Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper

The Canadian Rockies.
Mountains, lakes and glaciers.

Turquoise lakes, glaciers, and mountain towns where elk wander down the main street. The Canadian Rockies of Alberta and British Columbia are the Canada most people picture, and for many New Zealanders they are the heart of the trip.

Plan a Rockies holiday with Nancy

A visitor standing beside the turquoise water of Moraine Lake, with mountains beyond — Moraine Lake, Banff National Park © Wibke Helfrich

Banff

Banff is Canada’s first national park, and its town is the natural base for exploring the southern Rockies: gondola rides, hot pools, lake cruises and walks, with the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel standing over the Bow River.

Fairmont Banff Springs with the Bow Valley and mountains behind it — © Destination Canada

Two visitors on a viewing platform above the snowy peaks of the Bow Valley — © Destination Canada

A couple in a gondola cabin looking out at the mountains — © Destination Canada

Two riders on horseback in the Banff foothills — © Destination Canada

Skaters laughing on a frozen Banff lake — © Destination Canada

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Two of the most photographed lakes in the world, fed by glaciers and coloured an extraordinary blue-green in summer. Staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise means waking up to the view.

A paddler in a canoe on turquoise Moraine Lake — Canoeing on Moraine Lake

Two skaters on the frozen surface of Lake Louise beneath snowy peaks — © Destination Canada

Two skaters with hockey sticks on frozen Lake Louise beneath snowy peaks — © Destination Canada

A chef plating a dish in a Lake Louise kitchen — © Destination Canada

The Icefields Parkway

The road between Lake Louise and Jasper is one of the world’s great drives, past waterfalls, glaciers and lookouts. Halfway along, at the Columbia Icefield, you can ride out onto the Athabasca Glacier.

A couple walking on the Columbia Icefield beside an Ice Explorer vehicle — Columbia Icefield

Visitors standing with arms outstretched on the snow at the Columbia Icefield — © Destination Canada

A couple smiling on the Columbia Icefield beside a Canadian flag — © Destination Canada

A rocky, snow-streaked mountain face near the Columbia Icefield — © Destination Canada

Hikers roped together on the ice of the Athabasca Glacier — © Destination Canada

A hiker with a pack crossing the Athabasca Glacier — © Destination Canada

Jasper

Quieter and wilder than Banff, Jasper is known for its wildlife, Maligne Lake and dark night skies. Parts of the park are still recovering from the 2024 wildfire, so Nancy will check what’s open for your dates.

Mountains reflected in the calm blue water of Maligne Lake — Maligne Lake, Jasper

A red boathouse on the shore of Maligne Lake with mountains beyond — © Destination Canada

Red canoes on the still water of Maligne Lake — © Destination Canada

Stars above a mountain ridge and still water at Maligne Lake — © Destination Canada

Your way through the mountains

See the Rockies at your own pace on a self-drive holiday, sit back on a guided coach tour, or arrive in style on the Rocky Mountaineer. The main season is June to September, when the lakes are thawed and the roads and walking tracks are open.

A glass dining dome beside a stone hotel with flower planters — © NorthGroveCreative

A horse-drawn sleigh crossing the snow in front of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise — © Destination Canada

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise above a snowy frozen lake with a skier in front — © Destination Canada

A cyclist on a fat bike riding a snowy trail with mountains behind — © Destination Canada

Planned around you

Nancy can put together the right mix of driving, rail and hotels, including the Fairmont properties she knows well, and link the Rockies with Vancouver, an Alaska cruise or a family visit elsewhere in Canada.

Ready for the mountains?