Alps vs. north American alpine easy summer hikes

I've seen Swiss, German and Austrian Alps and I live in view of the Canadian Rockies. Generally speaking, the natural views are equally awe inspiring. The biggest difference between Alps and Rockies is IMHO the human imprint. You won't find quaint little villages in the Rockies. There is nothing similar to Alpine meadows with cows to be found in the Rockies. But if you're interested in natural beauty, great panoramic views, moose and elk at large, impressive waterfalls and thelike the (Canadian) Rockies will not disappoint!

I agree with Beatrix. The highway between Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies is breathtaking and offer many hiking opportunities. To add a little more of a European flavor, stop in Lake Louise and hike to one of the tea houses for lunch. (it brought back memories of some of the mountain huts we ate at while hiking in Switzerland) I have also been to Whistler...also nice, but I prefer Banff/Jasper/Lake Louise area.

From my personal experience I can say the Rockies in Canada are somewhat like the Alps - but without all those numerous tiny little villages with their old houses and huts. The Rockies in Colorado are completely different, nowhere near the Alps.

It sounds to me that by "easy" alpine hiking, you are asking about lift-served hiking, which rules out everything but ski areas.

whistler is very beautiful, lush and green, and there is a glacier on Blackcomb mountain. the problem with Whistler is that every time I have been there in the summer, the hiking trails on Whistler mountain (above the mountain bike park) have been closed due to bear activity. one could ride up Blackcomb for sightseeing or skiing, but you couldn't hike up there, it's too rugged.

actually, the most beautiful ski area I know for lush scenery and incredible wildflower displays is Snowbird, Utah, but the hiking from the top of the tram is not particularly easy, unless you are OK with lots of downhill walking.

I love to ski Whistler but I don't think that's the prettiest alpine area in Canada by a long shot. Not even the prettiest part of BC--there's a lot of development in Whistler, and the mountain itself is pretty scarred by ski runs. But, because of the gondola you do have the access to easy hiking, and there are great views. It is pretty, don't get me wrong. It might be comparable to some parts of the Alps, but not the Berner Oberland (to me, the most beautiful part of the Alps).

The Canadian Rockies, on the other hand, DO have the jaw-dropping views of the prettiest parts of the Alps. A lot of people think the Canadian Rockies are the most beautiful mountains in the world, and I wouldn't argue with them. You don't have the same ease of access as you do in the Alps, but there are one or two cable cars (one up to Sunshine Village near Banff) and there is a bus that takes you up a gravel road to Lake O'Hara in Yoho, which is a stunning area and has great hiking. Like many national park areas, there are a variety of short, easy (even paved) trails. However, most of them are not at the tops of the mountains, the way they might be in Europe.

One other place that is not likely to disappoint in Glacier National Park. Just the drive over Going to the Sun Road is spectacular, and there are some short hikes off of the road.

thank you for the helpful replies. I will start "researching" the Canadian rockies.