Angel Explores Canada: From Toronto to the Rockies

From Canmore, I was taken to Banff – the heart of the Rockies. A lively town full of landmarks, I would absolutely recommend a sightseeing tour to really see it all. Take a trip up the Gondola to Sulphur Mountain, with never-ending views, or head towards the Bow River for a water sport activity, this small town has a big attitude. There are numerous places to eat and drink, and the nightlife can be just as lively as the daytime! Banff is iconic for a reason, so make sure to stop by for a couple of nights to really take it all in.

My next stop was Jasper, and to get there, I had to go through the Icefields Parkway. Officially known as Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway is undoubtedly one of the most scenic roads in Canada. 232km long, Google Maps will say this takes 3 hours. But that’s without stopping, and why wouldn’t you stop on this Parkway? On the way to Jasper, you have not only the famous Lake Louise, but multiple vantage points to see everything the Rockies has to offer, including (but not limited to) Castle Mountain, Bow Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier. Between Lake Louise and Jasper, I stopped at the Icefields Centre. It was for nothing major, just a couple of unique moments - a quick stroll on a glacier and checking out the Skywalk. After that pit stop, it was onwards to Jasper, again stopping at beautiful locations. It’s a drive to remember, and definitely not just 3 hours long.

Arriving at Jasper, the immediate vibe was a true mountain town. The rustic hotels, the sun peeking behind the mountains and the tight-knit community gives a warm welcome to travellers. The distinct difference between Banff and Jasper is the pace of life. Jasper is a lot calmer and brings a slower paced atmosphere to the town. That’s not to say there aren’t things to do. Jasper National Park is the main place to be for wildlife spotting. Upon arrival, I saw elk, mountain sheep and various birds of prey – and that’s not all there is. Coyotes, wolves, bears, and moose are some of the few, but iconic, wildlife sightings in Jasper. A wildlife tour is necessary here, as is a visit to the Jasper Tramway for mountain vistas. The next day, I headed up to Maligne Lake, seeing some of the town and surrounding area before making our way up. It was stunning, albeit frozen, and serene.

My final stop on this adventure was Calgary. Away from the mountains, the prairie was an unexpected sight, and the city itself brings a community feel to a metropolitan backdrop. Known for the Stampede, I wasn’t sure what else Calgary had to offer. However, their pedestrianised Stephen Avenue offers various places to eat and loads of live entertainment for everyone. A bittersweet ending to my trip, I knew that Canada has so much more to offer, and I intend to see it all.