1. 18 where.ca CANADIAN ROCKIES
In the Canadian Rockies we take our cues
from the mountains—we go big. We also get
creative. Our tour operators offer activities
that allow everyone to explore our wild alpine
playground. We’ll get you to the summit; you
choose whether you want to ride, fly or climb.
Backcountry Horse Trips
Horses provided essential transportation for
Indigenous peoples, European settlers and
early Banff and Jasper tourists. Visitors can
still sightsee by saddle and horse-drawn car-
riage. Today’s horseback rides link people to
our western heritage.
Take a trail ride for an hour or a day (p 83,
146), or join a multi-day pack trip through
remote mountain terrain with tent camp stays.
At the end of each day satisfy your appetite
with hearty campfire-kissed cuisine. New this
year are Banff Trail Riders’ (p 83) custom fish-
ing trips to alpine lakes teeming with trout.
“The cool thing about these new trips is the
solitude at the lakes and rivers. The opportu-
nity to explore that area is pretty unique. My
favourite place is Elk Lake,” says Banff Trail
Riders’ owner Jonathan Welsh.
For added comfort, book a horseback vaca-
tion with backcountry lodge accommodation.
Brewster Mountain Pack Train (p 83) rides to
the Ghost River area near Canmore explore
mountains, and log cabins await at Brewster
Company Ranch by Meadow Creek. In Banff,
Sundance and Halfway Lodge host Banff Trail
Riders’ guests along the peak-studded wilder-
ness route to 2,440-m/8,005 ft Allenby Pass.
Tonquin Valley Adventures in Jasper runs
horse trips to its lodge by Amethyst Lake back-
dropped by the rugged Rampart Mountains.
Bus or Fly to Alpine Trails
Typically it takes hours on foot to get to the
goods—high meadows where yellow col-
PHOTOS:(HORSES)BANFFTRAILRIDERS;(HIKERS)JOHNENTWISTLE,CMH
By Afton Aikens
with notes from Where writers
Activities you’ll cross
off your bucket list
with ease—plus a few
as challenging as they
are rewarding
Iconic
Adventures
Made Attainable

2. SUMMER 2016 where.ca 19
umbine, red paintbrush and purple fireweed
bloom mid-summer. In this picturesque, cov-
eted wilderness, blue-green lakes gleam and
expansive vistas abound.
But Sunshine Meadows (p 82) is attainable
in minutes via the summer shuttle bus that
ferries hikers to 2,159 m/7,082 ft and the Sun-
shine Village Nature Centre. Try our favourite
day hike, the relatively easy 7-km/4.3-mi loop
past Rock Isle, Larix and Grizzly lakes. The
route straddles the Continental Divide, tra-
verses rocky ridges, crosses streams and skirts
stands of larch trees that glow gold in autumn.
Lonely Planet designated this one of Canada’s
top five hiking areas.
While you can hike on your own at Sunshine
Meadows, tour operator Gord Stermann says,
“this high alpine environment is so interesting,
it’s worth exploring with a guide.”
For a bigger thrill, take a helicopter past gla-
ciers, waterfalls and peaks to your alpine hike.
Rockies Heli Canada (p 78) pilot Ralph Sliger
suggests a hike at Lusk Hill overlooking Kanan-
askis mountains, and on a clear day ranchlands
and the Calgary skyline beyond. Combine your
hike with heli-yoga or even a heli-wedding.
Rockies Heli also offers flightseeing over the
massive Columbia Icefield.
West of Jasper, fly with Yellowhead Helicop-
ters (p 144) past Mount Robson, the Canadian
Rockies’ highest peak, to a 23-km/14-mi hike
back to Hwy 16. See Berg Lake where the gla-
cier descends to the water, aptly named Valley
of a Thousand Falls and lovely Kinney Lake.
Glide to Gorgeous Views
Above treeline, peaks stud the skies and wild-
life bask on slopes. Hop a sightseeing lift
(p 84, 149) to the mountaintop and watch the
terrain below expand. Observation decks, hik-
ing trails and interpretive programs await.
After a $26-million renovation of the upper ter-
minal, the Banff Gondola (p 84) is back in full
operation August 1. Marvel at views of Cascade
and Rundle mountains, and the Fairmont Banff
Springs hotel. Bighorn sheep greet you on the
boardwalk stroll to the historic Cosmic Ray Sta-
tion. “With an expansive interpretive area and
immersive theatre (p 48), plus new food offer-
Gondolas and
helicopters access
alpine meadows
in minutes.
The cool thing about
fishing pack trips is
the solitude at the
lakes and rivers—
there’s nobody else
there. The opportunity
to explore that area
is pretty unique.
“
”–Jonathan Welsh, Banff Trail Riders

3. 20 where.ca CANADIAN ROCKIES
ings (p 119), this is a premiere family destina-
tion,” says the gondola’s Michelle Gaudet.
At Mount Norquay, take the refurbished 1952
North American Chairlift (p 86) to boardwalk
views of Mount Rundle and the Banff townsite.
Visit the Cliffhouse Bistro at 2,133 m/6,998
ft where Marilyn Monroe once dined. Thrill-
seekers can embark on a guided Via Ferrata
climb (p 72), a former Where magazine Best
New Attraction award winner.
Farther west, ascend Mount Whitehorn over
grizzly habitat aboard the Lake Louise Gondola
(p 86). At 2,088 m/6,850 ft get a stunning
bird’s eye view of Victoria Glacier, the Fairmont
Chateau Lake Louise and its aquamarine
namesake. Gaze across the valley at massive
Mount Temple, stop at the Wildlife Interpretation
Centre and take a guided walk.
In Jasper National Park, take the seven-minute
SkyTram (p 149) ride to the top of Whistlers
Mountain. On Canada’s highest aerial tram,
‘flight attendants’ chat with up to 26 guests
about the park’s history, geography and ecology.
At 2,227 m/7,306 ft see six mountain ranges
and walk the Summit Trail. “You’ll be hiking
above treeline in the alpine,” says manager Todd
Noble. Fear not—the trail is enjoyed by all ages.
Does altitude give you an appetite? All lifts
have dining at the top (p 119, 122, 166). Heading
to BC? Try the gondola at Kicking Horse Moun-
tain Resort (p 37) with grizzly bear refuge.
Via Ferrata Guided Climbs
Safely tackle steep mountain terrain previously
only accessible by seasoned climbers thanks
to via ferrata (‘iron road’) anchors that support
fixed cables, ladders and bridges. Guided climbs
at Banff’s Mount Norquay (p 72) are suitable
for all including first-timers with an appetite
for thrills. Walk the suspension bridge over an
impressive chasm and marvel at panoramic
views; the six-hour Mountaineer Route travers-
es an alpine ridge to the 2,450-m east summit.
“I love returning from a tour and listening to
participants excitedly discuss the stunning views
and their sense of achievement,” says Mount
Norquay via ferrata guide John Thornton.
Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) operates
luxury, helicopter-accessed backcountry lodg-
es in BC. CMH’s guided Mount Nimbus via
ferrata is North America’s longest; a suspen-
sion bridge between two spires is situated a
mind-blowing 600 m/1,968 ft above the valley
floor. Vacations that include both via ferrata
and heli-hiking (p 38) are CMH favourites.
Can’t get enough via ferrata? Kicking Horse and
Fernie mountain resorts (p 37, 45) also beckon.
Discover Amazing Glaciers
The Icefields Parkway (p 49, 134) that con-
nects Lake Louise to Jasper traces the spine
of the Continental Divide. Of the 100 glaciers
that grace its edge, the Columbia Icefield’s
Athabasca Glacier is most famous (p 84, 146).
PHOTO:(MTNORQUAY)KATEDOUGHERTY,TRAVELALBERTA
Via ferrata guided
climbs are safe yet
adrenalin-charged
adventures.
Continued on page 108