The Mount Lady MacDonald hike out of Canmore is one of a handful of early season hikes that delivers a great workout along with spectacular views. It's a popular trail as we discovered, with most hikers turning around at the heli-pad. If you don't mind a little scree - or snow if it's spring time, then continue climbing up the mountain until you reach the knife-edge ridge. You'll have to decide if you've got the…
Can you picture yourself soaking in a hot tub minutes after finishing a day of cross-country skiing in the mountains? Or drinking a local beer after an icy walk in a mountain canyon? If you answered yes, head to Canmore, a gem of a mountain town where there are lots of things to do in winter. It's only an hour's drive west of Calgary and just minutes from the gates of Banff National Park. If…
With fickle spring weather, John and I have had a hard time finding a day on a weekend to do the hike up Heart Mountain. This past Saturday the weather Gods finally provided the window to do it. The Heart Mountain hike is 2.8 kilometres one way with an elevation gain of 745 metres (2,450 feet). It's nothing but up until you reach the summit. It took us just over four hours return including time for lunch…
If you're looking for a great workout in the mountains that doesn't take up the entire day, hike up Ha Ling Peak located just south of Canmore off the Spray Lakes Road. It's an imposing, inaccessible looking peak from any vantage point in Canmore but the reality once you're on the hiking trail is very different. Ha Ling Peak is not difficult to hike in the sense that there are no fancy mountaineering moves required.…
Spring is a great time to be a cyclist in Calgary. The snow is gone - or what is left is inconsequential - and the temperatures are conducive to getting out on a bike. Calgary itself is lucky to have over 600 kilometres of bike trails. But there are also loads of great bike rides within 75 minutes to 90 minutes of the city. Here are my top 11 picks for Calgary and area bike…
I could live in Canmore, a mountain town located an hour west of Calgary, and only minutes from Banff National Park. It's truly an outdoor adventurer's paradise. What I particularly love about the town is the fact you can walk out your door from just about anywhere in town and within minutes be hiking or biking on some amazing trails. Cycling in the Canmore area Bow River Valley Trails If you're looking for an easy, scenic and family friendly bike…
It was only in the last month that I stumbled on the fact that Canmore, Alberta boasts one of the largest cave systems in Canada with approximately four kilometres mapped to date. You'd think that after living in Calgary for over three years, I would have heard about this - but I hadn't. The thought of caving scares a lot of people - including myself. Fortunately there are tours for novices like me who want to…
Is dog sledding on your bucket list? If it isn't, it should be. It's so much fun - whether you're snuggled up with your significant other or you're actually on the back of the sled mushing the dogs. On the downhills it can be a real thrill - the faster you go the more exciting it gets. You'll also find the enthusiasm of the dogs to be contagious. If you're suffering from the winter blahs…
You can't help but notice cyclists and rollerbladers on the Banff Legacy Trail when you drive the Trans-Canada highway between Canmore and Banff. But up until last weekend I'd never cycled it. The Legacy Trail was built in 2010 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Parks Canada. Its 26 kilometres long one way and a very comfortable three meters wide. It takes you from the outskirts of Canmore into Banff, along Vermilion Lakes Drive all the…
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