Go West, young woman

[John Roberts]

A student friend of my daughter's is hoping to go to Canada to do part of her degree course, she's not here just now but I think she said she'll be somewhere in Manitoba.

As she's going to be there for a year I suggested to her that during one of her college vacations she gets on a bus and goes to Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise and up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. (And, no, sorry, she's not a biker.) I've been there a couple of times in February-it was beautiful-and my sister has been there in high Summer during which time she says it was also beautiful though obviously in a completely different way; sun and snow/sun and greens.

Have I told her right? The thing is I haven't been to Manitoba and Saskatchewan but am completely enthralled by BC and Alberta so I'm definitely biased in the matter. I wonder if perhaps some HUBB members in the area (and there seems to be quite few in BC) have any other suggestions, and when would you say would be the best time of the year to go? Oh, and would you say to go back the same way, or via Edmonton: Jasper to Hinton wasn't much cop, but, then, to me, nothing is much cop after the Icefields Parkway. Though Fraser Canyon I liked. And the road to Whistler. And Victoria Island. Maligne Lake. Bow Lake. Peyto Lake. Sleigh rides at night along the shores of Lake Louise. Aargh! I want to go back!

Thanks

John