Canada / Alaska Itinerary. Is Denali to Whitehorse Worth It?

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  freefall101 on 11/03/2024 - 23:36

  +2

  I assume VC always means Vancouver? I've lived there, never heard it called VC.

  Denali is the expensive bit because it's not accessible via road and it'll be tiny charter flights. For the cost, you might be better off sorting your own flights. Yes, Denali is gorgeous but since it sounds like you're doing basically endless mountain driving it becomes a bit same-same after a while. It's only worth doing if your parents are in good enough shape to do a lot of hiking/climbing.

  They are looking at flying or cruising to Vancouver, RV relocation VC to Calgary (via Jasper/Banff)..Then make their way back to
  Vancouver (maybe another RV via Whistler)

  That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. You don't go back to Vancouver via Whistler, you'd likely go through Vancouver (or close to it again) on the way to Whistler, it's easier that way. Maybe go via Sun Peaks instead?

  What time of year are you going too? I live between Prince George and Vancouver, the roads there are bloody rough to drive on, it's not an easy thing to do in winter at all. Even in summer it snowed on me through the rockies. Winter in Alaska is a frozen hellhole.

  Also think about the train from Vancouver to Jasper, then drive a car through the rockies to Banff (make sure to stop at Lake Louise, gorgeous).

  • 

    tunzafun001 on 12/03/2024 - 00:42

    +1

    Yeah, Just lazy with VC in BC :) My partner calls it VC..just stuck.

    Thanks for your feedback re endless Mountain driving. Thought the same.. especially if they do a round trip from YVR to Calgary.

    Time of Year is May. I've driven YVR (still think VC sounds better ;) to Calgary via Whistler and Jasper in April. Was 31C in Whistler!! So ..just roads. Did snow from Banff to Calgary..but all good.

    But never been to Alaska, so not sure how much different it would be scenery wise. Weather wise..well, cold / icey still I guess.

    I'm now leaning towards them taking a train to Denali maybe the Fairbanks. They are 70 -80 years young. Mum done her ACL a few years back..but determined to not let it hinder her. Dad had cancer two years ago, lymph nodes removed.. but they won't let that get in the way. But in the cold..hmmm. Both walk a couple of km per day. Old man still did a black grade mountain bike trail with me.. so capable.. determined..but they are just too old to go on big hikes alone.. especially with ice..one slip..yeah…

    Looking at them getting on the 'Milk Run' flight and make a few stops along the way. Will be a lot cheaper. Finish off by flying into Seattle. Not Whitehorse, but would give that small Alaskan community experience.

    What do you think?

    Cheers

    • 

      freefall101 on 12/03/2024 - 11:05

      I’m not sure what the weather will be like in May around Denali, probably not icy on the ground level, I imagine it’ll be fine. The one thing to prepare for will be disrupted sleep, it’s long days that far north. Generally the weather is pretty nice in May, pack a few jumpers and decent boots for the coldest bits, but generally there won’t be much snow and ice around.

      Train and such make sense, and driving will be fine then. IMO the $16k sounds some premium chartered flight product, there has to be cheaper ways (like the train).

      • 

        tunzafun001 on 12/03/2024 - 11:12

        I think it's the accom (during cruise season…$400 a night for 3 star), small chartered flights and the rail journey is something like $500.

        I don't think it's worth it once you've seen Jasper national park and Anchorage.

        Suggesting doing the 'Milk Run' for an aerial look. Couple of stops.

        Cheers for the long daylight tip.

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  try2bhelpful on 12/03/2024 - 06:31

  I second Lake Louise. We did Calgary, Lake Louise, Banff, then did the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver. Then the cross country train to Toronto for Niagara Falls.

  I know your parents are plucky but snow and ice will be tough going for them, particularly if they are considering driving, How are you going with getting travel insurance?

  • 

    tunzafun001 on 12/03/2024 - 09:52

    Yep, yep. Lake Louise, Banff etc is default..no issue with the Canada side.
    Just the Alaskan side.
    Can do all the Canada side for about $1500, but the Alaskan side is $16 000. Just wondering if it really is worth 10x amount of coin over above Canada?

    • 

      try2bhelpful on 12/03/2024 - 11:35

      My sister did the Alaskan cruise, which she enjoyed. Maybe stick with that. In making a decision I would consider their age and mobility.

• 

  knobbs on 12/03/2024 - 10:27

  +1

  Sounds like a trip of my dreams. Got a while till retirement and kids grow up when it will be in sight

  • 

    ass3ts on 12/03/2024 - 11:38

    +1

    Shouldn't postpone your dream trips until you're too old to fully enjoy them.

  • 

    tunzafun001 on 12/03/2024 - 17:39

    @knobbs, You might be surprised how cheap you can do this, and in a short amount of time. Jetstar it to Hawaii, spend a night or two (outskirts on HNL..otherwise $$). Bus it around for $1. Cruise to Vancouver, via Alaska, or around Hawaii first if u want. Can do it for under $1000. Then RV it from Vancouver to Calgary (cost us $500 inc fuel). Then use points to go to the US, or back home. 14hr direct flight these days, $50k points and $117. Achievable in a couple of weeks. Hit it at Easter and 2 of those days will be public holidays, and 4 days weekends.

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  ass3ts on 12/03/2024 - 11:16

  +1

  Just came back from a ski trip at the Canadian Rockies. If visiting Lake Louise, I recommend staying at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, get the Lakeview rooms. I'd say it's by far the best option for accommodation there, just sitting in your room looking at the lake with its background is already a holiday on its own. You can walk on the snow-covered frozen lake in winter, just wear waterproof boots and snow pants.

  • 

    try2bhelpful on 12/03/2024 - 11:39

    We went a tad nuts and did the Gold leaf Rocky Mountaineer and the Fairmonts in Lake Louise, Banff and Vancouver. We then did a sleeper from Vancouver to Toronto. It cost serious coin but it was brilliant. Lake Louise sitting in the bar drinking ice wine cocktails and looking at the glacier. Walking around the lake looking at frozen waterfalls suspended on the rocks. Just stunning.

  • 

    djkelly69 on 12/03/2024 - 12:36

    +1

    If visiting Lake Louise*, I recommend staying at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, get the Lakeview rooms.

    *and have recently won the lottery

  • 

    tunzafun001 on 12/03/2024 - 17:32

    I used the toilets in the Fairmont…that's as close as I will get! We took a RV for basically nothing. Parked literally in front of Athabasca glacier for a night, Mt Dobson, then up on a hill looking over Banff. Happy with that.