Alberta's Goat Creek Trail offers a fun mountain bike ride that traverses the beautiful valley between Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain. The trail starts above the town of Canmore at the top of the Smith Dorrien Road- Spray Lakes Road and finishes at the Spray River West trailhead, located approximately 150 metres beyond the Banff Springs Hotel at the northern end of Spray Avenue in Banff. From there you can cycle through Banff to pick…
Lake Louise hikes are some of the best you'll find in Banff National Park - and even Canada. Superlative mountain and alpine lake scenery is the reward for your efforts. The downside to most but not all of the Lake Louise hikes are the sheer number of people on the popular trails - especially Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers. If you can do it, book accommodation somewhere close to Lake Louise so…
Winter in Lake Louise may be cold but it sure is pretty. There's loads to do for skiers and non-skiers alike. A frozen lake with the most beautiful skating rink in the world set against a backdrop of truly stunning mountain scenery may be the first thing people think of when they think winter in Lake Louise. But within 25 - 30 minutes of Lake Louise Village there are an incredible number of outstanding outdoor…
One of the best hikes in Banff takes you to Fish Lakes via North Molar Pass. Very fit hikers could knock off the 29.6 km return hike to the lakes in a very long day. But my recommendation is to book a backcountry campsite (in January) and stay for a couple of nights at the Fish Lake Campground so you can truly enjoy what is truly one of the best hikes in Banff. The mountain…
If you're looking for adventure in Banff National Park then you've got to try the Via Ferrata at Mt. Norquay. Even though you're clipped in, it can be a little nerve-wracking at times. But also empowering. What you get with this giveaway My seventh giveaway out of ten to mark 10 years of blogging is a pass for two people to do the Explorer Route on the Mt. Norquay Via Ferrata. Over 2.5 hours enjoy…
Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park, named for the sulphur odour emanating from the hot springs near the base of the mountain, is usually accessed via a quick gondola ride. That's the easy way to get up and down the mountain. But there is the option of a Sulphur Mountain hike, actually two options but one is best in summer and the other during the shoulder seasons - October to December and April to June.…
The Johnston Canyon ice walk in Banff National Park ticks off all the boxes when it comes to a fun, half-day adventure. It's one of the most popular winter activities in Banff but don't let that put you off. To avoid the crowds, plan to start the Johnston Canyon ice walk either early or late in the day, appreciating that the sun sets by 4:45 PM in late December. Sometimes you will literally slip-slide your…
The Aylmer Lookout Trail is one of the great early season hikes in Banff National Park. There is the option to add extra mileage and hike to Aylmer Pass or even up Aylmer Mountain. The trail follows Lake Minnewanka for much of its length - and after a stiff climb towards Aylmer Lookout delivers superlative views up and down the lake. But be warned. Although it's not a hard hike, it is a long one. To Aylmer…
I've put together 14 suggestions for winter day trips from Calgary with the hope that some of these recommendations are completely new to you. I think there should be something for everyone on this list no matter what your age or fitness level. If you break up your winter routine and get outside - even on the coldest of days, I can pretty well guarantee you'll feel amazing for having done something. Spending time outdoors…
