Canadian Rockies

The section of the Rocky Mountains spanning Alberta and British Columbia, with four connected national parks including Banff and Jasper, is world famous for its turquoise glacial lakes and the Icefields Parkway.

The Canadian Rockies refers to the northern section of the Rocky Mountains along the border between Alberta and British Columbia. Its core is four connected national parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay, together the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site), plus provincial parks such as Mount Robson and Hamber. It straddles two provinces and does not correspond to any administrative region. The main draw is the turquoise lakes formed by glaciers and moraines (Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Emerald Lake and Maligne Lake), along with the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca Glacier and abundant wildlife (elk, black bears, bighorn sheep). The classic plan is a self-drive from Calgary Airport: 2–3 nights in the town of Banff for the lakes and the Sulphur Mountain Gondola, then north along the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North, about 230 km) to Jasper for 2 nights. You can add Yoho National Park, or continue from Jasper by train or along Highway 1 to Vancouver, for a total of 7–10 days. Driving is the main way to get around; in summer there are also Banff–Lake Louise shuttle buses and Icefields Parkway tour coaches. A park pass is required to enter the national parks. Note that private vehicles are no longer allowed into Moraine Lake; you must take the Parks Canada shuttle or a commercial bus, booked in advance. Hotel prices are high in peak summer season, and in winter the Icefields Parkway may close because of snow, so carry tire chains and check road conditions.

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