The Canadian Rockies rise to the west of the Alberta prairies and contain some of the finest mountain scenery on earth. Between them, Banff and Jasper national parks preserve much of this mountain beauty, but vast and equally spectacular regions of the Rockies (as well as portions of nearby British Columbia's Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges) are protected by other national and provincial parks. Because Banff and Jasper are so popular and expensive, these smaller, less thronged, but equally dramatic parks -- which include Waterton Lakes, Yoho, and Kootenay national parks, as well as a host of provincial parks -- are excellent destinations for those travelers who are looking for wilderness adventure, and not just luxury shopping and dining in a mountain setting.
Hiking, biking, and pack trips on horseback have long pedigrees in the parks, as does superlative skiing -- the Winter Olympics were held in Calgary and on the eastern face of the Rockies in 1988. Outfitters throughout the region offer white-water and float trips on mighty rivers; calmer pursuits such as fishing and canoeing are also popular.
In addition, some of the country's finest and most famous hotels are in the Canadian Rockies. The incredible mountain lodges and châteaux built by early rail entrepreneurs are still in operation, offering unforgettable experiences in luxury and stunning scenery. If you're looking for a more rural holiday, head to one of the Rockies' many guest ranches, where you can saddle up, poke some doggies, and end the evening at a steak barbecue.
The Canadian Rockies boast an excellent network of paved roads, which makes exploring by car safe and easy -- if slow, during the busy summer season. From Calgary, it's a stunning 1-hour drive up the Bow River to Banff on Highway 1, and driving from Edmonton to Jasper on the Yellowhead Highway (Hwy. 16) takes from 3 to 4 hours. Both these roads (which continue over the Rockies into British Columbia), along with the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper, remain open year-round.
