Canmore, Alberta and Kananaskis Travel Guide » walking

Guided Private Tours

Canmore and Kananaskis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:56:18 +0000

Book a Guided Private Tour and Create Your Own Backcountry Wilderness Experience in Alberta’s Banff National Park

What’s better than experiencing the natural scenic beauty of Canada’s Rocky Mountains and the national Parks of Alberta? Not much, except maybe an experience that is tailored to what you and your friends’ abilities are, and what you’d like to do and see.

Many tour companies in the Canadian Rockies operating out of Banff, Alberta, Jasper, and here in Canmore offer group tours and packages for all manner of outdoor activities. Most of these t0ur guides also offer private guided tours for your outdoor experience in Alberta’s backcountry.

Most of the activities you see listed here – backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, ice climbing, mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, trekking, backpacking – can be done with a private guide. In fact many tour companies will tailor a trip for you or your group, so you can have a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience in Banff National Park or elsewhere in Western Canada. The pace of the activity, the degree of difficulty, and the level of service and comfort is customized to the needs and abilities of you and your group – it will be virtually impossible not to have fun!

We can recommend the guides at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures if you’re looking for a private guided tour in the outdoors of Western Canada. While Yamnuska specializes in mountaineering, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering and hut-to-hut traverses, as well as day-hikes and multi-day backpacking trips and trekking in the warmer months. Equipment rental, food — Yamnuska will even assist you with arranging local transportation.

But let them tell you in their own words: “We specialize in organizing and crafting wonderful hiking experiences. From the beginning we will work with you to plan the trip that best incorporates your needs and objectives. Once you are ‘out there’ you will be with our very professional guides whose mandate is your safety, enjoyment and education.” You can also ask the company for references.”

For further information on guided tours in the Canadian Rockies, fill out the blue form on the right side of this page.

click here for

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

200 – 50 Lincoln Park
Canmore, Alberta, Canada

Activities and Things to Do in Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise

Canmore and Kananaskis — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:05:26 +0000

Let the Endless Outdoor Recreation of the Canadian Rockies Give Your Wedding Guests the Time of Their Lives

Rafting is one of the many great activities opportunities you'll find in Canmore.

When you’re a wedding guest, as opposed to the bride and groom or immediate family, weddings sometimes aren’t that much fun – especially when you have to travel somewhere to attend. That’s another great thing about a wedding in Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies: there is no end of things to do for your guests.

In fact, by planning ahead, you can make sure your guests get the most out of their Canadian Rockies trip, and make your wedding more fun at the same time.

Make Your Wedding Trip a Bonding Experience

Ciara Daykin, wedding planner and owner of Firefly Occasions, suggests the bride and groom plan group activities for guests. “Your guests will all feel like they are friends by the time the wedding actually happens.” She notes that guests will want to get out and experience the Canadian Rockies anyway, and by planning group activities, the bride and groom can create a bonding experience for their guests without incurring extra cost. “You don’t have to pay for everything, you just have to have it organized,” she says.

One Trip for the Adrenalin Junkies, One for Those that Just Want to Relax

Daykin recommends setting up two separate trips that will appeal to a broad range of guests, say whitewater rafting and guided sight seeing. Afterward, she says it’s good to have reservations made at a local restaurant, where your guests can get together and talk about their day over a great meal. “There are phenomenal restaurants in and around Banff,” she notes. “These places know how to cater to a large group.”

Below, you’ll find a list of information to help you and your guests plan their stay in the Canadian Rockies.

Accommodations

Everyone in your wedding party should be able to find the right accommodations in and around Canmore or Banff. Whether they need a castle, a cabin, a boutique hotel, or are just happy to have a hotel room, you’ll find it all listed in our accommodations section. Need to impress your spouse’s parents? Put ‘em up in a five-star resort hotel and spa!

If you’re already to book rooms or you just want to check out availability, you can check on hotels and reservations throughout Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Banff National Park from our reservations page.

Activities

If your guests complain that they’re bored on their trip here, you’d better check their pulse; there are plenty of things to do. There is no shortage of hikes, scenic drives, tours, historical sites and other activities in and around Canmore, Banff, and Banff National Park to keep them busy, entertained, and out of your hair during their stay in the Canadian Rockies.

Restaurants

At some point your guests are going to get hungry during their stay here, but there are restaurants in Banff that fit just about everyone’s tastes here. Our restaurants in the Canadian Rockies are as varied and awesome as the peaks that grace the Western Canada skyline.

Canmore and Kananaskis Country Hiking and Walking Trails

Canmore and Kananaskis — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:24:35 +0000

The best way to get to know Canmore and the surrounding area is on foot. And with a network of walking trails through town, along the river side and into mountain valleys, you won’t want to forget your camera. Some of the trails lead to picturesque Quarry Lake, follow a mountain stream through the community of Rundle, cross a beautiful old railway bridge, past stately hoodoos and into the slopes of the Benchlands. Give yourself plenty of time and wear sturdy walking shoes for a hiking tour of the area.

Kananaskis Hiking Maps are available from the Friends of Kananaskis

Canmore & Area – a very small sampling
Grassi Lakes – Moderate

Short, but oh so spectacular! This describes the Grassi Lakes trail to a tee. The trail is a 5 km loop which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre at the base of the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail. The trail begins on a fireroad, but quickly turns left onto a wooded trail. Before long, it opens up as it climbs towards some wonderful views of a waterfall. As you crest the summit of the climb, the lakes are only a short distance away. Turquoise and green in colour, they seem like magical pools as they sit at the base of an ancient coral reef. Above the lakes, atop a short loose scramble, native pictographs can be seen. Please refrain from touching the pictographs, and caution is advised for those climbing to view these ancient images.

A short hike (45 minutes)to twin emerald lake nestled between towering cliffs – some steep sections and stairs. This one is well worth doing. Trailhead is off Spray Lakes Rd.

Nordic Centre/Banff Trail – Varies

Hike the km of trails at the Nordic Centre, paved trails are good for cycling and in-line skating. Hike the 20 km to Banff.

Riverside Loop – Easy

A good trail right in town. Walk alongside the Bow River for some of the most spectacular scenery in Canmore. Parking available downtown or on River Rd.

Policeman’s Creek – Easy

A leisurely stroll through the town. Get away from it all in the centre of it all. Look for ducks on the ponds.

Goat Creek – Moderate

This 18 km trail drops 291 metres (957 ft.) from the summit of Whiteman Pass, to its terminus at the Banff Springs Hotel. It is wide and generally smooth, following former fireroad for much of its distance. It is most popular with mountain bikers, and hikers looking for a lengthy day-hike. Traversing the entire length of Mount Rundle, you are treated to numerous views of its steeply bedded slopes. Most riders prefer to have a vehicle waiting at the Banff Springs trailhead to prevent the need to return along the same trail.

A popular cross country ski trail in the winter. Start at the parking lot on the Spray Lakes Rd. and hike to the Banff Springs Hotel.

Cougar Creek – Moderate

Start from parking lot on Elk Run Blvd. Hike up the canyon or head up the mountain for spectacular views of Canmore. Some very steep sections.

#1 Minesite – Easy

A short guided interpretive walk among the ruins and foundations of historic site #1minesite. A short walk along the creekbed brings you to Canmore falls and Canmores own “cold” sulphur springs.

Grotto Canyon – Easy

This short trail offers a glimpse at the power of water as it follows a narrow runoff channel towards a delicate waterfall at trails end. The valley has been carved smooth by the action of running water leaving polished limestone. Along the way, if your eyes are keen, you may see some fading native pictographs. Damaged by years of being touched by curious onlookers, and by climbers ignoring their significance and climbing right over them, they are rapidly disappearing. Please respect their sensitivity and refrain from touching them.

A popular hike just outside Canmore. Take 1A to Exshaw 14 km.

Skogan Pass – Moderate

Climbing from the Alpine Resort Haven to the summit of Skogan Pass, this trail is a wilderness wanderers dream. It begins along cut-line and fireroad, rising steadily towards the pass at kilometre 9.8 (6.1 ml.) Along the way, it offers many opportunities to explore. Views back stretch all the way to Cascade Mountain above the town of Banff. The trail climbs 677 m (2,2,21 ft) before cresting the summit, and offering views of the Kananaskis Valley. The ski slopes of Nakiska at Mount Allan, site of the 1988 Winter Olympic downhill events, are clearly visible. Options include returning along the same route, or continuing down to the Ribbon Creek Trailhead at kilometre 20.3 (12.6 mi.)

Heart Creek – Easy

From a signed highway pullout, this quiet trail parallels the highway for a short distance before turning sharply upstream to follow Heart Creek. The valley quickly narrows as the stream bounces its way towards its junction with the larger Bow River. The trail offers views of steep limestone faces, some regularly challenged by rock climbers. At the trails end, a tiny waterfall hides around the corner just out of view. For those willing to accept wet feet, it is worth freezing them to view this pleasant cascade. During high water, stay safely on dry ground.

Heart Mountain – Expert

If you love altitude, and don’t mind exposure, this trail may be the one for you. Beginning at the Heart Creek Day Use area, along the shores of Lac Des Arcs, it follows Heart Creek Trail for a short distance before assaulting the ridge. When the climbing begins, it continues unrelenting to the summit. there are no switchbacks, just straight climbing along a narrow, steep ridge. Why would you want to endure such a trail? One look over your shoulder as you climb this trail will give you the answer. The entire Bow valley spreads beneath your feet. This is a trail for expert hikers only.