Five Countries Four Marlboroughs: Bucket List - the spectacular Icefields Parkway

My goodness I am not very good at keeping up with the blog this holiday! Our days are so jam packed it is hard to fit it in......so here goes…

We left Jasper around 10:30am – a little earlier – to make our way to Banff via the famed Icefields Parkway. I had really been looking forward to this part of the trip – and was not disappointed! It is really hard to put the drive into words and the photos do not do justice. With Gypsy on, we learnt all about the area and experienced visual overload - we were on the edge of our seats the whole day. We spotted elk shortly out of Jasper.

First stop of the day was the Athabasca Falls – we were blown away at the force of the water. Another few stops then we went to the Columbia Icefields and onto the Athabasca Glacier. Unbelievably we started talking to a couple from Mayfield, with their Newcastle Knights beanie on. It was freezing of course and just when we stepped onto the glacier it started to snow! The kids were so excited.

We then stopped at Peyto Lake and we were surrounded by snow! It was like being in a winter wonderland, the air was so crisp, the lake was so blue - and we now know this is from the ‘rock flour’. The kids loved playing in the snow and having snow ball fights. The whole stop was very special and surreal.

When we finished the 230km drive, we all agreed it was the most spectacular drive we have ever done! When we reached Banff, the highway has fences to stop the wildlife from going on the road. I believe I saw my first young Caribu!

We then arrived at Banff and we were booked to stay at the Banff Fairmont which was on my bucket list. I had told Terry and the boys we were staying at Moose Chalet and told them not to be disappointed, as there was no heater. I had programmed the Fairmont into the GPS and as we drove along the boys were looking out the window for the chalet. Well – you should have seen everyone’s faces when we were guided into the Fairmont entry. I don’t think I’ve ever seen everyone so excited – and relieved- the Marlborough’s like their 5 star luxury! We were staying on the ‘Gold’ level which provides an exceptional level of service, and includes breakfast, evening canapés and dessert. We were given a really big room with a fantastic view, topped off with birthday chocolates and wine. The kids ordered room service and Terry and I went down to one of the restaurants and enjoyed a really good meal. We all agreed it would be good to be in luxury for 3 nights!