After watching numerous videos on YouTube about how beautiful the drive along the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper in Alberta, Canada, is, we finally got to experience it ourselves in early September 2014.
No wonder it always comes up at the top of the list if you do a Google search for the “most scenic drives in North America.” No adjective can aptly describe the beauty of the Canadian Rockies.
We also got a bargain when we had difficulties finding a hotel in Jasper—our max budget was US$300 a night—since the day of our visit coincided with the long weekend, Labor Day.
oTentiks are pre-built lodging facilities that resemble tents and loghouses. They have wooden floors, a locking door, mattresses, chairs, a table, and, on some units, a wall switch-powered light plus a small baseboard heater. However, all units have no electrical (AC/DC) outlets.
We rented a unit with a heater and light, which cost C$90, while a basic unit cost C$70—ideal for camping in summer.
After registering and picking up our firewood at the Whistler campgrounds in Jasper (not to be confused with the popular Whistler Ski Resort in British Columbia), we left at 4:15 PM. We made the short trip to the Miette Hot Springs.
