u/Wanderlusty74

Planning to visit in just a few weeks and trying to figure out which gondola to take. We are on a budget so we can only do one. We are staying 3 nights in Canmore and 3 nights in Golden. Not considering the Banff one due to cost and crowds/hassle.

1. Kicking horse resort gondola - they have a two day package that includes the grizzly bear enclosure. We are staying very close to this so this seems like the one to go with but wanted to get opinions. We plan to do an easy hike up there and maybe have a bite to eat at the restaurant.

2. Sunshine Meadows gondola- I keep reading online about how this one is the best.

3. MT Norquay chairlift. Read this one is on the smaller side. ??

4. Lake Louise Gondola - already doing Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The gondola cost seems steep.

Planning a last minute 5 day cross country road trip from Southern California to Grand Forks, ND. I’ve got some of our route figured out but could use some help with days 2 and 3. Should we avoid the roads going past Yellowstone due to congestion? Should we consider going north from Twin Falls towards Butte?

Day 1 - travel to Twin Falls, ID (11.5 hours drive, may stop somewhere before if we get too tired)

Day 2 and 3 - need help figuring this part out and want to stay two nights here. We want a place with pretty scenery, preferably a forest and mountains but with a town for restaurants and stores. Considering Big Sky (love this option but can’t find anything in our budget), Anaconda (loved a cabin we found here but it was too far off grid), Butte (not forest like?), Salmon, Dillon, Bozeman (also pricey). Just don’t know much about these areas as I’ve never been. Any other interesting towns to stay in that we should consider with stuff to do?

Day 4 - Glendive, MT

Day 5 - arrive in Grand Forks

Please help! Thank you 😊

Planning a trip and coming in mid July. Originally I planned to spend 3 nights in Canmore (pricey) and then 3 nights in Golden to save $$. I just learned about Cochrane as an option and am wondering if this is a better option since I have read the road from Golden tends to have lots of traffic, construction and delays and it’s a hassle to go back to Golden each day. I had planned to visit a few things in Yoho (emerald lake, Takkakaw Falls) which is closer to Golden. But maybe it’s still easier to stay in Cochrane? Anyone have any insight on this? If Cochrane is better, can you share some sights we can visit nearby? So far I have the Yamnuska wolf sanctuary and Troll Falls. Thank you!

Planning a trip to Calgary and Banff this July with my husband and 15 year old daughter. I’m having a tough time with a few parts of my itinerary and could use some advice and insight on things to do. We love short, easy hikes, scenic views and nature, seeing wildlife, off the beaten path spots, thrifting, and cheap yummy ethnic food. Please help. Thanks in advance.

1. Fun things to do around Calgary for the day after we land and the day before we fly home.
2. Any good thrifting / antiquing in the area?
3. Best eats that are reasonably priced in Canmore and Golden area.
4. We are staying 3 nights in Canmore followed by 3 nights in a condo at the Kicking Horse Resort. Need some help with finding fun things to see and do in the area near Golden. Planning one day to see some sights in Yoho. Should we attempt going to Glacier or Kootenay National park? Just wondering if it will be too much driving.
5. Am a bit overwhelmed by the hype over Lake Louise and Lake Morraine. We are on a tight budget but don’t want to deal with the hassle of trying to get shuttle tix. Should we spring for the hop on hop off bus to see them? I like this idea because we can have more time and possibly go up the gondola at Lake Louise without feeling rushed. Or, should we skip this completely and just go to less popular lakes that are just as beautiful?
6. Not planning to drive all the way to Jasper because we aren’t staying there and it’s a lot of driving. Might turn around at a certain spot but where? Should we plan to drive this on a day we’re staying in Canmore or when we’re in Golden at the Kicking Horse Resort?
7. If we can’t find much to do in Calgary are there other interesting things to see and do outside of there? Maybe Waterton or something else?

I’m in the process of planning a last minute trip to Alaska this Summer. When I research the costs it says it can cost up to $5-7k a person with all the excursions and tours. We are on a tight budget and our style of travel always consists of staying in a cheap Airbnb and cooking most meals. My question is will it be possible to tour Alaska for 8/9 days doing mostly low cost or free things like hiking and sightseeing and only doing one expensive excursion? The one excursion I think we will do is a half day wildlife boat tour. Will we feel like we’re missing out if we can’t afford more tours? I already know we will have to come back to Alaska a few more times to see all there is to see and that’s ok. If I can make this trip happen, what would be some low cost things to see and do if we want to experience beautiful nature and wildlife? Any suggested 8/9 day itineraries starting in Anchorage? Thanks in advance!