The natural magnificence of mountains, lakes and waterfalls instantly grabbed us. Everything was on such a grand scale, the sky even seemed bigger. Small communities are the minority compared to the vast landscape packed with moose, bears, deer, mountain goats and other resident mammals.

Banff and Jasper, the two main towns, are a must to any trip but for very different reasons. Banff, the birthplace of Rocky Mountain tourism, has a more polished edge with an air of extravagance. A main street of half a mile is lined with stores that were once outfitters for brave explorers but now deal in mainly tourist souvenirs.

We stayed a couple of nights at the Brewster’s Mountain Lodge in a great central spot with a luxurious log cabin feel. Ideal to reach restaurants and bars or to head off for a short walk along the picturesque Bow River, Vermilion Lakes or the Hot Springs.

We headed high above the town for a late night dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs for only £3 each. Gloriously refreshing in the cold night air. Another more scenic spring is an hour away from Jasper at Miette, and if you only bathe once, head there as it is larger and more remote with sensational mountain views.

Back in Banff, it was easy to while away the days visiting beauty spots, local museums and with our most daring adventure yet- white water rafting.

Our chirpy British guide with Wild Water Adventures, Simon Jay, who spends winters guiding people to see polar bears and summer in the Rockies, gave us the area’s fascinating history en-route to the Kicking Horse River.

Even though I knew I was in safe hands with our trusty crew leader Ted Bilton and full waterproof gear and lifejackets, I still saw my life flash before my eyes as we went over the bubbling, crystal clear Class Four rapids. I clung on for dear life as the excitement sent my adrenoline levels soaring.

It was the most exhilirating way imaginable to see the scenery from the bottom of the valley and more peaceful moments allowed me to take in the Rockies and trees above from different angle. If you aren’t as brave, Wild Water Adventures offer family raft days and gentler tours, all for reasonable prices.

With our feet back on terra firma, we headed off to Jasper. The route up Icefields Parkway by car passes so many points of extreme beauty – Lake Louise, Athabasca Falls and Bow Lake to name a few – that it took us most of a day to cover 180 miles as we kept stopping for photos and passing deer and chipmunk as well as taking in a few trails.

Finally, we reached the more down-to-earth Jasper. The small historic town is a good base to explore the beautiful region abundant with wildlife and friendly restaurants and comfortable hotels like Whistler’s Inn, where we stayed. The Jasper Brewing Company was just a few steps away too with the chance of sampling six homemade beers including blueberry and honey. It was impossible not to relax in such a calm atmosphere and with so many lakes at our disposal, a quick picnic in the perfect surroundings was hard to ignore.

We had seen warning signs of ‘Bears Beware’ around Banff and even a bear paw scratch on a tree, but it was not until we reached Jasper and were doing a Walks and Talks tour with knowledgeable guide Paula Beauchamp that we came across our own special sighting.

Not one, but three Black Bears – daddy, mummy and baby bear – in a row, forraging for food. Their silky black coats moving quickly and powerfully in their own terrain.

“They are the king of the forest, you don’t mess with them,” Paula tells us. “I have seen so many bears but every one is still special and something you don’t forget.”

And she was right. But for me, the whole trip across Vancouver and The Rockies was completely mesmerising and unforgettable.

Things to do...

* Stop off at the Columbia Icefield, half way between Banff and Jasper on the Icefields Parkway highway for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk on the Athabasca Glacier after reaching the point on a unique snowmobile developed by NASA.

* -La Casa Gelato, on Venables and Glen in east Vancouver, offers 218 flavours of ice cream from the bizarre blue cheese to the gorgeous marzipan and banana fudge.

* Lake Minnewanka, near Banff, has boat tours through the summer at the picture postcard spot. It’s also a good place to see roaming animals including mountain goat, beavers and moose in the summer or its frozen beauty in the winter.

* Make sure you go off the beaten track to to the trail to Mount Edith Cavell near Jasper, where an angel-shaped glacier graces the rock.

* The 2010 Winter Olympics planning website is available at: www.2010destinationplanner.com or visit: www.BritishColumbia.travel

* The Cultural Olympiad details can be found at website: www.vancouver2010.com/en/culture-and-education/cultural-festival-and-events/-/33968/1wly9jd/index.html

Travel facts...

Canadian Affair Flights to Vancouver from Manchester, London Gatwick or Heathrow start from as little as £149 for an adult. www.canadianaffair.com

Hotel prices for the Rosedale on Robson, in Hamilton Street and Robson, Vancouver, start from £115 a night.
Website: www.rosedaleonrobson.com

Prince of Whales tour company offers various types of whale watching trips from Vancouver. Website: www.princeofwhales.com

Brewster’s Mountain Lodge, Banff, start from around £60 a night and includes breakfast. www.brewstermountainlodge.com

Whistler’s Inn, Jasper, rates start at around £75 a night. www.whistlersinn.com

Wild Water Adventures range from £45 to £80. Visit website: www.wildwater.com

Walks and Talks Jasper is around £30 and available on www.walksntalks.com