Jemma Lovie
Latest Reviews
Blackcomb Gondola
During our recent trip to Whistler, we booked to go on the Blackcomb Gondola that promised amazing views over the region and a skybridge in the mountains.
We boarded our gondola at the Blackcomb terminal which is around a ten-minute walk from Whistler village. The ride was very comfortable with some nice views on the way, but the real attraction is at the top.
At the top we boarded the peak-to-peak gondola to take us from the top of one mountain to the other, when we came off we then took a chairlift that took us to the summit where the views were out of this world. The hike to the chairlift is around 15 minutes over uneven terrain but it is worth it if you are able. There is a first nations statue that looks amazing in its surrounding, you may have to wait a few minutes to get your turn to get a photograph, but it is worth it.
We walked across the skybridge which is high enough to send shivers down the spine of even the bravest but the reward is the most amazing view and backdrop for photos. After we got off the bridge, we spotted a hoary marmot who was casually digging up grass and munching away, a top moment on our trip as we hadn't seen marmots anywhere else.
Overall, the gondola is good value for money and a great way to spend a couple of hours when visiting Whistler.
We boarded our gondola at the Blackcomb terminal which is around a ten-minute walk from Whistler village. The ride was very comfortable with some nice views on the way, but the real attraction is at the top.
At the top we boarded the peak-to-peak gondola to take us from the top of one mountain to the other, when we came off we then took a chairlift that took us to the summit where the views were out of this world. The hike to the chairlift is around 15 minutes over uneven terrain but it is worth it if you are able. There is a first nations statue that looks amazing in its surrounding, you may have to wait a few minutes to get your turn to get a photograph, but it is worth it.
We walked across the skybridge which is high enough to send shivers down the spine of even the bravest but the reward is the most amazing view and backdrop for photos. After we got off the bridge, we spotted a hoary marmot who was casually digging up grass and munching away, a top moment on our trip as we hadn't seen marmots anywhere else.
Overall, the gondola is good value for money and a great way to spend a couple of hours when visiting Whistler.
Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola
On our recent trip to Lake Louise, we decided to take the Lake Louise Gondola ride. We were pleasantly surprised to find free return transport from Lake Louise village to the Gondola which was prompt and comfortable.
You enter via the Ski Lodge which in itself is a great visitor attraction. It has all the charm you would expect with a great café, visitor shop and friendly welcoming staff.
The ride to the top of the Gondola was comfortable with full panoramic views over the lakes and mountains but the best part of the view was the grizzly bear we spotted casually munching his was along the slopes.
At the top there is a great interpretive centre that has animal exhibits and information on the local area and history. There are several hiking trails at the top that aren't too strenuous and deliver top class views, there are also plenty of picnic areas to enjoy the pristine wilderness when you’re at the top.
Overall if you are visiting Lake Louise in summer, you should really give the gondola a visit.
You enter via the Ski Lodge which in itself is a great visitor attraction. It has all the charm you would expect with a great café, visitor shop and friendly welcoming staff.
The ride to the top of the Gondola was comfortable with full panoramic views over the lakes and mountains but the best part of the view was the grizzly bear we spotted casually munching his was along the slopes.
At the top there is a great interpretive centre that has animal exhibits and information on the local area and history. There are several hiking trails at the top that aren't too strenuous and deliver top class views, there are also plenty of picnic areas to enjoy the pristine wilderness when you’re at the top.
Overall if you are visiting Lake Louise in summer, you should really give the gondola a visit.
Maligne Adventures
During out recent trip to Jasper, we were desperate to see some of the local wildlife inhabitants and decided to book an evening wildlife tour with Maligne Adventures for our first night, and there is no exaggeration in saying that this was one of the best tours I have ever done.
We were greeted by Jamie who picked us up at the Marmot Lodge and warmly welcomed us to his comfortable tour bus. Jamie informed us that there was never a guarantee of seeing animals but within 5 minutes we were all in awe, watching our first black bear beside the railway tracks before even getting into the wilderness.
The next 2.5/3 hours were filled with beautiful scenery, bears, elk, eagles, deer and even a coyote family. This trip genuinely felt like a drive through a safari park with the abundance of nature on show in the pristine wilderness of Jasper, there wasn't a dull moment.
Jamie made this trip so spectacular with his unrivalled passion and knowledge about the local wildlife. He knew where the local eagles were nesting, where the osprey liked to hang out and could spot bears no‐one else had noticed. Jamie took the time to tell us plenty stories about wildlife and the local area in general, pointing out everything we were seeing on route, and told us that on his days off, he liked to explore the local area for animals then too and his passion really translated into the tour. The thing that stood out the most about Jamie in his role as a tour guide on wildlife searches was not only his deep passion for the flora and fauna of the area but his absolute respect for wildlife and nature that he imparts on to his guests. Jamie advised on the dos and don’ts with keeping safe distances, respecting boundaries etc, pointing out the errors of other people getting out of cars and at one point respectfully asking people to get back in their cars and give bears the space and respect they deserve. Jamie is not just a casual observer and commentator of wildlife, he is a true conservationist and ambassador for the natural world.
After almost 3 hours, we started to head back when we stopped to see a grizzly bear with her 2 cubs who casually sauntered across the road and gently kept pace with the bus, turning over large rocks looking for bugs, the cubs were very playful with each other, copying everything mum did too and it was incredible and very entertaining to watch. Jamie checked that no one on the tour was in a hurry to get back for anything and was happy to let us enjoy this for around half an hour maybe even longer even though the tour was officially over, and never once mentioned that the tour was over or we were keeping him from his personal life, he truly just wanted to make sure everyone got the most from the tour and got memories to last them a lifetime.
A solid 10 out of 10 for this tour and genuinely a must do for anyone hoping to see animals in their natural habitat.
We were greeted by Jamie who picked us up at the Marmot Lodge and warmly welcomed us to his comfortable tour bus. Jamie informed us that there was never a guarantee of seeing animals but within 5 minutes we were all in awe, watching our first black bear beside the railway tracks before even getting into the wilderness.
The next 2.5/3 hours were filled with beautiful scenery, bears, elk, eagles, deer and even a coyote family. This trip genuinely felt like a drive through a safari park with the abundance of nature on show in the pristine wilderness of Jasper, there wasn't a dull moment.
Jamie made this trip so spectacular with his unrivalled passion and knowledge about the local wildlife. He knew where the local eagles were nesting, where the osprey liked to hang out and could spot bears no‐one else had noticed. Jamie took the time to tell us plenty stories about wildlife and the local area in general, pointing out everything we were seeing on route, and told us that on his days off, he liked to explore the local area for animals then too and his passion really translated into the tour. The thing that stood out the most about Jamie in his role as a tour guide on wildlife searches was not only his deep passion for the flora and fauna of the area but his absolute respect for wildlife and nature that he imparts on to his guests. Jamie advised on the dos and don’ts with keeping safe distances, respecting boundaries etc, pointing out the errors of other people getting out of cars and at one point respectfully asking people to get back in their cars and give bears the space and respect they deserve. Jamie is not just a casual observer and commentator of wildlife, he is a true conservationist and ambassador for the natural world.
After almost 3 hours, we started to head back when we stopped to see a grizzly bear with her 2 cubs who casually sauntered across the road and gently kept pace with the bus, turning over large rocks looking for bugs, the cubs were very playful with each other, copying everything mum did too and it was incredible and very entertaining to watch. Jamie checked that no one on the tour was in a hurry to get back for anything and was happy to let us enjoy this for around half an hour maybe even longer even though the tour was officially over, and never once mentioned that the tour was over or we were keeping him from his personal life, he truly just wanted to make sure everyone got the most from the tour and got memories to last them a lifetime.
A solid 10 out of 10 for this tour and genuinely a must do for anyone hoping to see animals in their natural habitat.