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Canadian Rockies Winter Adventure
10 Days From R59 570
Canadian Rockies Winter Adventure 10 Days From R59 570
Get your fix of thrilling winter activities in Canada’s Rocky Mountain wilderness.
Canada is stunning any time of the year, especially in winter, so why not fulfil all your snow-covered fantasies in the Rockies? This action-packed trip is winter at its best, with hearty Canadian food and cosy lodging to satisfy the most seasoned traveller. Hike past rugged mountain ranges, try some cross-country skiing, skate on a lake in Invermere and see frozen waterfalls at Grotto Canyon. You’ll have the chance to travel the world-famous Icefields Parkway and hike the Athabasca Glacier, and soak in a natural hot spring amongst the forests in the Columbia Valley. Learn a thing or two about curling and hockey – two proudly Canadian sports – from the pros in Canmore, and dine on Canadian favourites in Lake Louise. Keep warm because this 10-day Rockies winter adventure is frosty. Seriously frosty.
10 Days From R50 445
Why you'll love this trip
See for yourself why the Icefields Parkway is considered one of the world’s most beautiful drives – a stretch of road that winds past soaring mountain peaks, lakes, valleys and waterfalls.
Experience a special group hike through a closed ski area at the secluded Fortress Mountain – a filming site for many Hollywood blockbuster films.
Go on two ice walks at Grotto and Johnston canyons, past frozen waterfalls, icy rock formations and possibly a few daredevil ice climbers.
Put on all the gear and get competitive in ice hockey. The pros will show you the ropes, then you’ll get the chance to test out your new skills against them!
Consider a rare opportunity to glide over the snow with a pack of husky dogs on an optional dog sledding tour, from trusted and vetted companies.
Is this trip right for you?
Less time spent in a vehicle; more time to explore each destination. This trip has been carefully designed to give you the best experience of a region by reducing the number of one-night-only stops, giving you extra time in the places that matter.
The diversity of the seasons here makes for incredible scenery, but the weather in this region can be unpredictable. It’s best to wear layers at all times of the year in case conditions change during the day. At night the temperature can really drop, so bring your warm clothes.
Winter weather can be unreliable. Roads in these areas are well-maintained and regularly ploughed, but in the event of unusually heavy snowfall there may still be delays and closures. The weather may also mean that some events are cancelled, or scheduled activities become unsafe. We will attempt to rearrange the itinerary or schedule replacement activities if this is the case.
Itinerary
Day 1: Canmore
Make your own way to Canmore, a charming mountain nestled in the Canadian Rockies. There are no airports here, so we suggest flying to Calgary as a number of companies offer frequent shuttles between the two cities (departing from either the international airport or major hotels in the downtown area). Your winter adventure officially begins at in Canmore with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Following the meeting, there’s an optional group dinner at a local restaurant where you’ll have to chance to get to know your fellow travellers. Otherwise, the evening is yours to enjoy as you please.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. Your leader will also ask your interest to undertake the optional activities that need reservations in advance, Dog-sledding or Cross-Country Skiing, offered on Day 4 of the tour. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange transportation that will have you arrive in time for today's welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (
Day 2: Canmore
Tick the first item off your winter bucket list today as you head to Kananaskis Country for a day of snowshoeing. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive to Fortress Mountain, the filming site of several Hollywood blockbusters (such as The Revenant and The Bourne Legacy), and the location of your private guided tour. The hike is in an abandoned and closed ski area not open to the public, so take your time spend up to 5 hours looking around as you trek through untouched trails. Remember to dress accordingly and wear warm (preferably waterproof) boots, a proper winter jacket, hat and gloves. Return to Canmore in the afternoon for a free evening. A warming cup of hot chocolate from one of the many cafes is a great way to start.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Fortress Mountain - Guided snowshoe hike
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 3: Canmore
Today, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a different kind of winter landscape as you embark on an ice walk through Grotto Canyon. See daredevil ice climbers scaling frozen waterfalls, and icy rock formations as you explore the creek bed floor with a local guide. Return to Canmore and grab some lunch before trading in your ice cleats for ice skates with a lesson at the Canmore Hockey Club. The time has come to let out your inner sporting superstar as local hockey players will show you the ropes and explain what you need to know to be a pro. You’ll have the chance don proper hockey gear and practice your new skills on the ice. The battle lines have been drawn, so it’s time to compete against your travel buddies!
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Canmore - Grotto Canyon Guided Icewalk
Canmore - Learn to Be a Canadian Hockey Player
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 4: Canmore
In the morning, head to the Canmore Curling Club for an introduction to another Canadian sport. Curling is so much more than brushing the ice, so be ready to learn a thing or two about the rocks and sweeping techniques – it’s harder than it looks! The afternoon is free to explore more of Canmore, and there are plenty of winter activities to keep you occupied. Today is one of two opportunities you'll have on this trip to go dog sledding, cutting through the snow like a Canadian explorer. Otherwise, those who like to cycle might want to hire a fat bike – a specialised winter bike outfitted with extra-wide snow traction, hand warmers and modified frames, perfect for winter conditions. There are plenty of scenic trails to explore of varying difficulty, like the Bow River Loop or Horseshoe Loop. Alternatively, Canmore’s snow-covered trees, mountains and animal tracks provide the perfect backdrop for cross-country skiing.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Canmore - Introduction to Curling
Optional Activities
Canmore - Dog-sledding - CAD200
Canmore - Fat Biking Tour - CAD65
Canmore - Cross-Country Skiing - CAD50
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Intrepid's commitment to animal welfare means we have chosen trusted dog sledding companies that adhere to strict ethical guidelines and can prove the humane treatment of the working dogs. Dog sledding in North America is a very popular winter activity, however we understand the personal hesitation travellers may have towards this, and that is why it is up to you to decide if you would like to participate or not.
Day 5: Banff / Invermere
After breakfast, take a short 30-minute drive to Banff, where there will be free time to stroll the main avenue and its shops, boutiques and art galleries. Though Banff’s main drag is touristy, the unfamiliar sight of snow-capped mountains framing the city is well worth it. After lunch, continue west to Canada’s main continental divide (a natural boundary of elevated terrain that separates the drainage basins of the country). This geological feature also happens to separate two provinces (Alberta and British Columbia) and two national parks (Banff and Kootenay). Explore the wilderness of this area on a guided 2.5-hour snowshoe hike through forests and secluded lakes. While out in this winter wonderland your leader will demonstrate how to make traditional maple taffy in the snow – a sugar candy made by boiling maple sap to a certain temperature. Afterwards, continue on to Invermere: a lakeside town in the beautiful Columbia Valley.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Columbia Valley - Guided snowshoe hike at Continental Divide
Columbia Valley - Traditional maple taffy experience
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 6: Invermere
Today is a leisurely day in the Columbia Valley. Start the day skating in the great outdoors along frozen Lake Windermere. Measuring nearly 30 kilometres (18 miles) long, Lake Windermere is famous for being the world’s long’s ice-skating trail. Later on, warm up at the mineral-rich waters of Radium Hot Springs, located in the Kootenay National Park. Spend some time relaxing in the steaming pools, which are all surrounded by snow-covered pines.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Columbia Valley - Ice skating on Windermere Lake
Columbia Valley - Radium Hot Springs
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 7: Invermere
Head to Panorama Resort in the Selkirk Mountains for another active day. Take a guided snowshoe hike at the with your group leader, and afterwards, perhaps hire a fat bike and explore the resort at your own pace, or strap on some skis for some cross-country action. There is no shortage of ways to get active and explore this park. Out of the cold, you must try the Canadian food specialty of poutine – hot potato chips covered in cheese curds and doused in gravy. After your day on the mountain, head back to Invermere and find a warm pub for the night.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Panorama Resort - Guided snowshoeing
Optional Activities
Columbia Valley - Cross-country skiing - CAD40
Columbia Valley - Fat tire biking - CAD65
Columbia Valley - Snowmobiling - CAD125
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 8: Banff National Park / Lake Louise
Journey back to Banff National Park (approximately 2 hours), arriving just in time for a hearty all-Canadian lunch at the Storm Mountain Lodge. Dine on meats from Alberta, cheese from Quebec and fish from BC in a rustic log cabin while a Canadian playlist croons in the background. After lunch, visit Johnston Canyon for an afternoon guided ice walk. A network of steel catwalks is built into the canyon wall, allowing you to walk right along this cathedral of ice. You’ll see staggering pillars of blue ice and frozen waterfalls towering 30 metres (98 feet) above your head. The magnitude, both above and below you, is a sight to behold.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Banff - All Canadian Lunch at Storm Mountain Lodge
Banff National Park - Johnston Canyon Guided Icewalk
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 9: Lake Louise
Today, join your tour leader on a drive along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, seeing for yourself why this stretch of road connecting Lake Louise to Jasper is considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world. After travelling past snow-capped mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and valleys filled with pine and larch, you’ll stop for what is bound to be a trip highlight – a hike to Athabasca Glacier, one of the six principal ‘toes’ of the Columbia Icefield. Alternatively, you can choose to have a free day in Lake Louise for one last fix of winter activities. Ask your tour leader about where you can go for some dog sledding, skating, cross-country skiing or a sleigh ride. In the evening, perhaps gather as a group and head to the Station Restaurant: a heritage railway station serving Canadian food.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Icefields Parkway - Hike to toe of Athabasca Glacier
Optional Activities
Lake Louise - Sleigh Ride - CAD37
Lake Louise - Dogsledding - CAD200
Lake Louise - Ice Skating including Hockey Stick - CAD20
Lake Louise - Cross-country skiing - CAD25
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 10: Calgary
Journey back to Calgary in a private vehicle. While there are no activities planned for the day, you can be transported to Calgary Airport or downtown depending on your plans.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
The arrival time depends on each group however If you decide to fly out this day, please don't book a flight before 3pm. If you wish to spend more time in Calgary, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
If you do plan to stay longer in this beautiful part of the world, shuttles between Calgary Downtown and Calgary International Airport run fairly frequently throughout the day, though they can vary in price. Banff Airporter (banffairporter.com) or Brewster Express Bus (banffjaspercollection.com/brewster-express/) are two good choices. Taxi and Uber are also available.
Inclusions
Meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights)
Included activities
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Fortress Mountain - Guided snowshoe hike
Canmore - Grotto Canyon Guided Icewalk
Canmore - Learn to Be a Canadian Hockey Player
Canmore - Introduction to Curling
Columbia Valley - Guided snowshoe hike at Continental Divide
Columbia Valley - Traditional maple taffy experience
Columbia Valley - Ice skating on Windermere Lake
Columbia Valley - Radium Hot Springs
Panorama Resort - Guided snowshoeing
Banff - All Canadian Lunch at Storm Mountain Lodge
Banff National Park - Johnston Canyon Guided Icewalk
Icefields Parkway - Hike to toe of Athabasca Glacier
Ref: IN11018
PLease contact us for more information
luzelle@atravelagent.co.za