideal Canadian road trip taking in three areas; Calgary & Banff, Jasper to Whistler and finishing in Vancouver.
Calgary to Banff
Calgary is in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, and is nicknamed the ‘cowboy capital’. We’d soak up the city atmosphere for a couple of days, visit a few museums including the Glenbow to learn about the history of the area and the people. Then we’d hire a decent 4×4 and head off to Banff! Banff is a town right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, and is above sea level by 1380 metres with a rustic alpine feel. If we were here at the right time of year then I think Sam would happily stay here for a couple of weeks snowboarding! I’d be happy with a cable car ride up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain though!
Jasper to Whistler
From Banff we’d set off on our drive to Jasper, via Lake Louise, famous for its turquoise green waters. Then it’s on to Jasper via the ‘Icefields Parkway’ which is said to be one of the most beautiful roads to drive in the world! We’d stop off at Peyto Lake for a trail walk, as well as visiting some of other local sights like the Athabasca Glacier. I’d be happy to stop for a few nights in Jasper in a motel or log cabin in this area and just explore! There are a few examples of geological formations known as a ”hanging valley” in this National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Onwards to Whistler through the Wells Gray Provincial Park which has some amazing opportunities to see wildlife we just don’t get in the UK like Moose. There are also some impressive waterfalls here too! Whistler is in a beautiful mountain setting and is home to the world’s highest ‘peak to peak’ cable car in the world, linking Whistler to Blackcomb mountain. It takes you above Fitzsimmons creek – giving views that are second to none!
Vancouver
We’d finish our holiday by driving the Sea to Sky Highway into Vancouver to drop off the car and explore the city! First on my list would be the Harbour Centre Tower lookout – I’m a sucker for a panoramic view from as high up as I can get. The city has a lot of history and also an amazing suspension foot bridge – the Capilano bridge in the north of the city.
