Rocky Mountains Travel Guide & Holiday Packages
The Canadian Rockies mountain range spans the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. With jagged, ice-capped peaks, including towering Mt. Robson, it's a region of alpine lakes, diverse wildlife and outdoor sites. Yoho National Park is home to the massive Takakkaw Falls. Other national parks are Jasper, with the famously accessible Athabasca Glacier, and Banff, site of glacier-fed Lake Louise, Rockies' signature viewpoints!
Helpful Information
To exploring the scenery and for hiking. the best time to visit is from mid June to mid September, however, it is the peak season with the largest crowds and highest prices.
If you come sooner than in June, the most beautiful trails won't be still open! Rocky Mountain parks are still buried in snow into April and even May at higher elevations like Lake Louise.
A trip during a shoulder season such as mid-September to mid-October when there’s less crowds is a good way to visit Banff on a budget. The accommodation and airfare prices will be somewhat lower compared to the summer months.
The Rockies house peaks over 13,000 feet (4,000 metres). Among the Canadian Rockies, around 50 mountains exceed 11,000 feet (3,350 metres).
The Laramide mountain-building process birthed the Rockies. The mountain ranges formed despite western North America having highly active tectonic plates. In turn, craggier terrains emerged.
Calm weather surrounds the Canadian Rockies in July and August, making these months the best time to explore the range.
European explorers found the Rockies while searching for a northwestern passage to the Western sea. The La Verendryes first saw the then snow-capped range on January 1, 1743.
The Rockies got their name from previous residents and explorers of different languages. Legardeur St. Pierre called them “Montaignes de Roche”, while the Cree Indians named them as “as-sin-wati”.
The Rockies are important to Canada because they provide residents with water, house numerous plants and animals, and attract visitors. Additionally, Canadians get minerals, timber and other natural resources from the mountains.
The Canadian Rockies experience hot summers with long hours of sunshine and chilly winters yearly. December and January bring below freezing temperatures, while May and June see wet conditions.
British Columbia’s Mount Robson is the tallest among the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet (3,954 metres). The expansive range also houses Alberta’s tallest peak, Mount Columbia.
Many distinct mammals and bird and fish species comprise the Canadian Rockies’ wildlife, including:
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Elk and bighorn sheep
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Moose
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Mountain goats
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Grizzly and black bears
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Yellow-rumped warblers
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Native trout species
If you’re a nature lover, incredible scenery, thousands of rivers and lakes and glaciers abound in the Canadian Rockies. Delightful walks and trails and outdoor adventures also await.
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