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The Rocky Mountains region of Western Canada is renowned for its diverse wildlife and stunning natural landscapes, packed with iconic sights like Lake Louise, Banff National Park and the Icefields Parkway. Covering everything from the best time of year to visit to expert tips for keeping you safe in the wilderness, this is everything you need to know for an unforgettable Canadian Rockies experience:
The Canadian Rockies is a collection of mountain ranges that spans parts of Alberta and British Columbia: part of a larger system of ranges that stretches from Alaska to the southernmost tip of South America. Within the region, you’ll find five national parks and three provincial parks, six major river systems, countless pristine lakes, mile upon mile of scenic hiking trails and one of the world’s greatest rail journeys.
Pretty mountain resort towns like Jasper and Banff are popular year-round, with summer visitors hitting the hiking trails or canoeing on tranquil lakes. During the winter months, you’ll find some of Canada’s best skiing at snow resorts like Revelstoke and Kicking Horse, which are spread along a thousand-kilometre loop known as the ‘Powder Highway’.
‘Four Seasons in One Day’ could be describing the weather in the Canadian Rockies, where conditions vary widely depending on the season and altitude. There really isn’t a bad time to visit this stunning part of the world, so it really comes down to the type of holiday experience you are seeking.
June to September is peak summer season, when temperatures typically sit between 15 and 25 degrees. The weather is generally settled and sunny, creating stunning conditions for hiking, camping, biking, wildlife viewing and exploring the national parks.
During the autumn (fall) months, you can still expect mild, sunny weather, but there’s a distinct chill in the air once the sun has set behind the mountains – bliss if you’re all about lakeside campfires and toasted marshmallows. The landscape is transformed with the golden colours of autumn leaves, and the crisp, clear mornings and evenings provide fabulous conditions if you’re a photography enthusiast.
Between November and March, the temperatures typically hover around -5°C to -15°C and snow blankets the region – be sure to pack your warmest woollies so you can enjoy all that winter fun. Glistening ice sculptures decorate the shoreline of Lake Louise during the annual Ice Magic festival, while you can enjoy carving your own masterpieces on the nearby ski slopes. Challenge yourself to an ice climbing expedition on a frozen waterfall, take a thrilling dog-sled ride through the forest trails or relax in front of a roaring fire at a cosy lodge.
Spring is the quietest time of year to visit, as both tourists and wildlife are still emerging from their winter hibernation. From March, the snow begins to melt, the wildflowers are blooming and although snow still covers the higher peaks, the lower hiking trails become more accessible.
Options for exploring the Canadian Rockies range from self-drive adventures to luxury train travel. The world-famous Rocky Mountaineer connects Vancouver with resort towns like Lake Louise, Jasper, Kamloops and Banff via a truly spectacular rail journey of remote river canyons and towering mountain passes.
If you prefer to travel at your own pace, you can pick up a rental car from Vancouver or Calgary and explore epic scenic routes like Trans-Canada Highway and Icefields Parkway (just remember that in Canada, you need to drive on the right!)
From May to October, popular spots like Lake Moraine and Lake Louise are best accessed by using licensed shuttles operators that operate on a ‘park and ride’ system. Many of the most popular hikes start from these locations, and the carparks fill up before sunrise and remain full until sunset. Typically, the bookings open in April and fill up quickly, with additional seats released in a rolling window at 8 am MDT two days prior to departure day.
Pro tip: Leave the booking and planning to your personal travel manager for a stress-free experience. If you’re planning a longer hike at Moraine Lake during the height of summer or want to experience the sunrise glow, a 4 am shuttle is recommended. However, by September, this means starting your adventure in the dark as the sun won’t rise until around 7:30 am.
A holiday in the Canadian Rockies is all about appreciating the great outdoors, whether you’re taking an early-morning canoe expedition on beautiful Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, or a late-night star-gazing experience in the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve.
A Discovery Pass is a fantastic way to save time and money if you are planning to explore the five national parks located within the Canadian Rockies. Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks are interconnected, and share UNESCO World Heritage status with Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and Hamber Provincial Parks, as well as the renowned Burgess Shale fossil site.
Lake Louise is one of the most iconic symbols of the Canadian Rockies, and it’s spectacular at any time of year. During the summer months, you can go canoeing on the lake’s tranquil turquoise waters or hike to a remote teahouse. In the winter months, when the lake has frozen over completely, it’s a magical winter playground for ice skating and sleigh rides. If snow sports are your thing, there’s a network of trails on the doorstep where you can go cross country skiing, plus three of the most popular Canadian ski resorts (including Lake Louise Ski Resort) are located a little more than 30 minutes’ drive away.
If you love a good road trip, this route is a must. It passes through both Banff and Jasper National Parks, and is considered one of the most spectacular highways in North America. Although only 232 kilometres in length, you’ll need at least a full day to enjoy the many scenic highlights between Lake Louise and the town of Jasper, including the Weeping Wall, Athabasca Falls and Peyto Lake.
One of our favourite stops along the Icefields Parkway is the Columbia Icefield, which is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. Between May and October, you can join a guided “snowcoach” tour of the Athabasca Glacier, which includes heart-stopping views of Sunwapta Valley from the glass-floored Glacier Sky Walk.
Although the Icefields Parkway finishes at Lake Louise, you can continue your road trip to the resort town of Banff. Set alongside the Bow River and overlooked by the twin peaks of Mt Rundle and Mt Cascade, Banff is an ideal home base for exploring nearby hiking trails, ski fields and lakes. Take a ride on the Banff Gondola, which operates year-round and delivers panoramic views as it whisks you upwards, rising 700 metres above the valley floor in eight minutes.
The longest and deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies, this serene, 22-kilometre stretch of glacier-fed, cobalt water is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Between May and October, you can take a scenic boat tour to experience the lake and its islands, including its most sacred: aptly named Spirit Island.
Between them, Jasper and Banff National Parks contain more than 17,000 square kilometres of pristine wilderness – that’s about quarter of the size of Tasmania. From short, family friendly adventures to challenging full-day hikes, you have a huge variety of trails to choose from, including Moraine Lake, Valley of the Ten Lakes and Bow Glacier Falls.
As with any wilderness experience, there are certain measures you can take to safeguard your wellbeing while enjoying the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies. Always research your planned routes, stick to marked trails, check local weather forecasts and trail conditions, and share your plans with someone. It’s also wise to check in with the nearest National Parks headquarters for advice and updates, especially during the summer wildfire season.
Essentials to carry with you include adequate food and drinking water, navigational equipment like maps and ELB, a first aid kit and suitable layers of clothing. Keep in mind that weather conditions can deteriorate very quickly, especially in the higher altitudes and from autumn to spring. You’re heading into bear country, so you should also carry bear spray and ensure that you are well informed about safety protocols and practices.
From cosy log cabins to luxury lodges, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options. If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a stay in the iconic chateau-style Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or Fairmont Banff Springs, you can still treat yourself to a sumptuous afternoon tea in front of a roaring fire.
A summer camping holiday is a fun option for enjoying all those wide, open spaces. Whether you choose to hire a motorhome, pitch a tent or rent a lakeside cabin, be sure to book your spot well in advance to avoid missing out. You’ll also need a national park camping permit and a national park entry pass if you’re planning to camp within the national parks.
Useful apps
There are plenty of great apps to make your time in the Canadian Rockies even more enjoyable. Transit is helpful if you’re planning to use public transport for getting around, while the TravelManagers app lets you keep track of your bookings, browse local destination guides. It also makes it easy to switch up your plans as you go, providing easy, direct contact to your personal travel manager. The Parks Canada app contains a wealth of local knowledge ranging from directions to self-guided hiking, cycling and driving routes – and it works even when you’re out of cellular range.
Tipping
Although not mandatory, tipping is expected throughout Canada – eighteen to twenty percent is the norm in restaurants, while taxis usually expect ten to fifteen percent of the fare. Keep in mind that you can (and should) tip more when you receive outstanding service.
Visa requirements
If you’re travelling on an Australian passport and you’re entering Canada by air, you typically don’t require a visa. However, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which costs CA$7 and can usually be approved online in a few minutes. For the latest advice, check with smarttraveller.com.au or canada.ca.
If you’re travelling to Canada via the United States, you may require a transit visa – visit the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs for full details.
Cuisine to try
Authentic Canadian Rockies cuisine is a celebration of mountain-to-table, with specialities like bison burger, elk steak, trout taco and grilled salmon glazed with Canadian maple syrup all featured on local menus. You can’t visit Canada without trying its national dish, poutine: a hearty serving of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.
Time zones
Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise are all located within the province of Alberta, which operates on Mountain Standard Time (MST) between November and March, 18 hours behind Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). From March to November, Mountain Daylight time (MDT) roughly overlaps with Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), which is 16 hours ahead. We recommend using worldtimeserver.com or similar to find a handy time zone conversion tool.
Wi-Fi coverage/SIM cards
Mobile service in the Canadian Rockies is, understandably, somewhat patchy, but you will find many cafes, restaurants and visitor information centres offering free wi-fi for their visitors. It’s a good idea to have all your maps and trail guides downloaded ahead of time so you don’t have to climb any extra mountains in search of your exit point. Check with your Aussie telco provider about international roaming availability and pricing for Canada or purchase a pre-paid travel SIM to use during your holiday.
Electrical outlets
Australian devices are not compatible with Canadian power outlets, which are Type B and 110-120 volts. If you’re planning to pack your own phone charger, hairdryer or other electrical appliances, you’ll need to take an appropriate converter.
Pretty much everything you’ve heard about Canada and Canadians is true – it’s a beautiful country, and the people are very social, very polite, and as just as obsessed with sport (especially ice hockey) as many Australians. From booking flights and accommodation to arranging visas and activities, your personal travel manager can help you plan your picture-perfect holiday in the Canadian Rockies.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
