Ride the Alberta prairie into the majestic wilderness and beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy the Sulphur Mountain Gondola in Banff as it raises you up 2600 feet, where you may see mountain goats, big horn sheep and bears as you hike around the top of the mountain and experience the expansive mountain vista. Highlights: Enjoy a dip in a pristine hotspring, play a round of golf at the Banff Springs Golf course, cruise beside the world famous Bow River. Ride "the most beautiful road in the world" the Columbia Icefields Parkway. Where else can you find 230 kms (142 miles) of continuous World Heritage Site scenery completely protected in two national parks. Explore Jasper and marvel at the caribou and other animals that spend their days right on main street. The next day hike through Maligne Canyon or ride the mountain gondola in Jasper, or check out the Jasper Park Lodge golf course, regarded as the "Best Golf Resort in Canada" (Score Magazine), or take a ride to Miette Hotsprings. Enjoy the view of the Victoria Glacier from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, known as the "Best View in the World". Try class 4 white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River, or enjoy a hike to one of the famous Tea Houses near Lake Louise, log cabins built by the Swiss Guides for their guests at the turn of the century, or take on Goldens Golf Course, rated in the top 10 in British Columbia.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day One: Depart Calgary for Banff.

Directions: Head West on the #1 Freeway. The #1 is Canada’s main highway. It is about a 90 minute ride from Calgary to Banff. Canmore is an interesting little town, about 20 minutes before Banff. The Three Sisters are the largest mountains around. An alternative route is the 1A highway from Calgary to Canmore.

At the Park Gates you will have to purchase one visitors pass for 7 days. One pass will cover up to 4 motorcycles. We place the pass in the top of a tank bag(visible), as they seem to check it when you go through the gates (sometimes they check). Banff is about 15 minutes after the Park Gate. Take the first exit, which will lead you down Banff Avenue. The Rundlestone Lodge is within the first three blocks of buildings, on the right hand side. Bikes can be parked in the underground parking lot, or just out front. Bill, the owner of the hotel is a motorcycle enthusiast.

Riding: explore the road to Lake Minnewanka, which is Banff Avenue, heading back towards the highway, but go through the underpass and continue on to Lake Minnewanka, about a 15 minute ride from Banff. Little walk along the lakeshore, or a boat ride(seats more than 20 people) on the lake is also an option.

Also ride around Tunnel Mountain, and check out the Hoodoos site.

A very pretty but short ride is at the far end of town, by the Banff Springs Hotel. Go down Banff avenue and over the Bow River bridge, turning left at the end of the bridge. Go up the hill one block, and turn left for the Banff Springs hotel. A few blocks later follow the signs down(to your left) to the Bow Falls parking lot. After visiting the falls, continue past the parking lot for a ride through the forest and around the golf course.

Banff Springs Hotel offers a guided tour of the hotel, about 3:30 pm in the afternoon.

When you leave the falls to return to town, at the first light make a left to go up the hill to the Hotsprings and Gondola ride. Depending on how hot it is, you may wish to hike up Sulphur Mountain, about a 90 minute hike. Park in the Gondola parking lot, and head up toward the Hotsprings Parking area. At the entrance to the hotsprings parking area the trail is on the highside, about a block below the hotsprings. Best view around is at the top of Sulphur Mountain. Ride the Gondola down when finished. ( or some people ride the gondolas both ways)

Late afternoon/evening: Enjoy a dip in Banff Hotsprings up by the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Walk around Banff, check out the

Overnight: The Rundlestone Lodge

537 Banff Avenue,

Box 489, Banff, Alberta,

Canada T1L 1A6

Tel: 1 (403) 762-2201

Fax: 1 (403) 762-4501

Toll Free (North America): 1-800-661-8630

The Barbary Coast Restaurant/hotel is next to the Keg restaurant on Banff avenue, close to being opposite McDonalds. Rooftop patio dining is also available, but this can cool off later in the evening. Lots of good restaurants in Banff.

Day Two:

Before departing Banff, explore the Cave and Basin Hotsprings. Directions: Ride down Banff Avenue and over the Bow River, turn right at the lights, and drive about 1 mile. There is a short movie in the downstairs theatre, which you may wish to view after seeing the Cave and Basin.

After departing Banff, take the 1A Parkway road. Just after the exit on to the 1A, on your right hand side at the bottom of a small hill, is a meadow where you may frequently see Elk. Continue on to the Castle Mountain viewing area. After leaving the rest stop ride to the Castle Mountain Junction,(you may wish to purchase gas here, next gas station is about 100 kms away) and head south to Radium Hotsprings on Highway 93. The Paint Pots are an interesting stop along the way. After visiting the Hotsprings continues south to Radium, then turn right and head for Golden on Highway 95. If you are looking for Pub food, there is a place called the Mad Trapper Pub in lower Golden, on the river. When the road veers to the left turn right. (same road as the high school and arena)

After crossing the overpass and arriving at the stoplight on the # !, turn right and follow the #1 to Lake Louise, allowing time to visit Takakkwa Falls on the ride to Lake Louise. If you are looking for Pub food, there is a place in the bottom floor of the Post Hotel. The bakery in the mall in Lake Louise has very good food.

Alternative schedule for this day: at the Castle Mountain Junction, continue on the 1A to Lake Louise. Enjoy a hike in Lake Louise today:

#35, Plain of the Six Glaciers, page 123 of the Canadian Rockies Access Guide,(about 4 hours to the Teahouse, round trip, good walking shoes or running shoes should be fine) or

#38, Lake Agnes, page 129 of the Canadian Rockies Access Guide.

Both hikes start from Lake Louise.

Great falls to visit; Takakwa falls, about 20 minutes west of Lake Louise, on the #1.

Overnight at the Lake Louise Inn, 210 Village Drive.(403-522-3791).

From the main highway, turn right at the first stop signs, drive past the Esso Gas Station, and turn right; about 2 blocks to the hotel.

Day Three: The Columbia Icefield Parkway awaits you today. Seven icefields and 25 Glaciers are visible from the road on this ride.

From Lake Louise, first fill up with gas. The only place to purchase gas for the next 140 miles is at the Sasketchewan crossing. You may wish to pick up some lunch from the Lake Louise bakery before leaving town.

Numerous stops for photos along this ride.

If you are interested in a longer hike, consider Wilcox Pass, #60 in the Canadian Rockies Access Guide, page 208. Allow 4 hours. This is a serious hike, with a rewarding view.

Short walk/hikes:

Bow Summit is 26 miles from Lake Louise. (42 kms)

#39 Peyto Lake Viewpoint, page 139 of the Canadian Rockies Access Guide.

About 20 minutes.

Continue on to the Icefields Center. Also explore the lowest level of the Icefields Center.

Athabasca Falls. 198 kms from Lake Louise. Within 2 minutes of the main highway, a good rest stop on the way to Jasper. 20 minutes to visit the falls.

Overnight: Jasper:

1^st choice: Beckers Chalets

www.beckerschalets.com

Reservation for chalets call:

Phone: 780 852-3779

Fax: 780 852-7202

Right in Jasper: Lobstick Lodge, phone 780-852-4431.

Lobstick Lodge, P hone 780-852-4431.Continue through town to just before the Tonquin Inn, turn left onto Juniper, hotel is just up the street.

Address: 94 Geikie Street.

537 Banff Avenue,

Box 489, Banff, Alberta,

Canada T1L 1A6

Tel: 1 (403) 762-2201

Fax: 1 (403) 762-4501

Toll Free (North America): 1-800-661-8630

Day Six: Whole day to explore Banff. Options include: Explore Lake Minnewanka, view the Bow River Falls near the Banff Springs Hotel, tour the historic Cave and Basin, visit Fort Luxton, ride the Sulphur Mountain gondola, and enjoy a dip in Banff Upper Hotsprings.

Check the National Parks Mountain guide for a list of 30 attractions in and around Banff, page 20 and 21 of the Park Guide.

Overnight in Banf:

Overnight: The Rundlestone Lodge

537 Banff Avenue,

Box 489, Banff, Alberta,

Canada T1L 1A6

Tel: 1 (403) 762-2201

Fax: 1 (403) 762-4501

Toll Free (North America): 1-800-661-8630

Day Seven: Enjoy a leisurely ride through Kananaskis country. Directions: From Banff, head east on the #1, and take highway 40 south. The highest road pass in Canada is on this highway. After exploring this area, you will have to return on Highway 40 to the #1, where you will head east for Calgary. Take home a treasure of memories and lots of photos.