Canadian Rockies

The adventure begins today when your flight arrives at the Calgary airport. Take our shuttle into Canada’s highest town, Banff, and settle into the lodge, your home for the next week. Established in 1885, Banff National Park was the first National Park in Canada and contains over 1,000 miles of hiking trails accessible to visitors.

You’ll meet your guide and have the rest of the evening to explore the shops and restaurants in Banff at your leisure, or, if you prefer, just spend the evening relaxing in front of the crackling fire or unwinding from your day of travel in the jetted hot pool.

Jump on the lift, ascend to the 9,000-foot peak of the mountain, and zip down a 3,500-foot vertical slope on your first day of downhill skiing in the Canadian Rockies.

Skiing in Banff promises short lift lines, friendly hospitality, unspoiled scenery, meticulously groomed slopes, state-of-the-art snowmaking, wide-open bowls, tree-lined glades and fresh, dry champagne powder. We will provide you with a pass that will allow you entrance to three ski areas with over 7,700 acres of terrain in the heart of Banff National Park.

Within these three areas you will find consistent snow, unlimited variety and breathtaking scenery. Four mountain faces allow you to follow the sun all day long. An abundance of gentle slopes and long cruising runs are great for beginners, or for more advanced skiers there are a variety of chutes, glades, gullies, remote bowls and double black diamond slopes. After a long day on the slopes, warm up with a local favorite, Maple Whiskey, in one of Banff’s elegant restaurants or relax in the Hot Pool at the lodge.

Another full day of skiing with an option of any or all three mountains. Afterwards you’ll get a chance to soothe your muscles in this historic, restored open-air mountainside bathhouse fed by a natural spring as you take in the beauty of the surrounding Mount Rundle.

After waking up to a beautiful sunrise over the Canadian Rockies, head down to the dining room for a scrumptious buffet breakfast to fuel up for a day of spelunking in an undeveloped and completely natural (no handrails or artificial lights) cave located in the Canadian Rockies.

This almost three-mile long cave was formed by extinct glaciers. As the glacier ice melt passed through the mountain, it left evidence of the journey — fossilized animal bones, crystal-clear cave pools, stalactites and stalagmites, beautiful calcite stone formations and glacial deposits — all which can be viewed as you crawl, climb and scramble through this wild cave.

Your certified guides will not only introduce you to the physical aspects of caving but also will interpret the cave’s natural history and ecological importance. Start your adventure with a challenging one-mile hike through rugged pine forests to the canyon, where you’ll rappel 60 feet into the depths of the cave. At the end of the day you will return to the lodge and are free to use the evening to rest, recuperate and explore.

Yet another full day of skiing or boarding with an option of any or all three mountains. Enjoy the breathtaking views from the top of the mountain before heading back down for a dip in the hot pool where you can relax and rejuvenate while gazing at the silent majesty of the Canadian Rockies.

Enjoy another delicious breakfast at the lodge before embarking on a full day of climbing the Canadian Rockies’ frozen waterfalls.

Experience the amazing scenery of the Rockies while scaling a 100-foot waterfall (or more depending on your experience level) with a certified, local guide who can show you remote spots away from the bustle of the town. The Canadian Rockies are world-famous for ice climbing, as they boast some of the most æsthetic and remote frozen waterfalls on the planet.

All climbers will be taught basic safety and ice climbing techniques before their ascent up the ice. Suitable and tailored for all levels of climber, this ice climbing adventure is for everyone. Tonight, you’ll dine on five-star Canadian cuisine with the rest of the group under a river rock waterfall and a grand wooden staircase.

Head back to the slopes for more downhill skiing at any of the three ski areas on your last full day in Banff, or, if you would like a change of pace, you can wrap yourself up in blankets and snuggle into your hand-crafted oak sled for a morning of dog sledding. Guide your team of Siberian Huskies through the majestic Canadian wilderness while listening to their rhythmic breathing and beat of their stride.

Dog-sledding is one of Canada’s oldest official sports. It became official in 1908 (even before hockey), but the Canadian Indians and Inuit tribes were using Huskies to pull sleds thousands of years earlier.

Before you depart on your hour-long journey you will get a chance to meet the dogs and take plenty of photographs while you get a thorough introduction on “mushing” and the art, science and history of dog sledding and “man’s best friend.” You’ll guide the dogs over the unspoiled trails of Goat Pond and through the mist at the Spray Lakes. After saying goodbye to your trusty dogs, warm up by the campfire with a mug of hot apple cider. After lunch, your afternoon is open to relax.

Enjoy your last breakfast at the lodge. Wave goodbye to Banff National Park as your shuttle returns you to Calgary Airport for your flight home.

We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.

• Activity

  How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.

• Distances

  You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.

• Surfaces

  What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.

• Elevation Change

  The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.

• Altitude

  The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for one to three hours. Take a long walk around Central Park to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active for at least a two-hour period.

• Distances

  For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. Think about this distance in terms of the width of Manhattan. Walking from the Hudson to the East River via 14th street is just under two miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, trying walking three flights of stairs and back.

• Altitude

  Less than 3,000 feet.

Level 2 trips will give you a taste of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for four to six hours. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles around Central Park.

• Distances

  Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be doing up to six miles on this trip. You can imagine this distance in terms of the full Central Park loop, which is 6.1 miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain. You can expect rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to an accumulative 1,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 6,000 feet.

Level three hikes will challenge you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

• Activity

  We’ll be out on the trails for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to ten miles today before heading back to the city. This is the distance between Battery Park and Washington Heights in Manhattan.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be walking on rolling or mountainous terrain. This will require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to 2,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 10,000 feet.

Deep inside you is a desire to push past your limit. On these hikes you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 4 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regiment, trying to get your mile time below 7 minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 4 hikes can be up to 16 miles. This is the distance between Wall Street and Yonkers.

• Surfaces

  These trails will be mountainous with exposed terrain, uneven trails and steep ascents/descents. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 14,000 feet.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate outdoor experience. If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, this is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best.

• Activity

  You should be ready for at least ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles a day. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and up keeping your hiking skills.

• Surfaces

  On Level 5 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Altitude change could also reach up to 14,000 feet.