by Michelle Greysen

Created on: February 04, 2010   Last Updated: February 05, 2010

When one thinks of the Canadian Rockies famous destination spots of Banff and Jasper images of swishing down slopes and ski lodges come to mind but these winter destinations are full of year round fun. Summer months can offer as much enjoyment in these national parks as can winter, but spring and fall are the true gem seasons with milder temperatures, less tourists and nature all around.

In the historic Banff National Park and Jasper National Park many highlights exist whether an outdoorsman or a comfort travel lover. Accommodations range from simple campgrounds, to simple motels and inns to five star historic castle-like hotels in both Banff and Lake Louse. In Jasper and Lake Louise the lodgings are lovely but not the volume of Banff but as millions of visitors pass through these parks annually a reservation of some sort is always recommended.

 Activities aside from the obvious awestruck sightseeing in the majestic mountains of the parks include everything from simple walking and biking, and soaking in the areas many famous hot springs pools. Enjoy everything from bird watching, to horseback riding, backpacking and hiking, zipline adventures, canoeing and rafting, ice climbing and caving, endless fishing, golfing, skating, skiing and snow play of all kinds, heli-skiing and heli-hiking and much more. Both the parks are home to healthy populations of grizzly bears, elk and caribou, moose and wolves among other abundant wildlife.

 The Town of Banff sits in Canada’s first declared National Park offers many museums, galleries, shops and restaurants and welcomes families from around the world on a daily basis. Booking tours, renting a bicycle and taking in the sights as well as nature walks and talks, can easily be arranged from many outlets in the village. Your trip to the village would not be complete without visiting the famous Banff Springs Hotel.

Lake Louise, thirty-five miles west of Banff, and its famous emerald green lake offers a small village setting with dining and accommodations as well as the regal Chateau Lake Louise at the foot of Emerald Lake. Boasting endless trails walking and hiking trails of all levels the area is home to some of the world’s best skiing slopes.

Jasper, the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies is equally as beautiful to explore and discover as Banff National Park with the added attraction of the famous Columbia Icefields.  These amazing glacier tours are closed Oct to May during the extreme winter weather. The Jasper Park Lodge is another stately visit as are other fine Inns in the area but for the extreme experience one can book into your own escape and stay in your own intimate log cabin in the wilderness and have an Ecolodge experience complete with your meals cooked cowboy style on a wood-fired range.

The area is a lesson in extremes in a good way, boasting extreme scenery, extreme mountains and wildlife and even extreme temperatures.  The day can swing form cold to hot and is extremely sunny year round, so don’t forget good sunglasses and layering up and layering down your clothing is the best way to enjoy your visit to these amazing playgrounds of the Canadian National Parks.

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