Originally Posted by scilly

I first visited Banff in 1969, and haven't changed my mind much in all the intervening years ............... over-run by tourists, ye olde fudge shop, and shops selling Chinese- or Japanese-made souvenirs.

Yes, Jasper has one fudge shop, the same type of souvenirs, but it never feels over-powered.

Where are you staying in Jasper??

Jasper Park Lodge is very expensive but I love it.

We've stayed twice recently at Whistlers' Inn ............ built in the 1930s and retaining a lot of that era's atmosphere, reasonably priced, clean and comfortable, in downtown, and with a very lively pub on the main floor. Ask for a room(s) on the quiet side as one side looks out over the railway tracks ........... though we had a room directly opposite the station last year and were not disturbed by any noise.

Lovely kitschy coffee and sandwich shop, Coco's Cafe on Patricia Street, and also a wonderful bakery on Connaught, Bear's Paw bakery and The Other Paw Bakery Cafe.

Do take the gondola to the top of The Whistlers to get an overall view.

Lots of places to eat

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian

I much prefer Banff to Jasper.

The location of the mountains is far more impressive and there is far more to do within a reasonable distance of the town than in Jasper.

Originally Posted by Partially discharged

First visited Banff in the summer of 1965 as a 1 year old (father was on a sabbatical in Canada) and there are photos of me there that I may try and recreate as a 53 year old.

We're hoping to do a lot of hiking etc in the area (wife, 17 year old son and I). In Jasper we're staying in a house through VRBO about a 10 minute walk SW of the main part of town.

In Radium Hot Springs we found a place through Air B'n B. We'd like to be able to make our own meals so we booked those kind of places.

Originally Posted by Jingsamichty

Things that you would never say in Europe, part 351.

Originally Posted by Hurlabrick

We just spent a few days at Mont Tremblant and neither of us did skiing but found loads to do.

How about riding a snow mobile (you should be able to find a two hour guided ride), a day pass at a spa resort, Canmore definitely worth a drive out to and a look around. Any wildlife parks near Banff?

Originally Posted by scilly

Banff is in a wild life park!!!

Banff National Park ....... Canada's first National park


zoos and wildlife parks are not allowed within a national park ... you only have to walk down the street to see moose, deer and possibly even a bear (though not a bear in winter)