Hi all - itinerary help needed!
My wife and I will be spending 9 full days in the West, going from Calgary to Vancouver.
Current thinking:
Banff - 2 days (we'll arrive in Calgary the night before)
Jasper - 3 days (4h drive from Banff)
Kelowna - 2 days (7h drive from Jasper)
Vancouver - 2 days (4h drive from Kelowna)
What do you you think about this itinerary?
And is it 'worth' visiting Kelowna...or would you skip & use that time for the other places?
Thanks!

You can honestly spend all your time in Banff/Jasper. Kelowna/ Okanagaon is nice if you want to visit some of the wineries.

Not worth going to Kelowna...crazy busy and more covid cases...Vancouver could use more time....or even better, drive from jasper to valemount and then south through okanagan , salmon arm.....then over to Vancouver

Lynn Rowdon Kelowna was beautiful. Didn't catch COVID19 while I was there, was perfectly safe!

When are you going? Need snow tires after oct I think......and coquihalla hwy to Vancouver can have snow at higher elevations any month

Lynn Rowdon mid September for the 9 days

Jasper is so out of the way, you should go to Revelstoke and Fernie instead

I would skip and spend more time exploring Banff and Jasper!

When are you going? You’ll have to be mindful that at any point now you could be facing winter driving conditions which will slow down your drive times. If I were you, I’d skip Jasper and just go Banff, Kelowna, Vancouver. There are a ton of great spots to stop at en route to Kelowna (Enchanted Forest, Dutchman’s Dairy...) that are perfect for kids.

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Stop in Kelowna area for a day and hit 2-3 wineries. Make reservations. Excellent safety protocols in place. We booked a wine tasting at Mission Hill in the Tower at 10am when they opened. Quiet and beautiful.

Jeanne hello there, any recommendations on which wineries are worth checking their wine tasting? Will be going Sept 29-30th!

Sounds pretty rushed. I did the same trip in July and took the whole month.

I think your could add another day in Banff (love Jasper!)... unless you like wineries it's good enough to just drive through Okanagan to see the area. We did a similar to in 2017.... If you could add Vancouver Island somehow I would highly recommend

Kelowna YES. Omg it's gorgeous. A city yes, but the wineries are worth it in their own

Jenna I want to retire there! The wineries, farmers market, the vibe - it’s such a young vibe there

Kelowna is a great combo of water and mountains...and the wineries are fabulous

Any recommendations where to go? I'll go Sept 29-30 and I can fit in 2 wineries!

I have made the same trip. I would do 2 days Jasper, 1 day Kelowna, and add the additional 2 days in Vancouver. That way if you want to do a day trip to whistler or ferry to Victoria you have that option.

Ice fields parkway between Banff and jasper is good for seeing glaciers, mountains, possibly wildlife. Or....around Kelowna, visit wineries...depends on what you really want to see.

Rather arrive in Edmonton and go jasper-banff-kelowna-vancouver. Its a better flow.

banff is ok, but i preferred lake louise/lake morraine and would spend more time there.

If you got time, check out Emerald Lake.

I would agree that when it comes to the Kelowna decision, it mainly comes down to how into wine you are. There's also Naramata Bench just south of Kelowna near Penticton, which has really nice wineries and views .
The area around Kelowna / Okanagan is nice (lakes, etc), but the really dramatic, incredibly impressive Rocky mountain views are between Banff and Jasper. Some people spend their whole lives exploring this area without seeing it all, so it just depends on how many hikes or activities you might want to do, beyond just taking in the viewpoints from the highway (and there's nothing wrong with that!).

From Jasper, go to Kamloop instead of Kelowna, we tried that on our way to Vancouver

Nothing to do in Kamloop, Kelowna is better

I think it is a good plan, we just got back from the same trip. Vancouver was meh after Rockies.

Kelowna is a YES!

I did a similar trip last year over 2 weeks, but didn't do Jasper and ended in Victoria. We stayed a few nights in the Okanagan and I'm my opinion, I'd skip that and spend more time in the mountains (Banff and Jasper). With only 9 days, that's a lot of driving so would limit the number of stops.

Do the go kart/luge just outside of Calgary! It’s so fun, and cheap!!

Kelowna’s great for beautiful wine country. Agree with the above, it depends what types of things you want to see. Great hikes in and around Vancouver as well. Revelstoke is also a nice stop for a night if you want to break up the one long drive

Absolutely not worth spending more than one day in Jasper! Trust me, we live in Calgary and have done the trip multiple times .. it’s only beautiful the drive to jasper with all the stops along the drive. But the town itself doesn’t have a lot to do. You will find more things in Banff
One thing I would suggest doing is Banff, lake Louise, lake Moriane, lake emerald, yoho national park, and the Ice field glacier park that you get to while driving to jasper.
If I was you I would save couple of those days and go to Vancouver island too for couple days. That’s a beautiful spot since you will be in Vancouver, take the ferry and go across. There isn’t much in Vancouver to be honest, the city it self is ok .. I would spend more time in the Rockies and the island. But depends on what you like if you’re more of a city person or like the nature. In Vancouver there is a suspension bridge which is cool to do and a boat tour if you like that too. But definitely don’t spend so much in jasper, all you need is one full day of driving to jasper, stay one night only to rest and next morning you can check out the town which might take you 2 hrs not even, and start the drive to lakes and coming down to Banff way. Also, if you guys are into hikes, there are tons around everywhere you drive .. if you need any help, let me know. Oh and do the gondola in Banff! They have a beautiful easy hike once you’re on top of the mountain! Gotta do it

Maryam have also heard one night in jasper is plenty

Sanja yeah 100% we just went in August and yeah one night just to rest in plenty. We took the whole day driving to jasper, slept there, walked for an hour in town then left .. honestly nothing there unlike Banff there is more things in Banff

Really depends..... are you going to visit the town? Or the national park?

Jasper is beautiful though! A visit to maligne lake is worth another day in jasper. There’s lot of little mountain lakes you can visit around the town too.

Ana FYI when we went on aug 12th the maligne lake was closed, not sure if it’s still closed or not.

Kelowna is beautiful and if you’re into food and wine, well worth the stop. You can see cute goats at Carmelis Goat Cheese and load up on delicious locally made cheese for a picnic there, plus wineries galore.

Kelowna is fabulous. Take the drive to visit some wineries to the south. A couple to visit Dirty Laundry Winery - fun, and Wild Goose - great restaurant and wines, but there are many more ! Vancouver, rent a bike and ride the sea wall of Stanley Park. Watch the sunset from the outdoor terrace / bar area of the Pan Pacific hotel while enjoying a drink.

Someone else mentioned Yoho National Park. Its a great place, not crowded, beautiful waterfall and lovely hiking. Banff to me is too touristy but great to see for the first time.

Doug agree, skip Banff and go straight to Yoho National Park

It's Karan's to be wife - we tie the knot soon - it is going to be our honeymoon trip and we are definitely into wines
also, any must do honeymoon things that you all can recommend - we would highly appreciate

Jaslanik If it’s your honeymoon, then go to Victoria on the Island as well. They are known for newlyweds, nearly-deads and flower beds. lol. It’s honestly quite beautiful there and you might get lucky and be able to do some whale watching on your ferry ride there.

Jaslanik Agree^ definitely hit up Victoria for atleast a day, or two if you do whale watching which I highly recommend! (but I believe you can do this from Vancouver too)

Not much to do in jasper take those days to Vancouver city and island

Yes, I would put Victoria on Van Island on your itinerary .

I personally would stop somewhere in the Kootenays and also either North or South of Kelowna in the Okanagan (much prettier and more to do/see such as lakes, rivers, hiking, hotsprings, vinyards, etc. etc.). Also, I would allow more than 4hrs to drive from Kelowna to Van...depending on your route and traffic it could take a whole day.

If you are picking car rental up in Calgary, and dropping off in BC, better double check the drop off fee.

We just did similar trip last month. I would personally do the below:
Banff - 4 nights (Cover both Banff and Yoho from here)
Jasper -1 nights (lot of major hikes were closed last month, so we decreased from 2 nights to 1 night)
Kamloops - 1 night (the road from Kamloops via Hwy 99 - Sea to Sky highway to Whistler was our favourite road in the entire trip amongst all the amazing roads)
Vancouver/Vancouver Islands - 2 nights

We are doing the same trip next week. Leaving on Friday 11th for 10 days. Such great info everyone!

I would cut down the Jasper time, and hit Kelowna-Its gorgeous there. or increase time and hit Vancouver Island-its pretty awesome.

I would skip Kelowna and go somewhere else unless you are into wine country. Kelowna is like cottage country meets Niagara Falls. It’s so much nicer to go to salt spring or less know islands out here. Depending on when you come, you may want to go to whistler to ski

did the same trip in early august.
Banff - 3 nights
Lake Louise - 2 nights
Kelowna - 1 night
Vancouver - 3 nights
Gave us a bit of everything. Banff is definitely more central to all the more popular Rocky Mountain attractions. Kelowna is beautiful, wish I had more time there.
Definitely download the Gypsy Guide app on your phone - it's super informative.

just start bit more east from the badlands, you will find cactus!!!

Not sure you need that much time in jasper tbh

If you like hiking/trails then def stay that long in Jasper. You will only scratch the mountainous surface.

Really don’t think that you have time to do the island....we’ve driven and flown many many times from Ontario. If it’s your honeymoon you don’t want to be spending all day in a car. Banff and Jasper are good visits if you are into hiking. Otherwise they are tourist towns now...if it’s nature you are after you will find it on hikes or drives through national parks.

Don't skip going to jasper..absolutely the best scenic drive from banff. Also up around jasper you will see the most wildlife...spend day driving there..and explore area around there..so 2 nights in jasper. Research mt robson and wells grey park also. From kelowna drive along lake towards penticton..take hwy 97south ..then hwy 3 south..till close US border..adds an hour to your trip..but another extra beautiful drive.

I would skip kelowna rather go to whistler it is one you much go

Everyone will give you different suggestions based on their experience and preference, but you may want to indicate what you enjoy doing. I'm from BC and lived in Calgary for 11 years. There's a tonne to do in both provinces.
I think going North to jasper and all the way to van island as others suggest is too much for such a short trip.
There are so many options, just keep in mind alot of these places are really touristy so there may not be as much open with COVID.
Anyways here are some options you may like. Alot can be done in conjunction with other towns.
Calgary - Canmore - Banff - Lake Louise - Moraine Lake - Yoho National Park - Revelstoke (Hot Springs) - Kelowna - Vancouver - Vancouver Island (ex. Tofino or Parksville)
Or
Edmonton, Jasper, Athabasca Falls, Icefields, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Radium Hot springs, Fairmont Hot Springs, Kelowna wineries, Vancouver.
Basically I wouldn't go all the way to Jasper if you're flying into Calgary. If you can fly into Edmonton you could start North and head south, it would make more sense.
To be honest I think going all the way to Vancouver is far too much driving for that many days of exploring, but that's just me.

but the ice fields are pretty cool and sad to miss if you’re are so close. I’d shave a day off of jasper and add it to banff

Mary I agree. As cool as Jasper is, especially with all of the Elk in town, I wouldn't head there and Kelowna and Vancouver. To be honest i would totally skip Kelowna and Vancouver in this trip and solely stick to the Banff through Jasper area.

Think going to Torino and uclulet and the island in general is just too much to do in 9 day trip....although the island is my fav place....Qualicum beach, etc

Lynn Rowdon I totally agree. Btw, I had forgotten the name of Qualicum beach, so thank you!!

Karan don’t skip Victoria and whistler must see destinations in Bc

Yoho national park close to Banff is also worth the drive

Sabith Azward

Following

I hope to do something similar, but hubby can only take vacation at the end of November. Is it worth/safe to go this route in late November?

Amy jasper roads close in Winter time, not sure when it starts the closure but I would check first. Winter in the Rockies are just as beautiful as summer time. But I would do some homework before cuz of some road closure due to the glaciers and avalanches

Maryam, you are right. Road close starting mid October.

You can definitely drive from Calgary to Banff to Jasper in late fall and winter (people do it all the time for skiing). The main highways are open, as long there isn't too much snow, avalanche control, etc. It's the secondary roads that close for the season in mid-October, which can make it tough/impossible to get to certain sights around Jasper. The main sights right off the highway would still be accessible. But you'd want to be comfortable with winter driving, as there's a good chance of a decent snowfall.
But there's a reason November is one of the quietest months. It's too late in the season for nearly all hikes, and generally too early for enough snow to have accumulated for skiing, snow-shoeing, etc. So it's kind of a dead zone month for most activities.

Chris, does the scenes still worth it? We are from Ontario, so winter driving is not something unusual (even still very dislike
).

Well, I would say the mountains themselves are still just as great to look at. If anything, the snow makes them look even more interesting. There might be a higher chance of getting a grey overcast sky, as opposed to a beautiful bright blue sky (although Alberta overall gets a lot of blue sky days, even in colder months).
But towards ground level, if there's not enough snow yet, the landscape can look more brown and dull than in other months when things are either green (in spring/summer) or white from the snow (in winter).

i lived at the banff centre for a year (artistic residency). the late nov usually bring enough snow, and the mountains, in my opinion, are so much more beautiful w/out greenery.

The Myra Canyon trestles above Kelowna are fantastic. You can rent a bike and cycle as far as you like...If the day is clear the view is amazing. Really a great activity if you enjoy cycling.

Do not skip Kelowna! Lived in Jasper for a year and Kelowna is my favourite place out west.
The drive from Banff to Jasper is phenomenal. If the sulphur skyline hike is open just east of Jasper it has the best bang for your buck on difficulty of the hike (not super hard) and the views you get in return!

Tash Chapeau KELOWNA FOREVA

I would recommend adding another day to Banff as there is a lot to do and see there. Nothing really special in Kelowna to see unless you are going to visit a vinery nearby. Does Vancouver include Vancouver island or just mainland Vancouver? 2 days is plenty for mainland but if you are planning to visit the island, you will need at least a week.

I’m in Kelowna right now and it’s pretty beautiful. Nice relaxing break to drink wine. Whistler is comparable to Banff.

Don’t skip Kelowna. It is beautiful!

on your way from Banff to Vancouver, you should stop by Emerald Lake

I don't know much,I would like to do that trip one day,but you have to do Whistler, and do the Gandola in Squamish

I'm so glad that I came across this post

I’m going Oct. 2 to the 10th, Vancouver to Calgary... I am loving all the advice!

We just did something similar:
Arrived in Calgary late night - slept in Calgary and drive to banff in AM
4 days banff
2 days jasper
1 day drive to van
1 day in Van
Flew back early morning
If we could do it over, as much as I love hiking and the outdoors, I would prob skip Jasper unless I’m camping.

Dia oh that’s a great tip! Karan

Kelowna one night stop to go as nothing much to do over there .

Banff and Vancouver is beautiful, Jasper 2night enough

All great places .. I’d cut Jasper down to 1-2 days, and increase Kelowna + 1 day and increase Vancouver + 1 (whistler 1 day / Vancouver 1 day).

You may want to visit Columbia glacier on Icefield parkway on the way to Jasper from Banff

Just before Kelowna is a nice place to visit Sun Peak (skiing village which looks like you are in Switzerland )
Salmon Arm or Vernon is also nice charming towns.

Nick John David

Kelowna (and area) is worth more than 2 days. Lots of wineries, lakes etc especially if you continue to head south (Penticton/Osoyoos)

Julie yes! Absolutely

Make a quick stop at Spotted Lake when driving near Osoyoos. Pretty cool

you might need more time

Natasha Malek - my fiance and I are doing the same thing & have posted a similar question as you above.
Feel free to use the recommendations

Try to add a stop at Emerald Lake. If you can stay a night the inn is beautiful

Banff is very touristy Canmore much nicer and for hot springs go to Radium fewer ppl and more locals. Stay Radium Hot Springs chalet get corner unit 180 view from the top of the hill of the valley. incredible views

When in Jasper, visit Maligne Canyon and book brunch at the Jasper Park Lodge

Following. Been to Vancouver and Whistler but not Kelowna!

Kelowna has the most beautiful wineries!! Quails Gate, Mission Hill, The Nest, and so many more!! Do a wine tasting or 10!

David Teixeira

Bump for Andrea