need Canadians advice..

[kimanjo]

I know we have a lot of Canadians on this board. Question--

 

Thinking about going to Banff or Whistler.

 

We like mountain biking (easy trails) hiking, golf, kayaking, the usual outdoorsy stuff. And dining out too.

 

We dont want to have to have a car, like to walk everywhere.

 

Is one place better than the other??

 

The Four Seasons Whistler has great rates right now.. Looking at first or second week of August.

 

Advice, thoughts???

[Alberta Quilter]

I'm biased towards Banff. There are many great restaurants in the Banff, Lake Louise area. The Post Hotel has a binder for their wine offerings. I'll do some research for you and provide some links but it will be later tonight before I can do it. Hopefully, someone else can get to it before I do.

 

I can't offer any information about Whistler as I've never been there yet. Hopefully, Martincath will see this; he posts wonderful information about Vancouver. Hopefully, he knows about Whistler, too.

 

One thought, if you're doing this trip to Western Canada in conjunction with a cruise, you could do both Banff and Whistler by taking the Rocky Mountaineer train between the two either pre or post cruise. The website for the Rocky Mountaineer is: https://www.rockymountaineer.com/en It's pricey, I won't kid you, and I'm told that Gold Service is the only way to go. It's on the bucket list for us to do; it's just much less expensive to drive, for us. But with your dollar being so much better than ours, it may not be as expensive to you.

 

I'll get back to you later today.

[scottbee]

I know we have a lot of Canadians on this board. Question--

 

Thinking about going to Banff or Whistler.

 

We like mountain biking (easy trails) hiking, golf, kayaking, the usual outdoorsy stuff. And dining out too.

 

We dont want to have to have a car, like to walk everywhere.

 

Is one place better than the other??

 

The Four Seasons Whistler has great rates right now.. Looking at first or second week of August.

 

Advice, thoughts???

 

Assuming that this is at the beginning or end of a cruise, Whistler isn't too difficult to get to by bus, there are frequent buses from pacific station to Whistler, and lots to do once you're there.

 

Banff, is somewhat further from Vancouver, about an 9-10 hour drive, and you'll probably need a car to get there although the greyhound from Vancouver to Calgary does stop there. Alternately Banff is about 90 minute drive from Calgary if you choose to fly into Calgary instead of Vancouver.

[martincath]

Thanks for the kind words AQ - other than the comparative summation between the logistics of reaching each SB already posted, everything you said in your list of preferences suggests Whistler would be better for you than Banff. Whistler was built to be walked from day one, Banff I found myself thinking 'what the heck would I do here without a car!?'

 

While there are most definitely better views around Banff, Lake Louise is truly outstanding for example, the reason it looks better is the mountains are bigger - Whistler has more than enough options for easy walking & biking, so unless you were inclined to be challenging yourselves on serious hikes I certainly would not give up the 10 hours plus to get to Banff from my vacation.

 

Whistler also offers a lot of very high end food options - the very top-flight restos, Araxi and Bearfoot Bistro, are as good as anything in Vancouver. My personal favourite lucnh spot is inside the not-to-be-missed Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre where you can sample some local native cuisine for very reasonable prices.

 

If you have found affordable rates at the 4 seasons, it is a superb hotel - nice rooms, nice setting and ridiculously good service (they laundered my wife's travel cushion by mistake and destroyed it. After asking how much it would cost to replace rather than just add a credit to the bill the manager of housekeeping arrived at our door in Vancouver the day after we left with a new cushion in-hand. Seems that ordering online they couldn't guarantee it would be the same colour, so she instead went into the Vancouver Tilley store to buy us an identical one and bring it over to us...)

 

Oh, if bears freak you out Whistler does get a caveat - the dang things are everywhere around Whistler and very accustomed to people. My wife went biking and had to dodge bears on the trails as they were just not moving from the berry bushes they had found. Their guide checked around that there were no cubs, then just led everyone right past the bears - less than a metre away... unfortunately the missus didn't take her camera!

[xlxo]

Assuming that this is at the beginning or end of a cruise, Whistler isn't too difficult to get to by bus, there are frequent buses from pacific station to Whistler, and lots to do once you're there.

 

Banff, is somewhat further from Vancouver, about an 9-10 hour drive, and you'll probably need a car to get there although the greyhound from Vancouver to Calgary does stop there. Alternately Banff is about 90 minute drive from Calgary if you choose to fly into Calgary instead of Vancouver.

I agree... distance/time may be your deciding factor. Whistler can be done in a day. Banff is going to take a few days.

 

Whistler

• Peak 2 Peak
  
• Whistler gondola
  

Banff

• Columbia glaciers
  
• Sulphur mountains
  

Some thoughts...

• in theory you can do both Whistler and Banff because Whistler is just a one day detour
  
• if you do go to Banff.... consider a one way trip to Calgary/Edmonton. You can arrive/return home from the Calgary/Edmonton airports. Banff is actually closer to Calgary/Edmonton than it is to Vancouver. You can reach the Calgary airport in 2 hours
  https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Banff,+AB,+Canada&daddr=Calgary+International+Airport,+Airport+Road+Northeast,+Calgary,+AB,+Canada&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=58.685917,98.613281&geocode=FXvrDAMdr4cc-Sn9SgyRRcpwUzFjlKzavq6vyg%3BFUUbDAMdhz00-SFXdLxcH4fp2yl3O_Z7D2RxUzFXdLxcH4fp2w&oq=calgar&mra=ls&t=m&z=9
  
• Here's a tour company that runs one way trips from Calgary
  
  • http://keywesttravelandtours.com/package/western-trails/
    
  • http://keywesttravelandtours.com/package/west-coast-explorer/
    

[Urban trekker]

If you like mountain biking I would suggest Whistler - there are lots of easily accessible trails right from the village. Lost Lake and the Village trail are the two most popular and they can be ridden by all levels of ability.

 

Check out this website for some biking options in Whistler:

http://www.whistler.com/trails/bike/

 

Banff has a lot more restrictions on bike use than Whistler - the hiking at Whistler and nearby Garibaldi Park - Singing Pass, Cheakamus Lake is comparable to the Rockies.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

Edited March 30, 2015 by Urban trekker

[Alberta Quilter]

I have to admit, I missed the part about not wanting to drive. If that is still true, I would recommend Whistler over Banff.

 

However, there are shuttles from the Calgary airport to Banff, and there is a bus within Banff and from Banff to Canmore. You can also get guided tours to other places like Lake Louise or the Columbia Icefields near Jasper. Here is the Banff/Lake Louise tourism website: http://www.banfflakelouise.com.

 

For staying in Banff or Lake Louise, the Fairmont hotels are the way to go. In Banff, it is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and in Lake Louise, it is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. There are less expensive places, too. Our friends who come from California every year to ski, stay at the Banff International Hotel.

 

There are several lovely places to dine. The first one that came to mind was the Post Hotel in Lake Louise. They are very highly rated: http://posthotel.com. There are more suggestions for dining on the Banff/Lake Louise tourism site given earlier.

 

If you have any more questions, ask away. But, if you have the time and the money, go for the Rocky Mountaineer. Then you can see it Banff, Lake Louise & Whistler and, I believe, with Gold Leaf service, you still stay in the Fairmont Hotels.

[Cruise_More_Often]

Although not a Canadian, I can tell you that the Rocky Mountaineer trip from Vancouver to Whistler is first class and not all that expensive. If you decide on Whistler, choose the Rocky Mountaineer's Gold Class service.

[Robinsoncruiseso]

Not "officially" a Canadian, but love our neighbors to the north and travel to Vancouver more often than Seattle. We also love Whistler. No car needed. Weather will be warm in August, but nothing like Florida. Great restaurants, shopping and outdoor activities. You can go from sand at the beach (on the way up the highway) to snow at the Peak to Peak Gondolas in about an hour.

 

This could also leave you a day to visit the Pacific NW just south of the border. Bellingham is a wonderful town.

[BCHappyGal]

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, traverse a Cliff Top walk, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Fly Over Canada incorporates state of the art technology in an Imax theatre to show you supernatural Canada, Fly from coast to coast taking in breath stealing views of Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, The Rockies & more. Spectacular! http://www.flyovercanada.com

8) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

9) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

10) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

11) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

14) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

16) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

17) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

18) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

19) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org There is also a treetop walk which is great for “fit” explorers who are not afraid of heights – however I would not recommend it for anyone who has any mobility issues. Also these gardens are not as well maintained as I would expect a botanical garden to be!

20) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

21) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out 2 companies that offer food tasting tours http://www.foodietours.ca and http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca – both offer an excellent tour http://www.foodietours.ca visit much more high end restaurants in the heart of the west end of Vancouver while http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca concentrates on more casual eateries in the historic original section of Vancouver! (Gastown)

I just enjoyed Foodietours “Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour” and was very impressed with the organization, quality of restaurants & refreshments, guides knowledge of foods and the eateries we were visiting as well as the area we were walking in. Felt it was excellent value for the money provided you did not spend the extra $20. For the alcohol! This company also offers a tasting tour on Granville Island Public Market and of the Vancouver Street Food Carts.

As for Off the Eaten Track - this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. This company has now expanded and offers a brunch tour and a dinner tour. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

 

 

 

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/