Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights

Welcome to beautiful Edmonton, Canada. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you arrive early, perhaps visit the biggest mall in North America: West Edmonton Mall, or instead, learn about Canadian living history at Fort Edmonton Park, visit the nearby Ukrainian Cultural Village, and explore the small theatres and diners of the University District.

Start your day at the Telus World of Science in Edmonton, exploring interactive exhibits and the Indigenous Traditional Room. Afterward, drive north to Metis Crossing near Smoky Lake. After dinner, you will head out in search of a view of the spellbinding northern lights (clouds permitting). Enjoy a bonfire under the darkness of the night sky and cook some s’mores while you’re waiting.

Included Activities:

• Smoky Lake - Bonfire and Smore's
• Edmonton - Telus Science Centre

Prepare for an active day exploring heritage species at a wildlife park. After lunch, join Tales from the Trapline: A Métis Traditional Experience. Build a shelter, walk the land, and embrace nature. In winter, try traditional snowshoes. After dinner, venture out for another chance to see the northern lights. Alberta’s wide-open spaces and the clear skies at Metis Crossing offer an ideal aurora viewing experience. As a designated Dark Sky Preserve, Métis Crossing ensures minimal light pollution, providing excellent conditions for stargazing and northern lights sightings.

Included Activities:

• Smoky Lake - Snowshoeing
• Métis Crossing - Indigenous Knowledge & Wilderness Survival Course

Drive to Jasper National Park (approximately 5 hours), arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. Once settled in, go searching for wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, bears, and coyotes. In the evening, perhaps take yourself out for dinner in Jasper, as there are a variety of restaurants to choose from. Ask your local leader for suggestions on where to go.

Included Activities:

• Jasper National Park - Entrance Fee

Today, experience firsthand why Maligne Lake is one of the most photographed spots in the Rockies. Take in stunning views of turquoise waters framed by snow-capped peaks as you snowshoe along the shore or hike through the surrounding landscape. Enjoy breathtaking vistas, peaceful winter scenery, and possible glimpses of Spirit Island and local wildlife. In the afternoon, return to Jasper for an included lunch at a local distillery.

Included Activities:

• Jasper - Maligne Canyon Icewalk

Prepare for an unforgettable drive as you set out on the Icefields Parkway. The world-renowned roadway between Jasper and Banff stretches 232 kilometers (144 miles) through a landscape of jagged mountaintops and past 100 ancient glaciers. At its heart is the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains. The massive Athabasca Glacier, measuring 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) long and 1 kilometer (.62 mile) wide flows within walking distance of the roadway, so take a hike to its toe (the current lowest endpoint of a glacier). Tonight, arrive at Lake Louise to relax and ready yourself for another active day tomorrow.

Included Activities:

• Icefields Parkway - Hike to toe of Athabasca Glacier

Lake Louise is an iconic snapshot of Canada, and today you’ll experience one of its many beautiful moods. There are many options on how to spend the day, including an optional horse-drawn sleigh ride past the glacial lake. You’ll be able to take a snowshoe hike along one of the lake’s many trails, or perhaps pop on a pair of skates and practice some figure eights (or ice stumbles) while gliding across the surface of the lake. Included today is lunch at The Station Restaurant – a heritage railway station that serves hearty Canadian favourites. If you’re looking to continue to put your feet up, the Fairmont Chateau does a beautiful afternoon tea. For those lucky enough to be in Lake Louise during its annual Ice Magic Festival in January, be sure to take a look at the precision and delicate skill on display in the various ice sculptures by the lake.

Included Activities:

• Lake Louise - Snowshoeing
• Lake Louise - All Canadian Lunch

Drive to nearby Banff, Canada’s most famous mountain resort town. Located within Banff National Park, the town buzzes with shops, restaurants, and bars that offer a lively contrast to the surrounding mountain scenery. Explore the Whyte Museum and gain insight into the culture of the Canadian Rockies through more than 200 years of artwork and stories of the people who settled here. Experience the Johnston Canyon Ice Walk, where sub-zero temperatures transform waterfalls into glittering ice sculptures. Hike along steel catwalks built into the canyon walls and wander among towering pillars of ice. After your adventure, enjoy a Beavertail tasting—deep-fried sweet dough stretched by hand to resemble a beaver’s tail. Choose a classic cinnamon and sugar topping or indulge with whipped cream and Nutella.

Included Activities:

• Banff National Park
• Banff - Johnston Canyon Icewalk

Enjoy a free morning in Banff before an included snowshoe hike with your group at Sunshine Village Ski Resort, about 20 minutes out of town. To start, head above the tree line, and then put on your snowshoes and trek across the white powder with a professional guide. Your backcountry hike will be made extra sweet with a stop for hot cocoa and cookies on top of the (Sunshine Village) world. If you wish for additional excursions during your time in Banff National Park, pick from the following optional activities and contact us for current excursion pricing.

Included Activities:

• Banff - Guided snowshoe hike on Top of the World

In the morning, take a short drive to Canmore, nestled within the Kananaskis Country park system. Join an included ice walk at Grotto Canyon, using special hiking crampons to navigate frozen creek beds and narrow rock walls. For something different, opt for a dogsledding adventure with a trusted local operator. Meet your team of energetic huskies and glide through the snow-covered trails as they pull you across the winter landscape. Return to Banff in the evening, where a relaxed group dinner in town may be planned.

Included Activities:

• Canmore - Grotto Canyon Guided Icewalk

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before driving to Calgary, approximately 1.5 hours. The tour concludes at Calgary International Airport, with arrival time varying by group. If you are flying out today, please ensure your flight departs after 3 p.m. A drop-off in Calgary city can also be arranged; confirm this with your Trip Leader.