Day 1 Itinerary
Places visited: Basecamp Resorts Revelstoke - Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre - Mount Revelstoke National Park
Basecamp Resorts Revelstoke
We enjoyed our brilliant views and apartment in Revelstoke. Started our day with an early morning rooftop hot tub!
Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre
We then headed to Revelstoke lake (reservoir) and then to the BC Dam visitor centre-the 2hd largest in Canada that feeds the Columbia river which ran past our apartment. We enjoyed exploring the interactive section and going to the top of the Dam and seeing the turbines at work in the power house
Mount Revelstoke National Park
In the afternoon we headed into Revelstoke NP along the meadows in the sky parkway that normally heads the 26km to the peak of Mount Revelstoke but due to snow is only open 8km to Monashee viewpoint. We stopped off for some photos then headed to Nels Nielsen ski jump point and the beaver bike park for Freddie to practice some bike tricks. Recent bear sightings had been reported here and evidence found by team Owens!!
Day 2 Itinerary
Places visited: Revelstoke - Glacier National Park of Canada - Deer Lodge
Revelstoke
After some playdoh fun and a lazy morning at our last spacious lodgings for a few days we packed up and headed into Revelstoke which has a really lovely vibe-nice little shops and cafés. We stopped for coffee and cake and walked to the visitor centre where Freddie got a t-shirt and Orla got a bear bell. We were then on our way to lake Louise through Glacier NP.
Glacier National Park of Canada
Wow!!! Over 300 Glacier’s in this national park and as they had a record amount of snow in Canada last winter most of it is still closed as there is such a high Avalanche risk. The road travels through Rogers pass and stopping anywhere before this was impossible as all stops were closed. Avalanches kill more people in BC than any other natural phenomenon. Travelling along the pass you can see why-there are numerous tunnels with avalanches on top.
We did manage a stop at Bear creek for a picnic and stroll in the woods before we carried on to lake Louise.
Deer Lodge
Orla snoozed in the car between bear creek and lake Louise and Freddie listened to Roald Dahl on his Yoto. We arrived at our traditional mountain lodge next to lake Louise-a double queen room for us-Dave and I in one bed, Freddie in the other and Orla in the travel cot and after checking in walked around to the lake. It was still frozen and the road to Moraine lake which is meant to be open tmrw is also remaining closed because of snow and ice! It was still beautiful even in cloud and ice. We drive into the village for dinner at Peyto Bills cafe in the HI and the kids enjoyed playing with the snow in the garden. Time change here in Alberta so we’re now an hour earlier.
Day 3 Itinerary
Places visited: Lake Louise Ski Resort - Morant's Curve - Lake Louise - Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant
Lake Louise Ski Resort
This morning we got onto the grizzly lift in the hope of seeing some Grizzly bears on the gondola up to lake Louise mountain resort but no luck. However we did find snow to play in and an interpretive centre (museum) with lots of stuffed wildlife.
Morant's Curve
After heading down the mountain we drive along route 1A next to the Bow river to Morant’s curve and were lucky enough to get a train passing too! We stopped for a picnic on the roadside and headed back to deer lodge.
Lake Louise
Freddie and I went to the rooftop hot tub with views of Victoria glacier above lake Louise. Orla slept and Dave caught up with some work. The sun came out so we walked around lake Louise shore line and partook in the kids 2nd favourite pastime (first-play parks)-throwing stones into water.
Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant
We ate out at the railway station and had a yummy dinner and margarita. The kids were very excited as they got ice cream for desert!
Day 4 Itinerary
Places visited: Lake Louise - Lower Spiral Tunnel - Meeting of the waters confluent - Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge
Lake Louise
Checking out of deer lodge this morning and just one final trip to lake Louise.
Lower Spiral Tunnel
Only 25minute drive from lake Louise back to filed and Yoho NP. With stops on the way-first one spiral tunnels. 2 almost circular tunnels built into the mountain so trails could turn and descend the steep mountain pass.
Meeting of the waters confluent
A few minutes further up the Yoho valley road and the meeting of 2 rivers where we stopped for a picnic and climbed down to the Yoho and kicking horse river meeting point.
Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge
We arrived into Field in the afternoon a tiny village centred around its railway roots. It’s right in the middle of Yoho NP with amazing mountain vistas. We stayed at truffle pigs inn with a great restaurant attached. Orla had an unsuccessful nap in the buggy whilst I walked around Field. Dave and Freddie watched the longest slowest trains passing through and went to the park. We checked in for the next couple of nights into our double queen room, the kids played on the grass outside and we went upstairs for dinner where we shared a charcuterie board, sweet potato poutine (gravy, chips and cheese curds) and salmon.
Day 5 Itinerary
Places visited: Emerald Lake - Natural Bridge
Emerald Lake
We left early this morning after our room breakfast of weetabix to head to emerald lake. It was beautiful and sunny and 15minutes down the road. We arrived and decided to take the buggy with us along the lake trail. We had a lovely walk all the way to the top of the lake and a bridge with many stops for wildlife spotting and stone throwing. We felt chuffed at making it 3km along so decided to continue over the bridge-bad plan-still very ivy/snowy under foot and def not buggy friendly. Fred was on top form and led the way over roots, rocks, mud and snow whilst I dragged the buggy and Dave carried Orla. We finally made it around to the emerald lake lodges 😮💨 and stopped for some food but a rather measly lunch as no sandwiches! Lucky it was such a lovely day and beautiful lake and kids were on form.
Natural Bridge
Heading back to Truffle Pigs we stopped at natural bridge on the emerald lake road.
Orla had a nap in the room whilst Freddie, Dave and I played outside. I packed our overnight bag for Icefields parkway tmrw whilst Dave took Freddie and Orla to the play park over the railway line-2nd bad plan a train stopped across the road for 45minutes and Dave didn’t have his phone so they didn’t get back until 5:15 with 2 hungry children we headed straight upstairs for a cocktail and another yummy dinner-steak, salad, bread and Mac n cheese.