The Columbia Icefields Parkway stretches for 232 km between Lake Louise and Jasper, Alberta. It's one of the prettiest drives in Canada - and indeed the world. While you can knock it off comfortably in three to four hours, that doesn't allow for any stops. At a minimum, take the day to drive the parkway - but if you've got a week, then you'll have time to get out and explore some of the gorgeous…
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 of Lake Louise in winter. But within 25 - 30 minutes of Lake Louise Village there are an incredible number of outstanding…
The Lake Agnes Teahouse - Little Beehive hike delivers some of the best scenery in the Alberta Rockies - though the hike up to the tea house is often ridiculously busy. The locals often avoid the area like the plague because of the crowds - but if you've come from afar you need to see Lake Louise. Plan to be at the parking lot by 9:30 AM at the latest if you don't want to park way…
The drive between from Calgary all the way through to Jasper, Alberta is a treat. Once you're about 20 minutes west of Calgary you get into big sky country and from there it just gets better and better. Highlights include the area around Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Bow Lake and the Columbia Icefields. I personally think the drive between Banff and Jasper is the most scenic drive in Canada - though there is some close competition -…
A hike up Fairview Mountain wasn't our first choice last weekend. We'd actually planned to hike to Kindersley Pass in Kootenay National Park. I'd heard great things about the trail and as a bonus it can be done as a loop hike. But as we drove south towards Radium Hot Springs the weather looked bad with lots of heavy, rain filled clouds hanging over the mountains. We aborted 15 minutes south of Castle Junction. We finally…
Driving from Vancouver to Calgary is a 10 - 11 hour, 1,000 km road-trip if you stick to the Trans-Canada Highway. But you could easily spend a week stopping at small towns along the way and taking advantage of all the hiking, biking and adventurous activities. If you're not in a rush and you want to maximize the scenic factor then consider driving from Vancouver to Calgary via Whistler and the Sea to Sky Highway…
I am a big fan of the cross country ski trails in Banff National Park for many reasons. Even on the coldest days you stay warm unlike my experience downhill skiing. You see some of the most pristine country on the planet - often with few people around. Check out these 5 suggestions for easy cross country ski trails in Banff National Park. Remember to always go prepared with the 10 essentials no matter what…
In early August one summer I did a three day backpacking trip to Baker Lake in Banff National Park with my brother and 13 year old niece - neither of whom had ever backpacked before. I'd chosen the hike to Baker Lake in Banff because it was rated as easy. But frankly, anytime you're carrying a heavy backpack up into the mountains for four plus hours it's not that easy. But it is definitely worthwhile!…
I spent a few very enjoyable hours snowshoeing by myself on the Lake Agnes Trail. I took it all the way pass Mirror Lake to the Lake Agnes Teahouse above Lake Louise. I'd hiked the same trail in July. The experience was 100% different - though both were great. In the summer the Lake Agnes trail is known for its crowds. On the day I snowshoed to Lake Agnes I met one person at the…