banff/canmore?

[gardenmom5]

for those who've been there - how big of an advantage to stay in banff vs canmore?  (outside of accomodations themselves.)

[bolt.]

It depends on what you want to do. If you want "general mountainous goodness" Canmore is wonderful. It has plenty of its own hiking, lakes, rivers, scenery... Probably everything you want in a vacation.

 

If you want specific sights, activities, etc -- that are actually in Banff, then you probably want to stay in Banff.

 

If you have a car you can go between, but Banff (a national park) has a fee. This is included in most (all?) hotel costs (?) (check on that, ok?) But you'd have to pay a daily entry fee if your hotel was outside and you wanted to do activities inside for a day or two.

 

If you want groceries Canmore is better. If you want to eat out, Banff is better.

[gardenmom5]

I'm also looking at the drive back towards spokane.  I think it would be best to stay in canada or nothern idaho - so, what are good things to see to teh south.

 

we made reservations in canmore - banff was booking up and I should have made reservastion a few months ago.